Here's how to choose the correct probiotics supplement for a healthy digestive tract.

OFTEN labelled as the "medicine" of the 21st century, probiotics is essential for good health.

Probiotics are friendly bacterium that live in our digestive tract.

If there is not enough of such bacteria, a probiotics supplement is recommended.

There are several causes for an imbalance of these beneficial bacterium: stress, travelling, antibiotic treatments, and consumption of food additives and certain types of foods or drugs. Maintaining a healthy balance of probiotics is crucial not only for a person's digestive system, but for his or her overall well-being.

Probiotics helps our body to:

- Maintain a healthy gastrointestinal tract by inhibiting growth of harmful pathogens.

- Improve general immunity and regulate bowel movements.

- Promote detoxification of intestinal toxins.

- Manufacture digestive enzymes.

- Improve absorption of certain minerals like calcium, magnesium and phosphorus.

- Create an unfriendly environment for potentially harmful bacteria.

When choosing a probiotics supplement, it is important to note that not all strains of bacteria are the same.

The effectiveness of a probiotics supplement depends on the bacterial strains used, the manufacturing process and the delivery mechanism.

There is no perfect probiotics supplement. Look for probiotics that conform to the following criteria:

- Harmless.

- Of human origin.

- Resistant to gastric and bile acids to ensure its viability when it reaches the small intestines (where it grows and colonises).

- Ability to adhere to the intestinal mucosa.

- Ability to colonise and grow in the intestinal tract.

- Ability to produce bacteriocins to kill harmful pathogens.

- Clinically proven health benefits.

Having a proper delivery mechanism is also crucial. Probiotics, encased with a gastro-protective coating ensure sufficient quantities of bacteria reach the small intestines to be effective. - Article courtesy of Merck Sdn Bhd