Why Probiotics are Necessary
By next year, the worldwide market for probiotics will reach $69.3 billion. What are probiotics and why are so many people buying them? Simply put, probiotics are live bacteria found in certain foods or supplements that colonize a person’s digestive tract. While reading these words may cause alarm for some, the type of bacteria found in yogurt and cheese is actually good for human health. Probiotics can help treat inflammatory bowel disease and urinary tract infections while reducing symptoms of depression and stress.
How is this possible? Our digestive system is home to more than just human organs. Up to 100 trillion bacteria live in the human gut, most of it beneficial. The type of microbes living in this part of the body are influenced by diet, exercise, and antibiotic use. The reason so many diseases can be treated with probiotics is because 70-80% of immune cells are located in the gut. 95% of serotonin, a mood-influencing hormone, is produced in the small intestine. A human’s mental and physical health depend in large part on these small organisms.
20 million Americans suffer from chronic digestive diseases. For them, improved probiotic intake could make a serious difference in their lives.
Source: Nouri
