Your intestines contain some bacteria that are important for maintaining the health of your digestive tract. Probiotics are supplements that can be used to increase the levels of these bacteria. Probiotics may be used to treat certain types of diarrhea. They are generally considered safe, though you should talk to your doctor before taking probiotic supplements.
Intestinal Bacteria
To understand how probiotics can benefit your intestines, it is important to understand the role that bacteria play on your digestive tract. Certain bacteria are naturally found in your gut. These bacteria do not normally cause infections. Instead, they help crowd out infectious bacteria by taking up space and resources that infectious bacteria would use to survive and grow. These beneficial bacteria are also able to break down undigested food and stimulate the immune system. Probiotics are substances that contain these beneficial bacteria and can help boost their levels in the gut.
Where Can I Get Probiotics?
Probiotic bacteria are naturally found in some foods, such as miso, fermented tempeh and sauerkraut. Some dairy products, particularly milk and yogurt, which are advertised as having live active cultures, also contain probiotic bacteria. You can also get probiotic bacteria from supplements, which contain freeze-dried bacteria in powders or granules. Most probiotic supplements use strains of Lactobacillus bacteria, such as Lactobacillus acidophilus or Lactobacillus GG, though some also incorporate strains of Bifidobacteria.
Uses
Probiotics are often taken to treat or prevent diarrhea. This is especially useful for patients who have just taken a course of antibiotics, as the drugs deplete the healthy bacteria in the intestines. Probiotics can also prevent "Traveler's diarrhea." People with irritable bowel syndrome may also benefit from probiotics. Women can also treat some vaginal conditions, such as a yeast infection or bacterial vaginosis, by consuming probiotic supplements or foods with these healthy bacteria.
Are They Safe?
As a general rule, the bacteria found in probiotics cannot damage or invade healthy tissues in your intestines. Some people experience gas or bloating when they take probiotics, as these bacteria produce gas when they break down food particles, but these side effects typically subside over time. In rare cases, probiotic bacteria can get into the blood or infect heart valves, but these cases are usually associated with people with severely weakened immune systems. Talk to your doctor before taking probiotics or any other type of supplement.
Member Comments