The Benefits of Probiotics Last reviewed by Faculty of Harvard
Medical School on January 16, 2013 By Audrey Young, M.S., R.D.,
L.D.N. In a society of anti-bacterial warfare, who would have
thought that anyone would tout the benefits of bacteria? Living
microorganisms found in yogurt and other cultured foods may help
improve your body's bacterial environment inside and out.
They're called probiotics, a name that means "for life." More
and more people are using probiotic products to treat or improve
illnesses or to maintain overall well-being. In fact, the amount
that Americans spent on probiotic supplements between 1994 and
2003 nearly tripled. In 1907, Russian microbiologist Elie
Metchnikoff (1845-1916) was the first to associate the large
amounts of fermented dairy products with the good health and
longevity of Bulgarians. He proposed that the acid-producing
organisms in fermented dairy products could prevent what he
called "fouling" in the large intestine. He believed if eaten
regularly, these foods could l