Originally published June 14 2005
Probiotics can help treat digestive disorders
by Mike Adams, the Health Ranger, NaturalNews Editor
Probiotics are living bacteria in the human body that produce health benefits. Recent research shows that ingesting additional probiotics found in yogurt or taken as nutritional supplements can treat a number of digestive troubles, such as diarrhea, inflammatory bowel disease and lactose intolerance. Women can also use probiotics for relief from yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis.
A: The term probiotics (from pro and biota, meaning "for life") refers to living bacteria that produce health benefits.
Such helpful microorganisms live naturally in every healthy person's digestive tract.
They're also found in foods fermented with bacteria, such as yogurt.
A small but growing body of evidence suggests that you can treat and even prevent some illnesses with foods and supplements that contain probiotics.
They keep harmful bacteria in check, aid digestion and nutrient absorption, and contribute to immune function.
Disease, stress, a poor diet and certain medications can all deplete these beneficial bacteria.
When that happens, other bacteria can get a foothold, causing intestinal woes such as diarrhea.
One study found a combination of two different strains of bacteria added to infant formula reduced diarrhea rates by 24 percent.
� Antibiotic-associated diarrhea: Two large reviews suggest that probiotics lower antibiotic-associated diarrhea by 60 percent, when compared with a placebo.
Their bodies are short on lactase, an enzyme needed to break down lactose (milk sugar).
More than 20 years ago, researchers showed that people with lactose intolerance had fewer symptoms if they ate yogurt instead of milk.
The bacteria in yogurt produce lactase, which digests the lactose before it reaches the large intestine.
Probiotic treatment that restores the balance of microorganisms may be helpful for such common female problems as bacterial vaginosis, yeast infection and urinary tract infection.
Many women eat yogurt or insert it into the vagina to treat recurring yeast infections, a folk remedy that has limited medical evidence to support it.
Oral and vaginal use of Lactobacilli may help treat bacterial vaginosis.
But so far, there isn't enough evidence to recommend it over conventional approaches.
Lactobacillus GG, marketed as Culturelle, is sold in capsule form.
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