In Greek “probiotic” literally means “for life,” but should we take it for every ailment in
our life? According to a new report by Acumen Research and Consulting, global probiotic sales are set to reach $78 billion by 2026, stimulated by the increasing aging population and interest among consumers in preventative health care. Marketers may lead you to believe that probiotics are useful for everything from depression to weight loss, but is science revealing a different story? “Unlike vitamins or other supplements, probiotics are live microorganisms that help support healthy bacteria in your digestive tract. They can be beneficial to take whether you are in good health, bad health or if you are older or younger. James B. LaValle,
R.Ph., CCN, a clinical pharmacist, board-certified clinical nutritionist, author, and
metabolic expert talks about gut health and probiotics with Mark Alyn.