Good Source of Probiotics

According to Drugs.com, probotics are microorganisms that can be used in the treatment of acute/infectious diarrhea, antibiotic-associated diarrhea, immunity/allergy respiratory and urinary tract infections, as well as vaginosis. The Dairy Council of California states that three types are commercially used: strains of Lactobacillus, strains of Bifidobacterium, and strains of Streptococcus.

Foods Containing Probiotics

The Mayo Clinic states that you can obtain probiotics through nutritional supplements or in foods such as yogurt, fermented and unfermented milk, miso, and some juices and soy drinks. You will need to read the product labels carefully, and look for statement that the product contains "live and active cultures" -- such as lactobacillus.

The Dairy Council of California suggests that you look for acidophilus milk and kefirs if you would like to ingest probiotics through your diet. The council also suggests that there may be a synergistic effect between dairy foods and probiotic cultures, and that certain milk components turn on the beneficial genes in probiotic bacteria. When looking at yogurts in the grocery, look for the "Live Active Culture" seal. Yogurt probably has the most reliable reported levels of probiotics because is refrigerated and it has a short shelf life.

Additional Uses

According to a 2006 study published in the "Clinical and Vaccine Immunology," the addition of probiotics to a diet was shown to stimulate the production of natural antibodies in unimmunized chickens. Further investigation will need to be done to see if there is a similar effect on humans. The Dairy Council of California states that probiotics also are useful for treating colitis; producing lactase; alleviating symptoms of lactose intolerance and malabsorption; enhancing specific and nonspecific immune response; enhancing specific and nonspecific immune response; reducing the chance of infection from common pathogens; detoxifying carcinogens; reducing blood pressure in hypertensives; and increasing nutrient bioavailability.

Effectiveness

There are a variety of probiotic products on the market; however, Drugs.com states that very few commercially available preparations are supported by clinical trials. Additionally, studies of in vitro effects are few. A study published in the "Canadian Family Physician" explains that there is limited evidence to show the effectiveness of most probiotics. This study concluded that the type of probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 and Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14 show some evidence of being effective on vaginal infections.

Risks

Probiotics are considered safe; however, Drugs.com advises against probiotic use in patients who are at risk for opportunistic infections and those who have badly damaged GI tracts. The "American Journal of Clinical Nutrition" also states that sepsis is a concern. This same study also discusses the risk of immune deviation or excessive immune stimulation leading to microbial resistance -- meaning that you may develop a resistance to the probiotic effects.