Probiotics are microorganisms that can be found in some foods or they can be taken in supplement form. They are often consumed to help improve health or manage an existing condition. While more research is needed to understand the role of probiotics, eating foods that contain them such as yogurt may provide some health benefits. Before adding probiotics to the diet, it is best to talk to a health care provider who can make recommendations based on personal health.
Identification
Probiotics are tiny organisms, usually bacteria, that are very similar to bacteria that is normally found in the human body, states the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine. They are considered a good kind of bacteria as they help to fight off disease by keeping "bad" bacteria in check. Probiotics may occur naturally or be added to foods such as yogurt, fermented and unfermented milk, miso, tempeh, and some juices and soy beverages. They can also be taken in tablet, pill or powder form. Taking probiotics maintains a healthy balance between good and bad bacteria in the intestines, and promotes good health.
Benefits
Consuming yogurt or any food with probiotics may help to restore balance in the body. Certain diseases and taking medications such as antibiotics may cause the level of good bacteria in the body to drop, which in turn increases the number of harmful bacteria. An unbalanced level of bad versus good bacteria can set the stage for disease. The Cleveland Clinic suggests that eating yogurt with probiotics can help to increase the number of good bacteria and help the body fight off illness. While there are many different strains of probiotics, Lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidobacteria are the ones most commonly found in foods such as yogurt. and they are both similar to bacteria which are normally found in the intestines.
Conditions
Yogurt and other foods with probiotics may help keep the immune system healthy. The American Diabetic Association, recommends using probiotics to shorten the duration of diarrhea, manage constipation and reduce the symptoms of lactose intolerance and inflammatory bowel conditions. Since fat free or low fat yogurt is part of a healthy diet due to the calcium and other important nutrients it contains, eating some yogurt everyday provides other health benefits as well. However, it is important to look for a yogurt that is low in calories and sugar.
Considerations
Since research is limited there is no known amount of probiotics that control symptoms. In addition, there are many strains that all have different effects on the body. Large amounts of probiotics may be needed and if a physician recommends taking probiotics, supplements may be required in order to get enough for effective treatment, reports the University of Maryland Medical Center. Depending on how the body responds it can take anywhere between one and 15 billion colony-forming units or CFUs per day to control symptoms. Most yogurt containers do not list the actual amount of probiotics that are in a serving, so there is often no way to know how much is being ingested. Probiotics can interact with other medications being taken, cause gastrointestinal side effects and allergic reactions, so supplements should always be taken under medical supervision.
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