The human body is made up of an estimated 100 trillion bacterial cells from at least 500 species, not including viruses and fungi. These bacterias (probiotics) are referred to as "friendly" bacteria and are responsible for several important biological functions. Some of these functions include assisting with digestion, keeping other harmful bacteria at bay and stimulating the immune system.

Researchers are hopeful that probiotics hold the answer to the growing number of cases of antibiotic resistance and abuse. This has caused consumers to search for other natural alternatives to treating various health conditions.

Certain studies have proven the many health benefits of probiotics such as the prevention or control of:

• Food and skin allergies in children
• Bacterial vagniosis
• Premature labor in pregnant women
• Inflammatory bowel disease
• Recurrent ear and bladder infections
• Chronic diarrhea

Although it's received little recognition by Western medical professionals, the health benefits of probiotics have been known for at least 100 years.

Probiotics are defined as "live microorganisms which, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host." Unfortunately, most of the food and supplements being marketed as probiotics contain little to no health value, according to researchers.

There are two reasons for their ineffectiveness. First, they are present in too small a quantity to offer any health benefits. Secondly, many of the probiotics haven't undergone proper clinical testing. Despite this evidence, companies continue to make claims that their products are effective and consumers continue to believe them.

Experts agree that the absence of bacteria in the intestines is unhealthy. This was apparent in the experiment of laboratory animals that were raised to be germ-free and were frequently sick, exhibited grossly underdeveloped immune systems and vulnerable intestinal tracts.

To date, one of the most significant benefits of probiotics is its ability to prevent eczema in babies with an inherited tendency to develop allergies.

New York Times September 14, 2004

Dr. Mercola's Comments:

It's great news that the benefits of probiotics are being fully explored, and sought out as an alternative to the antibiotics humans are increasingly becoming resistant to. Although I am not a big fan of nutritional supplementation the way it is currently practiced by most natural medicine clinicians, I have found probiotics (beneficial bacteria) to be an exception. It is the ONLY supplement I recommend for ALL new patients (unless of course they are already on one). I don't believe that they need to stay on it the rest of their lives, but one to three months are usually beneficial until they are able to get their diet improved. Total health begins in the gut so if your GI tract is not in optimal health, then your overall health will be compromised. I have also learned the value of fermented foods that are loaded with good bacteria. They give the body similar benefits as consuming a whole bottle of good bacteria, but at a fraction of the cost. One of the best ways and least expensive to achieve this would be to obtain raw milk and convert it to kefir. Kefir is very easy to make. All you have to do is put one half packet of the kefir start granules in a quart of raw milk at room temperature and leave it out over night. By the time you wake up in the morning you will likely have kefir. If it hasn’t obtained the consistency of yogurt you might want to set out a bit longer and then store it in the fridge. The quart of kefir has far more active bacteria than you can possibly purchase in any probiotics supplement and it is very economically as you can reuse the kefir from the original quart of milk about ten times before you need to start a new culture pack so one starter package of kefir granules can convert about 50 gallons of milk to kefir. Kefir is one of the secrets of health of the long aged eastern Europeans and I can guarantee you that they did not use store purchased pasteurized milk to make their kefir. Don’t even think of using pasteurized milk as you really don’t want to consume that at all. Related Articles: One Third of Probiotics, "Good Bacteria" Products Like Acidophilus, Found to be Worthless Beneficial Bacteria (Probiotics) During Pregnancy & Breastfeeding Helps Protect Against Eczema 100 Trillion Bacteria in Your Gut: Learn How to Keep the Good Kind There Good Bacteria Work Even When They are Dead Probiotics In Primary Prevention Of Atopic Disease Good Bacteria May Relieve Autism Symptoms