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Probiotics - Friendly Bacteria

Ranked #8,012 in Healthy Living, #135,249 overall

Not All Bacteria Is Bad For You.

I have created this lens to help spread the word about friendly bacteria, also known as probiotics.  I take a probiotic supplement on a regular basis to help combat chronic digestive problems and Candida overgrowth that have plagued me for years. 

Although there is skepticism about whether probiotics can cure certain illnesses, I can honestly say that they have helped reduce and rid me of chronic gastroesophageal reflux symptoms and irritable bowel symptoms. 

Traditional medicine and various acid blockers and motility medications failed to cure or reduce my chronic acid reflux symptoms. In fact, my heartburn pain worsened on the medications.  It wasn't until I researched, learned about probiotics, and started taking a supplement on a daily basis, that I started to find relief.

If you are suffering from heartburn or bowel troubles it's important to see your doctor before trying alternative treatments.     

What Are Probiotics?

Probiotics is a Greek word meaning "for life".

Probiotics are specific types of bacteria that live in the human gut. They are known to relieve lactose intolerance, prevent vaginal and bladder infections, and allergies.

Various bacteria & yeasts used as probiotics:

Bifidobacterium
Lactobacillus
Lactococcus
Saccharomyces
Streptococcus thermophilus
Enterococcus

What Do Probiotics Do?

Achieving Great Health TV Show - Bob McCauley Show 6 - Pt 2
by watershed11 | video info

2 ratings | 1,359 views
curated content from YouTube

More Information About Friendly Bacteria

Articles & Research

CBC Marketplace: Probiotics
CBC Marketplace looks at when eating bacteria is good for you.
What are Probiotics?
"Inside each of us live vast numbers of beneficial bacteria which we need to have to stay in good health. Our gastrointestinal tract is home to more than 400 different species of bacteria weighing one and a half kilograms. This is a large quantity of working bacteria which perform very important functions in our body - from the mouth all the way down to the rectum. We live in harmony with them and they provide us with an excellent service if they are given a reasonable diet and kept in good health."
Probiotics
"Probiotics are defined as live microorganisms, including Lactobacillus species, Bifidobacterium species and yeasts, that may beneficially affect the host upon ingestion by improving the balance of the intestinal microflora. The dietary use of live microorganisms has a long history."
Prebiotics
"Prebiotics are defined as nondigestible food ingredients that may beneficially affect the host by selectively stimulating the growth and/or the activity of a limited number of bacteria in the colon."

Probiotics

Probiotics
by sentinel23 | video info

0 ratings | 11,256 views
curated content from YouTube

What People Are Saying About Probiotics

The latest Google Blog posts

GanedenBC30– First Probiotic To Be Added To Instant Coffee
Ganeden Biotech®, a recognized world leader in the manufacturing and marketing of probiotics, announced...
Probiotics can reduce occurrence of diarrhoea
Probiotics when consumed regularly may be able to prevent many acute diarrhoea cases in children. In...
ReNew Life Launches New Higher Potency, No Refrigeration Required Probiotic ...
ReNew Life, America's #1 probiotic brand, introduces three new potent, no-refrigeration required...
Probiotics in Your Skin Care
Probiotics were originally known for restoring the beneficial bacteria in the digestive tract; however...
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Probiotic Pearls, Capsules & Kefir / Yogurt Maker Kit

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Kefir

Starters & Drink

"Kefir is a refreshing cultured-milk beverage, which many centuries ago originated in the Caucasus Mountains. The tribes-folk of this particular region were renowned to live long, healthy lives, living to over one hundred years of age was common. The word kefir is said to be derived from the Turkish word keif, which loosely translates to good feeling or feeling good. This is quite likely because drinking kefir is renowned to increase a sense of well-being."

[Beatrice Trum Hunter's FACT/BOOK on Yogurt, Kefir & Other Milk Cultures [1973] ISBN: 87983-033-175]

Kefir is a cultured, enzyme-rich food filled with friendly micro-organisms that help balance your "inner ecosystem." More nutritious and therapeutic than yogurt, it supplies complete protein, essential minerals, and valuable B vitamins."

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Books About Probiotics

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Books About Kefir & Yogurt

Learn How To Make Them Yourself

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Important!

Handle With Care - Storage & Handling of Probiotics

Probiotic supplements should be refrigerated (40 degrees F) to maintain the viability of the microorganisms. They should be refrigerated even before the bottle is opened in the same way yogurt, cheese and other refrigerated cultures need to be stored. If not refrigerated and stored properly, probiotic supplements may spoil and lose potency.

There are some new probiotic "pearl" supplements available that claim they don't need to be refrigerated.

New Guestbook

  • mynaturalremedies Jan 31, 2012 @ 11:41 pm | delete
    I wonder if any antibiotic has no side effect.

    yeast remedies
  • RayPorrello Dec 18, 2010 @ 11:37 am | delete
    Good lens! I've written about similar interests- what's going on in our stomach with the food we eat is so important! Thanks!
  • Dec 28, 2009 @ 11:51 am | delete
    Helpful stuff, my pleasure to have come across this, when you get some more i will be more than happy to view it. Thanks for your input.

    treatment for external vaginal yeast infection
  • AJ2000 Jul 4, 2009 @ 11:59 pm | delete
    I believe probiotics are helpful, especially if taken with prebiotics and digestive enzymes. But its also important to eat a healthy diet with lots of greens/veggies and fruits. And avoid things like white breads and pastas. Also consider a good omega oil supplement. My naturopath recommended Nutrasea to me because it converts to the omega 3 more efficiently than those made from nuts and hemp.
    Great lens!
  • GoodBug Nov 6, 2008 @ 12:47 am | delete
    Good to see you getting the word out on probiotics. You might like to consider adding Gary Huffnagle's book The Probiotics Revolution to your books. It's very good.
  • John8945 Mar 11, 2008 @ 2:03 pm | delete
    Interesting lens, you really put a lot of work into it. Really a good amount of information about probiotics and how they can be used. I've been interested in acidophilus for some time and I also do research on yeast infections. I've put together Acidophilus Yeast Infection dot com, you might find the site interesting.
  • Jamie123 Mar 11, 2008 @ 10:43 am | delete
    Interesting Lens, you can tell you've put a lot of work into it. I've made a lens and website about acidophilus that you may find interesting: Acidophilus Yeast Infection. Thanks!
  • pnisbet Feb 27, 2008 @ 3:55 am | delete
    Great lens: lots of useful information.
  • John8945 Feb 16, 2008 @ 8:25 pm | delete
    Interesting lens on Probiotics. Gastrointestinal health is really dependent upon these microorganisms. Check out my Acidophilus Yeast Infection site, it has some interesting info.
  • John8945 Jan 29, 2008 @ 10:43 am | delete
    Interesting Lens, you really did an excellent job. It is similar to this website: Acidophilus Yeast Infection.
  • krisManuel Dec 13, 2007 @ 9:51 pm | delete
    Hey there, great lens! I learned a lot. 5-stars from me :)
    If you have time, stop by my lens Your Health and Freedom. Thanks and Happy Holidays!
  • Rossman Aug 1, 2007 @ 1:56 pm | delete
    Most people are completely misinformed about the true role of bacteria in our bodies. This is a good start to breaking the misconception. Five-Star

    Food Allergy Advice
  • OrganicSkin Jul 15, 2007 @ 5:14 am | delete
    I would love you to join my newly formed group about probiotics,
    http://www.squidoo.com/groups/Probiotics
  • Jun 30, 2007 @ 8:26 am | delete
    Great lense...I have a similar one about yeast infections, and I knew about probiotics but the video you've posted from youtube is great.
    ">natural remedy for yeast infection
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Savvyology

Poet, artist, and student of life with a dry, offbeat sense of humour. Weaned and raised on blues & folk music in coffee houses during the late sixties... more »

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