Types of Probiotics

What Are Probiotics?

Probiotics are sometimes called "good bacteria." They’re live bacteria and yeasts help with digestion.

If you’re ready to add probiotics to your diet, you have a lot of options. One common source is supplements. You can buy them as tablets, capsules, powders, or liquids. Look for them in health food stores, grocery stores, drugstores, and online.

You can also find probiotics in many foods. Yogurt is the most well-known source, but they're also in:

Dairy foods like buttermilk, some soft cheeses, fermented milk, and kefir

Soy drinks and products like miso and tempeh

Kimchi, sauerkraut, and many pickles

Which Probiotic Is Best for You?

Probiotics may help:

Relieve constipation. Probiotics can help soften stools so they’re easier to move.

Diarrhea. Good bacteria in probiotics combats the bad and may help make your bouts shorter.

Improve IBS.Certain strains of probiotics work better than others for this condition. Ask your doctor which is right for you.

Support brain health.Your gut is often called your “second brain” because it makes some of the same neurotransmitters that regulate moods. When your gut is happy, you feel happy. When your gut is sluggish, your brain doesn’t work as well.

Improve heart health.Gut bacteria produces chemicals that affect your blood pressure.

Boost immunity.Probiotics warn your immune system when bad bacteria may become a disease.

Your General Health.Good gut bacteria affects the way you feel mentally and physically. It can prevent and even treat some diseases.

Many types of bacteria are probiotics. Each has its own benefits. Talk to your doctor about which one might help you the most.

Lactobacillus you’ll find this in yogurt and other fermented foods. Different strains can help with diarrhea and may help with people who can’t digest lactose, the sugar in milk.

Bifidobacterium is in some dairy products. It may help ease the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and some other conditions.

Saccharomyces boulardii is a yeast found in probiotics. It seems to help fight diarrhea and other digestive problems.

Read more on: digestive disorders