Daily Probiotics: Benefits, Risks & How to Take Them Safely

Probiotics promote and maintain the growth of healthy bacteria in the intestinal tract. This beneficial microflora aids in digestion, boosts the immune system and assists with absorption of nutrients. However, this bacteria is vulnerable to destruction from environmental and nutritional factors, such as stress, drinking chlorinated water or taking antibiotics. A daily dose of probiotics counters these effects to keep healthy flora flourishing.

Features

• Probiotics create bacteriocin, which kills bad microflora, like fungi and viruses.

Considerations

• Taken daily while using antibiotics, probiotics can help prevent intestinal side effects, such as diarrhea caused by Clostridium difficile, while protecting good bacteria.

Benefits

• Employees taking probiotics daily are less likely to miss work from illnesses like colds and stomach flu, according to a study published in Environmental Health.

Prevention/Solution

• Probiotics are helpful in the management of gas and bloating caused by Irritable Bowel Syndrome.

Fun Fact

• Probiotics are available in capsules and liquid drinks from health food stores, but also grow naturally in fermented foods like kefir and yogurt.