Why are probiotic bacteria important for digestive health?
A. Colonies of bacteria in the intestine are called microflora. While a normal microflora is associated with good health, changes in intestinal health are associated with weakened immune function. An imbalance in the natural microflora is frequently associated with various disease states such as yeast infections and colon cancer.(6) Oral ingestion of probiotic bacteria helps support and modify the composition and metabolic activities of the large intestine microflora.9 Microflora of the large intestine assist digestion through fermentation (lowering the pH of the intestine, making it more acidic and inhospitable to invading species); protect against disease- causing bacteria; and stimulate the development of certain immune system components.6 Lactic acid bacteria have a central role in the gut flora enabling them to influence the composition of the flora for health benefits.(10) Probiotic bacteria also have been demonstrated to have anti-cancer properties. In a study, colon cancer pati
