ecoPharmacist

Probiotics and your health

Probiotics and your health are a hot topic these days. Probiotics are live bacteria or yeasts that are beneficial to the body. Most hear bacteria and think bad or disease causing. But to the contrary, probiotic bacteria are considered the ‘good’ bacteria and is needed to maintain a healthy digestive system.

Research proves more each day about the role of probiotics play in keeping people healthy and the multitude of health benefits associated with consuming the right type and levels of probiotics.

Probiotic bacteria can:

• Improve digestive function
• Help with side effects of antibiotic therapy
• Help reduce the risk of certain acute common infectious diseases
• Improve tolerance to lactose
• Enhance immune function

Certain probiotics can play a role in reducing the development of allergies in children, decrease H pylori colonization of the stomach and manage some inflammatory bowel conditions like Crohn’s disease.

Some foods that contain Probiotics include:

• Yogurt
• Kefir
• Sourdough bread
• Kombucha
• Pickles
• Fermented soybean paste or Miso
• Kimchi
• Probiotic supplements
• Unpasteurized Sauerkraut
• Fermented soft cheeses like Gouda