WFAA-TV

As North Texas counties have begun reporting cases of influenza, more and more schools are stamping down against staph.

Now, there may be a protection from the illnesses, eating bacteria. There is a growing science that says eating germs can actually protect people from them.

"They're fascinating little creatures, and we're still learning a lot about them," said Lawrence Schiller, a gastroenterologist at Baylor, of beneficial bacteria. "That's the amazing thing."

Taken as a medicine, friendly bacteria are called "probiotics."

"Probiotic means for life versus antibiotics, [which] means against life," said Bryan Bradford, a nutritionist at the Healthy Approach Market in Colleyville.

Bradford said the market for the living supplements has tripled in recent years because of mainstream research to support that the bugs work.

Each bottle contains billions of living microorganisms in pill form. They come in different strains, including lactobacillus, acidophilus and bifidobacterium, which all seem to thrive in the gut area of the body, the small and large intestines.

"At least one strain of one species seems to help people in terms of their excess gas and problems with constipation and pain with irritable bowel syndrome," said Dr. Schiller.

Since Zelnorm, a popular drug marketed to thousands of women for IBS, was recently removed from the market, Dr. Schiller said many patients find relief with the bifidobacterium probiotic.

While experts say buyers should beware because different strains work for different ailments, some say the right strain may stave off stomach problems, boost immunity after taking antibiotics, help arthritis and even prevent the common cold. However, none of the claims have been proven.

Experts say be careful to read the labels on yogurt, which may contain dead bacteria killed during pasteurization.

"Anything that's heat treated can start killing these acidophilus or bacteria very quickly," Bradford said.

Eva Mikulik is among those who believe probiotics have kept her strong and healthy.

"I have not been sick with anything for 15 years," she said.

During that time, Mikulik claims she hasn't even had a common cold.

And for those that think eating bacteria is gross, Harry Ehmann, another probiotics customer, said he keeps it in a healthy perspective.

"It's not the same thing as eating a live goldfish or anything," he said. "I don't think of it that way."

E-mail jstjames@wfaa.com