It goes to say that integrating foods with natural probiotic properties into your diet is a no brainer.
Probiotic Foods
Foods brimming with probiotics are: yogurt; kefir; aged and fermented cheeses tempeh; some soy beverages; products labeled “probiotic fortified” like juices, flour, cereal and chocolates.
“Conventionally, when people hear about probiotics, they typically think of yogurt or supplements,” says Dr. B.J. Hardick, founder of the Centre for Maximized Living in London, Ontario. “Most people are unfortunately unaware of several other incredible -- and typically better -- sources of healthy gut bacteria.” Among those sources is a wide array of cultured and fermented foods.
Five Conditions for Probiotic Use
The following five conditions benefit from the use of probiotics for either preventing, treating or using after an illness.
1. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is one type of ulcerative colitis that affects the large intestine lining. Ulcerative colitis is an autoimmune disease. IBD has the following symptoms – weight loss; abdominal cramping and pain and frequently bloody diarrhea. Use of probiotics in IBD seem prescribed in cases where it is in remission. Research indicated that people who take probiotics at this stage seem to experience prolonged and extended periods of remission, as long as six months to a year.
2. Antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Administering both an antibiotic and probiotic in children and adults may help prevent diarrhea. Antibiotics interfere with the natural balance between bad and good antibiotics and as much as 30 percent of people suffer from diarrhea. Because antibiotics are hard on your intestines, doctors recommend taking probiotics for up to a month after antibiotics have been stopped.