Probiotics are beneficial bacteria in the intestines that help produce vitamins and digestive enzymes, stimulate the immune system, reduce serum cholesterol, improve calcium absorption, eliminate harmful substances from the body and help restore the normal flora of the digestive tract after antibiotics, radiation or diarrhea. There are more than 400 different strains of probiotic bacteria, several of which are commonly used in the manufacture of food. There are a number of subspecies of these bacteria. Some of these bacteria are available as probiotic supplements.
Bifidobacterium Strain
Bacteria of the Bifidobacterium strain constitute the majority of the flora in the intestines of breastfed infants. These bacteria help protect the intestinal mucosa. B. bifidum helps with the immune response, can be used to make yogurt and is one of the most dominant species of beneficial bacteria in the human intestinal system. B. breve may help prevent E. coli and salmonella infections. B. infantis 35624 may also help prevent E. coli and salmonella infections, and may have anti-inflammatory properties as well. B. lactis is often found in yogurt and helps stimulate the immune system. B. longum helps digestion, supports the immune system, can be used to make yogurt and is one of the most dominant species of beneficial bacteria in the human intestinal system. B. adolescentis and B. animalis are also part of this strain.
Lactobacillus Strain
Bacteria of the Lactobacillus strain help protect the intestinal mucosa and may help prevent inflammatory bowel disease. L. acidophilus is one of the better know probiotics. It is one of the most dominant species of beneficial bacteria in the human intestinal system, and may help prevent E. coli and salmonella infections, can be used to make yogurt and is beneficial to the entire digestive system. L. bulgarius helps turn milk into yogurt and may make milk products more digestible for the lactose intolerant; it is thought to help the body manufacture antioxidants. L. casei, another of the most dominant species of beneficial bacteria found in the human intestinal system, may benefit patients with Crohn's disease, supports the immune system and helps encourage the growth of other good bacteria in the digestive system. L. crispatus is used in the making of yogurt. L. rhamnosus helps stabilize beneficial bacteria in the intestinal system. Other bacteria in the Lactobacillus strain include L. amylovorus, L. delbrueckii, L. gallinarum, L. johnsonii, L. plantarum, L. salivarius and L. sporogenes.
Lactococcus Strain
The bacteria L. lactis helps prevent diarrhea when you are taking antibiotics.
Saccharomyces Strain
The bacteria S. cerevisiae helps prevent diarrhea when you are taking antibiotics. S. boulardii is another bacteria in the Saccharomyces strain.
Streptococcus Strain
The bacteria S. thermophilus helps prevent infection, may make milk products more digestible for the lactose intolerant and can be used in yogurt production.
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