Chronic Conditions
Jigsaw Health Products
|
 |
Probiotics: Giving Your Gut the "Friendlies"
Pathogens or “unfriendly” bacteria go by names we know all too well: Clostridium, Salmonella, E. coli, Streptococcus, Staphlyococcus, and more. Being on friendly terms with these “unfriendly” bacteria is not a good idea.
As friendly as we are with the names of these bad bacteria, we’re complete strangers to the “friendly” bacteria that can help us the most: probiotics.
The gastrointestinal system hosts about 100 trillion probiotics. These “friendly” bacteria help the immune system fight infection, allow greater absorption of nutrients, and promote gastrointestinal health.1 Without probiotics, the digestive tract cannot function properly.
Unfortunately, probiotics remain a mystery to most Americans. But there’s growing evidence that probiotics are moving into the mainstream with powerful research suggesting that they can be effective for infectious diarrhea, Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBD), and post-operative pouchitis.2 Other studies have backed this up, adding that probiotics may play a role in enhancing immune function, preventing traveler’s diarrhea, and managing ulcerative colitis.3
With some 60 to 70 million Americans affected by digestive disorders4, it’s time to find out more about the role of probiotics in the gastrointestinal system.
But before we get too far, let’s see how the gastrointestinal system—and the probiotics within it—works.
The gastrointestinal system is fairly complex. As soon as you put food into your mouth, the salivary glands start producing the enzyme amylase to help break down starches. The food then travels through the esophagus into the stomach where more enzymes and hydrochloric acid combine to break down the mixture so it can be passed into the small intestine.
Once in the small intestine, large numbers of enzymes from the pancreas break down the food even further to allow nutrients to be absorbed into the body. The remaining undigested portion passes into the large intestine where 35-50% of the body’s probiotics reside.
Inside the large intestine—the colon—probiotics lining the intestinal walls help break down complex food molecules that can’t be broken down anywhere else in the gastrointestinal tract.
But, unlike other tissues, the colon does not receive its nutrients from the bloodstream. Instead, the nutrients essential to a healthy colon—in particular, most vitamins including vitamin K, some amino acids and enzymes, and short-chain fatty acids—come from probiotics.
In addition, probiotics produce at least three substances that help wipe out pathogens:5
- Acidophilin – A natural antibiotic that kills off dangerous bacteria.
- Lactic acid – Creates an acidic and inhospitable environment for pathogens.
- Hydrogen peroxide – A free radical used by the immune system to combat pathogens.
Clearly, having probiotics in your digestive system is a really good idea. Not only does a healthy intestinal microflora matter in fighting infections, it matters to the health of your gastrointestinal system.
Now, let’s find out more about probiotics.
Nobel laureate Elie Metchnikoff conducted the first research into the benefits of probiotics. He found that the long lives of Russian peasants could be linked to the probiotic-containing yogurt they ate.
But with the advent of antibiotics in the 1940s, research into the possibilities for probiotics all but died.
Since then, study and use of probiotics has flourished. In Japan, for instance, people routinely eat functional foods containing probiotics like yogurt, kefir, and cultured drinks for health purposes—a trend also found, to a lesser degree, throughout Europe.
We in the United States, however, have been conditioned to view bacteria as bad (witness the number of antibacterial soaps, lotions, sprays, etc.) and that talking about gastrointestinal ailments is “icky.”
But the alarming numbers of antibiotic-resistant bacteria have forced healthcare professionals to take a second look at probiotics. By having an understanding of probiotics—particularly in relation to infectious pathogens—you can help make the best health decisions for you and your family.
Of the 400 to 500 types of probiotics in the adult digestive system, the most studied and well-known geneses are Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. Lactobacillus takes sugar and Bifidobacterium takes dietary fiber, and both are converted into lactic acid. Lactic acid lowers the pH to allow probiotics to survive and thrive in the digestive environment.
Some of the more established strains of probiotics include:
- Lactobacillus acidophilus (L. acidophilus)
- Lactobacillus plantarum (L. plantarum)
- Lactobacillus rhamnasus (L. rhamnasus)
- Bifidobacterium bifidum (B. bifidum)
- Bifidobacterium longum (B. longum)
A healthy intestinal microflora will be populated by plenty of “friendlies.” But plenty of factors can cause an intestinal imbalance.
Several factors contribute to and often exacerbate the imbalance in the intestinal microflora that allows many digestive disturbances and infections to proliferate.
Increased number of babies delivered via C-section and fed infant formulas. As newborns pass through the birth canal, they receive their first dose of probiotics from the probiotics populating the mother’s vagina. These probiotics then go on to colonize the newborn’s digestive tract with help from additional probiotics passed through the mother’s milk. Formula-fed babies delivered by Caesarean section do not receive these probiotics that are so essential to their immune systems—putting them at greater risk for colic and digestive difficulties.
Poor diet. The modern American diet—with its reliance on simple carbohydrates and sugars found in processed and convenience foods—feeds pathogens and yeasts, causing them to multiply and rise up against the probiotics trying to fight them. Find out more about a healthy diet.
Over-use and misuse of antibiotics. Unlike life-giving probiotics, antibiotics actually kill all bacteria—including the friendly and protective probiotics. Broad-spectrum antibiotics, in particular, do the most damage, creating a bacterial imbalance in the digestive system that can leave the body susceptible to not only digestive ailments but other infections, too. Read more about bacteria-resistant antibiotics and probiotics.
Excessive use of antacids and other acid-lowering drugs. A common over-the-counter remedy for indigestion and stomach upset, antacids upset the pH balance in the stomach, causing the environment to become less acidic—and reducing the number of probiotics in the body.
Excessive use of laxatives. Laxatives cause the normal contractions that push food through the gastrointestinal system to slow considerably, causing food particles to be overly processed, and quickly dumped. Not only are nutrients lost, but the probiotics are unable to attach to intestinal walls to do their work.
Use of synthetic estrogens and steroids. Birth control pills, hormone replacement therapies, and oral and inhaled steroids like Prednisone® decrease levels of probiotics in the digestive tract.
Keeping a healthy level of probiotics in the gastrointestinal tract means better digestive health, greater nutrient absorption, and enhanced immunity from infection.
Probiotic supplements have been extensively studied as a way to reduce symptoms of gastrointestinal disorders and boost the immune system. Here’s just a sampling:
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
- In a Mayo Clinic study, probiotics were found to help patients with diarrhea-predominant IBS relieve abdominal bloating.6
- A Yale University literature review found a trend toward decreasing symptoms with dietary changes and the use of probiotics.7
- A 12-week treatment with a combination probiotic yielded reduced pain and bloating, along with more regular bowel function.8
- An Italian study showed that probiotic therapy decreased the severity score of IBS symptoms within only two weeks.9
Inflammatory Bowel Disease
- Probiotics may be able to competitively exclude development of pathogens and enhance gut barrier function.10
- Dutch scientists found that treating ulcerative colitis patients with Lactobacillus rhamnasus GG prior to surgery delayed the onset of post-operative pouchitis.11
- A Chinese study found that ulcerative colitis patients who received Bifidobacterium in addition to the standard treatment showed fewer flare-ups of chronic ulcerative colitis compared to those taking the standard treatment alone.12
Diarrhea
- Studies show that probiotics can be used as an adjunctive treatment to rehydration therapy in those with acute, infectious diarrhea.13
- A University of Ottawa study suggested that probiotics may also help with antibiotic-associated chronic diarrhea.14
- In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, patients who took a probiotic with Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium—in conjunction with antibiotics for a Clostridium difficile infection—showed reduced diarrheal symptoms and enhanced eradication of the infection.15
Constipation
- In patients with chronic constipation, evidence showed probiotics to have a beneficial effect with recommendations for probiotics as an adjunctive therapy.16
Once you’ve decided to use a probiotics supplement, finding the most effective one can be tricky. Use these guidelines to help you choose one that’s right for you.
- Researchers suggest that 5 to 10 billion live probiotics per day will help balance intestinal flora and maintain a healthy environment.17 Look for a product that contains at least 10 billion live probiotics, if not more.
- Probiotic strains that come from humans have stronger survival rates, prefer the “climate” in the human body, and can better adhere to intestinal walls where they naturally multiply. Avoid probiotics that are not endogenous to the body or come from organisms in the soil.
- The most studied and best known probiotic species are Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. Buying probiotics without these species is like buying Tylenol® without the acetaminophen.
- Contrary to popular belief, more is not better. Quality probiotics should contain just a handful of well-known strains of the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species. Any more strains or strains other than from Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species that have not been well-studied may be incompatible with each other.18
- A quality probiotics should be able to pass through stomach acid without being disintegrated—not all strains of Lactobacillus acidophilus will make it past the stomach acid into the colon where it attaches to the intestinal wall and multiplies.
- Probiotics should be refrigerated to avoid loss by heat, air, or moisture exposure. Ask your manufacturer if they store their probiotics in refrigerated storage. If not, skip them.
- Live probiotics require packaging in dark glass containers to resist degradation caused by exposure to heat, air, or moisture.
Although more and more research stands behind the use of probiotics to keep the gastrointestinal system healthy and functioning, some people still might want another alternative—even if they are only “friendly” bacteria. Here are some other options to think about:
Diet. Changing the diet should be a primary consideration when trying to resolve gastrointestinal issues. Learn more about dietary considerations for healthy digestion.
Digestive enzymes. While the body contains some enzymes that help with digestion, the majority of them come from foods in their raw state. Unfortunately, excessive heating and processing of our food supply has eliminated many enzymes needed for healthy digestion. But some enzyme supplements have been found to be effective at helping food pass through the gastrointestinal tract. One study showed that combination enzyme formulas significantly improved digestion and nutrient absorption.19
Antioxidants. Particularly effective for Inflammatory Bowel Disease, antioxidants may help reduce inflammation associated with IBD. A University of Kentucky study showed that antioxidants improved diarrhea and colon lesions, increased body weight, and reduced levels of inflammatory cytokines in rat models of colitis.20
Peppermint. A literature review done by the University of Arizona indicated that enteric-coated peppermint oil capsules helped reduce abdominal pain associated with Irritable Bowel Syndrome in children.21
Omega-3 fatty acids. Studies show that omega-3 fatty acids increased the content of polyunsaturated fatty acids in gut tissue, increased the ability of the small intestine to contract, and enhanced gut integrity.22,23
Cited Sources:
1) Guarner F, Malagelada JR. “Gut flora in health and disease.” The Lancet, 361, 9356:512-9, 2003. www.thelancet.com
2) Fedorak RN, Madsen KL. “Probiotics and prebiotics in gastrointestinal disorders.” Current Opinion in Gastroenterology, 20, 2:146-55, 2004. www.co-gastroenterology.com
3) Gill HS, Guarner F. “Probiotics and human health: a clinical perspective.” Postgraduate Medical Journal, 80, 947:516-26, 2004. http://pmj.bmjjournals.com
4) National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
5) Mindell E. “User’s Guide to Probiotics.” Basic Health Publications, 2004.
6) Kim HJ, et al. “A randomized controlled trial of a probiotic, VSL#3, on gut transit and symptoms in diarrhea-predominant irritable bowel syndrome.” Alimentary Pharmacology and Therapeutics, 17, 7:895-904, 2003. www.blackwellpublishing.com
7) Floch MH. “Use of diet and probiotic therapy in the irritable bowel syndrome: analysis of the literature.” Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology, 39, 5 Suppl:S243-6, 2005.
8) Tsuchiya J, et al. “Single blind follow-up study on the effectiveness of a symbiotic preparation in irritable bowel syndrome.” Chinese Journal of Digestive Disorders, 5, 4:169-74, 2004.
9) Saggioro A. “Probiotics in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome.” Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology, 38, 6 Suppl:S104-6, 2004.
10) Fedorak RN, Madsen KL. “Probiotics and the management of inflammatory bowel disease.” Inflammatory Bowel Diseases, 10, 3:286-99, 2004. www.ccfa.org
11) Gosselink MP, et al. “Delay of the first onset of pouchitis by oral intake of the probiotic strain Lactobacillus rhamnasus GG.” Diseases of the Colon & Rectum, 47, 6:876-84, 2004.
12) Cui HH, et al. “Effects of probiotic on intestinal mucosa of patients with ulcerative colitis.” World Journal of Gastroenterology, 10, 10:1521-5, 2004. www.wjgnet.com
13) Allen SJ, et al. “Probiotics for treating infectious diarrhea.” Cochrane Database System Review, 2:CD003048, 2004. www.cochrane.org
14) Benchimol EI, Mack DR. “Probiotics in relapsing and chronic diarrhea.” Journal of Pediatric Hematology & Oncology, 26, 8:515-7, 2004.
15) Plummer S, et al. “Clostridium difficile pilot study: effects of probiotic supplementation on the incidence of C. difficile diarrhea.” International Microbiology, 7, 1:59-62, 2004.
16) Koebnick C, et al. “Probiotic beverage containing Lactobacillus casei Shirota improves gastrointestinal symptoms in patients with chronic constipation.” The Canadian Journal of Gastroenterology, 17, 11:655-9, 2003. www.pulsus.com
17) Brudnak MA. “Probiotics as an adjuvant to detoxification protocols.” Medical Hypotheses, 58, 5:382-5, 2002.
18) Dash SK. “All Probiotics Are Not The Same.” The Doctors’ Prescription for Healthy Living, Vol. 6, No. 9.
19) Omogbenigum FO, Nyachoti CM, Slominski BA. “Dietary supplementation with multienzyme preparations improves nutrient utilization and growth performance in weaned pigs.” Journal of Animal Science, 82, 4:1053-61, 2004. http://jas.fass.org
20) Oz HS, et al. “”Antioxidants as novel therapy in a murine model of colitis.” The Journal of Nutritional Biochemistry, 16, 5:297-304, 2005. www.elsevier.com
21) Wydert JA, Ball TM, Davis MF. “ Systematic review of treatments for recurrent abdominal pain.” Pediatrics, 111, 1:e1-11, 2003. www.pediatrics.org
22) Patten GS, Abeywardena MY. “Fish oil feeding increases gut contractility in spontaneous hypertensive rate (SHR) model.” Asia Pacific Journal of Clinical Nutrition, 12 Suppl:S64, 2003.
23) Patten GS, et al. “Dietary fish oil increases acetylcholine- and eicosanoid-induced contractility of isolated rat ileum.” Journal of Nutrition, 132, 9:2506-13, 2002. www.nutrition.org
Last Updated: Monday, May 15, 2006
Back to Top |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
Customer Service
1-866-601-5800
8a-5p MST, M-F |
|
|
You have no items in your cart. |
|
Total:
$0.00
|
|
|
 |
|
Having trouble?
Fix my cart.
|
|
|
|
|
|
