Probiotic Foods
 While the body is usually able to naturally balance its bacteria levels, sometimes it is helpful to boost the levels of "good" bacteria, called probiotics. There are two main methods for doing this: supplementation and by changing your diet. While many people enjoy the convenience of probiotic supplements, others prefer to increase their intake by eating certain foods. There are several probiotic foods that contain high levels of these microorganisms, making it easy to keep the levels balanced with simple additions to your diet.
Most fermented foods contain probiotics, and some of the most common probiotic foods are:
- Yogurt
- Sauerkraut
- Kim chi
- Kefir
- Buttermilk
- Miso
- Tempeh
- Brewer's yeast
These are just a few of the many foods that contain probiotics. Probiotic supplements are also available and are often recommended in order to keep bacterial levels balanced when people are taking antibiotics, since these medicines can kill off the colonies of good bacteria along with the bad ones.
If you are considering adding probiotic foods or supplements to your health plan, consult with your physician first to determine your specific needs. It is possible to have too much of a good thing, and an influx of probiotics can do the opposite of what you are intending.
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