Intestinal bacteria can be affected by a variety of factors including diet, environment and health status. After a course of antibiotic use, the body has lower levels of all types of bacteria, including the beneficial bacteria produced in the colon. One of the most effective ways to repopulate the colon with good bacteria is to consume yogurt with probiotics. Probiotics are living organisms which, when ingested in large enough quantities, produce beneficial effects.
Step 1
Choose yogurt which has sufficient numbers of probiotics. Look for yogurt that contains at least 10 billion organisms. Common cultures include Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium.
Step 2
Consume before "best before" date. Beneficial bacteria must be alive when consumed in order to repopulate the colon.
Step 3
For maximum effectiveness, yogurt should be consumed daily over a six- to eight-week period.
Tips and Warnings
- Prebiotics are essentially food for probiotics. They are not digested in the large intestine and serve as a growing source for beneficial bacteria, such as those in yogurt. Sources of prebiotics include garlic, onion, artichoke, chicory and fortified foods like breads.
Things You'll Need
- Probiotic yogurt
References
- "Journal of Nutrition"; Dietary Modulation of the Human Colonic Microbiota: Introducing the Concept of Probiotics; G.R. Gibson, et al.; December 1994
- "Dietitians of Canada"; Gastrointestinal System - Probiotics: Key Practice Points; 2010
