Probiotics are microorganisms, usually part of our gut bacterial flora, that have beneficial effects on our health. Probiotics are yeasts or bacteria, and they are inhabitants of our intestine, being in a perfect symbiosis with us. An imbalance of the probiotics, can lead to serious conditions, sometimes very difficult to diagnose. There is increasing evidence that a number of inflammatory and autoimmune conditions are linked to a poor microflora.
There are many reasons for your gut bacterial flora to decline, most important ones are age and the use of antibiotics. The market is now abundant of probiotic supplements, but not all of them are efficient, and the more effective ones are expensive. There is also a lot of misinformation about probiotics and how to use them. This collection of articles tries to address these. There are also a few articles about natural sources of probiotics, and how efficient are these sources compared to supplements.
Probiotics are microorganisms in a symbiotic relationship with humans, and prebiotics are the food for the microorganisms. In order to benefit from probiotics, (the good microbacterial flora), we need to nourish them, to allow the proper growth of their colony; without the proper food the micro flora would just starve, and eventually die.
Info about the best-selling, top rated probiotic supplements, the list of strains, and other components in their ingredient list. The list is based on Amazon ratings and selling numbers, and our research, and is meant to help potential buyers to choose a probiotic.
Which one is better, VSL #3, or Align. The two probiotic supplements are the best for treating IBS and other GI issues, but the two supplements approach the treatment differently; Align uses sniper precision, with a unique dose that can treat various gastrointestinal issues, whereas VSL #3 uses brute force, using the principle if the regular dose doesn't work, double it, or triple it. 
VSL #3 is one of the best probiotic supplements. Is hard to make it on the top ten list, and with so many choices, manufacturers have to compete in a market that is more and more knowledgeable, and has comparison terms. However, VSL #3 is making that top ten easily. 
Fermented foods are foods that are transformed through controlled fermentation, by microorganisms. Food fermentation has various objectives such preservation, taste and aroma enhancements, or even obtaining absolutely new foods, or drinks, without any resemblance of the original ingredients.
Synbiotics are the best way to ensure a maximum benefit from the ingested probiotics. The term refers to the synergy created by getting both probiotics, and prebiotics to feed the human microbiome.
Raw milk is getting a lot of public attention lately, because commercially available milk is linked to health problems. Is it safe to drink raw milk though? Why is raw milk better than pasteurized? What is the difference between raw and pasteurized milk, and what is UHT milk? 
Sour pickles, also called lacto-fermented pickles, or probiotic pickles are very easy to make at home. The sour pickles recipe is very simple, add one Tbs salt per quart of water, and let it ferment. Lactic acid bacteria will do the rest for you. See inside tips on pickling, and what vegetables you can pickle with lactofermentation. 
