The power of probiotics
Here at Specialist Supplements Ltd, we have a fantastic range of probiotic supplements, including Multi-Flora ProBio (which provides an 8 strain spectrum of ‘friendly’ lactic bacteria which should inhabit a healthy gut and 4 billion living probiotic organisms per capsule) and ProBiotic MAX (which also contains an 8 strain spectrum of ‘friendly’ lactic bacteria, but has 20 billion living organisms per capsule). Check them out now!
WHAT ARE PROBIOTICS?
“Good bacteria” or “friendly bacteria” have become “buzz” labels in recent years, popular in the media and referred to as key ingredients in all sorts of everyday drinks, yoghurts and other food. But, what are they and what are their purported benefits?
Probiotics are live micro-organisms or yeasts, which are believed to have an advantageous influence on our health and, particularly, intestinal tract health.
The vast majority of probiotics are bacteria comparable to those usually found in the gut, particularly in those of breastfed infants (who have natural protection against many diseases).
Lactic acid bacteria and bifidobacteria are the most common types of microbes used as probiotics.
WHAT ARE THE POTENTIAL BENEFITS OF PROBIOTICS?
Generally speaking, it is believed that friendly bacteria are essential in supporting the full development of the immune system, for protection against micro-organisms that could cause disease and for the proper digestion and absorption of food and nutrients. Your digestive system may not be uppermost in your mind when you think about your health, but it is thought by many to be central to overall well-being.
Investigations into the possible benefits of probiotic therapies indicate a variety of potentially beneficial applications:
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and colitis
There is a growing body of evidence that IBS might be caused or worsened by factors that change the intestinal levels of colonic microbiota, such as inflammation as a result of infections or the use of antibiotics. Antibiotics damage friendly bacteria in the gut, along with unfriendly bacteria. Probiotics are frequently utilised to attempt to mitigate side effects from antibiotics (like gas, cramping, or diarrhoea).
Studies have demonstrated that several people who suffer from IBS are also affected by small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. This takes place when the small intestine has an unnatural level of large intestine bacteria. This condition stems from an overgrowth of “bad” bacteria, which can aggravate symptoms of IBS. Since probitotic supplementation might help replace the “bad” bacteria in the small intestine with “good” bacteria, it may also therefore potentially help to alleviate the symptoms of IBS.
Immune function
There are cells in the digestive tract connected with the immune system. One theory is that if you modify the microorganisms in a person’s intestinal tract (e.g. by introducing probiotic bacteria), you can affect the immune system’s defences. For example, certain clinical trials have demonstrated that probiotics may decrease the incidence of respiratory tract infections in children.
Lactose intolerance
Those who suffer from lactose intolerance (a condition in which the gut lacks the enzyme needed to to digest large amounts of the major sugar in milk and which can also cause gastrointestinal problems) routinely use probiotics to help alleviate symptoms. As lactic acid bacteria actively convert lactose into lactic acid, supplementing the diet with specific active strains could possibly help lactose intolerant individuals tolerate more lactose than they would have otherwise managed.
Cholesterol
Clinical studies have indicated the potential efficacy of a range of lactic acid bacteria in lowering serum cholesterol levels. It is believed that this is as a result of the effect that probiotics have on breaking down bile in the gut, which in turn inhibits its re-absorption into the blood as cholesterol.
Blood pressure
Research has also demonstrated that consumption of milk fermented with various strains of lactic acid bacteria may lead to reductions in blood pressure, because of the ACE inhibitor-like peptides produced during fermentation.
Helicobacter pylori
H. pylori bacteria live in the lining of the stomach of around two thirds of the planet’s population. These bacteria oftentimes cause inflammation, are believed to cause ulcers and have been linked to stomach cancer. Studies have shown that fermented milk-based probiotic preparations can improve H. pylori eradication rates by approximately 5-15%.
Mineral absorption
It is thought that particular strains of probiotics (e.g. lactobacilli) may help to correct problems with the efficient absorption of trace minerals.
Urinary tract infections
Urinary tract infections are caused by bacteria and are 10 times more common amongst women than men. More than 50% of women will have at least one such infection during their lifetime and will most often seek out medical attention and be treated with antibiotics. The problem we are increasingly facing is antibiotic resistance. Nonetheless, several in vitro studies have revealed probiotics’ potential in relieving urinary tract infections and bacterial vaginosis. They may protect against infections in the genital and urinary tracts.
INTERESTING FACTS
Did you know?
• There are 10x more bacteria in our gut than there are cells in our body and if you gathered together all of your gut bacteria they would weigh about 1kg or 2.2lb.
• An imbalance in our gut bacteria can sometimes occur during times of stress.
• In order to protect us from getting food poisoning, our bodies are designed to stop the bacteria that we eat from getting into our gut. This is one reason why our stomach is very acidic.
• Probiotics are considered to be safe for people of all ages unless they have (or have had) a condition that has damaged their immune system, such as cancer or HIV. Specific advice should be sought from a doctor or dietician.
This entry was posted on Thursday, September 29th, 2011 at 3:11 am and is filed under General. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.