On 2014-03-13 16:44:41 +0000, Moe DeLoughan said:

> My bias: at baseline in normal people, the colon has a enough bacteria
> and, like supplements, does not need extra bacteria. The alleged health
> benefits of probiotics are often an example of spin.

With antibiotics in the water, meat, and so forth these days it makes
sense to eat cultured foods in order to maintain a healthly gut flora.
I don't think it is necessary to go out of your way to buy the
expensive pills full of bacteria, but a couple servings of yogurt, sour
cream, natto, or miso every week certainly can't hurt you.

Claiming that people don't need supplements brings this article's
credibility (and that of its author) down to near zero. I'm sure some
people eat a fully balanced diet, but for every one of them there is
probably a herd of folks that have some nutritional deficiencies
especially with the 'heat n serve' diet that many people eat.