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They’re being mixed in with your favorite flavored water, they’re becoming a part of your daily vitamin’s formula, and they’re being sold in little suspicious, milky bottles on the shelf near the checkout of your favorite health food store. We’re talking about probiotics. They seem to be all the rage right now. Truly, they shouldn’t just be seen as a rage or a trend but something we’ll permanently incorporate into our health routines moving forward. Don’t just look at probiotics as something you could add to your diet, like a shot of wheatgrass or some salmon oil capsules, but rather look at them as something you must add to your diet. Some people believe only those with digestive issues need them, but everybody can benefit from probiotics in many ways—digestion disturbances or not. Here are the surprising benefits of probiotics.

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Eczema treatment

Bacteria live all over and in your body, including on your skin. Eczema is an allergic reaction one might have to some bacteria, but certain strains of probiotics can fight this nasty, itchy condition.

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Supporting vaginal health

A woman’s vagina depends on a very fragile balance of good and bad bacteria. The moment that balance is thrown off, a woman is susceptible to yeast infections and bacterial vaginosis. Probiotics— L. acidophilus in particular—can fight off these uncomfortable infections.

Young woman with stomach issues in toilet hemorrhoid pain in the butt.

Prevent urinary tract infections

Urinary tract infections may be common, but that doesn’t make them any less of a pain. Taking probiotics can promote a healthy balance of bacteria in the urinary tract that can prevent such infections. Not to mention, if you’re taking an antibiotic for an existing UTI, taking a probiotic with it can prevent the issue from coming back.

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As a pathogen killer

Probiotics are essentially good bacteria. Sometimes, bad bacteria—i.e. pathogens—enter your body. What happens when good fights evil? Good prevails! (We hope). Having probiotics running through your stomach can fight off certain pathogens that can cause serious GI problems.