Poll: Are Probiotic Products Necessary?

Depends what you mean by "necessary".. you can live a perfectly healthy life without prebiotics.. im doing that right now (and have been my whole llife) by eating healthy and exercising. It helps that i dont have any gastrointestinal issues, though.

I've only used Probiotics when I've needed them. After Antibiotics or when traveling in India. I don't use or need them any other time. Eating a healthy balanced diet is enough to keep my gut in good shape.

The necessity of adding probiotics to your diet, either in supplements or in food, does depend on your situation. But, a lot of us have depleted microflora in our intestines from antibiotics, poor diet, even stress. Probiotics can help put the balance back, and you don't have to have specific gastrointestinal issues to get some benefit. I will not take antibiotics without my probiotic supplement, Flora Source Multi-Probiotic, close at hand (I take probiotics for at least 3 months after a round of antibiotics) and I'll take probiotics whenever I feel run down or like my digestive system is over stressed.
- Anna M

In my experience some probiotics are brilliant, others not so great. I would really recommend a UK range called DTECTA for some great results.

I have some tummy issues so they have helped somewhat for me. I more try to just stick to Greek yogurt & things like that though.

They are a complete and total waste of money IF you eat a diet that is rich in veggies and fruits and normal yogurt, which will allow all the beneficial bacteria you will ever need to grow nicely in your gut. If for some reason you have to go on antibiotics, probiotics are a pretty good idea to help your body replenish things. But I'd say that for people like me who maintain a healthy flora in their systems, probiotics are kind of a waste.

Most men like to fart, so for us, this is a non-issue.
I mentioned to a friend that if he tried Beano, it might help him with his gas. His answer was, "Why would I want to do that?"

Notice they don't advertise Activia to men?

My son had terrible diarrhea every time he took antibiotics. His pediatrician recommended I put the contents of one Culturell (probiotic) in juice each day. It worked like a miracle. We went from clothes soaked in diarrhea several times a day to normal bowel movements in just a day or two. Now, when anyone in our family is about to start antibiotics, we also start Culturell.