Authors: Elizabeth Lipski
Convert flavonoids to usable forms
Immune
Prevent and treat diarrhea from antibiotics
Prevent infection by producing antibiotic and antifungal substances
Prevent and alleviate eczema, asthma, and allergies
Prevent food poisoning
Decrease severity and duration of respiratory and other infections
Break down bacterial toxins
Protect against toxic substances
Have antitumor and anticancer effects
Prevent and control thrush, vaginal yeast infection, and bladder infection
Break down and prevent synthesis of bacterial toxins
Activate mucosal-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT)
Protect and modulate autoimmune diseases
Intestinal microbes play an important role in our ability to fight infectious disease, providing a front line in our immune defense. Friendly microbes also manufacture many nutrients, including vitamin K and several of the B-complex vitamins: biotin, B
1
, B
2
, B
3
, B
5
, B
6
, B
12
, and folic acid. Certain acid-secreting species increase our absorption of minerals including calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, and manganese. Probiotics improve peristalsis, help normalize bowel transit time, and are also important in preventing traveler’s diarrhea. If you travel outside the United States, take a probiotic supplement daily, as studies show it significantly increases your ability to withstand the new microbes to which you will be exposed.