Our body hosts a bacterial population of about 100,000 billion cells, most of which are found in the intestinal tract. Maintenance of healthy intestinal flora is, therefore, essential not only to favour correct bowel function, but also to strengthen the body’s defences against the invasion of bacteria and pathogens. In fact, besides regulating the absorption of nutritional substances present in foodstuffs, the intestine is also an essential barrier between the external environment and the body.
Milk enzymes or probiotics are cultures of friendly bacteria that are necessary for the digestion of foodstuffs and for the production of certain vitamins, particularly B group vitamins that have a regulating and purifying action on intestinal flora. Many disorders can manifest in case of an imbalance between friendly bacteria and pathogenic bacteria, such as thrush, candidiasis, intestinal gas, abdominal swelling, constipation, diarrhoea and malabsorption of nutrients. Probiotics have antibiotic and anti-fungal properties that protect the body against many intestinal, vaginal and urinary tract infections.
Furthermore, extensive scientific evidence indicates that supplementation with probiotics is a preventive factor against certain types of cancer because they inhibit the activity of certain enzymes that are responsible for carcinogenesis.
Probiotics have powerful anti-pathogenic, anti-inflammatory and anti-allergic effects. At present, studies confirm the beneficial role of probiotics for human health from an immunological standpoint, as they stimulate and modulate the immune system.
The use of milk enzymes is indicated in case of:
• dietary imbalances
• prolonged use of medicines (antibiotics and oral contraceptives)
• diarrhoea and/or constipation
• digestive disorders
• Candida albicans infections
• vaginitis
• urogenital tract infections
• acne
• atopic dermatitis
Probiotics, prebiotics and symbiotics are extensively discussed. Let us clarify a small legend.
Probiotics: live and vital microorganisms (particularly lactobacilli and bifidobacteria) that, once ingested, have a protective effect on the intestinal ecosystem.
Prebiotics: carbohydrates and non-digestible oligosaccharides (particularly F.O.S. and inulin), which stimulate growth and activity of beneficial bacterial flora.
Symbiotics: mixture of probiotics and prebiotics.