Probiotics help replenish the beneficial bacteria that normally inhabit the human digestive tract and assist the digestive process. There’s evidence that without them, the immune system can't work properly, lessening resistance to infection. You may want to consider probiotics if:
- You are on antibiotics, which can wipe out "friendly" intestinal bacteria along with the bad bugs that cause infections
- You have been diagnosed with irritable bowel syndrome, Crohn's disease, or ulcerative colitis
- You are traveling in underdeveloped countries, and want to reduce the risk of traveler's diarrhea
You can find these helpful bacteria in cultured milk products such as yogurt with active cultures and kefir, naturally fermented pickles and sauerkraut, and probiotics in liquid or capsule form. Two hardy strains that can survive passage through the stomach are Lactobacillus GG and Bacillus Coagulans. Always check the expiration date to make sure that the bacteria these products contain are alive and in good condition and look for probiotics with "colony forming units" (CFUs) in the billions.
DrWeil.com
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