probiotic

Other forms: probiotics

Probiotics are health-boosting microorganisms, like beneficial bacteria and yeasts, that are found naturally in foods such as some yogurts. If you struggle with digestive issues, your doctor may suggest trying probiotics to restore your gut health.

Long before the term probiotic was coined, scientists noticed that people who traditionally ate a lot of naturally fermented yogurt tended to live longer, healthier lives. Nobel winner Élie Metchnikoff is credited with the idea that good microbes in the gut could crowd out harmful ones. Today, these beneficial microbes — found in fermented foods and dietary supplements — are called probiotics, combing the Latin pro-, "for," and the Greek biōtikos, "pertaining to life."

Definitions of probiotic

1. noun

   a beneficial bacterium or other microorganism that helps promote health, especially in the intestinal tract
   synonyms: probiotic bacterium, probiotic flora, probiotic microflora

   types:

   Lactobacillus acidophilus, acidophilus

   a bacterium that is used to make yogurt and to supplement probiotics

   type of:

   bacteria, bacterium

   (microbiology) single-celled or noncellular spherical or spiral or rod-shaped organisms lacking chlorophyll that reproduce by fission; important as pathogens and for biochemical properties; taxonomy is difficult; often considered to be plants
2. noun

   a food, drink, or pill that encourages the growth of healthy microorganisms, especially bacteria, in the body
3. adjective

   being, relating to, or containing microorganisms that promote health, especially in the intestinal tract