Just as there are good witches and bad witches in the “Wizard of Oz,” it turns out there are good bacteria and bad bacteria in Dorothy’s Kansas and everywhere else in the world, experts say. The good ones are generally called “probiotics” instead of “germs,” and you can get them naturally from the right kind of food or even buy them neatly packaged at health food stores.
Probiotics, as defined by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, are microorganisms that confer a health benefit on the host. In short, these are bacteria that make a person healthier instead of making them sick.
Until recently, the primary use of probiotics has been to treat diarrhea by counteracting the effects of antibiotics, which kill good bacteria in your gut along with the bad bacteria they are intended to eliminate. But researchers are finding that the regular use of probiotics can mean fewer sick days, and can help people who are lactose intolerant. They have shown that it can treat irritable bowel syndrome, and even reduce stress.
Good sources of probiotics include yogurt with live cultures such as Dannon, Stonyfield, and Yoplait. Health food stores usually offer various probiotic supplements, liquids, and chewables. Dietitians believe the best way to get them is in food. Registered dietician Carrie Miller said, “When it comes in a good source, your body knows how to use it.”
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