Probiotic Basics

Probiotics, as defined by the World Health Organization, are "live microorganisms, which, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host." Probiotics, which literally means "for life," are beneficial bacteria found throughout the digestive tract in our bodies.

Health Benefits of Probiotics

Probiotics perform a wide variety of important functions throughout the body including modulating the immune system, strengthening the body's natural defenses to fend off undesirable microorganisms, and improving overall intestinal and urinary-genital health.

History of Probiotics

Humans have regularly consumed probiotics for thousands of years in various forms of fermented and cultured foods and drinks - such as yogurt, kefir, cheese, sauerkraut and pickles. Elie Metchnikoff, the Russian physiologist credited for discovering the benefits of probiotics, postulated that regular dietary consumption of good bacteria throughout man's history has protected him from potentially harmful microorganisms present in the environment. However, today, with the over-processing of modern day foods and beverages, fragile probiotic organisms are not as abundant in today's diet as they once were. This, combined with the increasing overuse of antibiotics, has created a deficiency of these beneficial bacteria in a majority of the population.

Daily Consumption of Probiotics

On a daily basis, the human body has to protect itself from invasion of undesirable organisms and thus it is critical to maintain a proper balance of microflora throughout the bacterial ecosystem of the intestinal tract. Keeping an ample population of beneficial bacteria (probiotics) throughout the intestinal tract will help to protect intestinal integrity and thus strengthen overall health.

Daily consumption of probiotic foods and probiotic supplements will ensure that you are ingesting proper amounts of "friendly" bacteria. Common dietary sources of probiotics are cultured dairy (yogurt, sour cream), kefir, sauerkraut, kombucha (fermented) tea and fermented soy (miso, tempeh).

Over the past 30 years, advances in the production of probiotic dietary supplements have increased the availability of these items in a variety of dosage forms (capsules, chewable tablets, and powder). Jarrow Formula's quality line of probiotic dietary supplements are formulated to help maintain a healthy balance of microflora throughout the digestive tract and support immune function. In addition, Jarrow Formula's new oral probiotic product for women, Fem-Dophilus, has been clinically documented to help maintain and restore a healthy microflora throughout the vaginal tract and and support overall urinary tract health.