Probiotics Weight Loss Diet Nutrition Tips Guide

Probiotics In Food

By Tracy Kerr-Walshe

Though the term was not coined until the sixties, 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.

Initially, he believed there was some link between helpful bacteria and longevity, believing that rural Europeans in Bulgaria and the Russian steppes who consumed more fermented milk also lived much longer.

In the 1920s, it was disputed whether bacteria from fermented food could live in the human intestines. There was a renewed interest in the benefits of probiotics acidophilus in the fifties, which continues today. 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.

Probiotic Foods

Some probiotic foods 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.

Dannon probiotics yogurt has made more than $100 million on their Activa line, which contains special probiotics bacteria. TCBY sells a probiotic frozen yogurt, Stonyfield Farm Shift is a dairy energy drink with probiotics, Kashi Vive is the leading probiotic cereal and Attune Foods’ wellness bars also promise a healthy dose of friendly bacteria.

Shopping With Caution

Whole Foods stores are full of organic, probiotic products, including soygurt smoothies, whole milk kefir, fermented cheese and pickles. Consumers should shop with caution, though, since not all products have been clinically tested for efficiency. The FDA mandates that food probiotics be safe for the body and not overstate their benefits, but they do not have to perform as advertised.

You may have also heard of "prebiotics," which are not the same as probiotics. These non-digestible carbohydrates (like fructo-oligosaccharides and insulin) are thought to stimulate the growth of beneficial bacteria in the intestines and are, therefore, recommended to be taken along with probiotic foods.

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

Please Note: All information given on this site is for information purposes and is not to replace any medical opinion or medical diagnosis given by a qualified medical doctor, a dietitian/nutritional expert or any other medical expert, as individual circumstances may vary. Please see your medical doctor, before any action is taken to alleviate symptoms.

Please Note: All information given on this site is for information purposes and is not to replace any medical opinion or medical diagnosis given by a qualified medical doctor, a dietitian/nutritional expert or any other medical expert, as individual circumstances may vary. Please see your medical doctor, before any action is taken to alleviate symptoms.

This Article was about Probiotics.

About the Author:
Tracy Kerr-Walshe is an author of dieting articles including Effective Weight Loss, Full Body Detox, Juice Fasting.
Keep a lookout for more of her articles coming soon.

More Facts About 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.

Even something as simple as lactose intolerance can throw off your day and how you feel but there is a way to help that. The use of probiotics is growing daily. More and more people want to feel healthy and know that their body is functioning properly.