| What are probiotics & probiotic supplements? |
| Probiotic supplements are dietary supplements that contain beneficial or “good” or “friendly” bacteria or yeast, with lactic acid bacteria (LAB) as the most common microbes used. Probiotics are live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amount confer a health benefit on the host (FAO 2001). They are good bacteria that reside in the digestive tract that can provide certain health benefits. Most probiotic products or supplements contain the bacteria from the genera Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium |
| Who needs to add probiotics to their diet? |
| Probiotics have been reported to have positive effects on people with certain illnesses. These include digestion, rotavirus diarrhea, antibiotic-associated diarrhea, traveler's diarrhea, constipation, vaginal infections and atopic eczema. Probiotics has also been proven effective in other areas, for example the ability to decrease the risk of colon tumors, to lower the level of cholesterol and to boost the immune system. |
| Where can I purchase Probiotics? |
| www.crohnsstore.com |
| Are all bacteria bad? |
| No, not all bacteria are bad, and most are not harmful. As a matter of fact the body needs bacteria to survive. Although the word "bacteria" is usually associated with germs and illness, there are in fact a number of strains of friendly bacteria that help the human body to function, maintain health and fight illness and disease. Some bacteria are used by the body to fight other bacteria; in fact our bodies carry about 100 trillion bacteria, most in our colon. They live and grow there and help prime our immune system so we can better fight infection. There are other harmful bacteria that can cause infections and diseases. Some bacteria have carcinogen byproducts that are quite deadly. Most probiotics are bacteria, which are small, single-celled organisms. The consumption of probiotics helps in the reduction harmful bacteria that live in our gastrointestinal tract. |
| Where Do Probiotics Come From? |
| Most probiotic products contain bacteria from the genera Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium, although other genera, including Escherichia, Enterococcus, Bacillus and Saccharomyces (a yeast) have been marketed as probiotics. |
| How can bacteria be a benefit? |
| Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that colonise the intestinal tract and act to promote the efficient functioning of digestion, help prevent digestive upsets as well as vaginal and urinary tract infections and stimulate and maintain the natural immunity of the body. Probiotic bacteria are normal inhabitants of the intestines and are found in the healthy gut of all humans. Probiotics is a Greek word meaning "for life" which already indicates the most essential property of probiotic cultures. This contrasts with Antibiotics meaning "against life". |
| Do “healthy” people need probiotics added to their diet? |
| While there is no general requirement for healthy people to consume probiotics, there is sufficient evidence that probiotics can help people stay healthy in certain ways, such as improving immune function, maintaining normal GI function and preventing infection. Probiotics also have been shown to be effective in management of certain diseases, such as their being shown to reduce the development of atopic dermatitis in infants or reducing recurrence of pouchitis. |
| Can you tell me which everyday products contain probiotic bacteria? |
| Probiotic bacteria can be found in many fermented dairy products such as yogurt. Some types of milk also contain probiotic bacteria. It is always a good idea to check the labels of products to see what they contain. Additionally, many dietary supplements also contain probiotic bacteria. |
| Are probiotics “safe”? |
| Generally speaking, probiotics comprised of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium are safe. Some products marketed as probiotics are undefined mixtures of microorganisms of other genera and it is difficult to know whether or not they are safe. |
