What can probiotics do for you?

Probiotics are “friendly” bacteria that occur in our gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts and known to promote good health. They are called as “friendly” bacteria because they help to recolonize certain areas of the body where they are depleted due to various reasons. Human body relies on probiotics to absorb nutrients, prevent colonization of harmful bacteria, and help to metabolize food and drugs we take. Probiotics are found in fermented food products such as yogurt and supplements.

Two of the probiotic bacteria include lactobacilli and bifidobacteria. Lactobacillus produces lactic acid and help to generate more than 400 normal probiotic species. Its benefits include stabilization of mucosal barrier, decrease intestinal permeability, increases the bioavailability of minerals, produce lactic acid and hydrogen peroxide, stimulates immune function in healthy people, regulate immune function of people with immune system hypersensitivity, and improve conditions that causes irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Bifidobacteria on the other hand can be grown inside or outside the human body and taken as a supplement. It helps to prevent diarrhea; replace good bacteria in the human body after diarrhea, chemotherapy and radiation; use to treat certain skin conditions in children; and helps to treat pouchitis that develops after surgery.