Health Tip: Should You Take Probiotics?

(HealthDay News) -- Probiotics are micro-organisms designed to help manage digestive health. Manufacturers are now including them in everything from yogurt to granola bars, the American Gastroenterological Association says.

While studies have shown that probiotics may help people with a host of digestive conditions, their benefit hasn't been proven in people with severely compromised immune systems, the association says.

On the other hand, probiotics may help treat people with:

• Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
• Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
• Diarrhea caused by infection with a virus, bacteria or parasite.
• Diarrhea caused by taking antibiotics.