Have you ever wondered – what exactly are probiotics and what
are they used for? The word ‘probiotics’ means ‘for life.’
Essentially, they are live microorganisms – often referred to as
‘good bacteria’ which already live in our bodies (intestines) or
may be beneficial to health. Mechanisms for action You may find
the idea of bacteria in your body as a reason to rush out and
take antibiotics, but believe it or not, we need bacteria
throughout our small and large intestine to help digest food and
keep our immune system functioning properly. According to the
National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine
(NCCAM), the effects of probiotics on health include reducing
harmful organisms in the intestine, producing antimicrobial
substances that destroy or suppress the growth of
microorganisms, and stimulating the body’s immune response.
Basically, the research is still out about all of the health
benefits and efficacy due to the lack of randomized controlled,
double-blind studies that have been conducted