What exactly are probiotic supplements supposed to do?

[Dresden]

I'm taking Acidophilus and Lactobacillus, but what are these supplements supposed to do for me exactly? Am I just wasting time and money on probiotics?

 

[Maya]

Lactobacillus Acidophilus is a group of bacteria found in the intestines and vagina that help to maintain a healthy intestinal tract and aid digestion. Sometimes, antibiotic use can cause problems with the normal balance of bacteria in the stomach/intestines, resulting in diarrhea. This product can actually help restore the normal balance of intestinal bacteria. This is also used for vaginal and urinary tract infection. The only thing is, this has not been approved by the FDA so you should consult with a doctor about using this as a dietary supplement.

 

[Foreigner]

The idea is that exposure to antibiotics, processed foods or synthetic foods disrupts the balance of internal flora in your gut. The bacteria native to your body are involved in all kinds of processes that your body needs to survive. Probiotic supplements are created upon the premise of dysbiosis... either there are not enough beneficial bacteria in the body or their populations are unbalanced, leading to disease. I think there is truth to this, but the marketing hypes it up way too much.

One thing that most people don't know about probiotics is that if you are not buying ones that go in the fridge, then they are useless. Probiotics on the store shelf are lifeless. The genuine article always requires cold storage to keep the bacteria alive. The other thing is that most pill-form probiotics are not enteric coated, which means many of the probiotic bacteria you ingest are killed in the stomach acid. The only way to affect maximum intestinal exposure is to get an enteric coated variety so that the pill passes through the acidic environment and only opens up in the basic environment of the small intestine.

 

[laugh]

not much ime. yoghurt ftw!

 

[chrisone87]

theyre supposed to make you shit regularly

 

[Foreigner]

yoghurt ftw!

That's a good point. Ferments like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, etc... are probiotic foods that you can consume to fortify your GI if you're wary of supplements.

 

[thujone]

Kefir is boss and full of protein and amino acids in addition to the L. Bacillus, so it's worth the money and a great breakfast supplement.

 

[Dresden]

theyre supposed to make you shit regularly

I take Metamucil for that already.

 

[What 23]

Raw Honey and bee pollen also has good bacteria and many enzymes. Not sure how well its incorporated.