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The Search For Vegan Probiotics Supplements

By Lelia Hall


The importance of beneficial bacteria in the gut has become widely known as new studies confirm what ancient cultures knew about the value of fermented and cultured foods. However, most easily obtained foods and nutritional products in America are dairy-based. For those who avoid foods of animal origin, vegan probiotics supplements may be the answer.

Recently, the American National Institutes Of Health has undertaken a comprehensive study of the bacteria in the human gut. Many, many different kinds of intestinal microbes have been identified, some with difficult names like Faecalibacterium prausnitzii. Scientists are identifying the different kinds and trying to determine the function of each. Both good and bad bacteria exist in the human digestive system.

Most of the organisms, both good and bad, are found in the large intestine, where the bulk of digestion occurs. Beneficial bacteria suppress the harmful yeasts that cause problems if they become too prolific. The 'good guys' also protect the lining of the intestines, which keeps undigested food from passing through into the bloodstream. The 'leaky gut syndrome' is the cause of many allergic reactions to food. Good bacteria boost the immune system, helping it control inflammation, which is the underlying cause of many illnesses.

The nutritional world has long recognized the value of fermented and cultured foods, which are traditional foods in many cultures. Americans today love yogurt and kefir, but many commercial products include unhealthy things like high fructose corn syrup and sugar, which encourage the growth of yeasts at the expense of beneficial bacteria.

Dairy foods, even if cultured, are off-limits for vegans, who eat no animal products. They may think that this eliminates Lactobacillus for them, but actually this familiar bacterium is found in kombucha tea and green superfoods like chorella, spirulina, and blue-green algae. The superfoods are also a source of Bifidum, another beneficial microbe.

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.

Vegans don't consume foods derived from animals and prefer products that are free from any contact with animal foods, down to the colors and flavorings used in preparation. Home-made dishes are, of course, the easiest to control. However, it's now possible to find products made in dedicated facilities, where no animal foods are ever processed. This prevents cross-contamination.

In these busy modern times, fewer people take the time to make meals at home. In addition, stress and lack of exercise - typical of modern life - are hard on our healthy flora. This is one reason why probiotic supplements have become popular. Fortunately, there are high-quality products available that have the vegan symbol on the label. This assurance is important to consumers who really care about the purity of what they eat. Using supplements also provides high concentrations of beneficial microbes to hasten the process of healing and to make maintaining a healthy bacteria population easier.




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