Probiotics, Can They Help
Probiotics have been a subject in the news now for the last 10 years or so. What exactly are probiotics? Probiotics are a bacteria that helps maintain the healthy organisims and the good bacteria that are in our digestive system. Probiotics may provide the same health benefits as the healthy bacteria already in your digestive system and may also provide help in digestion and helping to protect you from bad bacteria. One of the most popular probiotic foods available today is yogurt. The yogurt must state on the packaging that it contains live culture. Other examples of foods that contain probiotics are fermented and unfermented milk, miso, tempeh, some juices and soy beverages. The bacteria may have originally been in the food product or may have been added to the food.
There are a few reasons why people are interested in probiotics for their health. In some instances people use probiotics after being on antibiotics. Antibiotics are used to stop infections but it also kills the good bacteria in our digestive systems. The killing of these good bacteria can cause diarrhea. Probiotics help replace the good bacteria that was lost due to taking antibiotics. Researchers are studying if probiotics can help treat or prevent certain illnesses. There is some evidence that probiotics can help but more study is needed. Some of the illnesses that are currently being studied are:
- Infectious Diarrhea
- Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- Inflamatory Bowel Disease such as Crohn's Disease and ulcerative colitis
- Infection from Helicobacter pylori, a bacteria associated with ulcers and many types of chronic stomach inflammation.
- Tooth Decay and Periodontal Disease
- Vaginal Infections
- Stomach and respiratory infections
- Skin Infections
- Reduce bladder cancer recurrence
- Uninary Infections
In 2005 a small study done in Sweden involving employees from the same company, found that the employees given a probiotic missed less work because of respiratory or gastrointestinal illness than the employees that did not get the probiotics.
More research is needed to confirm whether probiotics are helpful but the facts so far make this hopeful.
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I actually had a dog cured with the probiotics in yogurt. Great info and so useful for all legged creatures. TX Thumbs up!
Thank you, I eat yogurt everyday as do my kids. I believe it helps keep the flu away.
Useful info... Everyday you learn something new :) Again, big thumbs up for your article!
Thanks so much for your kind words.
Thank you for a very informative article
Thanks so much.
This is exactly why I eat yogurt every morning!
Me too every single morning. Without fail. Thanks so much for reading.
I have heard that Japanese have been utilizing probiotics from the earlier times.. It might be one of the secrets behind their long age..
Thanks for posting this article..
Yes they have many secrets and they are incredibly long lived. Thanks for reading my article Jessica
really informative information -- Im glad I love yogurt so much!
Me too love the key lime flavor, thanks for reading ceholmes.
Certain probiotics work really well and anyone with digestive problems should really consider taking them.
I totally agree with you palette.
Thanks for the great info....
Yogurt is not tasty but I do consume it frequently.
I really like the key lime flavor and it's most tasty. Thanks buddy.
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