Probiotics are cultures of certain live micro-organisms, such as bacteria, that can be found in the human stomach. Probiotics usually occur naturally or are added to food to provide some sort of benefit when consumed. The process of taking probiotics essentially adds bacteria back to our system. Bacteria are usually lost from our system due to taking products such as antibiotics.
Probiotics can be found in foods and supplements. In probiotic supplements, the bacteria is either originally present or added during preparation. Examples of foods containing probiotics include yogurt, fermented and unfermented milk, miso, tempeh and certain juice and soy beverages. Over the years, people have begun using probiotics as a form of complementary alternative medicine (CAM) to help prevent and treat certain illnesses as well as to promote overall good health.
What to Look for
The most common probiotic food on the market today is yogurt. Yogurt has been shown to protect the vaginal and digestive areas from the loss of healthy bacteria. Yogurt is only considered a probiotic when it contains lactobacillus or other bacteria. When shopping for probiotics in yogurt, it is important to consult the label and look for the words "contains live cultures." Consuming probiotics such as yogurt during a course of antibiotics will help to prevent yeast infections or conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome.
Other products rich in probiotics include kefir, a drink made with cultures that is usually flavored with fruit. Look for products such as cottage cheese, preserved vegetables and powdered drink mixes when shopping for probiotics.
Common Pitfalls
The side effects that usually occur from consuming probiotics include mild digestive issues such as bloating or gas. In the most severe causes, probiotics could cause infections that will need to be treated with antibiotics. These cases have occurred with individuals that have other underlying health conditions. Though yogurt is considered a probiotic, individuals should not confuse frozen yogurt with the probiotic qualities of "live cultured" yogurt products. If a person is considering using a CAM such as probiotics, first consult a healthcare provider. No CAM therapy should be used in place of conventional medical care or without the advice of a medical provider.
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