• Yogurt is an excellent source of healthful probiotic bacteria.yaourt image by danimages from Fotolia.com
  
  Probiotic is a word that has gained much attention over the past few years. New ads and commercials touting the benefits of supplementing your diet with healthy bacteria seem to increase every day. The term probiotic, or healthy bacteria, relates to cultures of micro-organisms that when ingested by humans help the body to maintain proper intestinal chemical balance for optimum digestive function as well as providing numerous other health benefits.
  
  

Immunity Support

• Probiotic bacteria may be especially helpful for the elderly.elderly/man and woman leaving hand in hand image by L. Shat from Fotolia.com
  
  Studies have shown that probiotic bacteria such as bifidobacterium and lactobacillus can help strengthen the body's immune system. Friendly bacteria aids your body in the production of its own healthy bacteria, thereby increasing the body's ability to fight off infectious diseases. This may be particularly helpful for older people with weakened immune systems due to age or long-term use of medications that have diminished the beneficial bacteria in their bodies.
  
  

Relief From Lactose Intolerance

• Healthy bacteria can help relieve symptoms of lactose intolerance.cheese image by Marek Kosmal from Fotolia.com
  
  For those who suffer from some form of lactose intolerance, adding specific forms of probiotic bacteria such as streptococcus thermophilus to the diet can help lessen the condition's effects and shorten bouts of diarrhea. Streptococcus thermophilus, once ingested, produces lactic acid, which aids the stomach in processing lactose. This in turn helps those affected by lactose intolerance more readily digest products containing lactose.
  
  

Allergy and Disease Prevention

• Friendly bacteria can help relieve allergiy symptoms and prevent certain diseases.sick woman image by forca from Fotolia.com
  
  Bifidobacterium longum is a naturally occurring bacteria in your digestive tract. Studies have shown that the addition of bifidobacterium longum to the diet increases acidity in the stomach, which can decrease or even prevent various allergies and diseases, lessen inflammation from colitis, and possibly stop the growth of certain types of cancerous tumors. Many researchers belief this particular probiotic in conjunction with other types of friendly bacteria may be beneficial in preventing colon cancer.