Probiotics: The Staff of Lifeby D.M. Murdock Since the days when acidophilus first entered the vocabulary there has been a quest for the "perfect" probiotics. The word "probiotic" means "for life," as opposed to "antibiotic," which means "against life." It has been recognized for centuries that cultures added to such foods as milk, producing yogurt and cheese, are beneficial to human health: Hence, they are probiotics. These probiotics are composed of many different strains of bacteria that thrive in the intestine and could thus be called "intestinal flora." Included within this category of bacteria are not only acidophilus but many other strains - more than 400 different species - including bifidus, bactilis subtilis and various substrains, as well as soil-based organisms, which under normal circumstances release "beneficial enzyme, hormone and nutrient by-products" into the soil. Numerous scientific studies have been conducted using a large variety of probiotics or intestinal bacterial flora, with a wide spectrum of results and probiotics therapy being recommended by scientists and doctors in many parts of the world. There are different strains for use by different ages as well: For example, there are infant and child probiotics, as well as formulas for young and older adults. Infants usually receive their various probiotics during the birth process. However, children delivered by Cesarian section may be deficient in these beneficial bacteria. Fortunately, mother's milk is an excellent source of probiotics, provided the mother herself possesses healthy colonies. Formula-fed babies will not receive these life-bestowing nutrients, as well as many others found in breast milk. Moreover, the milk typically used in formulas usually contains large amounts of antibiotics, which destroy not only pathogenic bacteria but also beneficial intestinal flora. Luckily, there are several good probiotics products specifically for infants. The beneficial role of probiotics in the health of animals is well known and well studied. An Irish study published in early 2006 entitled, "Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth: roles of antibiotics, prebiotics, and probiotics," concluded:
Since probiotics are destroyed through the ingestion of antibiotics, which can therefore lead to an increase in digestive disorders as well as chronic nutritional deficiencies that can disrupt the entire body's proper functioning, it is widely advised for someone taking antibiotics to also consume probiotics. Probiotics have been used to eliminate putrefactive and pathogenic or illness-producing bacteria, fungi, mold, parasites and yeasts, and may have a beneficial effect on viruses as well. The consumption of poor quality food, including junkfood laden with toxic chemicals, as well as sugar and alcohol all destroy the fragile probiotics colonies in the intestinal tract. Chlorinated and fluoridated water also destroys intestinal flora. Many medical treatments and drugs other than antibiotics likewise kill off probiotics colonies, including radiation therapy, as well as NSAIDS and other pharmaceuticals that may also be toxic to the liver. Illnesses created by the destruction of a healthy intestinal environment are wide-ranging, produced not only by pathogens invading the "sterile gut" produced by the lack of probiotics but also by deficiencies of vitamins, in particular certain B vitamins and vitamin K. The deficiency of vitamin K, a nutrient produced in the gut by beneficial intestinal bacteria, causes blood-clotting problems and bruising. The production, absorption and processing in the intestinal tract of other nutrients such as carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins and minerals may also be limited or disrupted by probiotics destruction. A healthy intestinal environment contributes to the increased production in the gut of hydrogen peroxide, which is helpful in the prevention of a wide variety of illnesses. The healthy human gut also has the capacity to produce T-cells, B-lymphocytes, nonspecific antibodies and, through its leukocyte cells, several sub-species of the polypeptide or protein molecule alpha-interferon, which has anti-viral properties.1 The SBOs in specific have been discovered to produce lactoferrin, an iron-binding protein that prevents iron deficiency and anemia. Iron deficiency is often treated with iron supplements, which can be toxic, destroying vitamin E in the body among other things. Such iron deficiency may in fact be caused by other factors, such as a poor intestinal environment. Lactoferrin has been found to arrest the growth of the pathogenic bacteria E. Coli and Listeria monocytogenes2, apparently by increasing the growth of immune cells. SBOs also produce RNA and DNA, which assist in cellular repair and which therefore are necessary for healing wounds, burns, incisions and other injuries. The powerful anti-oxidant and enzyme super oxide dismutase or SOD is likewise produced by SBOs, destroying cancer-producing free radicals in the body. SOD is known to have protective capacities for heart, intestinal, kidney, pancreatic and skin tissues. Illnesses that may be produced or exacerbated through the depletion of the intestinal flora, and that may be treatable with probiotics, include:
There are many probiotics products on the market today. It was realized years ago that not all of them are equal and that the intestinal flora were fragile and easily destroyed by heat and storage. Eating the average, nonorganic commercial buttermilk, cottage cheese, kefir, yogurt or whey will not provide live cultures of any significant quantity and, therefore, the benefits of consuming active probiotics. One product that has made a huge splash is called "Primal Defense," which contains not only several strains of probiotics but also homeostatic soil organisms or HSOs, normally present on freshly picked fruits and vegetables but destroyed through the cleaning and heating processes used for commercial production. Thus, it is theorized that humans are no longer consuming enough of these soil-based organisms or SBOs, the deficiency of which creates an imbalance and may contribute to a variety of illness, including numerous gastrointestinal diseases. Primal Defense has a tried and true record, and is certainly useful in preventing gassiness and bloating. It may, however, not seem as "live" as other products, such as the various refrigerated Jarrow or Natren products. Other popular brands include Jarrow, which produces a formula called Jarro-Dophilus EPS that contains, at the time of manufacture, 4.4 billion live organisms in each enteric-coated capsule. In these capsules, which survive stomach acid, are eight strains of beneficial bacteria, including:
According to its manufacturers, Jarro-Dophilus EPS does not require refrigeration, which makes it suitable for travel. Concerning these bacteria, Jarrow states:
Nature's Biotics contains a "designer" strain of SBOsh found to be highly effective in the production of health, and Caprobiotics Plus is composed of six strains of flora that survive stomach acids and implant in the intestinal tract. Products like ThreeLac and Probiotics Rx provided lactic acid bateria, with the latter focusing on the "superstrain" Enterococcus faecalis TH10, found in the fermented soy product tempeh. Probiotics RxProbiotics Rx provides 12 different strains of lactic acid bacteria:
Concering lactic acid bacteria, the manufacturers of Probiotics Rx state:
Regarding the superstrain TH 10, the Probiotics Rx literature says:
Probiotics Rx is not a dried or heated powder product as are many others, but a moist, organic raw paste in a capsule, which increases its viability and efficacy. (The capsule itself may create difficulties such as hyperacidity. It can be chewed and spit out.) Probiotics Rx also contains important prebiotics, including herbs, which feed the probiotics and keep them alive. The creator of Probiotics Rx, Dr. Iichiroh Ohhira of Okayama University, is a scientist who has studied the antifungal effects of a product created by the fermentation of herbs by lactic acid bacteria.98 This fermentation product (FHL), containing Enterococcus faecalis TH 10, was further discovered by Dr. Ohhira and others to inhibit the growth of ringworm fungus, for example.98 Dr. Ohhira is convinced that one of the commonalities between long-lived cultures worldwide is the "regular consumption of fermented foods," and he spent decades studying these foods in order to identify their components, which included lactic acid bacteria. Probiotics Rx is claimed to do the following:
The Probiotics Rx literature further points out that it is the overuse of not only pharmaceutical antibiotics and medicines but also antibacterial herbs and herbal formulas that destroy the healthy intestinal flora. The following agents are also destructive to the proper environment of the human gut:
Probiotics Rx is safe and effective for children, useful in treating constipation and thrush, as well as other conditions possibly related to any unhealthy intestinal environment, such as atopic dermatitis or eczema. When choosing a probiotics product, it is best to keep in mind that you want a guarantee that there are billions, not millions of live cultures, as the intestinal tract is inhabited by that many. Some products may contain billions of live organisms at the time of manufacture, but there is generally no guarantee that they will still be alive when used by the consumer. Manufacturers are naturally interested in provided live cultures, so probiotics products are nourished and kept alive by substances termed "prebiotics," which include inulin (a polysaccharide) and fructooligosaccharides or FOS. There is some debate as to whether or not FOS is an appropriate foodstuff for probiotics, as it may not be the most healthful substance. It may be beneficial to consume foods that contain inulin and FOS in order to keep any probiotics colonies health in the first place. Also, for intestinal flora to thrive they need a proper pH, which is why many probiotics products include alkalizing agents. In any event, in this current era we have reached a higher standard of probiotics than ever before, and you may well find one or more products that work for you. |
© 2008 Stellar House Publishing, LLC. All material provided at Health & Longevity is for educational purposes only. Consult your physician regarding the applicability of any information provided here to your symptoms or medical condition. |
Note: The video below was not created by D.M. Murdock/Acharya S and does not necessarily represent her views.
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