Longevity has been associated with regular yoghurt consumption. It?s worth knowing whether this is a myth or can be backed by sound based studies. It seems there is truth and what needs attention is the quality of the yoghurt.
Essentially yoghurt is fermented milk with the milk being altered by acid-producing bacteria. The bacteria ?eat? or feed on sugars and in milk the simple sugar known as lactose is converted into lactic acid. It is worth knowing that bacteria do not only feed on lactose, milk sugar, but also alter other sugars and foods. By over consumption of high protein containing foods we favour the less healthy bacteria in our colon. This is due to supplying more ?food? for the bacteria that oppose the acid-producing bacteria. There are bacteria types which build up an environment in the colon as they eat and ferment food. To support the acid-producing bacteria give them what they need to thrive.
We should realise that after a course of antibiotics it is a healthy policy to supply what was destroyed. Take in direct sources of highly populated live acid-producing bacteria supplements after antibiotic prescriptions; antibiotics means against life! While a general term to cover bacteria supplements is probiotics meaning pro life. Our colon houses various and numerous types of bacteria that all have their place to different degrees! Many billions of live bacteria are needed to re-establish or improve bacterial conditions in our colon. A viable supplement can supply this and regulation of contents needs rigorous attention and care to protect the consumers from poor contents and misguided claims.
These bacteria are needed in greater numbers due to their extremely minor size; we need those billions in dosages! It is specifically plain, low-fat yoghurt with a guarantee of healthy live cultures or live bacteria that we require for health. To ensure that milk is safe from harmful pathogens, such as the tuberculosis bacteria, we process it before acid-producing bacteria are added! Threat and occurrence of food poisoning happens due to poor hygienic practices in the preparation of animal foods. Prevention is key, avoid consumption of those pathogenic bacteria by washing all that is in contact with raw animal foods and heat the food to required levels. Yet bacteria are not all adverse as shown by those in live yoghurt that have been shown to improve immune functions!
That means it may protect against auto-immune diseases, and colds and flu from viruses and insure a healthy living style of life.. We know the history of live plain yoghurt that seems to have prolonged life in some areas of the world. The lesson to us is not to mess around with a sound policy. Adding flavours via flavourants and mixing in other odd preservatives and colourants isn?t the best for health. Mucking about with something that?s healthy and natural alters it. Ensure you?re aware of what you actually are feeding yourself by checking labels, made hopefully by a quality guaranteed manufacturer of the product.
Anastacia Sampson is a Nutritional Medicine Practitioner and freelance journalist,and lives in East London in South Africa. It is through consulting and advising the public on nutritional information that her health book has been published. Anastacia Sampson also runs a website,Healthy Living,where you will find information on her books.