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Probiotics: Bacteria
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Probiotics are a popular treatment for chronic candida, probably because that condition is thought to occur (at least in some cases) after the GI microflora has bee reduced by antibiotics. There are prescription antifungals for candida infection, but some cases do not respond completely. A recent animal study with mice showed that a commercially available strain of probiotic bacteria(Lactobacillus GG) improved the response to candida infection(3). Because candida infection is very common, and probiotics may be effective at preventing candida overgrowth as well as reversing it, candida is a good target pathogen for future probiotic research.
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Probiotics are generally safe, though the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine says further studies are needed to be sure probiotics are safe for young children, the elderly, and people with less-than-perfect immune systems. Some people may experience mild side effects such as gas or bloating. There is a remote chance that bacteria could cause an infection in the blood, especially in people with extremely weak immune systems. It's a good idea to talk to your doctor before trying a probiotic, just to be on the safe side.
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Probiotics are available in foods and dietary supplements (for example, capsules, tablets, and powders) and in some other forms as well. Examples of foods containing probiotics are yogurt, fermented and unfermented milk, miso, tempeh, and some juices and soy beverages. In probiotic foods and supplements, the bacteria may have been present originally or added during preparation.
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Probiotics are living microorganisms — bacteria or yeast — that can potentially help the digestive system maintain or restore a healthy bacterial balance. Probiotics are usually taken orally and sold as foods and dietary supplements. If you eat yogurt, you’ve probably already had a dose of probiotics. Many yogurts contain live beneficial bacteria, most often lactic acid bacteria such as Lactobacillus acidophilus.
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Probiotics affect intestinal bacterial flora by increasing anaerobic bacteria and decreasing the population of potentially pathogenic microorganisms. This phenomenon can reduce the incidence of diarrhea, which is one of the most well recognized uses for probiotics and has been documented with a number of specific strains, including Lactobacillus GG, L. reuteri, Saccharomyces boulardii, Bifidobacteria species and others23. Probiotics may ... reduce the risk of colon cancer, likely due to their role in suppressing the activity of certain bacterial enzymes that may increase the levels of procarcinogens24. Well-designed, randomized clinical studies are still required to define the role of probiotics as therapeutic agents in inflammatory bowel disease25.
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Probiotics are the latest in the category of good-for-you foods. Basically, they are "good" bacteria added to foods or occurring naturally in certain yogurts, fermented dairy drinks, and in supplement form. Probiotics have been used as a form of treatment for a variety of gastrointestinal diseases including irritable bowel, lactose intolerance, traveler's diarrhea, and antibiotic-induced diarrhea.
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