Though bacteria are often viewed as agents of disease, many of the billions of microorganisms dwelling inside our bodies are essential for good health.
“Friendly” bacteria such as the bifida and lactobacillus cultures in yogurt inhibit growth of yeast and other disease-causing organisms. There’s even evidence that friendly bacteria help lower cholesterol levels.
Problem
Each time you take an antibiotic, you kill bacteria in your body friendly and unfriendly alike. That raises your risk of diarrhea, yeast infection and food sensitivity.
Bacteria are also killed by cortisone, prednisone, birth-control pills, and antacid seven stresses.
To the rescue
Family of supplements is known as probiotics. These blends of bacteria and rice or milk powder repopulate the bowel with friendly bacteria.
In a study at Long Island Jewish Medical Center, women who ate a daily cup of yogurt had fewer vaginal infections than women who didn’t eat yogurt. The effect might have been even more significant had the women taken probiotics.
To keep your intestinal flora healthy, I recommend eating yogurt regularly. Most brands contain active cultures. Be sure to check labels if you’re unsure.
Take probiotics in addition to yogurt if you have high cholesterol or chronic yeast infections while traveling or while taking antibiotics, steroids, birth-control pills or antacids.
Probiotics are available at health-food stores. Pick a brand that contains at least one billion live organisms per gram. Be sure to check the package’s expiration date.
