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Our digestive tract is constantly exposed to an enormous amount of toxins and pathogens. The digestive tract is the first point of contact when we ingest something. It acts as a barrier to undesirables, so a healthy gut is so important for wellbeing. Our bodies produce enzymes that carry out their own detoxification routines in the digestive system. Through bad diet and lifestyle choices, the amount of these enzymes are decreased and the lining of our gut wall no longer serves as a strong barrier. This leaves our immune system to pick up the slack and eventually disease prevails.

The liver requires many nutrients to carry out detoxification effectively. These nutrients include protein, B vitamins, minerals and antioxidants and it is for this reason that a healthy, wholesome and clean diet is paramount for good health.

Microflora in the gut also have an important role to play in our body’s overall health and wellbeing. Pathogenic bacteria can inhibit the detoxification of our body by inhibiting absorption of important nutrients, releasing toxins into our system, and much more. These toxins are then stored in our fat cells. The longer these organisms are in our body, the more toxic exposure our body s to endure. During a proper detox, these pathogenic microorganisms are destroyed, flushed from the body then replaced with beneficial bacteria though probiotic supplementation. When we have an unhealthy digestive tract, we don’t absorb nutrients as well as we need to, which can lower our metabolism and will in turn cause weight gain.

Not all probiotics are the same. Each species and strain performs different functions in the body. This table shows some common probiotics and what they are commonly used for.

Probiotic – May assist in:

Lactobacillus acidophilus (NCFM) – Healthy digestive function, vaginal flora and general gut health

Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG –  Preventing atopic dermatitis in children, decreasing diarrhoea caused by antibiotics and reducing the risk of gastrointestinal infection

Lactobacillus plantarum (299v) – People with IBS, decreasing flatulence and bloating
Saccharomyces cervisiae Preventing and treating traveller’s diarrhea and yeast over growth in the digestive system

Bifidobacteria lactic (Bi-07) – Preventing intestinal yeast infections and helps with flatulence.

See your natural health practitioner for information on the best pro-biotic for you.