Stay Healthy on Vacation and in the home Enhance Your Health With Probiotics

Summer vacations and traveling adventures can do wonders for your heart, mind and spirit, but they can also take a toll on your physical health if you're not careful. Many travelers understand first-hand the unfortunate risks to digestive health that often "include the territory," so to speak. Travelling, backpacking, a good simple camping trip (among other routes of exposure) can introduce foreign microbes to the digestive system, leading to mild to severe digestive problems that may be difficult to diagnose. But if you keep the beneficial bacteria colonies in your gut healthy and strong, your likelihood of suffering from such digestive imbalances are far less, whether or not you're in a fresh place or your own backyard. Furthermore, beneficial bacteria can strengthen your overall health in a number of ways.

Digestive Health may be the Cornerstone of Vitality

Optimal digestion is truly the cornerstone of any health restoration and maintenance program, for many reasons. From complete nutrient absorption to immune health, and also brain and neurotransmitter function, digestive health directly influences a variety of critical processes in the body. And much of these digestive-related functions hinge on the current presence of healthy bacteria colonies in the digestive system. New studies are revealing insights in to the far-reaching health advantages, complexity and uniqueness of the friendly bacteria which reside in and around us, flourishing beneath the right conditions. Just about the most beneficial strains being studied is called Saccharomyces boulardii.

A Friendly Bacteria

S. boulardii is really a beneficial ("friendly") yeast that can thrive inside our digestive systems, so it is considered "non-pathogenic." Because of this S. bouliardii colonization in the gut is healthy and beneficial, unlike pathogenic yeasts such as Candida albicans. Trusted in Europe now for several years, numerous studies have demonstrated S. boulardii's beneficial effects in both treating and preventing diarrhea, which occurs in a wide variety of circumstances including acute microbial infections, antibiotic use, and in a variety of chronic gastrointestinal disorders.

Studies have shown that friendly yeast reduced the incidence of acute diarrhea in adults and children. Studies done on travelers found that the ingestion of S. boulardii significantly reduced the incidence of traveler's diarrhea which occurs when foreign microbes enter the system. Taking S. boulardii can also help prevent the onset of diarrhea as a side-effect of antibiotic use.

Important Information for anybody Taking Antibiotics

Pseudomembranous colitis is a serious digestive complication that may occur with the use of antibiotics. Antibiotics may be essential for acute infections, however they also kill the beneficial bacterial populations in the digestive system, and allow harmful bacteria and microbes to dominate. One particularly bad bacteria overgrowth that may occur with some antibiotic use is called Clostridium difficile. This bacterium produces toxins that may cause very serious and potentially life-threatening diarrhea, that is then treated with more antibiotics, developing a vicious cycle. However, studies on our friend S. boulardii are showing excellent results in the prevention and recurrence of this dangerous type of colitis. In addition, S. boulardii has been shown to stimulate immune antibody production contrary to the C. difficile toxin specifically, and stimulate the production of enzymes in the digestive tract that help to breakdown this serious toxin. S. boulardii also inhibits the growth and reproduction of the harmful Clostridium bacteria. For anyone who is taking antibiotics or took them in the past, including S. boulardii in your daily program might help protect your digestive and general health naturally.

Help for Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Another digestive condition helped by S. boulardii is irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which is characterized by several chronic digestive symptoms including abdominal pain often associated with multiple, loose stools. S. boulardii again involves the rescue, proving its ability to normalize the stool and reduce the number of daily bowel movements. Anyone experiencing IBS should see a qualified practitioner who assesses for bacterial overgrowth, parasites, inflammatory markers, food sensitivities, etc., which can all contribute to the symptoms of IBS.

Natural Anti-Inflammatory Actions

S. boulardii also communicates with the organism in which it lives (you!) and will help regulate inflammation throughout the body. It does this by modifying inflammatory pathways and inhibiting the production of pro-inflammatory chemicals. S. boulardii also promotes the body's production of natural anti-inflammatory chemicals to help keep inflammation in check, an important key to long term health and vitality.

Saccharomyces boulardii is a fantastic ally in the ever broadening family of beneficial organisms which provide protection from disease and help keep us healthy. Keep S. boulardii at heart if you ever get a case of diarrhea, need to take antibiotics, or create a candida overgrowth. Pack some S. boulardii in your travel bag if you are planning a trip, as it may save you from the real "traveler's blues" and allow you to enjoy your long awaited vacation. For more tips about maintaining digestive health and fitness, visit http://www.dreliaz.org.

Dr. Isaac Eliaz is a respected author, lecturer, researcher, product formulator, and clinical practitioner. He has been a pioneer in neuro-scientific integrative medicine because the early 1980s. Dr. Eliaz is a frequent guest lecturer on integrative medical methods to health, immune enhancement, and cancer prevention and treatment. For more info, please visit http://www.dreliaz.org.