A proper probiotic supplement is as good as the range of beneficial bacteria that it contains. Streptococcus thermophilus is often included in the composition of such products because it’s quite versatile.
Here’s everything you need to know about it and the positive ways in which it’s going to affect your health.
Streptococcus Thermophilus: A Brief Overview
Streptococcus thermophilus is predominantly found in fermented milk products like yogurt and kefir. It’s usually there in combination with at least one member of the lactobacillus family like lactobacillus bulgaricus.
This is probably the most widely used bacteria in the daily industry. While the genus does feature a couple of pathogens that may have a negative health impact, streptococcus thermophilus is completely safe.
Most Important Health Benefits
Just like other beneficial bacteria, streptococcus thermophilus forms colonies in the gut. There, the probiotic has the capacity to impact health in a number of ways.
For a start, streptococcus thermophilus regulates the digestive process and it can reduce the symptoms of stomach upset.
The probiotic is excellent for reducing the symptoms of antibiotic-induced diarrhea, helping for the treatment of ulcerative colitis, improving the digestion of lactose and reducing the symptoms of irritable bowel disease (IBS).
Streptococcus thermophilus will also strengthen the immune response by helping the body fight off the pathogens responsible for causing upper respiratory infections.
In addition, the probiotic will reduce the colonies of h. pylori that cause ulcers, kill clostridium dificile and even reduce the symptoms of AIDS.
Additional research is constantly being carried out to identify other health benefits of streptococcus thermophilus.
Some evidence suggests that the probiotic is a good supportive option for cancer patients who are currently undergoing chemotherapy. These cancer patients are likely to experience a wide array of gastrointestinal issues.
Streptococcus thermophilus can reduce both the severity and the frequency of these symptoms.
Animal studies have been carried out to test the way in which bacteria like streptococcus thermophilus affect the propagation of cancer. It turned out that mice fed with yogurt had a lower incidence of various kinds of cancer after being injected with malignant cells.
The health benefits of streptococcus thermophilus don’t end here.
This probiotic can also improve the probiotic flora in infants that haven’t been breastfed, enhance good cholesterol and decrease bad cholesterol levels, help for the treatment of atopic dermatitis and may be a good natural remedy for the treatment of colic in babies.
A Few Additional Things to Keep in Mind
If you’re in perfect health, you may consider getting sufficiently large quantities of streptococcus thermophilus through the consumption of yogurt, kefir and mozzarella.
People who don’t like dairy products and the ones that are experienced a health issue, however, need to opt for a high quality supplement.
Probiotic supplements feature a bigger number of colony forming units (CFUs) than foods, which is why they’ll deliver quicker and more pronounced results.
Probiotics are considered generally safe and streptococcus thermophilus is no exception. Most people who eat foods rich in probiotics or who take a probiotic supplement will not experience side effect.
Some gastrointestinal symptoms may be common in the beginning. Once the gut flora has balanced itself out, these symptoms will disappear.
Some people who start taking a streptococcus thermophilus product may also experience mild acne within the first days of the supplementation program.
Keep in mind that unless a medical recommendation has been received from a physician, probiotic supplements should be avoided by pregnant women. The beneficial bacteria don’t cause risks or complications but research is still insufficient to clear them 100 percent.
Streptococcus thermophilus is quite versatile and beneficial. If you experience stomach issues or you’d like to improve your cardiovascular health, this will be the probiotic for you.
Needless to say, combining this beneficial bacteria with other strains will give you an even bigger range of positive effects.
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