probiotics

16 videos

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.

All Videos for Probiotics

How to Treat Heart Failure and Kidney Failure with Diet

How to Treat Heart Failure & Kidney Failure with Diet

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.

Treating Bacterial Vaginosis with Vaginal Vitamin C

Vitamin C pitted head-to-head against antibiotics for bacterial vaginal infections.

How to Become a Fecal Transplant Super Donor

What’s more important: probiotics or prebiotics? And where best to get them?

Garlic and Raisins to Prevent Premature Birth

Garlic & Raisins to Prevent Premature Birth

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.

Gluten-Free Diets: Separating the Wheat from the Chat

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?

Preventing Asthma With Fruits and Vegetables

Preventing Asthma with Fruits & Vegetables

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.

Gut Feelings: Probiotics & Mental Health

We’ve known our mental state can affect our gut flora, but might our good bacteria be affecting our mental state?

Should Probiotics Be Taken Before, During, or After Meals?

Proper timing of probiotic supplements may improve their survival.

Preventing the Common Cold with Probiotics?

Though prebiotics may be preferable, probiotics may reduce the risk of upper respiratory tract infections.

Preventing & Treating Diarrhea with Probiotics

Probiotics may help prevent antibiotic-associated diarrhea, and appear to speed recovery from acute gastroenteritis.

Tipping Firmicutes to Bacteroidetes

Certain phytonutrients may tip the balance of healthy gut bacteria in favor of flora associated with improved weight control.

Boosting Good Bacteria in the Colon without Probiotics

Certain good bacteria in our gut can turn the fiber we eat into an anti-inflammatory, anti-cancer compound—called butyrate—that we absorb back into our system. We may be able to boost the number of butyrate-producing bacteria by eating a plant-based diet.