Are the “live active cultures” in yogurt the same thing as probiotics?
Not necessarily. Live active cultures are living microbes in food. Probiotics are live microbes shown to provide health benefits. The starter cultures used to produce yogurt and kefir are often helpful for people with lactose intolerance and sometimes reduce antibiotic-induced diarrhea. But don’t assume that all types of probiotics or live cultures have the same benefits. Studies have begun to document health effects of specific probiotics, but we need much more research to know how and when to best use them. Q: How can I know whether a Mediterranean diet is too high in fat for me? A: Mediterranean diets are higher in overall fat content than some other approaches to promote weight loss or heart health. But because the fat comes mainly from olive oil, nuts and fish, rather than meat and butter, it is considered a heart healthy eating pattern. Cheese, the other major source of cholesterol-raising fat, is used in only limited amounts. So unless you have some medical condition that requir
Not necessarily. Live active cultures are living microbes in food. Probiotics are live microbes shown to provide health benefits. The starter cultures used to produce yogurt and kefir are often helpful for people with lactose intolerance and sometimes reduce antibiotic-induced diarrhea. But don’t assume that all types of probiotics or live cultures have the same benefits. Studies have begun to document health effects of specific probiotics, but we need much more research to know how and when to best use them. Q: How can I know whether a Mediterranean diet is too high in fat for me? A: Mediterranean diets are higher in overall fat content than some other approaches to promote weight loss or heart health. But because the fat comes mainly from olive oil, nuts and fish, rather than meat and butter, it is considered a heart healthy eating pattern. Cheese, the other major source of cholesterol-raising fat, is used in only limited amounts. So unless you have some medical condition that requir
