Your small and large intestines are bathed with helpful bacteria, essential for good digestion and not harmful to your body. Probiotics are a form of bacteria found in many foods. These probiotics can live in your intestines and if you lose the beneficial bacteria, probiotics can function in the same way until the natural bacteria returns.
Natural Gut Flora
The gastrointestinal tract, which includes the small and large intestine, is the home to several forms of live bacteria. The bacteria in the intestines is often referred to as the body's natural gut flora. Natural gut flora aids the digestion and absorption process and also plays a role in the body's immune defenses.
Probiotics
Probiotics are various strains of bacteria that are similar to the natural gut flora of the body. Probiotics are available at many health food stores as supplements, but are also added to some dairy products, such as yogurt. The most common species found are Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidus. It is important to note that probiotics are live microgranisms and not the same as prebiotics, which stimulate growth of the probiotic bacteria.
What They Do
Probiotics are very useful when your body loses its natural gut flora. The use of antibiotics, or disease-causing bacteria can kill off all the gut flora. This often leaves a person with gas, abdominal cramping, and diarrhea. Consuming probiotics during these situations can serve as a substitute until the natural gut flora can return. The probiotics function in many of the same ways to aid in digestion.
Check the Strain
Although Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidus have beneficial effects on the gastrointestinal tract, Dr. Gregor Reid from the University of Western Ontario reports that not all strains of these two bacteria function the same way. If you are going to use probiotics to decrease the side effects of a gut flora disturbance, it is important to check the label for the correct strain. Reid concluded that Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM and Bifidobacterium bifidum OFR9 were effective.
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