1. More than just yogurt…. By: Will López
PROBIOTICS
More than just yogurt….
By: Will López

2. What are probiotics?
Probiotics are very popular today in the food industry. But what are probiotics? Probiotics are actually live, beneficial bacteria which assist human health when consumed in the right quantities.

3. What do probiotics do?
There are already 100 trillion microbes in your large intestine that do many good things, including:
Fight off bad bacteria, like E. coli and Salmonella
Absorb minerals such as iron, magnesium, and calcium
Produce vitamins B6, B12, and K2.
Process indigestible fibers

4. This chart represents the digestive system, and some of the “bad” bacteria that the existing probiotics there fight. Some are familiar, including Staphylococcus, Streptococcus, Escherichia (or E. coli), and Lactobacilli.

6. What are some different types of probiotics?
Bifidobacterium lactis HN019 (it's sold as an ingredient for dairy and supplement products).
Lactobacillus reuteri ATCC55730 (available in BioGaia Gut Health products).
Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) (in Danimals drinkable yogurt and Culturelle capsules).
Lactobacillus casei DN (in DanActive products).
Bifidobacterium lactis Bb-12 (available in Yo-Plus yogurt, LiveActive cheese).

7. Do antibiotics that we take affect existing probiotics in our bodies?
The answer is yes. The word antibiotic can be broken down like this: Anti means negative, and bio means life. So antibiotic means “no life”. People take antibiotics to kill harmful bacteria, but many times, they kill the helpful bacteria, and not the pathogens they were trying for. This is because many types of pathogens are constantly mutating, causing them to become resistant to antibiotics. In fact, the main issue with probiotics being effective is that bacteria are becoming resistant to antibiotics, which then kill the probiotics.

8. Conclusion
In the battle between you and infection, whichever side has the higher numbers wins. If you want to give the “good guys” the edge, consuming probiotics is like sending more soldiers to the front line in a battle. It reinforces the good side, and takes out more of the bad side.
POW!