Best Home Remedies

The "good bacteria" (also referred to as probiotics) in yogurt and certain other foods has been found to have a wide variety of health benefits.

A 2005 report from the American Society for microbiology found that probiotics show promise of relieving diarrhea, eczema in children and urinary and vaginal tract infections. Consumer Reports on Health also points out that probiotics may improve digestive problems and irritable bowel syndrome.

I've seen probiotics often used to stop some of the side effects of antibiotics. They may also shorten the length and severity of the common cold.

If you want to try this, get yogurt or a yogurt drink that has live cultures, preferably Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, as those are the two most widely studied strains. There are some yogurts and yogurt drinks that have even higher amounts of these good bacteria and are labeled probiotics.

Products that have probiotics usually bear the seal of the National Yogurt Association's 'Live & Active Cultures' seal. There are also probiotic pills. I've seen doctors prescribe them. Consumer Reports on Health points out them don't have all the nutrients of yogurt and may not have as many of the good bacteria. I should add that the probiotic pills don't have the calories that yogurt has, so this may be important for someone who has to take them three times a day.

For people in good health, probiotics pose no risk. But Consumer Reports on Health does say that for people with compromised immune systems or other special health problems they may pose a risk. So if you have a serious illness, consult your doctor before using them.