Probiotic Enzymes

I take some because they’re supposed to be good for my innards. I guess.

Something about flora. (Maybe even flora and fauna?) Stomach flora? Intestinal flora? Colon flora? Appendix flora? Gizzard flora? Something.

For me, the most noticeable benefit to these billions of “viable organisms” is that I have far fewer episodes of heartburn. (Or is it acid reflux?)

But I have more questions:

1. If a difference exists between probiotics and digestive enzymes, what is it?
2. The bottle label warns: “Store in a cool, dry place.” Temperature. I need to know a temperature for cool. Do you know at what temperature those billions of viable organisms turn into dead, unviable organisms?
3. Speaking of billions, who counts them (and how) before putting them in a capsule?
4. What I’m taking not only claims 3 billion viable organisms, it breaks down the count into four categories. How do they tell them apart?
5. I just noticed that this bottle is Lot 164481, which is “Best By 06/09.” If I keep taking them, will I cease to be a viable organism?
6. What effect does coffee have on the little critters?
7. Besides heartburn relief and acid reflux cure (maybe), what other health benefits of probiotics do you know?

I know, I know — lots of questions. But hey, it’s my body. I want to know about the dietary supplements I wash down into it, even if it’s only “one capsule in the evening with food and water.” (Except I just upped the dosage the other day: one with every meal. Oh yeah? And why shouldn’t I triple my dose of probiotic supplements, huh?)

Thanks for your help. (No, I don’t want to Google it or Bing it or AnyOtherWeirdName it.)