Probiotics are a relatively unknown health supplement to most, and have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration, but more information and studies are being conducted on live cultures and finding out possible benefits of the supplements.

More commonly used in alternative medicine, some studies have shown probiotics can be helpful.

Most know probiotics and other live cultures exist naturally in yogurt, and are heavily advertised in the marketing of popular frozen yogurt.

However, the live and active cultures can be taken separately from eating yogurt, and other foods with the live and active probiotics, which is what many do not know about.

“Probiotics are live microorganisms (in most cases, bacteria) that are similar to beneficial microorganisms found in the human gut,” the National Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine said.

“They are also called “friendly bacteria” or “good bacteria.” Probiotics are available to consumers mainly in the form of dietary supplements and foods,” said the NCCAM.

Though students should speak to a doctor before taking any probiotics, they can be helpful for several reasons.

When taking antibiotics, many of the “good bacteria” are killed along with the bad bacteria, which can leave some feeling worse than before they started the antibiotics.

However, by taking probiotics with the antibiotics, it has been shown to help with the side effects that would otherwise make taking antibiotics uncomfortable.

Probiotics can also help to regulate many digestive issues that can develop from unbalanced bacteria in the degestive tract.

Studies are currently being done at Tulane University and Tufts University on the effects of probiotics and more information will soon be available.