Understanding Probiotics and Their Possible Health Benefits
Probiotics are defined by the FAO/World Health Organization as “live microorganisms which, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host.” (Report of the Joint Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and World Health Organization for the Evaluation of Probiotics in Food.”)
The gastrointestinal (GI) tract naturally contains thousands of species of bacteria. These bacterial biochemical functions in the GI track are considered by many scientists and clinicians to be the next frontier in human biology. Possible health benefits of adding probiotics to our diet include:
- Fewer gastrointestinal disorders
- Lower incidence of diarrheal diseases
- Enhanced lactose tolerance
- Fewer vaginal and urinary tract infections
- Modulation of the immune system
- Enhanced calcium adsorption
Digestive, or “gut” health ranked first among the “10 Key Trends in Food, Nutrition and Health in 2008.” The focus on intestinal health research is indicated by more than 50 projects funded by the National Institutes for Health between 2006 and 2008. And that number grows today. The longstanding idea that 70% of the body’s immune response and activity occurs in the gut is being confirmed with extensive and ongoing research.
During the cough, cold and flu season, it can be important to consider the use of probiotic products to support the intestine during and/or after antibiotic therapy. Delpro capsules can be taken one hour before or one hour after taking an antibiotic to minimize a problem called “dysbacteriosis,” which has symptoms such as diarrhea that can be triggered by antibiotic therapy.
Delpro is a blend of five strains of “friendly” bacteria, known as “probiotics,” combined with 8 mg of del-IMMUNE V. While del-IMMUNE V does not require refrigeration, Delpro should be stored in the refrigerator. Those who travel with Delpro can be assured that the product retains freshness for 30 days and longer without refrigeration, so it may be carried when refrigeration is not available.
