Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that populate the digestive system and help with the digestion of food and the breakdown of waste products. According to "The Good Bugs" by Dr. Harry G. Preuss, probiotics, or microflora, support digestive health and can strengthen the immune system. Hundreds of strains of probiotics have been identified. Many are available in foods or probiotic supplements that are intended to maintain a healthy concentration of microflora in the gut.
Food Sources of Probiotics
Fermented dairy foods and some vegetables provide rich sources of some strains of probiotics, particularly lactobacillus, bifidobacteria and acidophilus. According to Preuss, yogurt, kefir, aged cheeses and sour cream supply significant amounts of beneficial bacteria, as do miso, or fermented soy, and fermented cabbage products such as kim chee and sauerkraut. Wine contains some probiotics as well.
Probiotic Supplements
Probiotic supplements can be purchased in liquid or capsule form, added to foods or taken orally. With numerous strains of beneficial bacteria per dose, many of these supplements claim to offer more probiotic support than food sources. However, as Disabled World's discussion of probiotics for digestive health notes, a probiotic must contain live cultures in order to work, and some do not.
Probiotic Potency
A potent probiotic must contain live and active organisms. Yogurt brands vary widely in content and potency, and not all yogurts actually contain live bacteria. Supplement content can also vary greatly. These products are not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, and, as Disabled World's overview of probiotics points out, some supplements may not actually contain live bacteria.
