Probiotics are nothing but good and beneficial bacteria that are similar to the bacteria already present in your body. Our body is a store-house of bacteria and not all of them are good bacteria.

Probiotics can be found mostly in dairy products like milk, yogurt, and cheese. Adding probiotic supplements to your diet (under the supervision of a certified expert) can have multiple benefits. The benefits of probiotics will vary depending on the strain of bacteria that they contain. Extensive research has been done on this subject. Probiotic supplements are found to be beneficial in the treatment for coditions like the following.

• Infections in the vagina
  The vaginal tract comprises of a delicate and finely balanced environment. If the environment is too acidic, then harmful micro-organisms cannot thrive there. However, this balance is often disturbed by factors like medicines, hormonal pills, and the like. Probiotic supplements help to restore the acidic environment back in the vaginal tract. This helps to protect from potential problems like a bacterial infection, yeast infection, urinary tract infection, and the like.
• Diarrhea
  There have been multiple studies, which have shown that probiotic supplements have actually helped the good gut microbe or bacteria thrive and reduce diarrhea in infants and kids. Probiotic supplements are also known to soften stools and relieve constipation.

Benefits of probiotics
Probiotic supplements can also prove helpful to people suffering from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Multiple clinical trials have been conducted to gauge the same and the results show that certain types of probiotics can help to prevent the recurrence of both Crohn’s disease as well as pouchitis (a potential side effect of a colon removal surgery). Probiotic supplements are also known to treat eczema in children, ulcers, recurrence of bladder cancer, digestive tract infections, and much more. However, a lot more research needs to be conducted on which strain of bacteria affects which ailment and how.

Probiotics are mostly considered safe to consume as they are a replica of what is already present in your body. In general, most adults (who have no history of ailments) can safely incorporate probiotic supplements in their diet. The most common side effect of these is flatulence, but as and when your body gets used to the supplement, this fades away.

Probiotic supplements are mostly sold as dietary supplements. Keep in mind that not all of them undergo the rigorous testing and approval process that other medicines do. The companies that manufacture these supplements are usually responsible for ensuring that they are safe enough for consumption.

Things to keep in mind
It is understandable that disorders like diarrhea and vaginal infections are frustrating. Therefore more and more people are tempted to try probiotic supplements even though there is no valid published research on all strains of bacteria and their benefits.

Probiotic dietary supplements may not be safe for people who have a compromised or weakened immune system. Moreover, people who have lactose intolerance cannot consume dairy-based probiotic supplements. If one has a fungal infection and is taking antibiotics that are having an effect on their immune system, they should consult their doctor before consuming probiotics, as it may do you more harm than good.

However, there is no guarantee that the bacteria that they contain is actually effective for the symptom or ailment that the person is consuming them for. Health benefits of probiotic supplements depend on what strain of bacteria they contain. As we already know, not all bacteria strains are good or useful. Which strain is useful and which is not is not for us to decide. It is also important to take the right dosage. It is important to consult a doctor before starting on any probiotic supplement.