Probiotics are live microorganisms (bacteria and yeasts) that benefit the body, when eaten or taken as a dietary supplement. The human digestive system is heavily dependent on flourishing "friendly" bacteria in our intestines. Probiotics aid the existing flora, or help repopulate your colon when it's been stripped of bacteria by antibiotics, chemotherapy, disease, or radical detox diets like the Master Cleanse.

Types of Probiotics

There are many types of probiotics, including different kind of bacteria, as well as some yeasts (such as Saccharomyces boulardii).  Most probiotics fall into two categories of bacteria: Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium.  Another popular probiotic is the Nissle strain of Escherichia coli (E. coli).  Every kind of bacteria has several strains, each with its own health benefits.

Probiotics have a wide range of benefits, including boosting the immune system to help combat infections, allergies, and exposure to toxins, and also regulating the digestive system, relieving lactose intolerance, and even IBS. Each bacterial strain has unique strengths, so most probiotic supplements include a variety of strains for maximum benefits.

Generally, probiotic supplements emphasize one of the types of probiotics. Depending on your own needs, one might be more beneficial to you than another, so the health benefits unique to these main types are listed below:

Health Benefits of Lactobacillus

• Stimulates the immune system
• Reduces symptoms of lactose intolerance
• Prevents bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine
• Provides some relief for antibiotic-induced diahrrea
• Regulates bowel movements
• Increases satiety (feelings of fullness)
• Metabolizes body fat
• Eliminates atopic eczema
• Prevents and treats vaginitis
• Lowers blood pressure
• Improves mineral absorption
• Helps prevent colon cancer
• Inhibits candida yeast growth

Health Benefits of Bifidobacterium

• Stimulates the immune system
• Prevents children's and traveller's diahrrea
• Alleviates atopic eczema
• Lowers the incidence of allergies
• Prevents some forms of tumor growth
• Inhibits candida yeast growth

Health Benefits of Escherichia Coli - Nissle strain

• Stimulates immune system
• Reduces symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Reduces symptoms of ulcerative colitis
• Reduces symptoms of inflammatory bowel disorder (IBD)
• Combats Crohn's disease
• Combats celiac disease

Health Benefits of Saccharomyces Boulardii

• Stimulates the immune system
• Reduces symptoms of gastroenteritis
• Reduces symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Reduces symptoms of inflammatory bowel disorder (IBD)
• Reduces symptoms of ulcerative colitis
• Helps prevent relapse of Crohn's Disease
• Relieves traveller's diahhrea

• Increases recovery from diahrrea of Stage IV AIDS patients

Probiotic supplements do not generally have any negative side effects.    Rarely, mild digestive discomfort, such as gas or bloating, has been reported, and theoretically probiotics could cause an infection.  You should always consult a doctor before beginning a probiotic regimen.

Foods Containing Probiotics

Probiotics are often found in fermented foods, such as acidophilius milk, some soft cheeses, cultured buttermilk, and sour cream. They are also found in soy products like tempeh and miso, as well as some soy beverages and juices. Increasingly, additional probiotics are being added to foods, like yogurt products DanActive and Activia.

Probiotics work well with prebiotic foods like artichokes, honey, oats, and fruit, which do not contain bacteria themselves, but which help support the growth of bacteria.