Reaping the Benefits

So what’s all the hype about probiotics? Are they really good for me? What will I gain if I go to the trouble of including probiotics in my diet? According to Dr. Oz, probiotics can help those who are lactose intolerant, help build the body, reduce cholesterol, and help alleviate gastrointestinal disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome, excess gas, and constipation. But you do not have to take his word for it, a growing stack of evidence points to many benefits of taking probiotics, including better immunity, lower heart disease risk, and better endurance for athletes. For more specific benefits, check out the topics below.

Yeast Infections

If you think that yeast infections are just a plague for women, think again. Although male yeast infections are much less common than yeast infections, they do happen. According to Dr. Steckelberg at the Mayo Clinic, yeast infections can be spread to men through sexual intercourse. In addition, antibiotic use weakens the immune system and makes men more susceptible to many illnesses, including yeast infections. The use of Lactobillus acidolphilus, one of the more common forms of probiotics, is suggested by the University of Maryland Medical Center (UMMC) to help rebuild the body after antibiotics. According to the UMMC, some research suggests that taking L. acidolphilus may help to prevent yeast infections. [Read more…]