The Complete Guide to Understanding Probiotics and Prebiotics | SELF HEALTH + HEALING | Scoop.it

Guest post by Alexander Shikhman, MD


"The human gut contains a myriad of microorganisms which form a well-orchestrated ecosystem known as microbiota.

 

Human microbiota plays a vital role in the human body via regulation of immune and inflammatory responses, production of certain vitamins and biologically active substances, scavenging of non-digested food components and human body metabolites (for example, uric acid causing gout) and feeding the intestinal lining.

 

Disturbances in the human microbiota caused by antibiotics, excessive carbohydrate consumption, prolonged use of birth control pills, immunosuppression and anti-inflammatory drugs can result in colon inflammation, yeast overgrowth, leaky gut syndrome and eventually trigger chronic fatigue, brain fog, insomnia and headaches.