(NaturalNews) Probiotic supplements or foods may lower the risk of cancer development. Many links have been found between diet and cancer; research suggests that probiotics may be useful as part of an anti-cancer diet. Probiotics are live microorganisms that may suppress the growth of bacteria that transform procarcinogens into carcinogens. Procarcinogens are chemical substances that become carcinogenic after being altered by metabolic processes. A carcinogen is one of any number of substances involved in causing cancer. Many forms of cancer can also be caused by infections, but probiotics boost immune system functioning to better fight off virsuses and parasites.
Probiotics
Research presented in 2009 at the 3rd International Immunonutrition Workshop in Spain demonstrated a link between milk fermented containing the probiotic strain
Lactobacillus helveticus and delayed growth of breast tumors. The study found that fermented milks can inhibit tumor growth by reducing the inflammatory response in cases of hormone-dependent breast cancer models and induced colon cancer.
Probiotics are also known as
lactobacillus acidophilus (
L. acidophilus),
Bifidobacterium bifidus and lactic acid bacteria. These are all healthy bacteria that are similar to the good bacteria that resides in the intestinal tract. Sometimes people do not have enough good bacteria in their system. Probiotic foods can increase levels of healthy bacteria. However, only live strains help. The ideal
probiotics are those that contain large amounts of living microorganisms, such as multiple
Bifido and
Lactobacillus strains. At least three billion live bacteria per serving is best.
Probiotics and the immune system
Probiotics help to strengthen the immune system and prevent diseases. By improving gut health, probiotics boost the body's immune defenses, which in turn fight infections. The intestinal tract is home to between 70 and 80 percent of the body's immune cells. If the immune cells are functioning well the body is more resistant to infection. Hepatitis B, hepatitis C, the human papillomavirus (HPV) and Helicobacter pylori are the four primary infections linked to
cancer. Combined, these four infections cause around 1.9 million cancer causes annually. Probiotics are particularly helpful in reducing vaginal and urinary infections.
When the gut has plenty of healthy
bacteria and flora full of probiotics it can more easily digest food and expel waste. Toxins and waste can back up in the intestinal tract instead of moving through the colon and out of the body when there is not enough healthy bacteria. These toxins can then get absorbed back into the body through the bloodstream. Toxicity in the body can interfere with oxidation, which can cause stress to cells that are not getting enough oxygen. Stressed cells do not function as well, which leaves the body vulnerable to infection.
Probiotic supplements, foods and doses
Yogurt is the food most commonly associated with probiotics but there are several others. Unfermented and fermented milk contain probiotics. Kefir is another dairy product that is a
probiotic food. Non-dairy sources include tempeh, miso and some soy drinks and juices.
Probiotics are also sold in supplement form. Probiotic supplements come in tablet, capsule and powder forms. Supplements may contain 1 to 10 billion bacteria.
Probiotic foods and supplements may help with cancer
prevention as well as several other conditions. Probiotics can help with diarrhea and other digestive problems. They may also assist with elimination, allergies and weight management.
Sources for this article include:http://journals.cambridge.orghttp://breastcancerconqueror.com/probiotics-and-cancer/http://www.breastcancer.orgAbout the author:Sarka-Jonae Miller is a personal trainer, massage therapist, novelist, and blogger. Get more health and wellness tips on Sarka's
Natural Healing Tips blog,
Facebook page, or
Twitter.
Sarka's debut novel, "Between Boyfriends," recently appeared on three Amazon best seller lists, including Comic Fiction, Humorous Fiction, and Women's Fiction. It peaked at #3 on the first two lists. The novel is available on
Amazon worldwide. This is the second time in two months "Between Boyfriends" appeared in the top 10.
East County Magazine calls it the "ultimate chick-lit read." The Rancho Santa Fe Review newspaper says, "Over the course of the book, Jan, who is in her early 20s, begins to grow as a person and even strikes up a true friendship with a man, a first for her." Read a free sample on Amazon.
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