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Most natural health enthusiasts are generally pretty savvy when it comes to balancing vitamins, nutrients and electrolytes, eliminating processed food, and exercising regularly to optimize health and prevent disease.<\/p>\nMost natural health enthusiasts are generally pretty savvy when it comes to balancing vitamins, nutrients and electrolytes, eliminating processed food, and exercising regularly to optimize health and prevent disease.<\/p>\n
And if you\u2019re reading our Natural Health Alternative articles, you\u2019re either already a naturalist or are researching ways to improve your health without the use of pharmaceuticals and other poisons.<\/p>\n
However, one topic that many people forget to cover in their research and menu-planning is likely one of the most important, because without it, optimally processing all those other nutrients is an uphill battle.<\/p>\n
If you have ever had to take an antibiotic for a bacterial infection, you\u2019ll likely know that one of the side effects of the medication is diarrhea. This is because our intestines function well when the beneficial bacteria is thriving. <\/p>\n
These friendly microbes are essential in breaking down food particles so the vitamins and nutrients in them can be extracted and absorbed through the intestinal wall. Taking an antibiotic doesn\u2019t just kill the bad infection for which it was prescribed- it kills off everything. The intestines need the good bacteria to function well and when those germs are gone, we wind up with diarrhea.<\/p>\n
This is an example of an acute insult to our intestinal flora that results in an easy-to-identify physical problem (the runny stools). However, a more elusive problem persists for millions of people who are addicted to a traditional Western diet, but is very similar in nature.<\/p>\n
[adrotate group=”5″] The good bacteria, or probiotics, are absolutely essential to digestion and health. These little wonder bugs are responsible for as much as 70% of the functioning of our immune systems. They help purge foreign invaders and diseases, eliminate toxins, and break down food so that all those nutrients can actually be absorbed.<\/p>\n
Why go to the trouble of seeking out the best-quality, organically grown fruits and vegetables if much of their nutritive power isn\u2019t going to be absorbed?<\/p>\n
So how do we build up our probiotic numbers and keep them healthy and happy? <\/p>\n
1)\tFeed the good bacteria and starve the bad bacteria-<\/strong> Refined and processed sugars are like mother\u2019s milk for the bad, harmful bacteria in the body. Alternately, phenols (found in red wine, legumes, and the skins of vegetables) feed the good microbes we want thriving. Eliminate the white sugar (and high fructose corn syrup) and processed foods and instead replace those with nature\u2019s colorful bounty.<\/p>\n Discover more foods and preparation methods to help your body help itself, and crush your cholesterol problem for good in just 30 days\u2026<\/a><\/p>\n 2)\tIncrease soluble fiber-<\/strong> Not only do the good probiotics make a meal of soluble fiber, but the by-product of the feast is an increase in the beneficial fatty acid chains that fight cancers and other diseases.<\/p>\n 3)\tConsider prebiotic supplements and foods-<\/strong> Not all yogurt is created to be equal. Many of the flavored ones are packed with refined, processed sugars and artificial flavors. However, there are some unsweetened varieties that contain high levels of prebiotic support and probiotic cultures. You can flavor it yourself with fresh berries and a little local honey.<\/p>\n 4)\tEliminate stress- Like any other living thing, probiotic microbes are affected by a toxic environment, which can be due to illness, environment, or damaging effects of emotional and psychological stress. Having an effective method to eliminate stress and better control your body\u2019s fight or flight response will protect the probiotics from the ravages of stress. <\/p>\n 3 easy exercises drop your blood pressure as well as stress level as soon as today. Check out these blood pressure exercises here\u2026<\/a><\/p>\n Like its name implies, prebiotics are the nutritional elements that come before a healthy arsenal of probiotics. Increasing the optimal food for the probiotics will cause them to increase in number and function better. Knowing that their functions are to eliminate disease and process nutrients that are critical for health makes these microscopic allies so very important. <\/p>\n Make sure, as you plan your diet changes, to include as many prebiotic elements as you can. Simply replacing refined, processed white rice with the same-sized serving of beans is a great first step. You may also find that you\u2019ll have an easier time losing visceral fat with enough of those changes, too, so it\u2019s a win-win situation.<\/p>\n Simple 3 step plan reverses type 2 diabetes here\u2026<\/a><\/p>\n