LYCOS RETRIEVER 
Probiotics: Intestines
built 621 days ago
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Probiotics appear to work through a variety of mechanisms, from decreasing pathogen adherence to the intestinal wall to stimulating the systemic immune response. And they seem to be a safe, effective way to prevent virally induced gastrointestinal infections.
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Consumption of probiotics, particularly certain species of Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli, can help “balance” the flora, increasing the number of helpful, and reducing (inhibiting the growth of) harmful bacteria, in the intestine. Consumption of probiotics can ... modify the gut immune response and improve its barrier function. For example, specific probiotic species can shorten or reduce the risk of certain infections, particularly those of the GI tract, such as intestinal viruses.1 More recently, probiotics have also been shown to modulate/adjust the activity of the immune system, helping to control or reduce the development of certain allergies.
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Helpful or beneficial bacteria are called probiotics. Probiotics or friendly bacteria are able to alter the intestinal microflora balance favorably. They ... inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria as well as promote good digestion and boost immune function and thus increase resistance to inflammation and infection.
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As a note, you cannot take too many quality probiotics as you are providing good bacteria and replacing bad bacteria which both genders should take each day to provide 15 to 50 billion colony forming units (cfu). This intake level is only 0.15% to 0.50% of a total 100 trillion cfu of bacteria on the intestine wall.
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[One] part of the interest in probiotics stems from the fact there are cells in the digestive tract connected with the immune system. One theory is that if you alter the microorganisms in a person's intestinal tract (as by introducing probiotic bacteria), you can affect the immune system's defenses.
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Stressed rats that had gotten probiotics in their drinking water showed no signs of harmful bacteria leaking to their lymph nodes. Probiotics -- not harmful bacteria -- had attached to their intestinal walls.
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Intestines