by Valerie Brooks
Bacteria received a really bad rap until probiotics became all the rage. Now we know that there are good bacteria and bad. Probiotics, of course, are the good guys—those live microorganisms that live in the gut and balance the flora, which, health professionals are now learning, may be doing a world of good for us. So much so that nowadays, there are probiotic supplements galore. There’s also a great deal of emphasis on pro-probiotic foods. Some health professionals believe that many diseases begin with a reaction to what’s going on in the gut, so the popularity of probiotic continues to expand daily, gaining the interest of those with serious illnesses and those looking to ward them off.

What Will Probiotics Do?

• Prevent or treat yeast infections. People taking antibiotics should especially take probiotics to prevent this condition, which commonly follows antibiotic intake.
• Probiotics may treat diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome. And, very importantly, it may treat inflammation. This is why probiotics are now being studied for their efficacy in auto-immune disorders. People with autoimmune disorders such as lupus or antiphospholipid antibody are hyper-sensitive to inflammation because their immune systems often attack without warning. Even though a common area for this inflammation is the lungs, there is some belief that taking care of bacteria in the gut is the place to begin prevention.
• Probiotics may have a role in cancer prevention as well, particularly colorectal cancer. Some studies show that cancer-promoting enzymes are abated by the presence of the probiotic, lactobacillus acidophilus.

Most Common Probiotic-rich Foods

The foods richest in probiotics include:

• Yogurt
• milk
• miso
• soy-based products
• kefir
• some cereals
• olives
• fermented cabbage

These are some of the more popular probiotic products:

• Attune Chocolate Probiotic Wellnes Bar, Attune Granola Probiotic Wellness Bar – I’ve had the chocolate bar and it is quite the mouth pleaser. It comes in four chocolate varieties and the granola version has six. See attunefoods.com.
• Dannon Activia Yogurt, DanActive – This is the product Jamie Lee Curtis has been endorsing all over the media. Activia is the yogurt form and DanActive is the drink. Both offer a number of flavors, with Activia doling out 17 grams of sugar. That’s high but then again, some yogurts are much higher. Check labels. See activa.com.
• Kashi Vive Probiotic Digestive Wellness Cereal – The name is quite a mouthful but it also packs a lot of crunchy nutrition. I actually tried this cereal and although I don’t exactly taste the vanilla and graham it boasts of, it’s not bad. For a double whammy, I add it to yogurt. This cereal has only 10 grams of sugar but 43 carbs. See kashi.com.

Probiotic History, Foods, and Crash Course on the Digestive System

This is one of the best websites out there for a comprehensive look at probiotics. It tells of the man who pioneered the probiotic movement—a bacteriologist named Elie Metchnikoff, who was noted as saying, “Death begins in the colon.” It reviews products, gives a lesson in how the digestive track works, and offers the latest scientific information on probiotics. See verb-goodbelly.com.

Types of Probiotics

• Lactobacillus Plantarum, Bifidobacterium Infanits, Sacchromyces Boulardii help regulate bowel movements.
• Lactobacillus Rhamnossus and Lactobacillus Casei are best for treating diarrhea.
• Lactobacillus Acidophilus is best for treating vaginal yeast infections and for maintaining general health.

Probiotic Supplements

If using a powder or pill form is more your style, there are a wealth of options. The key to choosing the best products is to look at the ingredients. Choose those with a minimum of ten billion live bacteria. The stealthiest bacteria come from the lactobacillus strain so make sure this name appears prominently on the label. Choosing an organic product is also highly suggested as it will ensure that the bacteria have not been altered in any way. Check which species and strain the product contains. Here are some recommended probiotic products:

• MiVitality InLiven: Certified organic food supplement. See chooseorganics.com
• Renew Life: High potency probiotics. See renewlife.com.
• New-Chapter: Organic sustainable probiotics with many choices. See new-chapter.com.