--- title: Health Benefits of Probiotics description: Balanced gastrointestinal (GI) flora is critical to the functioning of the immune system, synthesis of nutrients, and detoxification. image: https://blog.primohealth.com/hubfs/images/healthy-bacteria-blog.jpg --- [![Primo Health - Daniel Sanelli](https://blog.primohealth.com/hs-fs/hubfs/PHC_LogoCR_HUBSPOT.png?width=400&height=154&name=PHC_LogoCR_HUBSPOT.png "Primo Health - Daniel Sanelli")](https://www.primohealth.com) - [About](https://www.primohealth.com/about-daniel-sanelli) - [Program](https://www.primohealth.com/functional-blood-chemistry-analysis) - [Store](https://www.primohealth.com/primo-health-store) - [How to Shop](https://www.primohealth.com/primo-health-store) - [Primo Health Store](https://primohealthcoach.gethealthy.store) - [FullScript Dispensary](https://us.fullscript.com//welcome/primohealth) - [Apex Energetics Store](https://www.myhcpstore.com/) - [Blog](https://blog.primohealth.com) - [Contact](https://www.primohealth.com/contact-daniel-sanelli) [Back to blog](https://blog.primohealth.com) # Health Benefits of Probiotics ![Picture of Daniel Sanelli, M.Sc.](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/18cc72d6b6902b69f00313c2a3004f25) [Daniel Sanelli, M.Sc.](https://blog.primohealth.com/author/daniel-sanelli-m-sc) Apr 21, 2015 10:00:00 AM [immune health](https://blog.primohealth.com/topic/immune-health) [smart supplementation](https://blog.primohealth.com/topic/smart-supplementation) ![healthy-bacteria-blog](https://blog.primohealth.com/hs-fs/hubfs/images/healthy-bacteria-blog.jpg?width=239&name=healthy-bacteria-blog.jpg)With 80% of your immune system located in your gut, having balanced intestinal flora is a major factor in defending your body against disease. Balanced gastrointestinal (GI) flora is critical to the functioning of the immune system, synthesis of nutrients, and detoxification. Balanced GI flora is also necessary for regular and normal bowel movements. Flora imbalances can be caused by poor diet, illness, use of antibiotics, and stress. Symptoms can include persistent gas, bloating, constipation, or diarrhea. To maintain or rebalance GI flora, consider adding probiotics to your diet. Probiotics are live microorganisms (in most cases, bacteria) that are similar to the beneficial microorganisms naturally found in your GI tract. The most common probiotic bacteria come from two groups, lactobacillus or bifidobacterium, although many other types of bacteria are also classified as probiotics. Scientific evidence shows these probiotics - boost the immune system by enhancing the production of antibodies; - support the synthesis of vitamins and other nutrients; - relieve the effects of, and treat, intestinal illness (diarrhea, constipation, IBS); - prevent and treat vaginal yeast infections and urinary tract infections; and - may reduce the risk of colon or bladder cancer.   [![Buy Strengtia Now!](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/100332/1dd671e1-060b-49e8-963f-a4ef283b3584.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/100332/1dd671e1-060b-49e8-963f-a4ef283b3584)  ![strengtia](https://blog.primohealth.com/hs-fs/hubfs/images/strengtia.jpg?width=157&name=strengtia.jpg) Two ways to boost healthy GI flora are to take a probiotic supplement or add probiotic-containing foods to your diet. Probiotic supplements come in liquid and capsule forms and many are sold refrigerated. Check with your doctor or holistic health practitioner to be sure you select a product that meets your personal health needs. It is important to follow the storage instructions for your supplement--failure to do so could kill off the live, healthy bacteria it contains. Probiotic-boosting foods include fermented foods and cultured dairy products. Be sure the food labels state "fermented" or, for dairy, "live and active bacterial cultures." [![choosing-supplements-handout-download](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/100332/b84dcc62-0850-4a81-bbc2-1794d6259b4d.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/100332/b84dcc62-0850-4a81-bbc2-1794d6259b4d) ### **Resources** - American Gastroenterological Association. "[Probiotics: What They Are and What They Can Do for You.](http://t.signaletre.com/e1t/c/5/f18dQhb0S7lC8dDMPbW2n0x6l2B9nMJW7t5XZs3LjpcWW1pNsPF3MhRpCW4WYmcW56dGXdf6LrplM02?t=https%3A%2F%2Frx216.infusionsoft.com%2Fapp%2FlinkClick%2F1516%2F6759f5ebbab25145%2F538%2F5f9ff8de94447892&si=5606346976133120&pi=a7efb67b-e3c0-4cb2-8e34-07d9885fc82e)" Revised May 2013. - Kiani, L. "Bugs in Our Gut: How Probiotics Keep Us Healthy." Cambridge Scientific Abstracts: Discovery Guide (October 2006). - Mayo Clinic. "[Do I Need to Include Probiotics and Prebiotics in My Diet?](http://t.signaletre.com/e1t/c/5/f18dQhb0S7lC8dDMPbW2n0x6l2B9nMJW7t5XZs3LjpcWW1pNsPF3MhRpCW4WYmcW56dGXdf6LrplM02?t=https%3A%2F%2Frx216.infusionsoft.com%2Fapp%2FlinkClick%2F1518%2F52de66d6d9243515%2F538%2F5f9ff8de94447892&si=5606346976133120&pi=a7efb67b-e3c0-4cb2-8e34-07d9885fc82e)" October 15, 2014.   View Comments Hide Comments [Share this blog post on Twitter](https://twitter.com/intent/tweet?text=I+found+this+interesting+blog+post&url=https://blog.primohealth.com/healthy-benefits-probiotics) [Share this blog post on Facebook](http://www.facebook.com/share.php?u=https://blog.primohealth.com/healthy-benefits-probiotics) [Share this blog post on LinkedIn](http://www.linkedin.com/shareArticle?mini=true&url=https://blog.primohealth.com/healthy-benefits-probiotics) ## Related Articles ## [Health Benefits of Fermented Foods](https://blog.primohealth.com/health-benefits-of-fermented-foods) ![Picture of Daniel Sanelli, M.Sc.](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/18cc72d6b6902b69f00313c2a3004f25) [Daniel Sanelli, M.Sc.](https://blog.primohealth.com/author/daniel-sanelli-m-sc) Apr 16, 2015 10:00:00 AM ![Health Benefits of Fermented Foods](https://blog.primohealth.com/hubfs/images/fermented-veggies-blog.jpg) [whole foods](https://blog.primohealth.com/topic/whole-foods) [immune health](https://blog.primohealth.com/topic/immune-health) [herbs & botanicals](https://blog.primohealth.com/topic/herbs-botanicals) *Power Up Your Gut with Fermented Foods* Fermented foods may be setting trends on The Huffington Post, but these nutrient-potent foods have been around for thousands of... [Read More](https://blog.primohealth.com/health-benefits-of-fermented-foods) 0 Comments ## [The Health Benefits Of Taking Probiotics](https://blog.primohealth.com/bid/84470/The-Health-Benefits-Of-Taking-Probiotics) ![Picture of Daniel Sanelli, M.Sc.](https://app.hubspot.com/settings/avatar/18cc72d6b6902b69f00313c2a3004f25) [Daniel Sanelli, M.Sc.](https://blog.primohealth.com/author/daniel-sanelli-m-sc) Jul 22, 2011 8:00:00 AM ![The Health Benefits Of Taking Probiotics](https://blog.primohealth.com/hs-fs/file-16130159-jpg/images/probiotics-resized-600.jpg) [weight management](https://blog.primohealth.com/topic/weight-management) [immune health](https://blog.primohealth.com/topic/immune-health) [herbs & botanicals](https://blog.primohealth.com/topic/herbs-botanicals) [smart supplementation](https://blog.primohealth.com/topic/smart-supplementation) #### If you watch television you've likely seen one of the many commercials touting the benefits of probiotics. An advertising campaign by Activia brand yogurts has actress... [Read More](https://blog.primohealth.com/bid/84470/The-Health-Benefits-Of-Taking-Probiotics) 0 Comments [![Primo Health - Daniel Sanelli](https://blog.primohealth.com/hs-fs/hubfs/PHC_LogoCR_HUBSPOT.png?width=400&height=154&name=PHC_LogoCR_HUBSPOT.png "Primo Health - Daniel Sanelli")](http://primohealth.com) Follow us on Facebook Follow us on LinkedIn Follow us on Twitter Follow us on Instagram --- Copyright © 2026, Primo Health Privacy Policy  |  Terms of Use