1.What are Probiotics? Over the past several years the benefits of probiotics for the immune system have just begun to be studied and documented The word "probiotic" is a compound of two Greek words: "pro," to signify promotion of and "biotic," which means life. Probiotics are microorganisms of over 500 different types of bacteria that work by enhancing the immune system to fight off disease and illness.

2. What are Probiotics? World Health Organization defines a probiotic as any living microorganism that has a health benefit when ingested. Similarly, the USDA defines a probiotic as "any viable microbial dietary supplement that beneficially affects the host. They have no known side effects for use and have become a viable alternative for illnesses that have not found any encouraging results with traditional treatments. 3. Some Probiotics strains: Lactobacillus Bifidobacteria Streptococcus thermophilus Saccharomyces boulardii Enterococcus faecium Leuconostoc 4. The Benefits of Probiotics 1. Digestive Health There are millions of adults and children who suffer through the effects of diarrhea for many different reasons and causes. Chief among them is antibiotic use. Antibiotics work by killing not only the bad bacteria but the good as well. When that happens, the body is imbalanced which can be a major cause of diarrhea. Probiotics work by restoring the good bacteria in the intestines and counteracting antibiotic side effects. Research has shown that probiotics can be helpful for people with irritable bowel syndrome, or IBS -- a hard- to-treat condition that can have a range of intestinal symptoms, such as abdominal pain, cramps, bloating, diarrhea and constipation. 5. The Benefits of Probiotics Certain probiotics may help maintain remission of ulcerative colitis and prevent relapse of Crohns disease and the recurrence of pouchitis (a complication of surgery to treat ulcerative colitis). Ingestion of certain active strains may help lactose- intolerant individuals tolerate more lactose than they would otherwise have tolerated. 6. The Benefits of Probiotics 2. Urogenital Health Maximizing the natural ability of bacteria in the urinary tract, probiotics aide in vaginal and urinary infections in women. Within the urinary tract and vaginal areas there are naturally occurring bacteria that help to fight fungal and bacterial infections. Probiotics work in the same manner, creating balance and allowing the beneficial bacteria to overcome malignant bacteria that can be the cause of disease and illness. 7. The Benefits of Probiotics 3. Female Reproductive System Health They cure a host of feminine hygienic conditions such as yeast infections, and bacterial vaginosis. The female system works best when it is in balance, that is when there is a balance of good bacteria to fight the bad bacteria. When the reproductive system is out of balance, it is easy for the bad bacteria to overcome the good creating fungal and yeast infections. Probiotics maintain the natural balance of a womans system and prevent diseases and illness that are specific to the reproductive system. 8. The Benefits of Probiotics 4 Immune System Health Clinical trials have demonstrated that probiotics may decrease the incidence of respiratory tract infections and dental caries in children. Research shows that probiotics may keep away some of our most common ailments. Regular courses of probiotics may prevent colds and flus, and starting probiotics during a cold or flu can reduce the severity or length of the illness. Allergy research is still preliminary, but at least one large, high quality study found a relationship between women taking probiotics during pregnancy and a 30 percent reduction in the instance of childhood eczema (an early sign of allergies) in their infants. 9. The Benefits of Probiotics 5. Cardiovascular Health Although not a confirmed effect, some studies have indicated that consumption of milk fermented with various strains of lactobacillus may result in modest reductions in blood pressure, an effect possibly related to the ACE inhibitor- like peptides produced during fermentation. Animal studies have demonstrated the efficacy of some strains of lactobacillus at being able to lower serum cholesterol levels. 10. The Benefits of Probiotics 6. Overall Nutritional Health One of the multiple benefits that probiotics have is the capacity to synthesize vitamins. In vitro studies and in humans have documented the capacity of some probiotic strains to synthesize Vitamin K, folic Acid, and B12. Some preliminary research shows that probiotics can help obese people who have received weight loss surgery to maintain weight loss. In a study of post-partum women who were trying to lose abdomnial fat, the addition of lactobacillusand bifidobacterium capsules helped reduce waist circumference. 11. My Favorite Probiotic Probacto Probacto is the best probiotic that I have ever run into. They use multiple strains and they are spore forming so they can last while not refrigerated. They do not use cheap bacteria, but expensive ones such as B. Subtilis. Probacto also contains prebiotics to help stimulate the growth of beneficial bacteria in your gut. Probacto contains digestive enzymes to assist in your digestion. Probacto is enteric coated and made to be slow release so it will release in your gut gradually. 12. Conclusion Due to the many benefits of probiotics in the absence of any risk, they have become a useful tool for the medical community. They have many uses in the body. They not only boost the functioning of the immune system, they naturally aid in fighting bad bacteria by supplying the body with enough good to keep the body in symbiosis. Unlike most traditional therapies for disease and illness, there are no side effects or risks associated with them, nor is there a risk of overdose that leads to the need for a prescription, or the monitoring of a physician.