Probiotics are live beneficial bacteria that help your digestive system to function better. They are often referred to as 'good' or 'healthy' bacteria since they keep your gut healthy.
Although bacteria has a reputation to cause or promote diseases, there is a growing body of scientific evidence that suggests treatment and even prevention of some illnesses with foods and supplements containing certain kinds of live bacteria.
Not all probiotics show the same effects. Different strains of the bacteria have different effects. For example, Lactobacillus which is the most common probiotic found in yoghurt and other fermented foods can help with diarrhoea and may help people who can't digest lactose (the sugar found in milk).
Certain types of probiotics may fight against cavity-causing organisms in our mouths and don't need to survive a trip through our guts. Potential benefits of probiotics have been seen in the treatment or prevention of diarrhoea, irritable bowel syndrome, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, H. pylori (the cause of ulcers), vaginal infections, urinary tract infections, recurrence of bladder cancer, infection of the digestive tract caused by Clostridium difficile and eczema in children.
Among the best cases for probiotic therapy has been in the treatment of diarrhoea and constipation. Probiotics are found in fermented foods, yoghurt and also commercially a lot of dairy products are supplemented with probiotics.
Pharmaceutically they are also available as capsules or powdered sachets that can be prescribed by your physicians and dietitians to improve your gut health.
- Wafaa Helmi Ayesh is Director - Clinical Nutrition Department, Dubai Health Authority.
