Trillions of microorganisms live on and inside us. Human beings, as well as animals, play host to many types and high number of microbes. Microbes live on our gastrointestinal tract. Microbes live on our skin, in our mouth, and all the way through our gastrointestinal tract. In fact, in reference to the human body, it has been estimated that there are more microbes associated with it than there are human cells in it. It has been estimated that more than 400 different species, or type of bacteria make their homes on humans. By providing large numbers of these friendly bacteria to the intestinal tract that may increase the population of these bacteria compared to other, less desirable, strains. These strains may then competitively inhabit the growth of undesirable strains by competing for space and nutrients, while also inhibiting the production of toxic substances produced by some desirable strains.



Many types of diarrhea illnesses, with many different causes disrupt intestinal function. Recently, a paper was published which reviewed nine studies on the effect of Lactobacillus therapy for diarrhea in children. This paper conclude that “Lactobacillus is safe and effective as a treatment for children with acute infectious diarrhea”

Can it replace antibiotics?

The purpose of antibiotics is to kill harmful bacteria. Unfortunately they often kill normal bacteria also. This can result in disruption of the bacteria flora, leading to the diarrhea and other intestinal disturbance. Replenishing the flora with normal bacteria during and after antibiotics therapy seems to minimize disruptive effects of antibiotics use. Studies have been recently reported suggesting a role of probiotics in decreasing symptoms in patients suffering from irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative coalitis, inflammatory bowel disease and pouchitis.

Probiotics helps prevent lactose intolerance.

Yogurt was found to aid digestion of lactose because the lactic acid bacteria used to make yogurt produce lactase and digest the lactose before it reaches the colon. In addition to yogurt starter bacteria, L acidophilus and Bifidobacterium have been shown by several studies to improve digestion of lactose.

It is unlikely that eating yogurt will significantly increase the number of beneficial bacteria in your digestive tract. The bacteria used to produced a fermented food like yogurt is not concentrated for the purpose of supplementing your body's probiotics level. Besides the lack of potency found in food producing bacteria, sugars and preservatives cause the bacteria to go through their life cycle before the food product even reaches your store. The strains used in natural probiotics are selected as being the most beneficial for supplementing the probiotics level in your body. These strains are not found in yogurt.

In general, everyone should supplements themselves with probiotics. Without taking probiotics supplements, most people will not have enough beneficial bacteria in their systems to deal with many digestive tract related upset. However, there are some common conditions associated with a lack of beneficial bacteria. If you have poor skin, diarrhea or constipation, slow peristalsis (how long it takes your food to be digested and eliminated), flatulence or bowel wind, bad breath, bad body odour, lactose intolerance, or a low resistance to infections on a regular basis, your body be telling that you need more beneficial bacteria. The best way is to supply your body with natural probiotics supplements.