Posts Tagged ‘Probiotics’
What are Probiotics?
No doubt you’ve heard of the latest health craze that’s been sweeping the food aisles of your grocery stores. There’s been a lot of talk about “probiotics” and how eating them can improve your digestive system and make you generally healthier. Like many of the other things you’ve read, you might be wondering if it’s true, bullshit, or something in between… right?
Well, probiotics are good. The FAO/WHO defines probiotics as: “Live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host.”
Practically, probiotics are foods or dietary supplement that contain “good” bacteria, which are normally found in your body. If you’re familiar with Dannon’s Activia yogurt, then you’re familiar with a probiotic food (ignoring the Dannon lawsuit settlement). Yogurt, fermented and unfermented milk, juices, and other products are probiotics.
There’s research that probiotic supplements and foods can help with digestive issues like diarrhea after antibiotics, irritable bowel syndrome, and other problems of the digestive tract.
Are they a cureall? No and the research is still preliminary so time will tell how helpful probiotics are.
(Photo: mjecker)
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