Nutrition Tip of the Week

What are Probiotics?

There are many new foods on the market that contain probiotics. What are they and do you need them in your diet?
Probiotics are active, live cultures that help reintroduce or change bacteria in the intestine. Yogurt with live cultures has Lactobacilli and bifidobacteria that have probiotics. Other fermented dairy and some non-dairy foods also have these cultures.
Research suggests probiotic cultures may help keep your immune system healthy and help maintain the “good” bacteria in your intestine.
To see if you would benefit by adding probiotics to your diet, consult a registered dietitian.

Each week our registered dieticians offer you tips for improving your nutritional health and eating habits. As new tips are added the past ones are moved to our More Nutrition Tips page.

Our dieticians both have degrees in Food Science and Human Nutrition and passed national board exams to become Registered Dieticians. They assess the nutritional needs of patients in Cascade Valley Hospital as well as our clinics.

Disclaimer: This information is provided for educational purposes only. It should not replace a visit with your health care professional. Call your doctor if you need more information or have additional questions.