What are the health benefits of probiotics?

Probiotics, the good bacteria found in yogurt and other fermented foods, are an important part of a healthy immune system, says registered dietitian Samantha Heller. Watch this video to find out how probiotics keep you from getting sick.

Transcript

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These healthy bacteria in your gut help keep bad substances, like viruses and toxins,

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from leaving your gastrointestinal tract and getting into your body. [LIGHT MUSIC]

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Probiotics are that healthy bacteria that live in your gastrointestinal tract. And there are billions of them.

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And we don't think of bacteria as being good for us. But these really are good. And they are a really huge part of your immune system.

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For example, if you take antibiotics, you might have antibiotic-associated diarrhea, you might have gastrointestinal distress,

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you might not feel well. That's because that healthy bacteria is getting killed off by the antibiotic. So to repeat or replenish that healthy bacteria,

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you want to eat fermented foods like yogurt or kefir or you can buy a probiotic supplement. That will help boost your immune system.

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Now, these healthy bacteria in your gut help keep bad substances, like viruses and toxins,

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from leaving your gastrointestinal tract and getting into your body. So when you have a healthy gastrointestinal tract,

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you have a healthy body. And you can have that by eating healthy foods-- a lot of fruits and vegetables, beans, whole grains, soy, nuts

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and seeds. This will help keep that GI tract really healthy and moving along at a comfortable speed.