Do Probiotics Really Work?

Probiotics contain "friendly" bacteria, and are said to help with intestinal health. You can buy it as a pill, or get it in yogurt and other food products. For Rita Condon, most days begin with her mixing up a healthy dose of bacteria to eat. She says the rest of us could use more in our diets, too. "Healthy digestion, vitality, good immune resistance — it helps me do my job, day in, day out," Condon said. Gary Elmer, of the University of Washington, is among a growing number of researchers who believe that adding probiotics to the body can help everything from digestion to overall health. "It's not simply bacteria sitting in your intestinal tract," Elmer said, "It's taking action." Even if you haven't noticed, probiotics are everywhere, from specialized yogurts to smoothies and snack bars — even baby formula. Roxanne Green, a health and beauty aids coordinator, said, "I have a little 3-year-old grandson that just started preschool and is starting to pick up all of the colds from ...  more