Probiotics are being promoted by food manufacturers as if they're a newly discovered health panacea developed in a laboratory and recently added to food products through the wonders of modern science. In truth, probiotics have been present in foods for centuries. Probiotics are live bacteria that have beneficial effects on human health. Kefir, a fermented milk beverage, and yogurt, are both natural sources of probiotics. Natural foods distributors also sell probiotic supplements, for those who prefer their bacteria in pill form.
Yeast Infection Prevention
Candida albicans fungal infestations, commonly referred to as yeast infections, can affect the mouth, vagina, skin, urinary tract and stomach. Candida can cause itching, irritation, rashes, blisters, cracked skin, and white patches inside the mouth and throat. This fungus occurs naturally in the body, and only causes problems when growth is excessive. Candida can overgrow after a course of antibiotic treatment has decimated the body's population of friendly bacteria. The University of Maryland Medical Center states that taking 1 to 10 billion live Lactobacillus acidophilus bacteria, or 10 billion colony-forming units of bifidobacterium, per day may restore natural bacteria balances in the body and ward off the overgrowth of Candida.
Quicker Recovery from Diarrhea
Taking probiotics appears to help treat bouts of diarrhea in infants and travellers, according to the Pennington Biomedical Research Center. Infants with pediatric diarrhea, a potentially serious condition, may experience less severe symptoms and shorter duration of illness when probiotics are introduced as part of their recovery plan. Those afflicted with traveller's diarrhea may recover days sooner with the help of probiotics. Diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome, which may cause diarrhea, seem to react well to the introduction of probiotics into the diet. Probiotics may also help with diarrhea caused by antibiotic therapy, according to USProbiotics.org.
Less Lactose Intolerance
Many lactose intolerant individuals are able to consume yogurt without experiencing health problems, even though it contains lactose concentrations comparable to that of milk, according to USProbiotics.org. This is a sign that probiotics are working to help ease the symptoms of lactose intolerance. The inability to properly digest lactose can cause gas, bloating, abdominal pain and watery stool. Bacteria found in yogurt aid in lactose digestion, thus easing symptoms.The probiotic bacterial strains Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus have demonstrated the greatest effectiveness in this regard, though Lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidobacteria can also ease the effects of lactose intolerance.
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