Probiotics: What Are They And When Should I Take Them?
By Margot Weinberg, MD

You may have heard the term "probiotics" by now.  The word probiotics literally means "pro life." Probiotics is the term that represents the good bacteria and yeast that belong in our intestines.  When we are born, our intestines lack these good bacteria.  As the newborn goes through the birth canal, the baby's intestines are colonized with the mother's good bacteria and yeast.  When the baby breastfeeds, he or she is given another good opportunity to receive further doses of these good bacteria and yeast.

A healthy digestive tract has billions of bacteria and yeast.  Having the proper amount of these good organisms n  the intestines is important for many reasons.

What would cause one to develop an improper balance of bacteria and yeast in the intestines?  In infancy, babies who are born via c-section and are then bottle-fed may miss out on the opportunity to colonize their intestines with these god organisms.  Another situation would be when a person takes prescribed antibiotics.  Antibiotics are helpful by killing the bacteria making a person ill, but may be harmful by also killing the good bacteria and yeast in our intestines.  An imbalance may occur in our intestines when we eat an unhealthy diet or when we get sick with the "stomach flu" (a rotavirus infection ) or develop traveler's diarrhea while on vacation.

And, there other medical conditions associated with an abnormal balance of good intestinal bacteria and yeast: people with weak immune systems (leading to frequent colds), those with Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, people suffering from irritable bowel syndrome and those with chronic constipation.  All in these conditions may benefit from the addition of probiotics to one's diet.  In families with a history of eczema, pregnant others may be able to lower the risk of eczema in future offspring by including probiotics in their own diet.

Now that you realize the importance of probiotics, you are surely wondering where to find these good bacteria.  When certain foods ferment, the number of helpful bacteria multiplies.  These foods include yogurt and kefir (look for products that contain "active cultures"), miso, tempeh, ad sauerkraut.  If these foods don't appeal to you, probiotics may be purchased as a supplement.  Look for a product that guarantees living organisms at the time or purchase, not just at the time of manufacture. 

If one is taking probiotics while also using antibiotics, make sure to wait at least two hours after taking your dose of antibiotics before taking the probiotics supplement.  If you take the probiotics supplement too close to taking an antibiotic, the antibiotic will just kill the living organisms in the bacteria.  You will end up wasting your money and will not get the benefits of the probiotics supplement.

Talking to a practitioner knowledgeable about probiotics may be helpful since there are may different kinds of probiotics.  Research has shown that certain strains of good bacteria are helpful for specific situations.  People with immunosuppressive conditions may need to avoid taking probiotics supplements, but may benefit from the foods that are naturally high in good bacteria.

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About The Author: Margot Weinberg, MD is a board-certified pediatrician who is fellowship-
trained in Integrative Medicine.  She sees children and adolescents for integrative medicine
consultations at her office in Tobey Village Office Park in Pittsford, NY. Dr. Weinberg can be
contacted at (585) 738-9204. Please visit her website at www.drweinberghealthychildren.com.

This article originally appeared in New Health Digest www.NewHealthDigest.com and was
reprinted by permission in accordance with publisher guidelines.