Joanna McFarlane(32) Modern Menus Log in to become a member of Joanna McFarlane's Fan Club!
Typically, having bacteria or parasites in your food is a bad thing. Harmful bugs like E. coli spoil your food and worse, can make you sick. But what about microbes in your food that can actually provide health benefits?
Called probiotics (from pro and biota , meaning “for life"), they are cultures of microorganisms that live in fermented foods, such as yogurt and soy products (and also come in supplement form), and eating them may help treat and even prevent some illnesses. Unlike antibiotics, which kill bacteria, probiotics live in your intestinal tract and help get rid of “unfriendly" germs. (Note, too, probiotics are not the same as prebiotics, which are nondigestible food ingredients that selectively stimulate the growth and/or activity of microorganisms already in your colon.)
So far, research on probiotics has focused on lactose intolerance and diarrhea (both infectious diarrhea among children and the type that develops after a person has taken antibiotics, which wipe out both good and bad bacteria in their path, altering the natural balance of the gut).
Studies also suggest that probiotics may help decrease the risk of colon cancer and ease symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, and possibly Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. In addition, scientists are looking into whether probiotics may help lower blood pressure and blood cholesterol levels, boost immune function, delay the development of allergies in children, and treat and prevent vaginal and urinary infections in women.
Probiotics are generally considered safe since they’re already present in a normal digestive system. However, side effects can occur from consuming probiotics, though they tend to be mild (gas or bloating). And, there’s a risk of infection for people with impaired immune function or an underlying health condition.
To find foods with gut-healthy, friendly bugs, check the label for the two most common strains of probiotics: Lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidobacteria (or bifidus). (You may not see the word “probiotics" on the label.)
In the United States , probiotics sold as dietary supplements, like all dietary supplements, do not undergo a rigorous testing or an approval process, like drugs do. So, if you do take them, be sure the ingredients are clearly marked. Talk to your health provider about what’s right for you.
Disclaimer: All information on this site is provided for informational purposes only! By no means is any
information presented herein intended to substitute for the advice provided to you by any health care or other professional
or organization.
