**11. Probiotics**

There are two types of bacteria in our body, such as good bacteria and bad bacteria. Probiotics are living bacteria that provide health benefits by improvement of the balance of the intestinal microflora [91] when ingested in an adequate amount. Some yeasts also work as probiotics. There are so many types of probiotics, but *Bifidobacterium*, *Lactobacillus (or lactic acid bacteria—LAB)*, *Lactococcus*, *Saccharomyces*, *Streptococcus therm*o*philus,* and *Enterococcus* are common probiotics. Of them, *Saccharomyces boulardii* is a probiotic yeast and others are bacteria.

#### **11.1 Sources**

Some best probiotic foods are yogurt, traditional buttermilk, pickles, kombucha, kimchi, sauerkraut, cheese, and kefir.

#### **11.2 Function**

Probiotic is used for the treatment of diarrhea [92], *Lactobacillus* has probiotic action on infectious diarrhea and gastroenteritis in infants and children, and probiotic is used for the treatment of constipation. Probiotics therapy may help for irritable bowel syndrome treatment and inflammatory bowel disease [93]. Probiotic therapy is used for control other diseases, such as hypertension [94], lactose intolerance [95], hepatic encephalopathy [96], immune system [97], cancer [94], vaginal infections [98], *H. pylori* [99], kidney stones [100], cholesterol [101], allergies, and eczema [102]. Probiotics may reduce necrotizing enterocolitis and mortality in low-birthweight infants [103].
