Will probiotics be as important in this century as antibiotics were in the last? That's what some makers of probiotics supplements are positing. Clinical tests have demonstrated a link between healthy digestive tract function and healthy bacteria found in probiotics.

There are many different types and strains of helpful bacteria, many of which are currently still being researched. While it may not cure AIDS, cancer or major diseases, a probiotic supplement can help in preventative medicine to support healthy digestive and immune systems.

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Dr. Ohhira Probiotics 12 PLUS is a popular supplement containing twelve strains of friendly bacteria (probiotics), prebiotic nutrients, four organic acids and micronutrients like vitamins, minerals and amino acids.

This product claims to contain a strain of TH10 bacteria that is "6.25 x stronger than any naturally-occurring lactic acid bacteria." Additionally, the product promises that only mountain spring water has been used and that there are no pesticides, meat byproducts, artificial additives or preservatives.

While Dr. Ohhira's majestic story about the ingredients being "hand-gathered from the mountains and seas of Japan" sounds a little superfluous, Dr. Ohhira himself was awarded "Best Scientist of the Year" and his formula was heralded as "Best Product of the Year" by the Japanese Food and Dairy Association in 2004.

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Another popular probiotic is the Primal Defense Probiotic, which comes in powder form or probiotic capsules. The Primal Defense claim-to-fame is that it's "the only probiotic formula to contain a unique whole food blend with Homeostatic Soil Organisms."

These organisms live in soil untainted by herbicides, pesticides and other chemicals. The twelve healthy microorganisms contained in this formula promise to "replenish the valuable probiotics our pasteurized, irradiated and disinfected food no longer provides." They also have a patented gel barrier around each of the probiotic capsules, which ensures better digestion, energy and immune support, they say.

Align is a third probiotic supplement worth considering. These daily probiotic capsulespromise to "help even out the ups and downs of common digestive upsets such as constipation, diarrhea, abdominal discomfort, urgency, gas and bloating."

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The Align probiotic contains bifantis, a clinically proven probiotic strain that has fared well in diarrhea tests especially. Along with your purchase, you'll get their "Daily Digestive Tracker," which will help you chart your progress toward a healthy digestive system over the course of four weeks.

They say within a week you'll notice decreased gas and bloating, within two you'll have firmer stools, within three you'll appear visibly healthier to others, within four you'll be eating spicy and rich foods again and within five weeks you'll be able to weather eating out, traveling and stress upsets.