Probiotics: A Billion Good Bugs
Friendly Bacteria for Your Digestive System
-- By Becky Hand, Licensed & Registered Dietitian
Did you know that your digestive tract contains more than 400 types of
“friendly” bacteria? These little guys, commonly referred to as
probiotics (which means "pro-life"), help reduce the growth of harmful
bacteria and promote a healthy digestive system. That’s right!
Probiotics are live bacteria with clinically-documented health benefits.
Health Benefits
It appears that when the digestive system is kept healthy, other body systems greatly benefit as well. Probiotics may:
- Protect against infection
- Enhance and boost the immune system
- Promote and improve digestive health
- Alleviate diarrhea caused by antibiotic treatments
- Promote urinary and genital health
- Assist in the management of inflammation
- Help alleviate symptoms of lactose intolerance
- Improve some types of eczema in infants and children
- Reduce cholesterol levels
- Decrease the risk of certain cancers
It is important to note that each type of friendly bacteria has a
specific health benefit to the body. With over 400 different types of
probiotics identified, researchers are just starting to uncover the
health roles and benefits of each.
Food Sources
Currently, foods that contain probiotics are primarily dairy products and dairy beverages, including:
- Yogurt
- Drinkable and squeezable yogurts
- Fluid milk with added probiotics
- Fermented milk such as sweet acidophilus milk
- Kefir
Through fermentation, probiotics enhance the flavor and texture of these particular dairy products. Dairy foods actually buffer your stomach acid and bile, thereby protecting the probiotics from the stomach acid so that they can reach the intestines.
Raw (unpasteurized) yogurt is loaded with bacteria. Most yogurts today
are pasteurized and these bacteria are killed. However, some friendly
bacteria are added back. Look for a yogurt that contains the “live and
active culture” sign on the label. Pay close attention to the expiration
date because these live bacterial cultures can diminish with time.
Probiotic Supplements
Probiotic
supplements are available in a variety of forms, such as freeze dried
powder, capsules, wafers, and liquids. Remember to exercise caution
before using a probiotic supplement. The Food and Drug Administration
(FDA) does not regulate supplements in the same way as it regulates
medication. Legally, manufacturers can sell supplements, even with
little or no research on how well it works or how safe it is.
Supplement
and medication reactions can occur, therefore seek the guidance of your
health care provider before using any probiotic supplement.
Grab Some Bugs!
Why
not give some fermented dairy products a try today? Little Miss Muffet
did! Remember her curds and whey—a fermented dairy product filled with
friendly bacteria? That old spider probably came and sat down be side
her…because he wanted the probiotic benefits too!
One word: KEFIR!
I agree with everything you posted above, YES!
I'm 39, been married nearly 17 years now, and we have 3 beautiful girls. I'm all about eco-parenting and how to live a healthier lifestyle. Come join me on my NEW CafeMom forum: The Urban Homestead! http://www.cafemom.com/group/111920
LOVE Kefir. There is one made with coconut milk that I really like.
We keep Jarrow brand probiotics around all the time.
~Destiny
Listen to your body. It will tell you all you need to know.
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I am taking a bunch of probiotics right now to keep away a yest infection. I am on high dose antibiotics for 14 days YUCK. I must protect my stomach.
Quoting seaturtle1:I am taking a bunch of probiotics right now to keep away a yest infection. I am on high dose antibiotics for 14 days YUCK. I must protect my stomach.
in addition to the probiotics whenever I am on an antibiotic I also take florastor which is good "yeast". My DR. Even agrees with it for DS!
Lunches for us??..
- ziff130
on Sep. 8, 2010 at 4:48 PM