Probiotic Information

Probiotics, what are they?

Your body contains billions of bacteria and other microorganisms. Probiotics refers to dietary supplements or foods that contain beneficial, or "good," healthy bacteria that are similar to those normally found in your body. Although you do not generally need probiotics to be healthy, these microorganisms may provide some of the same health benefits that the bacteria already on hand in your body do, such as assisting with digestion and helping protect against harmful bacteria. Dannon's Activia yogurt, for instance, is probably the most publicized example of a probiotic food. There is an emergent public interest in probiotics and their benefits. Researchers are studying whether probiotics taken as foods or supplements can help treat or prevent illness. Some researchers also believe probiotics may improve overall general health.

There is evidence that probiotics may help with some of these issues:

~ Treating diarrhea
~ Prevent and treat vaginal yeast infections and urinary tract infections
~ Treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
~ Reduce the occurrence of bladder cancer recurrence
~ Abbreviate the duration of intestinal infections
~ Prevent and treat inflammation following colon surgery
~ Avert eczema in children

Where can you find Probiotics?

Do not confuse probiotics with prebiotics; they are not the same thing! Prebiotics are nondigestible food ingredients that stimulate growth and activity in people’s colons. Probiotics are found in foods and other dietary supplements. (Such as, Super Probiotic by TwinLab or Hi-Po Dophilus by Maxi Health.) Some examples of foods that contain probiotics are; yogurt fermented and unfermented milk, miso, tempeh, and some juices and/or soy beverages. In foods containing probiotics and in supplements, the bacteria may have been present originally or added during preparation.

Most probiotics are bacteria similar to those naturally found in people’s guts, especially in those of breastfed infants. Most often, the bacteria come from two groups. Within each group, there are different species and within each species, different strains or varieties of probiotics. A few common probiotics are yeasts, which are different from bacteria. Some probiotics foods date back to ancient times, such as fermented foods and cultured milk products. Interest in probiotics in general has been growing. More research is needed to confirm the effectiveness of probiotics. As with any dietary or herbal supplement, consult your doctor before starting any new treatment.