Wednesday, March 8, 2017

Probiotics in Ayurveda





What is Probiotics: Probiotics are those bacteria which are good for our body and health. There are several kinds of bacteria found in our intestines playing an important role in maintaining the health of body and intestines. These bacteria prevent the growth of harmful type of bacteria and several types of chemicals which are harmful to our health. So probiotics are essential for body to maintain healthy state. Probiotics are live microorganisms which when consumed may confer a health benefit to the recipient.


There are certain species of bacteria e.g. Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) and Bifidobacteria spp. are commonly used in the manufacture of probiotic products because of their well-known
beneficial effect to health and they are generally are Safe. Many studies have shown that probiotics can stimulate the immune system, decrease serum cholesterol, alleviate
lactose intolerance, decrease diarrheal incidence, control infections, act as antibiotics, suppress tumors and protect against colon/bladder cancer.


The continuous use of imbalance diet and medication due to some illness, there is stress buildup and an imbalance creat in the digestive system. Due to this there is increase of growth of harmful bacteria and thus giving rise to many disease. E.g. IBS, colitis like intestinal diseases etc.


In Ayurveda Takra (yogurt) is considered as the source of Probiotic. According to Ayurvedic understanding Takra (yoghurt) is a great probiotic. Hence the consumption of yoghurt in diet is
a simple and effective remedy as per Ayurveda.


The micro channels carrying nutrients to all cells in the body, when they get clogged or blocked due to any reason, the particular organ or system suffers in efficiency due to lack of nutrition.
It is essential to remove such blockages. The reason which cause the blockage must be treated. The buttermilk removes such blockages and purifies the channels Thus buttermilk is an important food supplement which keeps disease away.


Yoghurt is a natural probiotic diet because the friendly bacteria for the intestines and the body are found in abundance in it.  A bacterium of yoghurt help well in absorbing the minerals as well, particularly the calcium and the iron. Buttermilk detoxifies body and cleanses the intestines, relieves constipation and helps to replenish intestinal flora. It has less fat compared to milk and is rich in calcium, potassium and Vit B12. Hence in Ayurveda prime importance is given to butter milk. Therefore eating yogurt or buttermilk is the good therapy in Ayurveda for management of diseases related to the GI tract


What is Prebiotics:  Prebiotics are employed to promote both beneficial bacteria which are already established in the colon as well as externally administered probiotic bacteria. The original definition of prebiotics was that they are food ingredients which are indigestible in the upper GI tract and reach the colon to beneficially influence the recipient by selectively promoting the growth and/or activity of certain bacteria in the colon. You can find these prebiotics in naturally from many fruits and vegetables including leeks, Jerusalem artichokes, chicory, onion, garlic, banana, and asparagus.


So start eating yogurt and buttermilk for your good health. But there are some people who can not take yogurt and buttermilk due to some other disease, so they can take probiotics in capsule form which is available in the market.