Recently there has been greater interest in the role that probiotics can have not just for maintaining gut health but as an effective method of reducing the symptoms of various diseases related to the gut. There now needs to be greater awareness of what they can potentially offer for those who experience suffering from colitis symptoms.
But firstly, the question of what are probiotics has to be asked. For the efficient functioning of the digestive system, the areas of the body being from the lower stomach through both the small and large intestines, there requires to be a large army of friendly bacteria named probiotics. These bacteria, which occur naturally, are essential in the process of breaking down food that is consumed plus they also assist in the process of nutrient absorption. A healthy colon should contain at least 85 percent good bacteria with the remainder made up of bad bacteria.
Other essential roles that are undertaken include the production of vitamins and nutrients required by a healthy body and the neutralisation of toxins. They are found on the intestinal walls and their role is to protect the lining and assist in keeping the immune system healthy. Due to their strength they are able to ensure that foreign bacteria that can enter the intestine such as salmonella are unable to gain hold.
Colitis occurs when inflammation is detected within the large colon’s walls and, when active, this inflammation creates open wounds. At the current time there is encouraging debate on the role of bacteria within the gut and its effect on suppressing the occurrence of colitis. And this has lead to questions being raised about the relationship of probiotics and colitis and whether they can have a positive effect on reducing not just active colitis symptoms but to maintain good health in those diagnosed with colitis and reduce the chance of a relapse happening. At the present time, it is acknowledged that the positive effects of taking a course may be reserved for those who enjoy normal colon health and more tests are required if these encouraging results can be replicated for those with colitis.
It is important for those who have been diagnosed with colitis to make themselves aware of developments that will bring relief and the use of probiotics to try and counter the effects of colitis symptoms is certainly creating some encouraging findings. But with anything medical, it is vitally important that a doctor should be consulted before introducing probiotics into the diet.
It is easy to buy various forms including “live” at places such as supermarkets, and it is tempting to just buy some to try them, yet it is important to resist this by those suffering from colitis symptoms. Once this has been discussed with a doctor, then that could be the time to try a little experimentation yourself.
