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There are a variety of different probiotics and prebiotics that come from food sources. Some may also be available as dietary supplements.

Probiotics are certain types of live bacteria that are consumed to help restore balance to the levels of beneficial bacteria in the intestines.

Lactobacilli are the most common probiotic used in foods and supplements. These bacteria are considered beneficial because they may provide vitamins (e.g., vitamin K), lactase, and certain antimicrobial substances (e.g., acidolin, acidolphilin, lactocidin, bacteriocin). Specific strains include lactobacillus acidophilus and lactobacillus GG.

Bifidobacteria is another common probiotic. Less common types of probiotics include enterococci, bacilli, escherichia and saccharomyces boulardii (a type of yeast).