Frequent bowel movements and loose, watery stools characterize diarrhea, which is sometimes accompanied by cramping abdominal pain. Traveler's diarrhea occurs when you visit a new location and consume water contaminated with a pathogenic bacteria or parasite, or when you eat contaminated, unwashed fresh food. Probiotic foods may help to relieve the symptoms of traveler's diarrhea by restoring the normal balance of healthy bacteria to your digestive tract. Consult your doctor to determine if you should add probiotics to your dietary regimen.
Bacteria and Diarrhea
Your gastrointestinal tract contains millions of healthy bacteria that help the system function properly. When you experience travelers' diarrhea, many of these bacteria die when overwhelmed by unhealthy, pathogenic microorganisms that you ingest with contaminated food or water. Loss of these healthy bacteria upsets normal digestive function, leading to loose, frequent stools. Replacing healthy microorganisms by consuming probiotic foods may help restore your system to its normal function.
Probiotic Foods
A probiotic food contains live bacteria similar or identical to those healthy microorganisms that live in your digestive tract. Good examples include yogurt, buttermilk and some soy drinks. Fermented foods also contain healthy, live cultures. These include Asian foods such as miso, natto and tempeh. Fermented cabbage dishes such as sauerkraut and kimchi are also probiotic foods. To be sure that you are choosing a probiotic food, check labels for a statement indicating that the product contains live cultures.
Supplements
Probiotic supplements are also available under several brand names from health food stores. These are produced as powders to be sprinkled on food, or as capsules, chewable tablets or wafers. Probiotic supplements usually contain one or more of several strains of bacteria, including acidophilus, lactobacillus or bifidobacterium. Supplements may be consumed with meals or taken between meals.
Recommendations and Precautions
Probiotic foods and supplements are generally considered safe and free of serious side effects. They may cause mild digestive symptoms such as gas or bloating in some people and anyone with a compromised immune system should not consume probiotics. Consult your doctor or a dietitian to determine if probiotics are a good choice for you.
References
- National Digestive Diseases Clearinghouse: Diarrhea
- MayoClinic.com: Probiotics: Important for a Healthy Diet?
- The Conscious Life: Top Probiotic Foods You Are Not Eating
- National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: An Introduction to Probiotics
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Probiotic (By Mouth)
