Do I Need Probiotics???

I have never been a vitamin taker I was lucky I remembered to take the pill! Or maybe that's how I got pregnant!!!???! Seriously though after the birth of my son at 44 I kept getting sick, every five months or so, it was exhausting, I had to do something fast I was spiraling down quickly! 

I was recommended by a "health-concious" freind that I begin to take probiotics that are known to work in the stomach where bacteria grow, that can lead to colds, flus, and such; I was desperate so I bought some!

Probiotics have been the most unbelievable discovery for me, since I have been taking them daily for going on three years, and knock on wood I haven't had a bad cold or flu since, is this a miracle or just lucky? Honestly I was almost afraid to write about it for fear that my luck would run out!!

 I also recently added a women's daily vitamin, a B12 for amazing energy ( Really!! ), some Omega 3's because the rest seemed to be making a difference and my brother another " health conscious" guy recommended it.

What's with the Probiotics anyway, do we need them???

You don't necessarily need probiotics says Katherine Zeratsky, R.D., L.D. from the Mayo Clinic a type of "good" bacteria — to be healthy. However, these microorganisms may help with digestion and offer protection from harmful bacteria, just as the existing "good" bacteria in your body already do.

Prebiotics are non digestible carbohydrates that act as food for probiotics. When probiotics and prebiotics are combined, they form a synbiotic. Fermented dairy products, such as yogurt and kefir, are considered synbiotic because they contain live bacteria and the fuel they need to thrive.

Probiotics are found in foods such as yogurt, while prebiotics are found in whole grains, bananas, onions, garlic, honey and artichokes. In addition, probiotics and prebiotics are added to some foods and available as dietary supplements.

Although more research is needed, there's encouraging evidence that probiotics may help:

• Treat diarrhea, especially following treatment with certain antibiotics
• Prevent and treat vaginal yeast infections and urinary tract infections
• Treat irritable bowel syndrome
• Reduce bladder cancer recurrence
• Speed treatment of certain intestinal infections
• Prevent and treat eczema in children
• Prevent or reduce the severity of colds and flu

All I can say is that I don't go anywhere without my probiotics, I'm a believer, so does his make me a " health nut"?? Nah, I still put marshmallows in my morning coffee!!