Irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS, can be a frustrating and debilitating condition. Characterized by constipation, diarrhea, bloating, stomach cramps and gas, IBS affects an estimated 24 million Americans, the majority of whom are women, reports...
Buttermilk, crema, crème fraiche, kefir and sour cream all provide lactic acid in an immediately digestible form. Most traditional fermented dairy products resulted from the natural fermentation of milk or cream, but widespread use of...
An essential source of protein, vitamins and essential minerals, milk also contains a variety of bacteria that pose no threat to your health. The souring process introduces new bacteria to milk, transforming the texture, odor and taste. While this...
Probiotics are bacteria, often called "good bacteria," found mainly in milk-based products. These products include yogurt, fermented, unfermented milk and other cultured milk products. However, in the case with fermented milk products, many times...
Probiotics, also known as "good bacteria," are living microorganisms similar to those that populate the human intestines. Lactobacillus acidophilus, commonly known as acidophilus or L. acidophilus, is a particular strain of probiotic. There are...
Probiotics are microorganisms that can improve your health when you take them in the right amounts, the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine explains. Most probiotics are bacteria, because the body naturally contains bacteria...
Choosing a high-protein breakfast drink in the morning allows you to drink your meal on the go and consume a healthy dose of muscle-building protein in the process. According to a study published in the "British Journal of Nutrition" in March...
Yogurt is a popular food choice in the United States. According to the Agricultural Marketing Resource Center, per capita yogurt consumption in the U.S. in 2008 was 11.8 pounds. Yogurt is eaten for breakfast, lunch and as a snack. Yoplait...
Live microorganisms surround us daily. They live inside our digestive system, or even on the outside of our body. Many of these microorganisms include bacteria and yeasts that help to fight off bad bacteria, strengthen our immune system or aid in...
Fermentation is a process in foods and beverages used to convert carbohydrates into alcohol, organic acids or carbon dioxide. It is used to create alcoholic beverages and to preserve certain foods. According to natural health expert, Andrew Weil,...
Ensure shakes, manufactured by Abbott Nutritionals, are a line of nutrient-fortified ready-to-drink bottled beverages. These products are designed to supplement or replace regular foods and beverages for individuals unable to meet their nutrient...
When you scan the cheese section of your local market, you can't help but notice the distinctive Mini Babybel cheeses sitting in their nets. Every net holds six wheels of cheese, each a single serving individually wrapped in colorful wax. To get...
Lactose intolerance is a condition in which dairy products are indigestible due to a deficiency in lactase, an enzyme necessary for lactose digestion. Symptoms of lactose intolerance include diarrhea, abdominal cramps, nausea, gas and bloating,...
Kefir is a fermented milk drink which originally comes from the Caucasus mountain range between the Black and Caspian seas. Lifeway Kefir is a product of the company, Lifeway Foods, which is the leading manufacturer of kefir in the United States....
When referring to food, bacteria typically holds a negative connotation. But a probiotic is food that contains bacteria that can help the body and is not harmful to humans. Probiotics were first introduced into milk products to help people who had...
Foods that contain potentially helpful bacteria are known as probiotics. According to Mayo Clinic gastroenterologist, Michael Picco, M.D., probiotic foods contain bacteria similar to the healthy variety found in the body. They probiotics aren't...
There's nothing especially difficult about making pancakes from scratch, but many cooks find it's just a little much to tackle first thing in the morning. That's why pancake mixes such as Aunt Jemima are so successful: add water, stir, and get a...
Although in recent times it has been regarded as popular "health food," yogurt has been consumed in Greece, Turkey, Israel, India and other parts of the world for centuries. Yogurt is milk that has been inoculated with specific strains of...
Kefir is a slightly sour, fermented dairy product that resembles the texture and consistency of a drinkable yogurt. Kefir can be made using any type of milk -- cow, goat or sheep. Kefir is easily digested and is naturally high in protein, B...
Probiotics are commonly used to prevent and treat certain digestive conditions, but taking probiotics may actually cause flatulence. Flatulence is the medical term for passing gas. While passing gas is a common daily occurrence for healthy...
Your small intestine is where you absorb all your vitamins. A blockage or obstruction between your organs and your small intestine will prevent vitamins from being absorbed. If your small intestine is not producing digestive enzymes to break down...
The Atkins diet is one of several popular low carbohydrate diets. With Atkins, little or no sugar is allowed and only small amounts of starches, usually those that are more chemically complex. The bulk of the calories comes from fats and proteins....
Pronounced "Bobby Bell," Babybel cheeses include Babybel Original, Babybel Light, Babybel Bonbel, Babybel Cheddar and Babybel Gouda. Packaged in individual wax-wrapped servings, they are convenient to take to work or pack in a lunchbox for school....
Rectal resection surgery repairs damage caused by conditions such as diverticulitis, inflammatory bowel disease, severe hemorrhoids, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease and cancer. Rectal resection is also used to treat injury, obstruction or...
Yeast infections occur when candida, a yeast-like fungus, grows excessively in your body, causing symptoms such as vaginal discharge, creamy white patches in your mouth, cracked skin and/or rashes. These infections, also known as candidiasis, are...
Urinary tract infections, or UTIs, are not uncommon in women, and many experience recurrent bouts of this condition. Symptoms include an urgent need to urinate, a burning sensation when urinating, and blood in the urine. As painful and...
A colostomy is a surgical procedure that creates a hole or stoma on the abdomen and brings out one end of the colon through the stoma for the purposes of stool expulsion. A colostomy bag is attached to the stoma for stool collection. A colostomy...
According to the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine, probiotics are living microorganisms, or healthy bacteria that are beneficial to the digestive system. The bacteria found in probiotics are similar to the ones already...
Calcium is the most abundant mineral in the body, according to the National Institutes of Health Office of Dietary Supplements. It is required for numerous bodily functions including muscle contraction, expansion and contraction of blood vessels,...
