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Probiotics refer to a group of
beneficial bacteria that are part of the normal gut flora. The type and
number of bacteria play an important role in determining health and
disease. There are over 500 species of microflora in the gut which
normally remain in balance with each other. The use of antibiotics, birth
control pills, sugar, diarrhea, gastrointestinal ph and a number of other factors can cause
this delicate balance to be destroyed and start one on the road to
disease.
Health conditions that have been reported to benefit from the use of
probiotics include diarrhea, gastroenteritis, irritable bowel syndrome,
and inflammatory bowel disease (Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis),
cancer, depressed immune function, inadequate lactase digestion, infant
allergies, failure-to-thrive, hyperlipidemia, hepatic diseases,
Helicobacter pylori infections, genitourinary tract infections and others.6
Antibiotic-associated diarrhea and Clostridium difficile disease (CDD) are
also helped by probiotics.12 Probiotics are highly recommended for (candida)
yeast infections which would include thrush, systemic yeast infection or
vaginal yeast infection.
Probiotics are protective of the gastrointestinal tract because they help
to keep the good bacteria in balance with the bad bacteria. An article
published in Clinical Gastroenterology, noted that a review of the
literature indicated that the main function of probiotics is to reinforce
the intestinal mucosal barrier against detrimental agents.5
Some of the strains that are often used in supplements are
acidophilus and bifidobacteria but there are many others. Many quality
products include what are called FOS (fructooligosaccharides) because they
feed the good bacteria and help to rebalance your bacteria quicker..
Fructooligosaccharides
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Fructooliosaccharides, also called FOS for short, are often
included in probiotic products because they feed the good bacteria and
allow them to thrive and grow while reducing the number of bad bacteria in
the colon. One study indicates that fructooligosaccharides
significantly increase calcium and magnesium absorption as well.8
Inulin is a fructooligosaccharide derived from Chicory root
and other natural sources. it also has a very low glycemic index, it is
suitable for many people who are on restricted diets, such as sugar-free
or low carbohydrate. Add it to your favorite beverage or food or add it to
kefir. Its taste is comparable to sugar and can be used as a sugar
substitute.
Inulin Prebiotic FOS Vegetarian, Now Foods, 8 oz
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For more information:
PDR- Health Fructo-oligosaccharides
Kefir and Yogurt
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In addition to taking probiotics in tablet form, eating
yogurt and kefir are excellent ways to get beneficial flora.
Both yogurt and kefir cleanse your digestive system and help you digest
food. Yogurt can be eaten everyday to help feed beneficial bacteria that already exists in your body and kefir can be used to re-colonize your
body with beneficial bacteria. Kefir is said to have some beneficial
strains of bacteria that yogurt does not have. Kefir is pre-digested so is
not a problem for those who have problems digesting milk.
Dom's Kefir in-site
Make your own kefir with kefir starters
Yahoo Groups :
Kefir_making
International Kefir grains database
Lactoferrin
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Lactoferrin is a protien found in milk and other
secretions. It is a natural peptide derived from whey that has
powerful probiotic properties. When fed to adult animals and human
infants, lactoferrin showed a dramatic increase in good micro flora—such
as bifidus—and a decrease in bad bacteria, such as E. coli, streptococcus,
clostridium and others.
Other Benefits:
Anti-microbial
Anti-viral
Immune modulation
Anti-oxidant
Protection against endotoxins
Saccharomyces Boulardii
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Saccharomyces Boulardii is a yeast that is probiotic in
action and is considered non-pathogenic. Studies have verified
that it is useful for treatment of diarrhea and that it is safe (see
caution below for immune compromised individuals).
It is used to prevent diarrhea associated with antibiotic use.
S. boulardii improves the immune system defenses, digestion, and
absorption of nutrients. It also helps regulate gene expression and
protein synthesis.9 In
animal studies, S.
boulardii protects against diarrhea and enterocolitis induced by a variety
of enteric pathogens, including C. difficile. In human studies, S.
boulardii treatment reduced the risk of subsequent relapse in patients
with a history of multiple episodes of C. difficile. 10
In another animal study, S. Boulardii inhibits the Escherichia coli
endotoxin.11
One study notes that it's possible that some strains of Saccharomyces
Boulardii could become pathogenic so they recommend caution in
immunocompromised patients until further study is undertaken.7
Safety
Keep in mind that there are many strains of bacteria that
are considered probiotic and not all of them have been extensively studied,
but based on many years of use all over the world, probiotics in
general are considered safe.
Most probiotic strains of bacteria are non-pathogenic (non-disease
causing) however caution should be used in those who have conditions that
seriously compromise their immune system such as in someone with aids or
in newborns who are seriously ill.
Infection with Lactobacilli or Bifidobacteria is rare.17,18 Saccharomyces
Boulardii could become pathogenic so caution should be used in
patients with compromised immune systems.7
Antibiotic Use
The bacterial community in the gastrointestinal tract
protects us against potential pathogens by a mechanism called
'colonization resistance'. When the gastrointestinal tract is
colonized with enough beneficial bacteria, it prevents the pathogenic,
disease causing bacteria from taking hold.
Along with doing their job of killing disease causing
bacteria, antibiotics often disrupt the delicate balance of intestinal
flora by killing bacteria that is needed in order to keep the colon
healthy. A double-blind, placebo-controlled trial showed that probiotic
supplementation modulates the response of the intestinal microflora to the
effects of antibiotic therapy.1 Another radomized controlled
trial showed that probiotics prevented an imbalance in the number of
disease causing bacteria ( Bacteriodes
fragilis) during antibiotic use.4
Saccharomyces
Boulardii is a specific probiotic that is used to prevent diarrhea
associated with antibiotic use but many other probiotic are helpful as
well.12
Candida (Candidiasis)
Candida is a particular grouping of fungi that cause
infections such as thrush, vaginal yeast infections and systemic yeast
infections.
Candida lives in the human body and usually causes no problems because
our normal gut flora (probiotics) and our immune system keep it under
control. When we take antibiotics, eat sugar, have poor digestion or do
other things that cause our flora to become unbalanced and/or we have a
compromised immune system we often get an overgrowth of candida.
A systemic candida infection can cause a huge list of symptoms that can
mimic many other illnesses. Recommended treatment usually includes a
change in diet, re-balancing gut flora with the use of probiotics and
rebalancing candida by reducing it's population through the use of
supplements or drugs.
Some M.D.'s do not believe that candida is a problem for most people
unless they have a seriously compromised immune system however most
alternative doctors such as Naturopaths understand the danger and will properly treat
a systemic yeast infection.
Diarrhea
According to the CDC, Bacteriodes
fragilis is often associated with diarrheal
diseases. In a radomized controlled trial, probiotics prevented
ecological disturbances in the numbers of intestinal Bacteroides fragilis
group species during clindamycin (a frequently used antibiotic)
administration.4 63% of French pediatricians prescribe
l-acidophilus for their patients who have diarrhea.2
Even when one is not currently using antibiotics, an
unbalanced gut flora can cause diarrhea that can be reduced or eliminated
with the use of probiotics. It can take up to a year or more to
re-balance your gut flora if severely unbalanced but most people notice
fewer episodes of diarrhea within the first 2 months if not sooner.
Detoxification
Acidophilus may help to detoxify harmful substances by
restoring "friendly" bacteria in your body. Friendly bacteria bind with
some unwanted substances, causing them to be excreted.
For additional information on detoxification see:
Detoxification
Digestion
Probiotics can be helpful in restoring digestion because
they foster healthy gastro-intestinal function.
H-Pylori
Several studies show that lactobacilli inhibits or kills H.
pylori. In vivo models show that pre-treatment with a probiotic can
prevent H. pylori and/or markedly reduced an existing infection.3
Probiotics and
Prebiotics in Gastrointestinal Disorders
Immune System
An animal study
concluded that probiotics stimulate production of natural antibodies.13
Production of the natural virus-fighter, interferon, is
decreased in fatigued athletes, but it can be restored to normal levels
with Lactobacillus acidophilus according to a study in the British Journal
of Sports Medicine.14
Regulation gastrointestinal flora by the use of pre- and probiotics,
offers the possibility to influence the development of mucosal, and also
systemic immunity.15
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Probiotics have been shown to alleviate symptoms in
irritable bowel syndrome.19, 20,21
One study concluded that the alleviation of symptoms may be associated
with immune modulation due to normalization of the ratio of an
anti-inflammatory to a proinflammatory cytokine.19
Mouth Sores
Some mouth sores respond well to powdered acidophilus
applied directly to the sore and allowed to dissolve. In some cases, pain
can be greatly relieved in a short time using fresh, live, powdered
bacteria in the mouth.
Thrush
Thrush is a type of yeast (fungal) infection that is caused
by candida. It often occurs in small children and the elderly but can
occur in anyone with a compromised immune system or who has been using
antibiotics or other things that cause their gut flora to become
unbalanced or the candida fungus to grow. Thrush can be helped with the use of a
good probiotic. You can buy products designed especially for children or
the elderly.
If you have thrush, you likely have a candidia overgrowth and should
consider treatment options for candida.
Recurrent Urinary Tract Infections (UTIs)
Many studies and clinical trials have generated encouraging
results for the safety and effectiveness of using probiotics to prevent
recurrent urinary tract infections in women, especially certain
lactobacillus strains.
Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 and L. reuteri RC-14 (previously called L.
fermentum RC-14) were the most effective. L. casei shirota and L.
crispatus CTV-05 have also shown efficacy in some studies. L. rhamnosus GG
did not appear to be quite as effective in the prevention of UTIs.16
Vitamin K
Probiotics help to synthesize vitamin K. Vitamin K is
needed in order for the blood to clot. Deficiencies of vitamin K can
occur with antibiotic use.
Yeast Infection
A vaginal yeast infection, thrush and a systemic yeast
infection are all caused by candida albicans, a type of fungus. All three
can be helped with the rebalancing of gut flora through the use of
probiotics. Not only is it helpful to take a good probiotic with FOS
internally but one can sometimes get immediate relief of some symptoms by
applying the powder directly on the affected area.
Some foods that contain beneficial bacteria are:
Yogurt
buttermilk
cheese
kefir
miso
sauerkraut
Warnings:
If your flora is seriously out of balance you can have diarrhea when
first taking probiotics. You can also have a detoxification reaction. Start
out slowly and work your way up to the recommended dosage. Take any
probiotics as far away from antibiotic type medications or the friendly
bacteria will be killed along with the bad.
Before taking any supplements, consult with your
health care provider. This information is not intended to diagnose,
treat, cure or prevent any disease. We do not accept any responsibility
for the accuracy of the information or the consequences arising from the
application, use, or misuse of any of the information contained herein.
References
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Plummer NT, Herbison M, Hunter JO, Shimada T, Cheng L, Shirakawa T.,
"Effect of probiotics on preventing disruption of the intestinal
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