Probiotics

·       ·        They are live microbes similar to the beneficial microbes found in your

          intestine.

·       ·       They are also called friendly or good bacteria that have health benefits. 

·       ·      They are available to consumers in foods and in dietary supplements.

    

      Benefits of Probiotics

    §   Allow the healthy bacteria in the gut to grow

§          §   Manufacture vitamins particularly B vitamins

§         §   Lessen the problems (gas, bloating, diarrhea) associated with inflammatory

         bowel disease (Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis) and irritable bowel

         syndrome

§         §   Treat diarrhea following antibiotic treatment or acute illness

§         §   Prevent and treat vaginal yeast and urinary tract infections

§         §    Help people with lactose intolerance digest dairy products more easily

§         § Decrease the risk of colon cancer

§         §    Decrease the risk of developing dental caries

§         §    Improve immunity (about 60% of your immune cells are found in the

         intestine)

§         §  Reduce recurrence of bladder cancer

§         §   Prevent and treat eczema in children

§         §    Shorten intestinal infection caused by Clostridium dificile (Florastor is

         used for treatment)

      Sources

§          §   Yogurt                                   

§          §   Cottage cheese

§          §   Buttermilk

§          §   Miso

§          §    Soy sauce                            

      §  Tempeh

§          §   Fresh sauerkraut

§          §   Kefir (fermented milk)

§          §   Some juices

ü Naked Juice

§         §    Some soy drinks                                                      

§         §    Nutritional supplements

ü Align (Bifidobacterium infantis)

ü Culturelle (Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG)

ü Florastor (Saccharomyces boulardii) - yeast

Make sure the product contains live, active cultures.

The following are probiotics that can be used for specific conditions.

Condition	Recommended Probiotics
Diarrhea from antibiotic usage	Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, Saccharomyces boulardii, Enterococcus faecium, Streptococcus thermophilus, Bacillus clausii, Lactobacillus acidophilus
Irritable bowel syndrome	Lactobacillus plantarum, Bifidobacterium infantis, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG
Vaginal yeast infection	Lactobacillus acidophilus
Weakened immunity	Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus salivarius, Bifidobacterium bifidum
Lactose indigestion	Lactobacillus bulgaricus, Streptococcus thermophilus