Probiotics -Say Yes To Good Bacteria

Probiotics are live microorganisms (in most cases, bacteria) that are similar to beneficial microorganisms found in the human gut. They are also called "friendly bacteria" or "good bacteria." We share a complicated relationship with bacteria. It exists on our skin, in our intestinal tract, urinary tract, among other places. Too much bacteria can make us very ill, but too little can also make us more vulnerable to illness. Probiotics  can actually be of some benefit when consumed.

Benefits: Friendly bacteria are vital to proper development of the immune system, to protection against microorganisms that could cause disease, and to the digestion and absorption of food and nutrients.

• Probiotic bacteria favorably alter the intestinal micro flora balance, inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria, promote good digestion, boost immune function, and increase resistance to infection.
• It reduces some allergic reactions.
• Probiotic bacteria also produce substances called bacteriocins, which act as natural antibiotics to kill undesirable microorganisms.
• Helps in treating and preventing respiratory infections, especially in children (emerging good evidence)
• Prevents the recurrence of superficial bladder cancer.
• Regular ingestion of probiotic bacteria may help prevent vaginal yeast infection.
• Helps in the restoration of the correct balance of natural microflora after stress, antibiotic treatment, alcohol use and chemotherapy.
• One probiotic, Saccharomyces boulardii, has prevented diarrhea in several human trials.
• Probiotics also promote healthy digestion. Enzymes secreted by probiotic bacteria aid digestion.

Probiotic food: Food that contains live bacteria, which is considered beneficial and not harmful to humans.

• Acidophilus milk: The first example of probiotic food was the introduction of acidophilus to milk, which in some cases helped people who had difficulty digesting milk to be able to tolerate milk better.

• Yogurt: Yogurt has been shown to keep the intestinal tract, and the vaginal area from suffering a loss of healthy bacteria. Yogurt is probiotic when it contains lactobacillus, or other bacteria. Usually yogurt will have a label reading, "contains live cultures." Many doctors now recommend consuming probiotics like yogurt during a course of antibiotics to prevent yeast infection.

• Kefir, a drink made with cultures that is usually flavored with fruit. What is not generally probiotic, however, is frozen yogurt. So, as good as this may taste, a scoop of frozen vanilla yogurt will not prevent or help heal a yeast infection.

• Cottage cheeses.

• Preserved vegetables.

Ways to increase probiotics in your diet:

• Have yogurt as part of your breakfast or lunch.
• Make yogurt your midday snack or evening dessert.
• Use acidophilus milk for cereal or coffee, or drink it on its own.
• Make a smoothie with yogurt or acidophilus milk.

Different forms of Probiotics:

• Freeze Dried Powders: This type of supplement is often added to unchilled water for a person to consume. The best type of powder supplement to purchase is one that contains only 1 strain of bacteria within it.

• Capsules: In most cases people will tend to take capsules as they are a lot more convenient than dried powder. Plus with a lot of the capsule supplements now available especially ones such as Primal Defense Ultra (by Garden of Life) these contain large amounts (15 billion) of the friendly bacteria that our intestinal tract needs to remain fit and healthy.

• Liquid: The problem with this particular form of probiotic supplement is that it will start to lose its strength after a couple of weeks from when it was produced.

The most commonly and widely used are the capsule kinds.

Some people may experience mild stomach upset, diarrhea or flatulence during the first few days of probiotic supplementation. Further, some people may be allergic to or intolerant of certain probiotic supplements, or to the probiotic food in which they are presented. Eating prebiotic foods may also be a good way to promote regularity, and certain prebiotic foods like oats have other benefits, like increasing one's daily fiber and lowering cholesterol. So lets give it a try.

(Sources: wisegeek.com, evitamins.com, medicinenet.com,ezinearticles.com)