Probiotic Basics: The Key to Healthy Digestion
September 15, 2011
•Le Cordon Bleu
•Los Angeles
• 0 Comments
Probiotic Basics: The Key to Healthy Digestion
Healthy living is an essential part of the California culinary arts, which is why there has been an interest lately in culinary programs that incorporate probiotics into a healthy diet. Even though common sense may tell us that bacteria should be avoided at all cost, the fact is that the human body is full of bacteria both good and bad. Maintaining a healthy balance between the two is essential for good health. While probiotics are already popular in parts of Europe and Asia, taking bacteria for health is just catching on here in the states: here’s what you need to know about the trend.
Health Benefits
Microorganisms are present throughout the human body. The bowel alone is home to 100 trillion microorganisms from over 500 species. These microorganisms are essential for maintaining a healthy immune system, warding off harmful bacteria and illnesses and the proper digestion and absorption of nutrients. The way our body interacts with these microorganisms is vital to our overall well being. When harmful bacteria, yeasts or parasites overtake the body it seems that adding probiotics to your diet can help restore the body’s natural balance. They are known to help with many different digestive issues such as IBS, diarrhea, ulcers and even Crohn’s disease. When given to children, probiotics can help delay allergies, treat and prevent eczema, and protect against respiratory and stomach infections. Other uses include curing urinary tract infections, protecting against certain cancers and treating vaginal and skin infections.
Sources for Probiotics
While most commonly taken in the form of a dietary supplement there are some natural sources of probiotics that you can incorporate into your diet. Any fermented food is a natural source of probiotics but always look for a mention of live cultures on the packaging. Some good sources include: pickled ginger, aged cheese, yogurt, miso, wine, kimchi, tempeh, cottage cheese and even some types of beer.
Things to Consider Before Taking Probiotics
While the research done to date indicates that probiotics are safe and effective it is still a good idea to consult with your doctor before beginning a new diet or homeopathy regime. Research is still inconclusive regarding giving probiotics to very young children, the elderly or those with compromised immune systems so caution is advised.
The side effects from probiotics are fairly uncommon and usually mild and digestive in nature, usually just gas or bloating, but by manipulating the bacteria in your body there is a small chance that it could lead to infections and changes in metabolic activity. If you experience any discomfort or unusual symptoms when starting probiotics it is best to consult with your doctor right away.
When modern medicine fails to diagnose or treat certain ailments it can be best to pursue a natural alternative. Many people have been able to relieve their chronic digestive problems with probiotics. While continued research will be necessary to fully understand all the health benefits of probiotics it appears that most people can benefit from the addition of friendly bacteria to their diet. If you are interested in learning more about California culinary arts and healthy living perhaps you would enjoy enrolling in an online culinary program.
This article is presented by Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Los Angeles. Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts in Los Angeles offers culinary arts and pâtisserie and baking training programs in Los Angeles, California. To learn more about the class offerings, please visit Chefs.edu/Los-Angeles for more information.
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