Probiotics for Good Digestive Health

Though the term “probiotic” was coined in 1965, people started to learn about them as far back as the beginning of the 20th century. It all started when a Russian scientist noticed that certain populations of Bulgarians who ingested large amounts of fermented milk lived an extremely long time.

It turned out that fermented milk (yogurt) contains lots of bacteria that are very good for you. So good for you, in fact, that some experts claim that taking probiotics can dramatically reduce the effects of aging.

What are Probiotics?
They are the “good” bacteria that live naturally in your gut. Potentially “bad” bacteria reside there as well, and your good health relies in part upon the balance of “good” and “bad” bacteria.

Probiotics stimulate digestion, help your body fight against infections, and boost your immune system. They can restore the digestive activity that can be temporarily destroyed by taking antibiotics.

There are foods that contain probiotics, such as sauerkraut, miso, yogurt, kim chee (a Korean dish made of fermented, seasoned vegetables), kefir (a fermented milk drink) and kvass (a Russian drink distilled from barley or rye). But getting probiotics from food may not be enough, according to some.

Probiotic supplements can be purchased in pill, capsule, or powder form. One of the most common probiotic supplements, one that you’ve probably heard of: Acidophilus. Since they contain active, live cultures, they should be refrigerated.

Probiotics come in different strengths. When I bought some recently in my local health food store, the woman who works there recommended I take the weaker one, since I wanted it as a digestive aid. She said that people who have been on a lengthy regimen of antibiotics for Lyme Disease should take a stronger dose.

Probiotics may be beneficial for a variety of health issues. Recent
research in Australia showed that athletes who took probiotics had less severe flu and cold symptoms than those who didn’t take probiotics.

(If you’re thinking of taking probiotics as a preventative measure during flu and cold season, though, you might want to consider a year-round regimen. Some studies have shown that once you stop taking probiotics, you shortly thereafter lose the benefits you had received by taking them.)

Though scientific studies are ongoing, some of the health issues that may potentially benefit by taking probiotics include:

Acute diarrhea; easing the severity and duration of rotavirus.
Inflammatory bowel disease.
Irritable bowel syndrome.
High blood pressure.
High cholesterol.
Prevention of respiratory tract infections.

Please note: Do not take probiotic supplements if you have or are at risk of having pancreatitis. Researchers have found it can be detrimental to your health.

Read more: Diet & Nutrition, Health

By Lynn Behrendt, contributing writer to Care2.com’s Green Living

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

Fi T.

5:12AM PST on Mar 6, 2013

Let's protect our source of energy

March 6
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Fred H.

7:14AM PST on Feb 2, 2013

Thank you Lynn, for Sharing this!

February 2
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Elisabeth T.

5:35AM PST on Nov 24, 2012

Good info...

November 24
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JL A.

6:16PM PST on Nov 14, 2012

good to know

November 14
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greenplanet e.

8:04PM PST on Nov 13, 2012

Thanks

November 13
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Mukesh R.

6:47AM PDT on Sep 7, 2012

thanks..

September 7
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KARLOLINA G.

6:34PM PDT on Jul 11, 2011

I make probiotics using cabbage and distilled water. Go to your search engine and type in cultivated cabbage. There you will find a truck load of information and how to make it as well.

July 11
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colleen p.

7:02AM PDT on Jul 11, 2011

every year, i think there is a day or so when I seem to have a horrible massive die off. I don't know if it is/was the dihareea bacteria or not. but having to run to the toilet every 10 or so minntues is not fun. so I had to take them . then i am fine.

I don't know what causes it but it happens. there would be no drastic change to diet.

so i need happy little intestinal floras.

Lucy M.

8:26AM PDT on Mar 15, 2011

Does the use of probiotics ever upset the gall bladder? I need to be careful of what supplements I take. My gall bladder can't seem to operate good with some supplements or when taking several in the same day. I don't know exactly what's wrong with my gall bladder but a test many years ago showed it wasn't working exactly right but not justifying surgery.