There are millions of types of bacteria and some are very good for us – living in the gut in a symbiotic relationship with us. Bifidobacterium-longum, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidum are some of the beneficial gut bacteria that not only help with digestion, but also with your immune system. In fact recent research is finding out that a healthy ‘flora’ of beneficial bacteria is essential for a strong immune system.
“A huge proportion of your immune system is actually in your GI tract,” says Dan Peterson, assistant professor of pathology at the Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine.
When you are born, you are given some of these beneficial bacteria naturally, yet they can be killed off by antibiotics, toxins and bad bacteria or yeast. This is why we want to supplement with active flora from time to time. Jarrow makes some great flora products which you can find in any health food store. Many are kept refrigerated to preserve the live cultures.
Also, Garden of Life makes great health food products. Here is one of their Probiotic formulas: