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The production of probiotic yogurt, supplements and speciality foods that contain probiotics, in the U.S. has dramatically increased in the last decade.

As the benefits of probiotics are being discovered, manufacturers of everything from breakfast cereal to energy drinks, are cashing in by adding "live and active cultures" to their products.

What exactly are probiotics?

Probiotic simply means "for life" which explains why these nutrients are so important. Indeed probiotic-rich food and supplements do have many life-giving properties. That is why they have been treasured by so many cultures for centuries.

The Health Benefits of Probiotics are Numerous

Have you ever had a doctor recommend eating yogurt after completing a course of antibiotics?

It is becoming more and more common for the medical field to realize the benefits of probiotics. It is now commonly known that probiotics in cultured dairy products like yogurt can help restore the balance of beneficial bacteria in the intestinal tract after taking antibiotics.

Probiotics have also been shown to:

• Improve lactose intolerance.
• Relieve and prevent constipation.
• Promote the growth of healthy bacteria in the colon and reduce the conversion of bile into carcinogens (cancer-causing substances).
• Prevent bowel conditions such as ulcerative colitis, and reduce the risk of colon cancer.
• Improve nutrient bioavailability, for B vitamins, calcium, iron, zinc, copper, magnesium and phosphorus, among others.
• Treat and prevent thrush, vaginal yeast infections, and athlete's foot.

Types of Probiotics

Supplements, cereals, drinks and even frozen yogurt are all being improved with the addition of probiotics or "live cultures." There are a variety of different strains of probiotics and each has it's own benefits. Good health depends fundamentally upon the more than 400 types of friendly, symbiotic bacteria that inhabit the digestive tract.

Probiotics for Children

Probiotics have a variety of healthy benefits, but did you know they are also recommended for children and infants?

Check out the why and how of adding probiotics to your child's diet.

Probiotic Drinks

Can you really get 20 billion probiotic cultures in a yummy drink? Drinkable yogurts and non-dairy probiotic drinks are filling the supermarket shelfs and claim to have many benefits. It might surprise you to know that homemade yogurt and kefir have the same, if not more, benefits.

Foods That Contain Probiotics

What foods contain probiotics? Even you are allergic to dairy, lactose-intolerant or just don't like yogurt you can still find many other probiotic-rich foods. There are many probiotic foods that have been treasured and enjoyed around the world for centuries.

Activia Yogurt Claims

Activia has quickly become one of the leading brands of probiotic yogurt. Is activia better than other yogurt brands? How does it compare to homemade yogurt? And most importantly is it worth paying $4.50 for a few ounces?

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