Maintaining a balance

Probiotics are said to restore the balance of ‘good’ bacteria to fight pathogens, especially when you have an intestinal infection. By restoring and maintaining this balance, probiotics could contribute to the beneficial functions of a healthy microflora.

The gut contains thousands of different types of bacteria, and the exact composition of a healthy, functioning microflora has never been established. Microflora composition is affected by your diet, health, age and medical history, so it’s difficult to establish a standard for what the composition should be.

There are also arguments for probiotics as a safeguard, especially when taking antibiotics, or living where intestinal diseases are endemic.