I beleive it is probiotics that you are getting from the yogurt. My GI said they have research that shows they maybe helpful and it was OK to take. However not to expect overnight results, it takes a while.
Here is something I found earlier:
'Another approach is the use of probiotics, which are just beginning to be appreciated as a therapeutic aid in IBD. Probiotics are "good" bacteria that restore balance to the enteric microflora-bacteria that live in everybody's intestine. Lactobacillus preparations and live-culture yogurt can be very helpful in aiding recovery of the intestine. There is much work being done in the use of diet and supplements to aid in the healing of IBD and much more to be learned.'
You can take tablets or eat YO+, Activia, some cereals have it.
Hope this helps.

This is a tricky area. There have been some good old posts/discussions on this topic, you may want to try and dig 'em up. Probiotics have been helpful to some and not so much to others. the jury is still out on this and hopefully more research will be done.
My doctor told me that right now, he feels that there is not enough research to say what strains are beneficial and in what amounts or combination and to whom. He feel that it would probably be a very individualized process.
He told me that taking them would probably do me no harm physically but I might feel more pain in the pocket book, lol.
He did not dicourage me from trying them but he had no reccomendations except to try and stay away from the fortified foods as they probably do not have a high enough amt of live cultures to be of any benefit.
I do try and eat a serving of plain, non-fat yogurt everyday (no sugars or artificial sweeteners), mainly because I like it.

hey uys,

hanks for your replies.

i currently take probiotics and enzymes supplements. hee is a good link with info on both http://altmedicine.about.com/od/digestivedisorders/a/Colitis_Remedy.htm

you can buy the probiotic VSL#3 whih is mentioned in one of he studies from his site http://www.vsl3.co.uk/

Jon