PROBIOTICS: What You Need To Know About "Good Bacteria"

Here are the things you need to know about probiotics

PROBIOTICS – These live bacteria and yeasts are also called good bacteria which can be very beneficial to the digestive system.

Based on the article from Web MD, these are the two main functions the good bacteria:

Helps replace the good bacteria when your body losses them, for example after you take antibiotics
Helps balance your “good” and “bad” bacteria to keep your body working the way it should

TYPES

Lactobacillus
– most common
– can be found in yogurt and other fermented foods
– different strains can help with diarrhea
– may help people who have lactose intolerance

Bifidobacterium
– can be found in some dairy products
– may help ease the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and other conditions

Saccharomyces boulardii
– yeast found in probiotics
– help fight diarrhea and other digestive problems

Probiotics can help treat these following conditions:

Irritable bowel syndrome
Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
Infectious diarrhea (caused by viruses, bacteria, or parasites)
Diarrhea caused by antibiotics

Aside from the digestive system, researchers also stated that probiotics can be beneficial to the other parts of the body. Here are some of the conditions that good bacteria can help:

Skin conditions, like eczema
Urinary and female genital health
Preventing allergies and colds
Oral health

According to the article, the FDA regulates probiotics as a food and not like medications. Generally speaking, these are good for the health of many people, however, people with problems in their immune system or other serious health conditions should not take them. With this, it is advised to seek a recommendation from your doctor first.

Possible side effects: