Probiotics are live microbial organisms naturally found in the digestive tract and other parts of the body. It’s widely believed that there must be a balance of good bacteria to keep the immune system functioning.

The history of probiotics often begins with Nobel Prize winning Russian scientist Eli Metchnikoff, who first posited that it was possible to modify gut flora with the addition of useful bacteria.

In the 1920s, it was disputed whether bacteria from fermented food could live in the human intestines. We may also get our daily dose from probiotic foods, like yogurt or probiotic supplements.

People use probiotic products to naturally treat a number of conditions, particularly antibiotic-induced diarrhea, traveler’s diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, constipation, ulcerative colitis and vaginal yeast infections.

probiotics
Some probiotic products claim to bolster the immune system, prevent colds, treat allergies, stop tooth decay, address skin conditions like eczema, reduce the occurrence of bladder cancer, and prevent colon cancer and Crohn’s disease. Most clinical trials regarding probiotics revolve around diarrhea treatment, which lactobacillus and bifidobacterium are proven to treat.

Probiotic foods include yogurt like Dannon Activa, Ricera and Stonyfield Farm, as well as Horizon milk, sour cream and cottage cheese. Refrigerated sauerkraut like Cortland Valley Organic, Bubbies Old Fashioned Sauerkraut and Wills Valley Sauerkraut also contain probiotics cultures.

Salted gherkin pickles and brine-cured olives contain decent amounts of Lactobacilli. Kashi Vive Probiotic Digestive Wellness Cereal is one of the best sources of probiotics acidophilus, with thousands of units per serving. Consumers generally look for products that are tasty, nutritious and functional.

probiotic products
To be effective, probiotics must contain live cultures of healthy bacteria, which can be a challenge when working with canned, jarred or marketed food that must have a long shelf life. That is why yogurt and other refrigerated products are the ideal hosts for bacteria.

Examples of prebiotic foods include onions, asparagus, chicory and bananas. Prebiotics can also be purchased as a supplement.