Your intestinal tract is occupied by numerous "friendly" bacteria, also called your normal flora. These bacteria are essential part of digestive system health and offer protection from harmful bacteria. In some situations, your normal flora can get disturbed or destroyed, like during antibiotic regimen. Taking probiotic supplements may help restore your normal flora and prevent any symptoms that might result otherwise. Always consult your doctor before taking a probiotic supplement.
Probiotics
Probiotics are beneficial microbes that help restore the natural balance of your digestive tract. Common symptoms of having a shortage of healthy bacteria include bloating, gas and diarrhea. Eating foods or taking supplement that contain probiotics may help supply your intestines with healthy microbe genuses, such as Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, Streptococcus and Saccharomyces.
Benefits
Taking probiotic supplements or foods can offer several health benefits. Probiotics may help enhance your immune system, reduce adverse effects such as diarrhea caused by antibiotics, prevent eczema in children, improve your digestive process, prevent and treat colon inflammation, reduce symptoms of lactose intolerance, increase your capacity to absorb nutrients, alleviate intestinal conditions such as diarrhea and constipation, and reduce symptoms of pollen allergy. In addition, probiotic suppositories or oral supplements can help treat vaginal bacterial infections. Although there is positive evidence for all of these benefits, more research is needed to verify the findings, according to MayoClinic.com.
Intake
Besides eating foods with probiotics, you can also take them in the form of supplements. Take supplements according to the instructions in the label or as directed by your doctor, generally two or three times per day. A study published in "American Family Physician" in 2008 recommends adults take between 10 billion and 20 billion colony-forming units, and children take 5 billion to 10 billion CFUs, per day. If you are treating antibiotic-related diarrhea, take the supplement two to three hours after taking your antibiotic. Probiotic supplements can contain anywhere from a few million CFUs to billions of CFUs per capsule, so always check the label. Consult your pediatrician before giving probiotics to your child. Although generally considered safe, sometimes high doses of probiotics can cause gas, diarrhea and bloating.
Foods
Many foods contain probiotic bacteria and can be used instead of supplements. Yogurt, buttermilk, dark chocolate, microalgae, sauerkraut, pickles, kimchi, kefir, some soy products and miso contain probiotics, according to Dr. Edward Group. Check the food labels for list of bacterial strains as well as the CFUs.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Acidophilus (Lactobacillus acidophilus)
- "American Family Physician"; Probiotics; Benjamin Kligler, M.D., et al.; November 2008
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Lactobacillus acidophilus
- Global Healing Center; Top 10 Probiotic Foods to Add to Your Diet; Dr. Edward Group; January 2011
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