Explanation of Probiotics

A nutritional buzzword, probiotics has captured the attention of functional food fans across the globe. You've probably seen advertisements for products that contain probiotics -- living microorganisms that survive in the human body. Though humans have consumed probiotics since Neolithic times, the health benefits of these bacteria first drew attention when Nobel Laureate Elie Metchnikoff noted the longevity of Bulgarian peasants, who consumed copious quantities of yogurt.

Friendly Bacteria

Probiotics are proof that not all bacteria are malevolent. The probiotic microbes that inhabit your gastrointestinal tract confer multiple positive health benefits, according to USProbiotics.org. By taking up space in your intestines, they populate areas of the body that might otherwise be colonized by harmful bacteria. Though the vast majority of known probiotics are bacterial in form, one variety, Saccharomyces boulardii, is a yeast. Probiotics have been noted for their effects on several specific health conditions.

Antibiotic Associated Diarrhea

When your body's natural flora are depleted, as can occur during a course of antibiotic therapy, various health problems can result. Antibiotic associated diarrhea is one of the side effects you may experience when taking antibiotics. In 2006, L.V. McFarland of the Veterans Administration Puget Sound Health Care System studied the effectiveness of probiotics as an aid in preventing diarrhea in patients who took antibiotics for Clostridium difficile infection. Not only did the probiotics reduce the occurrence of antibiotic associated diarrhea, one type of probiotic, Saccharomyces boulardii, also appeared to help in treating the Clostridium infection itself.

Lactose Intolerance

Lactose intolerance is a reality of life for most of the world's population. For all people but those of Northern European descent, a deficiency of an enzyme called beta-galactosidase prevents the proper digestion of lactose, a sugar found in milk products. If you're lactose intolerant, then you're familiar with the bloating, gas and nausea that occurs when you consume milk products. According to a study published in the February 2001 issue of the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, probiotic bacteria found in yogurt improve lactose digestion and may relieve the clinical symptoms of lactose intolerance.

Probiotic Sources

Yogurt is a well-known probiotic food. It is created by fermenting milk, using probiotic bacteria such as Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus as starter cultures. Other fermented dairy products, such as kefir, sour cream and cultured buttermilk, can also contain probiotics -- read the labels to be sure you're buying live, active cultures. You can also purchase probiotics in capsule form at natural foods retailers.