The Truth About the Benefits of Probiotics and Bloating, Indigestion, Acid Reflux, and More

If you have indigestion, bloating, heartburn, constipation, diarrhea, acid reflux, or something more chronic like Irritable Bowel Syndrome or Crohn's Disease, you may be wondering about the benefits of probiotics.

Probiotics are known for improving the health of your digestive system. Many people either take probiotic supplements or eat foods with probiotics, such as yogurt. The probiotics are good bacteria for your system and they help to keep the bad bacteria from growing. The benefits of probiotics are many: improved immune function, allergy prevention, digestive support, improved nutrient absorption, and more. These benefits were discovered with certain strains of bacteria, so you can't just purchase any probiotic supplement or eat a fermented food and expect to get the result you're looking for.

There are other concerns with probiotics as well. Aside from the fact that many supplements on the market do not have sufficient quality or quantity to achieve the hoped-for benefits, the strategy of introducing a couple of different bacteria into your system has come under scrutiny recently. You have 100 trillion bacteria in your gut. There are estimates that you have between 500 and 1000 different kinds of bacteria growing in your gut! With that much variety and complexity, how can you know which bacteria will help and which will make your problem worse?

Fortunately, scientists have discovered prebiotics. Prebiotics come from food - they are the non-digestible parts of certain foods, and they provide nourishment to the good bacteria in your gut. So they have a couple of things going for them: they are natural substances, and they already work in your system-you just need to be sure to get them into your diet.

As you eat certain starchy foods, the parts you can't digest known as prebiotics feed the good bacteria in your gut. Prebiotics are found in plant foods such as onions, asparagus, bananas, apples and many types of berries. The benefits of prebiotics include, along with a much better functioning digestive system, better vitamin and mineral absorption, a stronger immune system, reduced allergy development and a healthier heart. And, they are safe and effective in their whole-food state. I would not recommend consuming inulin or FOS (two types of isolated prebiotics) added to foods. In order to get the maximum benefit, you need the whole fruit or vegetable. Supplement form is okay as long as it's the food, and not the isolated substance.

Consuming prebiotics can eliminate bloating, indigestion and all those other symptoms of a poorly functioning digestive system. People seeking the benefits of probiotics may really be looking for prebiotics.

Candice J Hughes is an enthusiastic researcher of digestive health and natural products. Her research is available at http://www.prebiotic-supplements.com/. If you have indigestion, bloating, acid reflux, constipation or other symptoms of poor digestive health, including conditions such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome or Crohn's disease, visit http://www.prebiotic-supplements.com/ now to learn about the product Candice recommends.

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Treat Your Heartburn, Indigestion and Acid Reflux

Acid reflux or GERD is a condition where gastric juices containing acid flow back from the stomach into the esophagus (the gullet or swallowing tube). The word "reflux" originates from the medieval Latin word refluxus which arises from the Latin word refluere, meaning "to flow back, to recede". If a person suffers from acid reflux the acids from his or her stomach "flow back" into his or her esophagus, causing discomfort and pain - this discomfort is commonly referred to as heartburn, which is generally considered the first symptom of acid reflux or GERD. Heartburn. This early symptom usually leaves a persistent chest burning sensation.

You may be surprised to learn that these acid reflux symptoms occur to everyone once in a while, but if it happens regularly and persists over a long period with no sign of visible relief even after possible medication then you are faced with acid reflux or GERD. Changing diet may bring some relief, but if symptoms persist then you certainly need medical attention.

This condition can be extremely painful and a complete nuisance if it linger on and on. However, I remain strongly convinced that with a bit of patience, a healthy diet and a few home remedies, you can cure acid reflux! This is where we come in.

There are many reasons you may be suffering with acid reflux.

And perhaps you've already seen your family doctor who has recommended that you...

Lose your weight
Eat slower
Avoid acidic foods
Sleep with your head slightly elevated
Stop taking alcohol
Quit smoking

This is all good advice... And you should strictly follow any medical plan that your doctor has laid
out for you. However, it's important that you also understand:

Too often, "treatments" recommended for acid reflux focus on eliminating the symptoms (pain, heartburn, and nausea) while doing little to address the CAUSE!

Eliminating the pain is obviously your first priority...

... But shouldn't you *also* be thinking about a long-term solution that doesn't involve eating handfuls of antacids or taking harmful prescription drugs with unwanted side effects?

If your acid reflux has been ongoing for a considerable length of time, or you're experiencing more severe symptoms that may include weight loss, vomiting blood, black stools, or painful swallowing......then you should see a medical professional *immediately*.

Left untreated, acid reflux can lead to some extreme medical conditions including esophageal cancer, narrowing of the esophagus, asthma, and dental problems.

If your acid reflux/GERD/heartburn is caused by a failure of your lower esophageal sphincter, which isn't closing fully and allowing the contents of your stomach to reach the esophagus, you will require treatment by trained medical professionals.

Talk to your doctor before discontinuing any recommended treatment program or prescription.

And it's quite possible that you've been making your acid reflux worse through use of antacids, which create a hostile environment for critical digestive enzymes!

So what's the answer? Why not skip the antacids and try rebalancing your digestive enzymes to bring down your hydrochloric acid production and enjoy better overall digestive health!

I am a university professor working at a medical school in my country where I teach biochemistry and molecular biology to medical and nursing students both at undergraduate and graduate levels. I am also a trained pharmacist specializing in biochemistry, molecular biology and human molecular genetics to doctorate level. I am an ardent internet marketer with special interest in alternative medicine.

http://acidreflux.digestivescience.com/ct/120721

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Don't Confuse Indigestion With Heartburn

People sometimes tend to confuse different health problems like indigestion, heartburn and acid reflux. It's important to know the differences between these. For example, indigestion problems may cause heartburn, but the reverse isn't true. As far as the treatments go, they are likely the same, but not exactly always. Because of the treatment similarity, people like to confuse them.

Food plays a huge role when it comes to indigestion. The quantity of it you consume is a factor too. Sometimes overly spicy foods can also trigger it. In some situations, the unhealthy habit of eating rarely each day, and to balance it out, eat larger meals than usual. That is to be avoided. Eating more times per day (and in smaller quantities) will give your body more time to digest everything properly. And don't forget to take your time when eating.

Few are willing to admit it, but sometimes our bodies create more acid because we are under pressure. Psychological sufferings like stress and anxiety have been proven to also play a big role in digestion problems. If certain areas (especially those related to your work in any way) bring you stress, then avoid eating there altogether. Only eat where you are comfortable eating. That way you won't face stress when doing it and when you're finished, you can just continue working as usual.

Indigestion is also something that's caused by some over the counter drugs. Pharmacies rarely like to admit it, but some of their medicines are full of unwanted negative side effects, among which there may also be indigestion. It's important to always follow instruction carefully when taking certain medication (if not all). For example, be careful about suggested time of medicine consumption. If it says that you should take it before eating or a couple of hours after it, then do so without asking. Incorrect medicine consumption can actually elevate the pressure in your stomach.

Acid reflux can often be treated in a natural way, by simply changing your dietary habits. If you eat less foods with acids in them, your condition will improve. The same goes for overly salty, spicy and fatty foods. Simple things like this can go a long way when it comes to addressing your condition. I've already mentioned the importance of eating slowly and in a peaceful environment. Thinking long-term when it comes to your health will often yield the best results.

Heartburn No More is a product designed to help acid reflux patients in a natural way. Please visit Heartburn No More Review Central if you'd like to know more.

Patrick Z Anthony specializes in helping patients with the use of holistic treatment.

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