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Probiotics are good germs. The body is an ecosystem with millions of bacteria aiding digestion, manufacturing food for the body, killing unfriendly bacteria and maintaining balance with fungi. When our ecosystem is out of balance, the immune system may not function properly, yeast infections occur and you may have problems with your digestive system. Probiotics, a dose of good germs, is a recently recognized treatment for some of our problems. Ellie Metchnikoff, a Russian Nobel Prize winner, hypothesized that the good health of Bulgarian peasants was from the bacteria that fermented the yogurt they ate. Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria are the most often used probiotics but other yeasts and bacteria such as Streptococcus thermophilus also fall under the probiotic label. Prebiotics are foods that support the growth of probiotics. Sauerkraut, yogurt, wine and cheese use the activities of these friendly bacteria in their creation. These foods supply not just probiotics but the food source for the good bacteria. One present use of probiotics is combating digestive problems and yeast infections caused by antibiotics. Probiotics also have potential for treatment of tooth decay, periodontal disease, ulcers, IBS, respiratory and skin infections. Concerns Studies indicate that probiotics aren't always safe. The Dutch government banned their use for patients in intensive care. Ellie Metchnikoff, a Russian Nobel Prize winner, hypothesized that the good health of Bulgarian peasants was from the bacteria that fermented the yogurt they ate. An alternative to probiotics is prebiotics. Prebiotics are food for the friendly bacteria already in your system. Supplying a source of food helps increase the friendly bacteria and can eliminate the need for probiotics. Useful The term probiotics refers to the various bacteria that live inside our intestinal tract. These bacteria are actually useful to our bodies, providing a variety of functions. These bacteria are beneficial to our immune system, and research is bringing to light how powerful these helpful bacteria can be. These good bacteria can help prevent infections by outnumbering and crowding out the bad guys (unwanted bacteria or other infectious diseases). Probiotics also help to bolster the immune system throughout the body.