Probiotics are live microorganisms that are beneficial to the body in many ways. Probiotics means “for life” and have been used for centuries as natural components in health promoting foods. They are the “good bacteria” that are vital to our health and well being. Two of the most common strains are lactobacilli and bifidobacteria. It is believed that if a positive balance of good bacteria is maintained, the bad bacteria are less able to cause disease and irritation. There are already trillions of beneficial bacteria present in our bodies that prevent the growth of harmful bacteria, aid in digestion and the absorption of nutrients, and aid in the normal function of the immune system.
There are a number of reasons why we need probiotics. Poor eating habits, chlorinated drinking water, stress and disease and the use of antibiotics in food production as well as in medical treatments can destroy good bacteria and allow the bad bacteria to multiply. When the ratio of good bacteria to bad is lowered, problems begin to arise such as excessive gas, bloating, constipation, intestinal toxicity and poor absorption of nutrients. Probiotics can help to reverse these negative effects. They inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria that cause digestive stress, improve digestion of food and absorption of vitamins, stimulate the immune system, and help make vitamins needed by the body.
Probiotic microorganisms can be found in both supplement form and as components of foods and beverages. The most common of these is Lactobacillus acidophilus, the bacteria found in yogurt and some other dairy products. These bacteria and yeasts have been used for thousands of years to ferment foods. Most probiotic food is fermented at least partially. For a culture to be considered genuinely probiotic, it must be safe to eat, remain alive for the shelf life of the product and be present in a high enough quantity to have a beneficial effect. Foods containing probiotics include yogurt,...