Probiotics & Intestinal Health

Probiotics are a type of bacteria found in certain foods and supplements. They improve overall health and wellness, particularly digestive health. Research has shown that probiotics may be beneficial in treating individuals with intestinal disorders. They may also prevent intestinal conditions and certain infections in otherwise healthy individuals.

About Probiotics

According to the National Institutes of Health, probiotics are live microorganisms, or bacterium, that when adminstered in adequate amounts, can provide benefits to the host. Probiotics are not the same thing as prebiotics, which are nondigestible food ingredients that aid in stimulating the growth or activity of beneficial microorganisms already in people's colons. Most probiotics are bacteria similar to those naturally found in people's guts, with most bacteria coming from either the Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium species, such as Lactobacillus acidophilus, which is often found in yogurt products.

Sources of Probiotics

Probiotics can be found in supplement form and are commonly found in foods such as yogurt, fermented and unfermented milk, miso, tempeh, and some juices and soy beverages. MayoClinic.com suggests looking at food and beverage product labels printed for the statement "live and active cultures" in order to identify those products that contain probiotics. Probiotics may be naturally present in fermented foods or added during preparation.

Uses for Health

Probiotics are beneficial to health since friendly bacteria are essential to proper development of the immune system. They aid in the digestion and absorption of nutrients, as well as protect against microorganisms that could cause disease and upset the balance of the microorganisms in the body. Probiotics are useful in treating many health conditions such as diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, speeding treatment of certain intestinal infections, reducing recurrence of bladder cancer, as well as preventing and treating certain conditions such as vaginal yeast infections, urinary tract infections, eczema in children, as well as colds or flu.

Research Review

A 2010 review in "Nature Reviews: Gastroenterology and Hepatology" found that not all strains of probiotics are appropriate in treating all ailments. Depending on the strain, probiotics have different underlying mechanisms of action to provide a beneficial effect. Furthermore, a 2008 study in the journal "Inflammatory Bowel Diseases" found that probiotics may work in the body by modulating the functioning of the immune system at both a systemic and a mucosal level. This alters and enhances immune function in treating various health conditions. More research must be performed to identify what specific strains of probiotics are best suited to treat particular conditions.