You have trillions of bacteria living in your gut, and they are not just passive riders.You have trillions of bacteria living in your gut and they are not just passive riders.While many people understand that probiotics are beneficial bacteria, they may not quite understand why they are beneficial.The gut has a strong role to play in immunity: as a barrier and as the site of a large volume of immune tissues/activity. Gut bacteria actively participate in this immune activity... helping to send "messages" that down regulate inflammation in the gut, improving barrier function and fostering a gut environment that antagonizes potentially harmful bacteria.Probiotic bacteria also influence the nervous system in the gut and produce molecules such as short-chain fatty acids that have systemic effects.Research is making new discoveries every day, and while we are a long ways off of definitive answers, we are now more aware than ever that bacteria help influence overall health.Listen in as Desiree Nielsen, BSc, RD, joins host Lisa Davis to explain why probiotics are so essential for optimal health, as well as the best types of probiotic strains to incorporate into your everyday regimen.