Within our intestinal tract billions of health-promoting friendly bacteria naturally reside. These friendly bacteria are collectively known as probiotics, meaning for life, and are essential for our digestive health and immune system.

If our diet does not provide us with enough probiotics (friendly bacteria) then we may feel the need to take a probiotic supplement

Probiotics maintain digestive health and comfort by digesting particular substances in the diet and enabling efficient nutrient and mineral absorption. A normal healthy gut has a good balance of friendly bacteria over bad bacteria; however, this balance is fragile. Factors such as stress, dietary habits, medication (especially antibiotics) can all have an adverse effect, increasing the need for some of us to take probiotic supplements daily.

There are many different probiotic supplements available, all containing different types of friendly bacteria (probiotics). Country Living Health Store has a wide range of these probiotic supplements.

The most common of these bacteria is L.Acidophilus. This particular strain of bacteria will be found in almost all probiotic supplements.

L.Acidophilus is able to survive the gastric acids and bile salts which are expected at mealtimes, and therefore reaches the intestines where it is needed.

Other beneficial bacteria found in Probiotic Supplements

B.Bifidum supports the production of antibodies, promotes detoxification and maintains resistance to undesirable, bad bacteria. B.Bifidum also supports the intestines to assist transit, promote comfort and optimise a healthy frequency and regularity of bowl movements

FOS (fructooligosaccharides)these are what are known as prebiotics and are found in many probiotic supplements where they act as a food source to bacteria like B.Bifidum. FOSs are non-digestible and therefore make their way safely to the large intestine where they provide food for the probiotics to flourish.

There is a positive relationship between B.Bifidum and prebiotics (FOSs) in the colon, and this has a great impact on supporting intestinal health and wellbeing.

All of these probiotic and prebiotic supplements can be found in powder and capsule form from many Health Food Shops and good online retailers such as healthstore.uk.com the online shop of Country Living Health Store.

Probiotics can also be found in live natural yoghurt, though not in as concentrated form as you would get from taking a probiotic supplement.

Do be aware that getting your daily dose of probiotics from many of the yoghurt drinks on the market is not the best way to achieve a healthy balance of good bacteria. Many of these products contain sugars to make them taste good, which is a key food to bad bacteria. Keep to the capsules or powder forms of probiotic supplements.

When we experience disruptions to the balance of friendly bacteria in our gut it can compromise the digestive and protective roles they play and can lead to poor digestion, lowered natural immunity and conditions such as diarrhoea, constipation, excessive gas, bloating and thrush.

Medical studies show that replenishing the intestines with probiotics is a natural way towards maintaining a healthy lifestyle.