The Search For Vegan Probiotics Supplements

By Lelia Hall


More and more people are realizing the health benefits of beneficial bacteria in the human digestive tract. Ancient cultures recognized this importance on a practical level, and their confidence in fermented and cultured foods is being validated by scientific research. People who choose to avoid all animal products, and therefore can't eat dairy-based yogurt or kefir, can find vegan probiotics supplements and certified food products.

The national Institutes of Health in the United States has recently begun an in-depth study of the different microbes found in the human intestinal tract. Many different kinds of bacterium have been identified, both beneficial and harmful. Bacterium like Faecalibacterium prausnitzii have been discovered, isolated, studied, and found to have significant benefits to the host.

Scientists say that there are far more intestinal bacteria than cells in a human body - as much as ten times more. This gives you an idea of how much activity goes on in the process of digestion and utilization of food. There are harmful, disease-causing organisms, like yeasts; these are held in check by beneficial microbes. Poorly digested food or damaged walls of the large and small intestine cause allergic reactions and inflammation. Beneficial bacteria produce secretions that boost the immune system, helping to reduce inflammation, flatulence, and constipation.

Although cultured and fermented foods play a major part in the diet of many people groups, western societies are less likely to consume them. Furthermore, many foods which could provide beneficial bacteria, like yogurt and kefir, have been turned into desserts with high-fructose corn syrup or sugar, neither of which help keep intestinal flora healthy.

Many consumers are familiar with Lactobacillus, a forms of good bacteria found in milk cultures. Dairy products, of course, are not in a vegan diet. However, Lactobacillus is found in kombucha, a fermented tea drink, in vegetable foods like kimchee, and in green superfoods - chorella, spirulina, and blue-green algae.

Asian people developed tempeh, miso, tamari, and shoyu, all fermented soybean products. Fermented vegetable products include kimchee, sauerkraut, and brine pickles. All of these and many more are rich in beneficial microbes. Dietary experts recommend including fermented and cultured foods in the diet on a regular basis.

Packaged foods made especially for vegans will display the industry symbol on the label. Vegetarian products may contain colors, preservatives, or flavors that are of animal origin. Dishes made at home are easy to control, but purchased foods and supplements should have the symbol that assures consumers they are free of animal products. Some manufacturers ensure against cross-contamination by using separate facilities for vegan foods.

People who know the value of eating right may still be too busy to cook at home or take food with them everywhere they go. This busyness also can translate into stress and a lack of physical exercise, both of which are bad for intestinal flora. For this reason, taking a probiotics supplement made specially for vegans makes a lot of sense. This is also a way to get high concentrations of one or more strains of bacteria found to promote health.




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