Probiotics

Probiotics, the beneficial bacteria commonly found in yogurt cultures, are popularly thought of as an aid to good digestion. But scientists are discovering that probiotics and the resulting healthy balance of gut bacteria confer a broad spectrum of previously unrecognized health benefits.As we age, take antibiotics, or eat an unhealthy diet, the delicate balance between beneficial and bad gut bacteria becomes disrupted.

In the era of the COVID-19 pandemic, caring for oral hygiene seems to be particularly important. The human mouth is teeming with bacteria that can cause dental cavities and more serious gingivitis and periodontitis. Even good oral hygiene habits of brushing and flossing twice a day might not be enough to ward them off.

In a clinical trial at UCLA School of Medicine, researchers found that the prebiotic XOS (xylooligosaccharide) increased the beneficial bifidobacteria for overall health.

The versatile and semi-essential amino acid glutamine can improve intestinal health and exercise response.

The discovery of the human microbiome is changing the ways we think about health and disease. Microbiome is the term for the trillions of living organisms that reside in and on the human body. An estimated 100 trillion microorganisms live in the gut alone—that’s up to ten times the number of cells that make up the body itself.