You have 3 lbs. of active bacteria living in your digestive tract -- about 100 trillion microorganisms that help your body digest food and strengthen your immune system. Probiotics -- "friendly" or beneficial bacteria -- help keep less desirable bacteria under control and can combat bloating, gas and diarrhea. These good bacteria are found in fermented foods such as yogurt or can be taken as supplements. Although probiotcis are generally regarded as safe, you should consult your doctor before you add any type of supplement to your diet.
Basics
There are two large groups of probiotics bacteria -- Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. Each of these two groups have several species and strains that each perform a unique function. There are also beneficial yeasts that are probiotic, such as Saccharomyces boulardii. The word probiotic simply means "for life" -- any microorganism that benefits you is probiotic. Probiotics can aid digestion, prevent or reduce the duration and severity of colds, treat irritable bowel syndrome and prevent or treat yeast and urinary tract infections.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Each type of bacteria can help with specific ailments. Lactobacillus is most often used to treat diarrhea and common digestive problems. MedlinePlus, a publication of the National Institutes of Health, says to treat IBS, you may use 10 billion cells of Lactobacillus acidophilus twice daily for six weeks. Lactobacillus acidophilus is often found in yogurt -- the live cultures feed on sugar; and dairy products contain both lactose and galactose, which feed the live bacteria, making it an ideal food to ferment because it can easily keep the bacteria alive.
Lactose Intolerance
Lactobacillus will also help with lactose intolerance. If your gas and bloating is caused by lactose intolerance, taking Lactobacillus supplements may help your body digest lactose -- be sure to eat unsweetened yogurt; there's enough naturally occurring sugar in dairy products to feed the active cultures. You may also help lactose intolerance with a different type of probiotic -- taking a live enzyme called lactase, which lives in your intestines and is required to digest lactose.
Probiotic and Antibiotics
It's especially important to take probiotics when you use antibiotics. Antibiotics kill most of the bacteria in your body -- both the infection and the beneficial microorganisms. It's critical to replenish the friendly bacteria as quickly as possible. Probiotics should be taken at least two hours after antibiotics so as not to cause an interaction. Probiotics can help prevent diarrhea and stomach problems associated with antibiotic usage.
References
- The National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine: An Introduction to Probiotics
- MedlinePlus: Lactobacillus
- MayoClinic.com; Probiotics: Important for a Healthy Diet?; Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D.; April 2010
- Mercola.com; 100 Trillion Bacteria in Your Gut: Learn How to Keep the Good Kind There ; Joseph Mercola; October 2003
