Biology of Humans 6th Edition by Judith Goodenough,Betty McGuire

Exercise 14

Probiotics include living bacteria (prokaryotes) and yeast (eukaryotes). These microorganisms are present in healthy digestive tracts. They also can be found in certain foods (for example, yogurt) and supplements. Below is an excerpt from an article from WebMD on probiotics and human health. The article also includes information on common probiotics (Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium), the conditions probiotics are used to treat (irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, infectious diarrhea, and diarrhea caused by antibiotics), and how to safely use probiotics. The entire article can be found at: http://www.webmd.com/ digestive-disorders/features/what-are-probiotics How Do They Work Researchers are trying to figure out exactly how probiotics work. Here are some of the ways they may keep you healthy: When you lose "good" bacteria in your body (like after you take antibiotics, for example), probiotics can help replace them. They can lower the amount of "bad" bacteria in your system that can cause infections or other problems. They can help balance your "good" and "bad" bacteria to keep your body working like it should.
Based on the information provided, would you consider taking supplements with probiotics or eating foods that contained probiotics