We have all heard that yogurt is good for us, and there has been a lot of talk about probiotics. What are probiotics? Do you really need to take them or eat them? Keep reading and maybe I can explain it!
What Are probiotics?
Probiotics are bacteria that help maintain the natural balance of organisms (microflora) in the intestines. The normal human digestive tract contains about 400 types of probiotic bacteria that reduce the growth of harmful bacteria and promote a healthy digestive system. The largest group of probiotic bacteria in the intestine is lactic acid bacteria, of which Lactobacillus acidophilus, found in yogurt with live cultures, is the best known. Yeast is also a probiotic substance. Probiotics are also available as dietary supplements.
Why Take Probiotics?
Many people use probiotics to prevent diarrhea, gas, and cramping caused by antibiotics. Antibiotics kill “good” (beneficial) bacteria along with the bacteria that cause illness. A decrease in beneficial bacteria may lead to digestive problems. Taking probiotics may help replace the lost beneficial bacteria. This can help prevent diarrhea.
A decrease in beneficial bacteria may also lead to other infections, such as vaginal yeast and urinary tract infections, and symptoms such as diarrhea from intestinal illnesses.
Probiotics may also be used to:
- Help with other causes of diarrhea.
- Help with constipation.
- Help prevent infections in the digestive tract.
- Help control immune response (inflammation), as in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
Probiotics are being studied for benefits in colon cancer, skin infections, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and many other disorders.
How Do I Get Probiotics In My Diet?
You can get probiotics in certain yogurts with live cultures; sorry not many frozen yogurts actually contain probiotics. The other way to get probiotics is in supplements, but you must be careful what supplements to take.
As with any dietary supplement, be aware that probiotic supplements are regulated as foods, not drugs. Make sure and discuss with your healthcare provider everything you are taking, including the specific bacteria in your probiotic supplement. I only recommend one company for supplements – because they are SAFE and they work. Copy this link for the best probiotics on the market – http://thenpmom.myshaklee.com/us/en/products.php?sku=20639
Do you have questions about probiotics? Any other supplements you have questions about – feel free to email me at thenpmom@yahoo.com or leave a comment here. I would love to hear from you!
The NP Mom 
Great post! I also recommend probiotics for the colicky babies I see in my clinic. There is a growing body of research to support their use in colic. Probiotics are safe and there really is no downside to using them.
Here’s a link to a recent blog post I wrote about this topic: http://pedinp.blogspot.com/2012/10/pixie-dust.html
Great info! Many of my friends use probiotics to strenthen their child’s immune system. Seems to help curb ear infections.
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Very good info, Brett! There is so much information that is being recently discovered in the amazing importance of Probiotics…so good to see a Professional write about it! I would say it’s one of the most important supplements (along with a great multi) that can be given to our children. And, really, the older we get the more we need them as well 🙂