Probiotics can have a positive affect on your immune system, respiration and digestion. According to a joint report by the World Health Organization, or WHO, and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, probiotics can have a significant effect in easing infectious diseases in children. While modern scientists are actively researching the effects of probiotics, the benefits of these tiny life forms were first noted by Russian Nobel Prize winner Eli Metchnikoff in 1907.
Definition
More than a century after discovery of probiotics, the scientific community is debating the exact definition of the term. WHO suggests probiotics are live microorganisms that provide a health benefit to the host. This definition of probiotics includes various microscopic bacteria, yeast and viruses. These microorganisms are similar to the ones already living in your gut, especially in the digestive tracts of breastfed infants who have a natural defense against many diseases.
Bacterial Probiotic
According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, bacterial probiotics typically come from two main groups, Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium, with several different species within each group. Probiotics from each of these groups are effective in reducing acute diarrhea mainly caused by rotaviruses in children and other viruses in adults, such as H. pylori and C. difficile.
Yeast
Saccharomyces boulardii lyo is a type of probiotic yeast. According to Drugs.com, saccharomyces boulardii lyo helps maintain normal bowel function and promotes intestinal health. This yeast may help balance intestinal bacteria responsible for diarrhea. The makers of Florastor, a type of yeast probiotic, notes there are several advantages of using yeast probiotics over bacterial probiotics. Yeast has about 10 times the surface area of bacteria. Increased surface area allows more pathogens, or unhealthy substances, to adhere to the yeast before being carried out of the body. Yeast is also hardier than bacteria and better able to survive the highly acidic gastric enzymes.
Availability
Americans are eager to benefit from probiotics. Spending for probiotic supplements nearly tripled in the United States from 1994 to 2003. You can get these beneficial microorganisms the same way man did in ancient times -- by eating fermented foods and cultured milk products. Yogurt, fermented and unfermented milk, tempeh and some juice and soy beverages contain these healthy probiotics.
Benefits
Scientists are researching the possible benefits of probiotics. Doctors sometimes suggest probiotics when prescribing an antibiotic to reduce diarrhea that often accompanies antibiotic treatment. Probiotics help you digest milk if you lack a certain digestive enzyme that breaks down the sugar in lactose, which causes digestive upset. Scientists are exploring the role of probiotics in controlling inflammatory bowel diseases, such as Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis.
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