The Health Benefits of Probiotics and Prebiotics in Women
The Health Benefits of Probiotics and Prebiotics in Women
Probiotics and prebiotics are vital for a well functioning digestive system. However they also play an important role in fighting yeast overgrowth, vaginal bacteriosis, and urinary infections. Because of this the benefits of probiotics and prebiotics in women's health care is key. Prevention through a healthy diet and lifestyle will have a significant impact on the level of probiotics present in a woman's body.
Micro flora exists not only our gastro intestinal tract but also moves to other parts of our body as well. Micro flora moves from our mouth, through the intestinal tract and into the urogenital tract. Microbes can essentially move through out the body as they wish. However it is important to remember that all micro organisms have a preferred place of dwelling. So just how do probiotics create a healthy urogential tract for woman? The lactobacilli have the effect of lowering the pH of the vagina to about 4 or 5. At this level bad microbes find it difficult to grow. However if the woman undergoes a large amount of stress or is taking antibiotics the number of lactobacilli will decrease. In turn her ability to repel the bad microbes is lessened. When these bad microbes started to flourish it can cause disease and illness in the urogential tract. Some of the more common problems include yeast infections, urinary tract infections and bacteria vaginosis. These problems are in fact the most common reason a woman will need to visit a gynaecologist.
The location of the vagina is one of the reasons why it is easy for bad microbes to find their way their. The vagina is thin walled tube no more than 10 long. The vagina can be though of as a door way from the outside environment to the body. Because it so closely located to the anus it is easy for it to become infected from intestinal bacteria. Bad microbes can migrate from the faeces to the vagina. Luckily many of the beneficial probiotics species also like to dwell in the vagina.
In a healthy vagina the probiotics will predominate. They will stimulate the immune system which in turn stops the growth of bad bacteria. Unfortunately it is easy tip the scales in favour of the bad bacteria. Stress, antibiotics, infections and foods that contain antibiotics can all change the delicate balance. Two of these problems are Candida overgrowth and yeast infections. These are a direct result of the balance of microbes within the vagina becoming unbalanced. Candida is a very common problem. More than two thirds of woman will suffer it in their life time. The symptoms of a yeast infection include itching, irritation and burning in the vagina. Sometimes a yeast infection will cause woman to have to urinate more often and the urination will be very painful.
Because of the importance of keeping the vagina healthy, it is of particular importance that woman pay attention to the levels of probiotics in their body. By maintaining a healthy level probiotics through correct diet and a healthy lifestyle woman can circumvent many serious and painful problems that would otherwise occur.
Probiotics and prebiotics are vital for a well functioning digestive system. However they also play an important role in fighting yeast overgrowth, vaginal bacteriosis, and urinary infections. Because of this the benefits of probiotics and prebiotics in women's health care is key. Prevention through a healthy diet and lifestyle will have a significant impact on the level of probiotics present in a woman's body.
Micro flora exists not only our gastro intestinal tract but also moves to other parts of our body as well. Micro flora moves from our mouth, through the intestinal tract and into the urogenital tract. Microbes can essentially move through out the body as they wish. However it is important to remember that all micro organisms have a preferred place of dwelling. So just how do probiotics create a healthy urogential tract for woman? The lactobacilli have the effect of lowering the pH of the vagina to about 4 or 5. At this level bad microbes find it difficult to grow. However if the woman undergoes a large amount of stress or is taking antibiotics the number of lactobacilli will decrease. In turn her ability to repel the bad microbes is lessened. When these bad microbes started to flourish it can cause disease and illness in the urogential tract. Some of the more common problems include yeast infections, urinary tract infections and bacteria vaginosis. These problems are in fact the most common reason a woman will need to visit a gynaecologist.
The location of the vagina is one of the reasons why it is easy for bad microbes to find their way their. The vagina is thin walled tube no more than 10 long. The vagina can be though of as a door way from the outside environment to the body. Because it so closely located to the anus it is easy for it to become infected from intestinal bacteria. Bad microbes can migrate from the faeces to the vagina. Luckily many of the beneficial probiotics species also like to dwell in the vagina.
In a healthy vagina the probiotics will predominate. They will stimulate the immune system which in turn stops the growth of bad bacteria. Unfortunately it is easy tip the scales in favour of the bad bacteria. Stress, antibiotics, infections and foods that contain antibiotics can all change the delicate balance. Two of these problems are Candida overgrowth and yeast infections. These are a direct result of the balance of microbes within the vagina becoming unbalanced. Candida is a very common problem. More than two thirds of woman will suffer it in their life time. The symptoms of a yeast infection include itching, irritation and burning in the vagina. Sometimes a yeast infection will cause woman to have to urinate more often and the urination will be very painful.
Because of the importance of keeping the vagina healthy, it is of particular importance that woman pay attention to the levels of probiotics in their body. By maintaining a healthy level probiotics through correct diet and a healthy lifestyle woman can circumvent many serious and painful problems that would otherwise occur.