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Topic summary contributed by volunteer(s): Randy
Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts, and may be beneficial to our health, especially our gastrointestinal tracts. Probiotics may reduce the risk of upper respiratory tract infections and help boost the immune system. They may also help prevent antibiotic-associated diarrhea and speed recovery from acute gastroenteritis. One study found that a month of probiotics can significantly decrease anxiety, depression, anger and hostility symptoms. Lactobacillus probiotics may help with childhood asthma.
Probiotic bacterial survival is likely best when provided within 30 minutes before or simultaneously with a meal or beverage that has some fat. While taking probiotic supplements may boost beneficial bacteria, eating a plant-based diet will do so as well.
Image Credit: AnnaMariaThor / Thinkstock. This image has been modified.
Certain gut bacteria can supercharge the benefits of soy foods, resulting in even more bone protection, better control of menopausal symptoms, and lower prostate cancer risk. The question is how can we foster the growth of these good bacteria?
In certain medical conditions, probiotic supplements may actually make things worse.
Should we be concerned about high-choline plant foods, such as broccoli, producing the same toxic TMAO that results from eating high-choline animal foods, such as eggs?
One way a diet rich in animal-sourced foods—meat, eggs, and cheese—may contribute to heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, and death is through the production of toxin called TMAO.
Vitamin C pitted head-to-head against antibiotics for bacterial vaginal infections.
What’s more important: probiotics or prebiotics? And where best to get them?
Consumption of even small amounts of garlic or raisins are associated with significantly lower risk of pregnant women going into premature labor or having their water break too soon.
How common is gluten sensitivity? Are there benefits of gluten? Why does the medical profession explicitly advise against people who suspect they might be gluten intolerant from just going on a gluten-free diet?
A study involving more than a million kids suggests the striking worldwide variation in childhood rates of allergies, asthma, and eczema is related to diet.
We’ve known our mental state can affect our gut flora, but might our good bacteria be affecting our mental state?
Proper timing of probiotic supplements may improve their survival.
Though prebiotics may be preferable, probiotics may reduce the risk of upper respiratory tract infections.
