Products With Good Bacteria

The body may contain varying levels of both harmful and good bacteria at any given time. When there is an abundance of bad bacteria, we may come down with a cold, feel sick to our stomachs or have diarrhea. By contrast, if the beneficial bacterium is more prevalent, then we may feel at peak healthiness, enjoy an easy time digesting and have regular bowel movements. To encourage the proliferation of good bacteria, some manufacturers have specialized in probiotic foods or probiotics supplements, which contain healthy doses of healthy microbes that aid in digestion and immune system function.

Good bacteria are sold as probiotic foods and probiotics supplements in the United States. True probiotic yogurt contains a "Live Active Culture Seal" administered by the National Yogurt Association in recent years. Dannon Activa and Stonyfield Farm are two notable yogurt probiotics. Kashi's "Vive" cereal contains probiotic acidophilus. Horizon Organic Dairy includes lactobacillus gg, acidophilus and bifidobacterium in all yogurt, milk and cottage cheese products. There are many other dairies across America featuring unfermented, culture-containing milks that contain healthy bacteria like lactobacillus, acidophilus and bifidobacteria.

In addition to probiotic foods, good bacterium is also found in more than 100 brands of probiotic supplements. Align probiotic, Culturelle probiotic and Primal Defense probiotic are just a few of the brands to look for. Be careful to read the websites before subscribing to their claims. The most well-researched benefit of probiotics is that they help "treat diarrhea" or "promote a healthy digestive system." If the manufacturer is claiming that you can cure AIDS, cancer or other serious ailments, then you should probably avoid them. Attune and Dr. Ohhirra have both been accused of making outlandish, overzealous claims that have been unsubstantiated by research. Look for a company that's a member of the Better Business Bureau, that provides lots of information on their website and that doesn't over-hype the benefits of their probiotic products.

Over the years, there are likely to be many advances in the probiotic foods and supplements market. Probiotics are huge in Asia and Europe, but they're still new in the American market, where bacterium carries more of a stigma. The number of products containing good bacteria here is fairly limited, although manufacturers are experimenting with packaging, advertising and product development to give consumers the fortified, functional foods they want. Companies are looking at new product labels to stir interest, while simultaneously working with researchers to verify their claims through scientific studies.

More about good bacteria

Probiotic Supplements

"If you're healthy and are not planning to take antibiotics, go into the hospital, or maybe take a trip out of the country, then there is no benefit from taking probiotics," said Lynne McFarland, a microbiologist at the Veterans Administration Puget Sound Health Care System and coauthor of "The Power of Probiotics." Probiotic supplements can be found in food, powders and capsules around the world and are believed to contribute to healthy immune and digestive systems. Even so, not all Americans are convinced there are any benefits.

Probiotics

It should be the goal of every individual to have a healthy body. A healthy body means more energy throughout the day and it keeps you from feeling run down. But in order to have a healthy body, you have to make sure that your internal organ systems are functioning properly.

Probiotic Supplement

Diarrhea is a disgusting, unpleasant surprise. Maybe it was that spicy taco you ate or the lavish steak that flushed right through your system. Perhaps the antibiotics you're on or the stress you've been under at work have contributed to this unfortunate activity in your bowels.