Are Probiotics Right for You?”

The discussion assignment provides a forum for discussing relevant topics for this week based on the course competencies covered.

For this assignment, make sure you post your initial response to the Discussion Area by the due date assigned.

To support your work, use your course and text readings and use outside sources. As in all assignments, cite your sources in your work and provide references for the citations in APA format.

Start reviewing and responding to the postings of your classmates as early in the week as possible. Respond to at least two of your classmates. Participate in the discussion by asking a question, providing a statement of clarification, providing a point of view with a rationale, challenging an aspect of the discussion, or indicating a relationship between two or more lines of reasoning in the discussion. Complete your participation for this assignment by the end of the week.

Probiotics

Click here to read the article entitled “Are Probiotics Right for You?” from Tufts University.

Based on your reading, answer the following questions:

  • What are the four main families of probiotics?
  • What foods provide us with these bacteria? Are any of these foods unfamiliar to you? If yes, which ones?
  • Under what conditions supplementation with probiotics might be recommended? Do you think that probiotic use may be rejected because of cost? Is there any way to measure probiotic levels in the large intestine to determine if supplementation is necessary?

Are there any potential contraindications or interactions you need to be aware of? Would any of these threaten the nutritional status of the person taking the probiotics?