Christine Jacobson with Health Mart Pharmacies talks about what you need to know about probiotics.
Probiotics are the latest in good for you foods. They’re good bacteria added to foods or they occur naturally in certain yogurts, fermented dairy drinks and in supplemental form. Probiotics are used as a form of treatment for many gastrointestinal diseases such as irritable bowel syndrome, antibiotic-induced diarrhea, traveler’s diarrhea, urinary tract and yeast infections and lactose intolerance.
Scientist are exactly sure how they work but think that the good bacteria replace or “crowd out” the germs or bad bacteria in the intestinal tract. Another concept is that the good bugs keep the intestinal tract acidic where bad bugs can’t survive. Your digestive tract has more than 400 different kinds of good bacteria that help fight infection to keep you healthy. The biggest group of good bacteria is found in yogurt. When you eat foods with probiotics, you increase the amount of healthy bacteria you have, you boost your immunity and you promote a healthful digestive system.
What are some sources of foods that are considered probiotic? Yogurst, fermented and unfermented milk, miso (a soy paste), some juices and soy drinks, garlic, onions, bleu cheese, probiotic-fortified cereal and energy bars.
Some over-the-counter probiotic supplements include Culturelle, Florastar, Align and VSL.
Sources cited: Medicinenet.com
For all your pharmaceutical needs including probiotics, go to www.healthmart.com for a listing of your nearest Health Mart Pharmacy in your neighborhood
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