We are so preoccupied with our hectic routines that we fail to focus on
our health and well-being. The worst case scenario is when you feel more out of
sorts than usual and visit your doctor for occasional blood tests that hint at a
vitamin D deficiency or a high cholesterol level. The problem, however, has a
cause that is more deep-rooted than your blood.
Your parents might have once told you that you’re special and different from the
rest, turns out they’re right! Every one of us has an individually unique microbial ecosystem both inside and on us that is home to more than 100 trillion microbes,
responsible for keeping our Microbiome in balance. If you’ve ever experienced
an unexplained pain or discomfort in your gut, or if you feel relentlessly tired
regardless of getting an appropriate amount of sleep and rest, you ought to
keep reading. Your Microbiome might be unbalanced!
How much do you know about your Microbiome?
A little something about Microbiome
The number of microbes throughout your body outnumbers the number of cells
you contain by 10 to 1. Microbes, otherwise known as microscopic organisms, is
a term used to generalize a number of different types of life forms that are
relatively too minuscule to view without the use of a microscope. Some microbes
that you may be familiar with are bacteria, fungi, and viruses, all of which are
inhabitants of your body.
Let’s divide microbes into two simpler groups: the good microbes and the bad
ones. A significant amount of good microbes is situated in your gut where they
support your immune system, protect you from various diseases, detoxify your
body, and even assist in the maintenance of your weight. The
bacteria accountable for maintaining the health of our gut are known as
probiotics. A comparative amount of bad bacteria, or microbes, also inhabit our gut that account for a myriad of chronic diseases, inflammation, and obesity. The choices we make in our daily lives have influential effects on our Microbiome and can throw it out of balance.
So how exactly does your Microbiome come to be in the first place? Apparently,
fetus’ gastrointestinal tract is a nearly sterile place and the gut microbiota
doesn’t completely form until after your birth. The Gut Microbiota Worldwatch
stated that the digestive tract of a newborn rapidly colonizes with
microorganisms from the mother and its surrounding environment. For example,
the gut microbiota of a child who has been breastfed would differ from one who
was fed with a formula. In fact, newborns who are exposed to different
environments have a more diversified Microbiome are less likely to suffer from allergies and sensitivities to different types of foods like eggs, milk, and peanuts.
Is it important for me?
Each individual’s Microbiome is essential for their external and internal physical condition. Your gut’s Microbiome is one of the most imperative features of your
body that could either make you or break you. The presence of over 2 kilograms
of microbes and over 1000 species of bacteria renders the diversification of the
gut Microbiome.
Our stomach and small intestine at times have trouble digesting whatever we
consume, this is where microbes jump in and aid in the digestion process
providing our bodies with the nutrients we need. An imbalance in the gut
ecosystem can lead to indigestion and obesity, both of which, are major
healthcare issues being discussed as of recently. A research study conducted by
Jones et al. 2012 at the McGill University, showed that using a probiotic supplement containing L. reuteri NCIMB 30242 caused significant reduction in
total as well as harmful fractions of cholesterol.
The microbes in your gut supply your body with vitamins like vitamin B and K. In
another study conducted by Jones et al. 2013 at the University of McGill Canada, researchers found that in contrast to a placebo, a L. reuteri NCIMB 30242 based
probiotic was capable of increasing the blood levels of vitamin D by 22.4%.
These vitamins are fundamental to a properly functioning immune system. Your
immune system, when vulnerable or compromised, can further disrupt the
balance of the gut Microbiome by making it more susceptible to bad microbes or
bacteria.
We previously discussed the influence of a more diverse Microbiome in newborns
on different types of food allergies. Being low in diversity, the Microbiome can
have long-term effects on a child’s development advancing into adulthood. Just
the same, a Microbiome overpopulated with certain types of bacteria can wreak
havoc on the balance of your Microbiome as well. Let’s figure out what’s going
on in your Microbiome and exclude all factors that are causing chaos!
1. Why am I losing my Microbiome?
There are multiple factors that partake in the destruction of your Microbiome.
Although a stool analysis can be used to determine whether your gut harbors a
healthy microbiota, there are some simple signs you can look out for by asserting your current health condition to deduce the composition of the microbial
community in your gut.
Factors that can wreak havoc on your microbiota health include:
Multiple cravings for sugar and highly processed foods
It’s relatively normal for you to crave something sweet following an extensive day at work or school, especially if you missed a meal. Our bodies are automatically
programmed into craving sweets when blood sugar levels decline. Though,
when you begin to desire ice-cream and doughnuts on a full stomach, taking
precautions and keeping track of what you consume is advised.
Recent studies have shown that the microbes found in your gut can exert a
strong effect on our dietary preferences and modify our appetites. Let’s say
you’re an individual with a sweet tooth and consume more than necessary sugary
substances than needed. This surplus intake of refined sugars leads to the
development of pro-inflammatory microorganisms in your gastrointestinal tract.
These microbes further produce compounds that create additional cravings due
to the dependence of their survival on these food types.
Food Intolerance
With a well-developed and diversified Microbiome, you shouldn’t have a
problem digesting any of the foods you consume. However, if your Microbiome
is poorly matched to your dietary intake, food intolerance ensues. For instance, if you’re raised consuming a vegetarian or vegan diet and decide to switch to a
more carnivorous diet into adulthood, your gut would have trouble processing
the food due to the lack of microbes that assist in its digestion. Factors like food intolerance contribute to gastrointestinal distress as well as a leaky gut.
Depression
Recent evidence has shown that chronic depression can, in some cases, be related to an inflammatory disorder. The microbes residing in our gut have a
sizable effect on our brain function and mental health. For example, while
healthy gut bacteria can promote anti-depressive effects, other more hazardous
microbes assist in inducing anxiety or depression.
Irritable Bowel Syndrome and other Gastrointestinal Issues
Gastrointestinal issues are usually related to a poor diet, allergies, and stress, and despite that, don’t really offer a vast inventory of cures or remedies. That’s
because the problem lies deeper than just the dietary lack of fiber or your
irritating boss ─ and can be more accurately attributed to an imbalanced gut
Microbiome that lacks diversity and resilience. Gastrointestinal issues present
with;
Gas
Bloating
Bad Breath
Loose Stools
Constipation
If you find yourself experiencing one or more of the above signs, chances are
that your Microbiome is out of whack to some extent. Wondering how it got so
serious? Here are 5 habits to avoid that can wreck your Microbiome Health.
1. Antibiotics
Over the counter drugs and medicines have become pretentious solutions for
ordinary ailments. It may seem like a smart financial move to avoid all those
reoccurring trips to the doctor and just get yourself or your kids some antibiotics from the nearest pharmacy.
The intake of antibiotics is probably the most destructive thing you could do to
your Microbiome. You have to consider that your bodies consist of both bad
bacteria and probiotics. Antibiotics not only wipe out the bad bacteria from your system but also end up significantly diminishing the probiotics that are crucial
to your digestion, immune system, and so much more. The use of antibiotics has
to be cautious until specifically indicated. Moreover, the re-indulgence of good
bacteria, or probiotics, is often forgotten after relief from their ailment.
Chlorinated Drinking Water
The use of chlorinated drinking water is detrimental to the friendly gut microbes.
This is due to chlorine’s ability to kill off any bacteria that come in its way.
3. Altered Fats used in Food products
Our body requires fats for the production and maintenance of cell walls. The fats that we consume in our diet form a sort of impermeable protective layer on our
cells that prevents toxins and pathogens from entering into our bloodstream.
Fast foods contain altered fats that render the cell walls more permeable
allowing the invasion of harmful agents susceptible into our system. The original cell walls made from authentic fats are actually the dwelling area for most
protective microorganisms that flourish in our bodies. Think of it this way, a weak or broken cell wall is like a broken sewage pipe that ends up leaking into your
system and contaminates everything it comes in contact with.
Increased Consumption of Carbohydrates
We already discussed the negative impact of a high sugar intake on your
Microbiomes. The surplus intake of foods high in carbohydrates can also lead to
a drastic imbalance in the microbial system. This is because the bad bacteria feed on carbohydrates and sugars to thrive and flourish. Focusing on a more Asian
dietary pattern and saying good riddance to the standard Western diet is an
ideal way to help minimize the consumption of carbohydrates.
5. Stress
Recent studies suggest that red squirrels which reside in a low-stress
environment contain a considerably healthy Microbiome. Researchers tested the
squirrel’s Microbiomes as well as their stress hormones and the results depicted
that the squirrels with higher stress levels ended up presenting less bacterial
diversity, which is considered an indicator of poor Microbiome health. A later
study revealed that enhanced stress levels in the squirrels were secondary to the increased levels of potentially harmful bacteria. So it’s safe to say that it
wouldn’t hurt to lay back and relax a little!
3. My Microbiome is out of Whack. What do I do Now?
There’s no need to fret if you believe that your Microbiome isn’t functioning the way it should. Luckily, getting your Microbiome back on track is moderately
easy and can be done in the comfort of your home without constant trips to the
doctor. Follow these five easy steps to safeguard the condition of your
Microbiome!
Step 2: Diet Matters. Here’s what you should eat.
Given that the majority of beneficial microbes are situated in your gut, it’s vital to keep a check on what is being put into it. Chances are your Microbiome is out of
whack due to what you were consuming in the first place.
One of the mandatory additions in your diet to fix the topsy-turvy mess in your
gut is fiber. Research has shown that most individuals living in the western
hemisphere lack the consumption of dietary fiber by approximately 50%. This is
something nutritionists signify as the “fiber gap.” Fiber is an essential nutritional provider for the bacteria that reside in your gut and the deficiency of this
substance can lead to the depletion of some microbes in your gut reducing the
diversity of your Microbiome.
Go ahead and try out Fermented Plant-based foods like tempeh and miso. These
fermented foods are in demand due to their ability to restore the healthy
microorganisms in your gut, which then outnumber the unhealthy bacteria and
microbes
Indulging fermented plant-based foods has colossal benefits. These foods are
rich in probiotics, boosting the body’s overall Microbiome, which improves the
health of the intestinal cells, immune function, and alleviates allergies.
Step 3: Probiotics. Do they really work?
We’re already aware that probiotics are necessarily the “good” bacteria in our
body. Although, what makes them different from the other microbes or bacteria?
Probiotics have been more successful in the treatment of gastrointestinal issues.
Controlled trials have shown that supplementation with Lactobacillus reuteri
species can reduce the frequency of diarrhea by 50% in adults. Similar results
were seen in children too. Moreover, enriching the gut microbiota with
Lactobacillus reuteri species can have benefits like improved intestinal microbiota and enhanced insulin sensitivity.
To get the most out of the probiotics you use, it’s recommended to pair your probiotic with a prebiotic supplement. So what’s the difference between
probiotics and prebiotics? Turns out, prebiotics act as food for the beneficial bacteria residing in your gut.
For example, Microbiome Plus+ Gastrointestinal is a dietary supplement containing Lactobacillus reuteri NCMIB 30242 used in recent successful studies
to help rebalance the healthy bacteria in your gut and provide support in normal
digestive functions. This dietary supplement is an amazing blend of probiotics
(Lactobacillus reuteri NCMIB 30242) and prebiotic fiber. This blend assures the
maintenance of a healthy gut that is in its best shape!
Step 4: What other supplements should I take?
Other than probiotics and prebiotic powders, there’s a range of beneficial
supplements you can consume to re-balance your Microbiome.
Magnesium is a crucial substance required by enzymes to enhance and maintain
function in the gut. On an average, you should consume approximately 320-420
mg of magnesium daily, and usually, that amount of magnesium isn’t available in
our diets. Magnesium supplements help fill that void and improve your immune
health and aid the body by converting insulin into energy. Some good natural
sources of magnesium are:
Spinach
Chard
Yogurt or Kefir
Almonds
Bananas
Fish oil is mainly used for the prevention of inflammation and is recommended to
pregnant women due to its potential to promote brain development. This oil
loaded with omega-3 fatty acids modifies the gut microbiota along with its anti-
inflammatory and immunity-boosting properties, and therefore offers a host of
benefits for our Microbiome
A recent study showed that combined with probiotics, fish oil assists in
the probiotic’s survival in the gut regardless of the presence of bad bacteria.
One of the amplest natural amino acids in your body is L-Glutamine. They assist
in fueling white blood cells, which in turn benefits your immune system. Intake of L-glutamine can help enhance our gut Microbiome by reducing gut permeability;
thus, healing and protecting the intestinal wall.
Step 5: A healthy lifestyle is critical. Here’s what you should try.
As you can tell, a balanced dietary lifestyle is crucial for the well-being of your Microbiome and can be done without the help of a nutritionist or doctor.
Nonetheless, there are other factors that can destroy your Microbiome
regardless of whether or not you follow a constant, healthy, diet.
Stop Smoking:
First things first, put down that cigarette! The dangers of smoking are countless and can have a large impact on your gut Microbiome. Smoking amplifies the
amount of Bacteroides-Prevotella in healthy individuals putting them at a risk for Crohn’s Disease.
Sleep:
Incorporate a regulated sleeping pattern into your lifestyle. Getting 7-8 hours of deep, restful sleep helps relax your body and regulates your metabolism.
Breathing and Meditation:
We’ve already discussed that stress plays a major role in disrupting the balance
of your Microbiome. Regular breathing exercises every morning can help
calm both the mind and muscles, preparing you for a stress-free day.
Try meditating or practicing some yoga poses to help further regulate your
breathing pattern and reduce stress. Even 10-15 minutes of meditation would
suffice as a great start to your day.
Exercise:
Lack of exercise fuels the growth of unfriendly bacteria. On the contrary, exercise assists in burning off the bad microbes that you may have consumed and keeps
track of your Microbiome health.
Exercise is also a superb way to blow off all that pent up steam that had you
stressed out all day.
Chapter # 4: How do I check if my plan is working?
So you’ve changed your diet, altered your lifestyle, and have incorporated
relaxing therapies into your days, now what?
One of the greatest aspects of rebalancing your Microbiome is that it occurs
rather quickly. Within the first 24 hours of healthy eating and taking the
supplements you need, your body is introduced to a wide range of
probiotics and starts to balance itself based on what it’s receiving.
Other than feeling less tired and being more productive throughout the day,
other easy methods can be used to deduce whether or not your Microbiome is
Check your stool on a daily basis. If the makeup of your stool has changed to
resemble a sausage or tiny blobs, it’s safe to say that you’re on your way to a
healthier Microbiome.
Your autoimmune flare-ups and acne calm down a bit once your gut
Microbiome starts to regain balance.
Check your weight! If you’ve shed a few pounds in the first week of your new
diet plan, you’re good to go.
Currently, many adults experience the effects of having an unbalanced
Microbiome and are oblivious to the cause. Changing your diet and lifestyle can
be imperatively tricky and somewhat hard granting you’ve been following that
certain way of life for a while. Simply focusing on eating home-cooked meals,
exercising, and even investing in occasional visits to the spa, can make a great
difference and above all, if you still experience trouble, you know exactly which supplements to reach out to speed up your ride to a healthy gut Microbiome.
References:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16696665
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/25780308
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21992955
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/23886977
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19149514
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24499072
http://www.nature.com/ajgsup/journal/v1/n1/full/ajgsup20127a.html
http://gut.bmj.com/content/53/5/620
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3426293/
http://learn.genetics.utah.edu/content/microbiome/
http://hmpdacc.org/micro_analysis/microbiome_analyses.php
https://phys.org/news/2016-01-link-stress-unhealthy-microbiomes.html
http://pubmedcentralcanada.ca/pmcc/articles/PMC4392891/
http://advances.nutrition.org/content/5/1/114.full
http://www.microbeworld.org/what-is-a-microbe
http://microbiologyonline.org/about-microbiology/microbes-and-the-human-
http://www.mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/nutrition-and-healthy-eating/in-
depth/high-fiber-foods/art-20050948
http://advances.nutrition.org/content/4/1/16.full
https://www.sciencenews.org/blog/scicurious/low-fiber-diets-make-gut-microbes-
http://www.pcrm.org/media/online/sept2014/seven-foods-to-supercharge-your-
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/27035371
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https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4303825/
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https://sciencelife.uchospitals.edu/2014/11/25/do-probiotics-work/
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3539293
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https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC207122/
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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21552138
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9144122
5 Benefits of Probiotics in
IBS (Explained at the
Molecular Level)
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is one of the most frequent gastrointestinal
disorders estimated to affect millions of people universally. The mechanisms
responsible for the generation of IBS include variation in gut motility,
inflammation, small-bowel bacterial overgrowth, the leaky gut phenomenon and
a meddling with the gut-brain axis, hypervigilance to pain, and last but not the
least when the gut ecology goes haywire.
Live, healthy bacteria (probiotics) have a wide array of potential health benefits in various GI diseases, predominantly IBS. Why are probiotics an effective addition
in IBS?
Here are the 5 benefits of ingesting healthy bacteria in IBS!
1. Induce the Expression of Pain-Alleviating Receptors in the Gut
What are the most potent painkillers? They are opioids and to our surprise,
probiotics exert morphine-like effects once ingested. Experts have been capable of figuring out that probiotics, particularly the Lactobacillus strains induce the expression of pain-relieving receptors in the gut. This reduces the pain
hypersensitivity in IBS.
2. Eradicate Small-Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO)
One of the several triggers of IBS is SIBO. Normally, our small intestines contain a fewer number of microbes in contrast to the colon. However, when a
gargantuan amount of bacteria inhabits our small intestine, it alters the normal
gut microbiota, giving rise to a condition, called SIBO. In addition to interfering with the normal digestion and absorption of nutrients, SIBO can also contribute
to IBS hallmarks like abdominal pain, bloating, gas, and diarrhea. Studies show
that probiotics are effective at easing the chronic bloating and diarrhea
associated with SIBO and subsequently diarrhea-predominant IBS. In fact, in
some instances, probiotics have been found to be more useful than antibiotics.
3. Modulate the Immune System
There is a speculation that IBS might be the result of the production of mediators from inflammatory cells. The anti-inflammatory properties of probiotics,
specifically Lactobacillus reuteri dampen down the inflammation and IBS
features.
4. Aid in the Leaky Gut Phenomenon
Our intestine consists of tight junctions - so named because they are glued
together to prevent the leakage of certain substances into the bloodstream. Loss
of these tight junctions is followed by the seepage of harmful substances into the blood. This leaky gut contributes to a plethora of systemic illnesses, including
IBS. Probiotics reinforce these tight junctions, curtailing the escape of harmful substances into your system. The restitution of a healthy gut barrier
ameliorates the IBS symptoms.
5. Normalize the Gut-Brain Axis
An altered gut flora in IBS has a negative impact on the mood and cognitive
function - the gut-brain-microbiota axis. Reciprocally, psychological stress can
perturb the balanced community of intestinal bacteria, exacerbating the functional bowel disorder/IBS. Probiotics not only stabilize this axis, yet also
mitigate anxiety and depression, and hence, banish the major risk factors for IBS.
References
1. Ringel-Kulka T, Goldsmith JR, Carroll IM, et al. Randomized Clinical Trial:
Lactobacillus Acidophilus NCFM Affects Colonic Mucosal Opioid Receptors
Expression in Human Patients with Functional Abdominal Pain. Alimentary
pharmacology & therapeutics. 2014;40(2):200-207. doi:10.1111/apt.12800.
2. Chen WC, Quigley EMM. Probiotics, prebiotics & synbiotics in small intestinal bacterial overgrowth: Opening up a new therapeutic horizon! The Indian Journal
of Medical Research. 2014;140(5):582-584.
3. Soifer LO, Peralta D, Dima G et al. . Acta Gastroenterol Latinoam.
2010;40(4):323-7.
4. Ma D, Forsythe P, Bienenstock J. Live Lactobacillus reuteri Is Essential for the Inhibitory Effect on Tumor Necrosis Factor Alpha-Induced Interleukin-8
Expression. Infection and Immunity. 2004;72(9):5308-5314.
doi:10.1128/IAI.72.9.5308-5314.2004.
5. Rao RK, Samak G. Protection and Restitution of Gut Barrier by Probiotics:
Nutritional and Clinical Implications. Current nutrition and food science.
2013;9(2):99-107.
6. Smith CJ, Emge JR, Berzins K, et al. Probiotics normalize the gut-brain-
microbiota axis in immunodeficient mice. American Journal of Physiology -
Gastrointestinal and Liver Physiology. 2014;307(8):G793-G802.
doi:10.1152/ajpgi.00238.2014.
How Do Probiotic
Supplements Work?
We know that probiotics are live active cultures that when administered in
adequate amounts confer a health benefit to the host. But what essentially
makes a probiotic a probiotic? To be labeled as a probiotic, the product should
be capable of surviving the irritant effects of both the stomach acid and bile to arrive at their destination in the colon where they exert their effects.
The probiotics work through a number of mechanisms to strengthen our immune
defenses and prevent us from sickness.
It is recognized for decades that the restoration of the balance in the microbial gut population is crucial for our health, and its disruption precipitates several GI and non-GI disease states. Depending upon the duration of their effects,
probiotics can be classified as transient versus colonizing. Transient probiotics travel to the gut but are incapable of making a permanent home in the
microbiome. They work as long as they are taken. In contrast, the colonizing probiotics (as the name implies) tend to colonize in the gut permanently; their
effects last even after discontinuing them. Both kinds of probiotics stick to the gut wall to fend off the harmful invaders from adhering and exerting their
deleterious effects. They block the growth of the bad pathogens and therefore,
serve to boost the immune defenses both locally within and outside the gut.
Probiotics Induce the Production of Protective Mucin
The probiotic supplements stimulate the cells of the intestine to produce mucus
that coats the intestine forming a protective barrier. This powerful gut barrier
prevents the foreign attackers from invading. The favorable flora, primarily
lactobacilli can compete for the binding sites of viruses (such as rotavirus)
causing diarrhea in children.
The Probiotic Communicate with the Elements of the
Immune System
Moreover, underneath the gut lining are elements of the immune system. The
genetic material of colonizing probiotics has the ability to interact with these
elements of the immune system. How is this accomplished? It is through the Toll-
like receptors (TLRs), which are the key molecules of the immune system involved
in identifying and guarding against the intruding bad guys - the so-called
"bacterial-epithelial crosstalk." Moving ahead, this cellular level crosstalk results in a series of reactions that leads to the formation of inflammatory signaling
molecules called cytokines. These cytokines have several immunological
functions including the movement of white blood cells towards the harmful pathogen that is then engulfed by these blood cells. Our gut immune defenses
have a capacity to turn off this inflammatory response. In the absence of this
turn-off mechanism, our gut becomes vulnerable to chronic GI ailments like
inflammatory bowel disease.
Colonizing Probiotics avert unnecessary Immunologic
Reactions
The colonizing bacteria can induce oral tolerance through TLRs. Oral tolerance is the process by which the immune system does not respond to an innocuous agent that enters via the mouth. This, in turn, prevents excessive immunologic
responses, including food allergies.
Probiotics Release a variety of Anti-Infective Agents
Current experts suggest that probiotics themselves release bacteria-killing
substances like hydrogen peroxide (H202) and bacteriocins. Bacteriocins are
proteins that are toxic to other unfriendly bacterial strains but do not harm the friendly bacteria themselves. Hydrogen peroxide is a potent oxidizing agent that
is particularly toxic to unfriendly microbes that lack catalase. Catalase is an
enzyme that scavenges H2O2. Deficiency of this enzyme renders the bad
bacteria susceptible to destruction.
References
1. Behnsen J, Deriu E, Sassone-Corsi M, Raffatellu M. Probiotics: Properties,
Examples, and Specific Applications. Cold Spring Harbor Perspectives in
Medicine. 2013;3(3):a010074. doi:10.1101/cshperspect.a010074.
2. Wells JM, Rossi O, Meijerink M, van Baarlen P. Epithelial crosstalk at the
microbiota–mucosal interface. Proceedings of the National Academy of
Sciences of the United States of America. 2011;108(Suppl 1):4607-4614.
3. Tanaka K, Ishikawa H. Role of intestinal bacterial flora in oral tolerance
induction. Histol Histopathol. 2004;19(3):907-14.
4. Gillor O, Etzion A, Riley MA. The dual role of bacteriocins as anti-
IBS is beyond irritating, and
you don’t have to live with
it
IBS is really not the best name for irritable bowel syndrome. The term “irritable”
implies a mild annoyance, but this disease can be far more than just a nuisance. It is a chronic, life-long battle that can cause mild to debilitating pain and
gastrointestinal distress such as the following usual suspects:
• Bloating
• Gas
• Flatulence
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Stomach pain
There are many different possible causes of IBS include the following:
• Overly forceful or not forceful enough large intestinal muscle contractions
• Food intolerance
• Neurological issues such as delayed GI control, sensitivity to pain, or imbalance of neurotransmitters
• Genetic predisposition
• Chronic stress
• Hormonal imbalance
• Bacterial infections
• Bacterial overgrowth in the small intestine
The rest of this post will focus on bacterial contributions to IBS.
IBS symptoms due to bacteria are caused by an imbalance of the different
species. The good bacteria that normally reside in the colon facilitate maximum
absorption of nutrients by breaking down foods we can’t, reducing large
intestinal inflammation, and preventing disease causing bad bacteria from
establishing residence. If these good bacteria are missing, disease-causing
bacteria can latch on and wreak havoc.
But it is not only pathogenic bacteria that can wreak havoc. Incorrectly
proportioned good bacteria will also cause an imbalance and result in GI distress.
Whether there is too much bad bacteria or too much good bacteria, either
scenario stops the different species from working synergistically to create the
optimal intestinal microbiome.
Over 50% of IBS patients have been shown to have small intestinal bacterial
overgrowth, which occurs when the “good” large intestinal bacteria creep
backwards into the small intestine and start to proliferate. So even though in this scenario there is actually an overproduction of “good” bacteria, it is not in the right place and there is too much of it, which causes gastrointestinal distress.
Warning bells – how can a probiotic help if I already have “too much” of
the good bacteria? If there is small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, first thing is first – the bacteria has to be eradicated, and there are several different kinds
of antibiotics that doctors may prescribe. After the GI tract is squeaky clean, the correct probiotic therapy can be a way to re-introduce and nurture the
appropriate large intestinal flora. Many studies support that probiotics ease IBS
symptoms, but the data is admittedly hard to interpret due to the existence of so many bacterial strains. There are so many different probiotics with different
cocktails of cultures, and it is important to talk to your doctor and be deliberate about the strain you take. As discussed in the last post, Lactobacillus reuteri is the strain that we use in our product that has been clinically proven to
significantly improve digestive health symptoms, so it might be a good place to
start.
• http://www.aboutibs.org/what-i...
• http://www.jillcarnahan.com/20...
• http://www.mayoclinic.org/dise...
• https://www.niddk.nih.gov/heal...
• http://patient.info/blogs/sara...
• http://www.todaysdietitian.com...
• http://patient.info/blogs/sara...
• https://www.verywell.com/befor...
Heartburn has nothing to
do with the heart and
everything to do with the
gut
GERD, or gastroesophageal reflux, is more commonly referred to as acid reflux
or heartburn. It occurs when the esophoageal sphincter at the entryway to the
stomach doesn’t entirely close. The sphincter is basically a muscle that acts like a gate – it requires pressure to open and close and regulates what substances pass
through. If it is left open, even just a little, it loses its effectiveness.
The separation between the esophagus and the stomach is beneficial because
the esophagus is just a passageway to the stomach, an inhospitable, highly
acidic, corrosive environment filled with caustic enzymes specifically designed to
tear organic tissue apart. Should acid leak into the esophagus, you will immediately know because a painful sensation will pulse around your heart and
you may even feel the urge to vomit. Occasional heartburn is not unusual,
especially after a large or spicy meal. Recurrent or pervasive heartburn, however, indicates that there is a serious underlying problem that needs to be addressed.
Persistent heartburn may eventually even lead to cancer.
What is causing the acid leakage?
Intestinal dysbiosis is a condition where the healthy bacteria are missing or are out of balance. One consequence of this disharmony is the production of gases
such as methane and hydrogen, which can lead to unpleasant symptoms such as
bloating and gas. This additional gas builds up in the stomach causing pressure
on the sphincter of the esophagus. Increased pressure makes the sphincter more
likely to leak acid.
Hydrogen gas can contribute to GERD on another front. If it isn’t the pressure
from the additional gas that is causing acid leakage, the reflux could be due to
H. pylori infections. About 1 in 4 adult Americans have this nasty bacteria
residing in their stomach, and it thrives on hydrogen gas. H. pylori is not only
notorious for causing ulcers, but it can also contribute to GERD symptoms. The
more dysbiosis, the more hydrogen there is. The more hydrogen there is, the
happier the H. pylori.
What is the best way to treat GERD?
Several people attempt to relieve symptoms of GERD by taking antacids in order
to decrease stomach acid. Unfortunately, this may do more harm than good. By
altering the pH in the stomach, the balance between good and bad bacteria
shifts. The inhospitable, corrosive stomach becoming less extreme creates a
more inviting environment for bacteria we unintentionally ingest every day. It has been shown that increasing stomach acid corrects many cases of GERD, which
makes sense because it returns its stomach to its optimal pH.
Studies show that probiotics may minimize GERD symptoms, which again makes
sense because the root cause could be the hydrogen gas produced by intestinal
dysbiosis. More data needs to be collected to examine the correlation, but
preliminary signs al support that restoring intestinal harmony leads to reduced reflux
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Women and their famous
gut feelings
Women are almost twice as likely to suffer from gastrointestinal discomfort than
men, especially during times of hormonal fluctuations. Menstruation,
menopause, and pregnancy are all highly associated with gastrointestinal distress symptoms including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, and bloating.
The hormonal fluctuations associated with these symptoms are correlated with a
delay in stomach emptying (which may result in nausea) and slower movement in
the colon (which may result in constipation/diarrhea). Gas and bloating also roll with the hormonal tides, and as unpleasant as these conditions are, many women
do not seek treatment because they only see these symptoms an annoying
inconvenience.
There is no reason that women should have to live with digestive problems
because there are many steps they can take to easily ward off symptoms. A
healthy diet, exercise, and reducing stress (the standard recommendations) will
certainly help. However, there is an additional factor in digestive health, often
neglected and overlooked because of the nefarious reputation of its constituents: the balance of bacterial flora.
Our small intestine does a lot of work on its own with its towel-like projections called villi, which aid in sucking up nutrients broken down by enzymes secreted
from the liver and pancreas. Our endogenous organs alone are not enough
though; lactobil us is a critical bacterial symbiont that breaks down nutrients that we can’t.
The large intestine contains bacteria that aid us with more functionality than just breakdown assistance. The microbiome there is full of an army of over 400
species of bacteria that work for us; bacterial cells in the gut outnumber human
cells by 10 to 1. There are some that convert nutrients to vitamins that we have the inability to make, like vitamin K (important for blood clotting and bone
strength) and B vitamins (energy boosters). There are some that aid in
maintaining the proper acidity of the intestinal environment, inhibiting
pathogenic bacteria from establishing residence.
Should disease-causing bacteria start to grow in our gut, a condition called
dysbiosis occurs. These harmful bacteria suppress the beneficial flora and may
initiate bloating and gas. There is evidence that deliberately including more
probiotics in the diet (either by custom-made supplements or by choosing
culture-containing foods like yogurt) can ease gastrointestinal distress during
menstruation, menopause, and pregnancy.
Hormones are annoying enough, not withstanding digestive troubles. It’s time to
do something about it. So print out this article and be ready to hand it to the
nearest woman (either yourself, wife, sister, or the hormonal, moody lady
grumbling at you for whatever reason). There are also companies like ours that
generate tailored products designed to address the body’s functionality (as
opposed to products that band-aid symptoms) that you can tell them about. But
beware! Be sure to wait until after her PMSing, morning-sickness, or the
dreaded hot-flash so that she will thank you for the advice.
Sources (accessed June 26, 2016):
http://www.drmorris.com.au/probiotics-in-pregnancy/
http://frivolousgirl.com/a-natural-cure-to-reduce-menstrual-cramps-1/
http://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/integrative_medicine_digestive_center/services
https://mymenopausejourney.com/probiotics-and-its-positive-effects-for-
http://www.natural-digestion.com/probiotics-for-women/
http://www.ohlonecenter.org/research-papers/the-relationship-between-the-
menstrual-cycle-and-the-lower-gastrointestinal-system/
Probiotics for Constipation -
Predominant for IBS
What is IBS?
IBS is one of the most frequently occurring GI disorders. It is a constellation of the following major clinical hallmarks:
Abdominal pain
Altered bowel habits
Bloating
Straining at the stools
Urgency
Flatulence
The bowel movements in IBS can follow either a pattern of
constipation-predominant IBS (IBS-C) or diarrhea- predominant IBS.
Constipation-predominant IBS is exasperating - incomplete defecation, straining
at the stools, and bloated feeling all interfere with daily chores.
The story of IBS begins with the gut-brain axis!
Our emotions influence our gut functions. That is the reason why many people
have butterflies in the stomach when they are apprehensive. Our gut microbiota
communicates with the brain and alters behavior. IBS is common in people who
already suffer from anxiety issues. Saying it the other way around, anxiety and/or a stressful life event can trigger IBS symptoms. This bidirectional communication coins the phrase - the gut-brain axis. When the gut and brain can't communicate
well, IBS is inevitable.
What's actually in the gut that interacts with the brain?
It is the gut microbiome. This re-coins the phrase as mIcrobiota- gut-brain axis. In IBS, a lack of these desirable bacteria undermines the gastrointestinal,
neurological and/or immune relationships, eventually leading to infirmity.
IBS and Probiotics
The healthy gut microbiota (probiotics) confers a myriad of health benefits in IBS.
Probiotics assist in breaking down complex molecules ingested as part of the
diet. This smoothes out the process of digestion and facilitates elimination of
hard feces in IBS-C.
As stated above, stress is a common precipitating factor for IBS; when taken
during periods of stress, probiotics decrease the activation of the areas of the
brain that tend to secrete stress hormones like cortisol. Hence, a decrease in
the stress hormones calms the mind, the gut, and the associated IBS features.
What's more? Stress triggers gut leakiness, which is counteracted by
probiotics. Leaky gut syndrome (enhanced intestinal permeability) also
underlies IBS.
Probiotics are able to liberate short-chain fatty acids that are anti-
inflammatory products. Gut inflammation at the microscopic level is present in
IBS. In conjunction with other treatment modes, the good bacteria serve as a
delivery vehicle for treatment loads that are liberated at various intestinal sites of inflammation. In addition, SCFAs diminish the sensitivity of gut receptors to
pain in IBS and accelerate the waves of intestinal peristalsis in IBS-C.
These favorable microbes generate bacteria-killing proteins, protecting your
gut against harmful bacterial infections. Studies reveal that an infectious cause may be the culprit behind IBS.
Probiotics, specifically including Lactobacilli alleviate abdominal pain by
relaxing the gut muscles. Increased muscular contractions account for the
abdominal pangs in IBS. Furthermore, it is found that the amounts of lactate-
producing (Bifidobacterium and lactobacilli) beneficial microbes are
considerably lower in people with functional constipation. This is in contrast
to the higher numbers of methane-producing harmful bacteria found in the
stools of these people, which slow down the transit of food through the
intestine. This represents a bonus reason to supplement probiotics in IBS-C.
A comprehensive scientific analysis that collected data from 24 clinical trials
revealed a reduction in IBS symptoms and severity after the administration of
probiotics.
Summary
To conclude, IBS has a profound negative impact on your daily life. Probiotics are effective for functional constipation when combined with other therapies
including lifestyle and dietary modifications.
Written by:
Dr. Rasheed Huma
References
1. Rea K, Dinan TG, Cryan JF. The microbiome: A key regulator of stress and
neuroinflammation. Neurobiology of Stress. 2016;4:23-33.
doi:10.1016/j.ynstr.2016.03.001.
2. Ghoshal UC, Ranjan P. Post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome: the past, the
present and the future. J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2011;26 Suppl 3:94-101. doi:
10.1111/j.1440-1746.2011.06643.x.
3. Verdú EF, Bercík P, Bergonzelli GE et al. Lactobacillus paracasei normalizes
muscle hypercontractility in a murine model of postinfective gut dysfunction.
Gastroenterology. 2004;127(3):826-37.
4. Choi CH, Chang SK. Alteration of Gut Microbiota and Efficacy of Probiotics in
Functional Constipation. Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility.
2015;21(1):4-7. doi:10.5056/jnm14142.
5. Didari T, Mozaffari S, Nikfar S, Abdollahi M. Effectiveness of probiotics in
irritable bowel syndrome: Updated systematic review with meta-analysis.
World Journal of Gastroenterology : WJG. 2015;21(10):3072-3084.
Probiotics Help You Absorb
Nutrients
Absorption is the passage of end products of digestion from the GI tract into the bloodstream and body tissues. These nutrients supply energy and nourishment
essential for daily functioning. Lack of absorption of nutrients (both macro and
micro) can lead to protein and several vitamin and mineral deficiencies - that is to say, malabsorption leading to malnutrition. Micronutrient deficiencies seem to
gobble up about two billion people around the world.
While re-populating the gut with beneficial bacteria, high-end probiotics also ensure proper absorption of nutrients ingested as part of our diet. Following are a few evidence-based implications of probiotics in enhancing the delivery of micronutrients to our body tissues:
1. Augment Iron Absorption
When used on a regular basis, these fortified microbial strains prevent iron
deficiency by boosting iron absorption.
The fermentation of healthy bacteria in the colon produces short-chain fatty
acids (SCFAs) like butyrate and propionate. SCFAs increase the absorption of
iron from the initial portion of the colon. Hence, probiotics may serve as a
promising therapy for anemia secondary to intestinal worm infestation as well as
for under-nourished children. The SCFAs are considered as a powerhouse for
intestinal health. Elderly people who already have an altered microbiome tend to produce less SCFAs and thus have a greater propensity to develop malnutrition.
The significance of probiotics in improving the nutrient absorption is evident
from a research performed by the University of Aberdeen in the UK. According
to this study, administering prebiotics and probiotics can tremendously improve
therapeutic outcomes in malnourished individuals. These individuals also include
those battling with life-threatening conditions like cancer.
2. Accelerate Calcium Delivery to Body Tissues
Probiotics augment dietary calcium absorption and are therefore essential for
bone and dental health. A study conducted by the researchers at the Faculty of
Medicine and Health Sciences in Malaysia demonstrated a significant
improvement in bone mineral density (used as a marker for osteoporosis) after
the administration of Lactobacillus strains owing to enhanced calcium absorption. The probiotic-induced expansion of the absorptive surface of villi
could also account for the augmented dietary nutrient absorption.
3. Relieve Diarrhea
Malabsorption syndromes in particular cause excessive diarrhea that further
depletes the body of nutrients. Healthy gut microbes help mitigating diarrhea,
preventing the fecal loss of nutrients. This anti-diarrheal effect is also observed in children who are fed a probiotic supplement, consequently demonstrating a
significant improvement in weight and height, relative to those who are fed a
supplement with similar caloric value but lacking probiotics.
4. Directly Increase the Formation of the Vitamin B Complex group
The viable bacterial strains, specifically Lactobacillus reuteri serve as a route for vitamin B12, folate (vitamin B9), and thiamine (vitamin B1) synthesis. Vitamin B12
deficiency contributes to severe anemia and neurological deficits.
Summary
Supplementing probiotics can help us reap their immense benefits, including
nutrient absorption.
References
1. Bouglé D, Vaghefi-Vaezzadeh N, Roland N et al. Influence of short-chain fatty
acids on iron absorption by proximal colon. Scand J Gastroenterol.
2. Claesson MJ, Jeffery IB, Conde S, Power SE et al. Gut microbiota composition
correlates with diet and health in the elderly. Nature. 2012
Aug;488(7410):178-84. doi: 10.1038/nature11319.
3. Sheridan PO, Bindels LB, Saulnier DM, et al. Can prebiotics and probiotics
improve therapeutic outcomes for undernourished individuals? Gut Microbes.
2014;5(1):74-82. doi:10.4161/gmic.27252.
4. Parvaneh K, Jamaluddin R, Karimi G, Erfani R. Effect of Probiotics
Supplementation on Bone Mineral Content and Bone Mass Density. The
Scientific World Journal. 2014;2014:595962. doi:10.1155/2014/595962.
5. Saran S, Gopalan S, Krishna TP. Use of fermented foods to combat stunting
and failure to thrive. Nutrition. 2002;18(5):393-6.
6. Saulnier DM, Santos F, Roos S, et al. Exploring Metabolic Pathway
Reconstruction and Genome-Wide Expression Profiling in Lactobacillus reuteri
Ulcerative Colitis and the
Role of Probiotics (A
promising Treatment?)
"All disease begins in the gut."- Hippocrates
As quoted by Hippocrates several decades back, it is acknowledged today how
accurate he was. A diseased gut can, in essence, take a heavy toll on your overall health.
One such gut illness, called ulcerative colitis (UC) can wreak havoc on your body as it tends to involve nearly every organ system (besides colon) ─ including the
liver, skin, joints and muscles, kidneys, eyes, lungs and so on so forth.
The most dreaded complication of a long-standing UC is colorectal cancer.
Given these facts, it is imperative to treat UC in the early stages. Besides various other treatments for UC, probiotics have also shown promising results.
What is UC and How to Recognize that You Might Have UC?
Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), characterized by diffuse, chronic inflammation (colitis) and sores (ulcers) in the lining of the colon (large intestine).
UC is likely if you are experiencing the following symptoms:
- Diarrhea, often bloody
- Rectal bleeding
- Lower abdominal pain and cramping
- Rectal pain
- Mucus or pussy discharge from rectum
- A constant feeling to evacuate the bowels
- Inability to pass stool despite an urgency
- Weight loss
- Fatigue
- Fever
What Causes UC?
UC is primarily idiopathic (no known cause). However, most research reflects that one or more of the following factors might play a role in its emergence:
• Microbial/Immunological: A well-documented cause of UC is an imbalance of
the intestinal bacteria. 1 A glut of the bad bacteria in comparison to the
beneficial ones can impair the protective inner lining of the intestinal wall. These bad guys adhere to this protective lining and trigger a sequence of events,
culminating in UC.
• Genetic: It is believed that UC runs in families. Several genes have been
implicated in the causation of UC.2
• Environmental: Certain factors in the environment can increase the likelihood of developing UC.
- A high fat and a low fiber diet 3
- Medications like NSAIDS (pain killers) and antibiotics 4
The Good News: Probiotics can Ease UC Symptoms
Probiotics form a protective barrier by coating the inner lining of the intestinal wall. Additionally, these good bacteria containing probiotics compete with the
disease-causing bacteria for shelter and space in the colon. This staves off the
bad guys from gluing to the intestinal lining and inducing inflammatory
damage.5
More interestingly, the probiotic organisms travel down the lining of the
intestinal tract to reach the layer where the immune cells reside. There they show their proficiency by altering specialized immune cells, called dendritic cells,
making them less responsive to the bad bacteria.
Probiotics, especially those comprising of Lactobacillus strains check the growth of bad bacteria. They are also effective in mitigating the UC symptoms like
diarrhea. 6
To sum up, probiotics tweak the gut organisms as well as the immune response.7
The overall effect is a reduction in the inflammatory harm to the intestinal lining and an improvement in UC symptoms.
Take Home Message
A healthy gut is the cornerstone of a healthy body. Unfortunately, diseases like
UC can end up ruining the entire framework of your body.
With the passage of time, probiotics have gained recognition for the treatment of a variety of digestive ailments. Probiotics have demonstrated a potential to
ameliorate UC symptoms and maintain remission when combined with other
treatments.
References
1. Matricon J, Barnich N, Ardid D. Immunopathogenesis of inflammatory bowel
disease. Self Nonself. 2010;1(4):299-309. doi:10.4161/self.1.4.13560.
2. Sarlos P, Kovesdi E, Magyari L, et al. Genetic update on inflammatory factors in ulcerative colitis: Review of the current literature. World Journal of
Gastrointestinal Pathophysiology. 2014;5(3):304-321. doi:10.4291/wjgp.v5.i3.304.
3. Hou JK, Abraham B, El-Serag H. Dietary intake and risk of developing
inflammatory bowel disease: A systematic review of the literature. American
Journal of Gastroenterology. 2011;106(4):563–573.
4. Bayasi M, Quiogue J. Noninfectious Colitides. Clinics in Colon and Rectal
Surgery. 2015;28(2):87-92. doi:10.1055/s-0035-1549847.
5. Fedorak RN. Probiotics in the Management of Ulcerative Colitis.
Gastroenterology & Hepatology. 2010;6(11):688-690.
6. Islam SU. Clinical Uses of Probiotics. Wane. D, ed. Medicine.
2016;95(5):e2658. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000002658.
7. Tannock GW, Munro K, Harmsen HJ et al. Analysis of the fecal microflora of
human subjects consuming a probiotic product containing Lactobacillus
rhamnosus DR20. Appl Environ Microbiol. 2000;66(6):2578-88.
Lactobacillus Reuteri
NCIMB 30242 Reduces Bad
Cholesterol by 11.64%
Raised LDL-C (low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol or bad cholesterol) levels
constitute one of the major factors predisposing to cardiac disease. LDL-C
reflects the mass of cholesterol contained within the LDL molecule.
Besides their vast gut-related health benefits, probiotics containing L. reuteri
NCIMB 30242 target cardiovascular disease owing to their distinctive quality of lowering the LDL-C levels.
How does L. reuteri reduce LDL-C levels?
L reuteri NCIMB 30242 classically demonstrates bile salt hydrolase (BSH) activity, an enzyme that accelerates deconjugation (cleaves the covalent bonding) of bile
acids.
What are Bile Acids and what is
Conjugation/Deconjugation of Bile Acids?
Bile acids are the products of cholesterol breakdown (catabolism) and are
produced in the liver. Bile acids then conjugate (form a bond) with two amino
acids, namely glycine and taurine, and are transported to the intestine. These
conjugated bile acids are water-soluble and enhance the absorption of
cholesterol into the bloodstream.
L. reuteri Prompts Deconjugation
On the contrary, since the BSH activity of the lactobacillus cleaves the bond of
bile acids with amino acids (prompts deconjugation), it renders cholesterol less
soluble and less absorbable. Additionally, the water-insoluble, deconjugated bile acids are not excreted in the urine but in feces. In an attempt to compensate for the lost deconjugated bile acids, cholesterol is used up to produce more bile
acids. This eventually represents another pathway for cholesterol reduction.
Moreover, the lactobacillus species entrap cholesterol in the intestine, impeding its outflow into the blood, which is instead flushed out via feces.
Clinical Evidence of L. reuteri as a Cholesterol-
lowering agent
The application of L. reuteri as a therapy for high cholesterol levels is gathering attention from the researchers and experts worldwide. The researchers at the
Canadian Department of Biomedical Engineering reported a reduction in the
LDL-C levels by 11.64% following consumption of L. reuteri capsules for nine
weeks. Also noted, was a rise in the blood levels of deconjugated bile acids and
substantial reduction in cholesterol-derived substances.
Another study published in the British Journal of Nutrition showed a significant
drop in LDL-C of nearly 9 % after feeding L. reuteri NCIMB 30242-yoghurt
formulation to 114 individuals with increased blood cholesterol values.
Further identified is the role of L. reuteri NCIMB 30242 in increasing the levels of vitamin D, a heart-protective vitamin. Other than improving the high blood
pressure, it appears that vitamin D may lower the LDL-C levels to some extent.
In a nutshell, L. reuteri NCIMB 30242 lowers the blood cholesterol levels by
decreasing cholesterol absorption and augmenting cholesterol's elimination from
the body. L. reuteri NCIMB 30242 is the strain of probiotic used in Microbiome
References
1. Choi SB, Lew LC, Yeo SK et al. Probiotics and the BSH-related cholesterol
lowering mechanism: a Jekyll and Hyde scenario. Crit Rev Biotechnol.
2015;35(3):392-401. doi: 10.3109/07388551.2014.889077.
2. Jones ML, Chen H, Ouyang W, Metz T, Prakash S. Microencapsulated
Genetically Engineered Lactobacillus plantarum 80 (pCBH1) for Bile Acid
Deconjugation and Its Implication in Lowering Cholesterol. Journal of
Biomedicine and Biotechnology. 2004;2004(1):61-69.
doi:10.1155/S1110724304307011.
3. Jones ML, Martoni CJ, Prakash S. Cholesterol lowering and inhibition of sterol
absorption by Lactobacillus reuteri NCIMB 30242: a randomized controlled
trial. European Journal of Clinical Nutrition. 2012;66(11):1234-41. doi:
4. Jones ML, Martoni CJ, Parent M, Prakash S. Cholesterol-lowering efficacy of a
microencapsulated bile salt hydrolase-active Lactobacillus reuteri NCIMB
30242 yoghurt formulation in hypercholesterolaemic adults. British Journal of
Nutrition. 2012;107(10):1505-13. doi: 10.1017/S0007114511004703.
5. Jones ML, Martoni CJ, Prakash S. Oral supplementation with probiotic L.
reuteri NCIMB 30242 increases mean circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D: a post
hoc analysis of a randomized controlled trial. The Journal of Clinical
Endocrinology and Metabolism. 2013;98(7):2944-51. doi:
2. Schnatz PF, Jiang X, Vila-Wright S et al. Calcium/vitamin D supplementation,
serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations, and cholesterol profiles in the
How L. reuteri NCIMB
30242 Increases Vitamin D
Levels
Vitamin D deficiency affects over 1 billion people (including children and adults) worldwide. Vitamin D is essential for bone strength. This fat-soluble vitamin
functions to enhance the absorption of calcium into the bloodstream. Calcium is
a key nutrient for our body, bones, and teeth. In individuals with low vitamin D
levels, the bones become brittle and are prone to rickets (in children), and
osteomalacia and osteoporosis (in adults). Not only are the bones weakened by
the lack of vitamin D, but the gastrointestinal, cardiovascular and endocrine
(causing type 2 diabetes) systems are compromised as well. Other than
increasing vitamin D intake in the diet and exposing the skin to sunlight, a
probiotic supplement containing L. reuteri NCIMB 30242 is proven effective at
boosting the vitamin D blood levels.
How L. reuteri NCIMB 30242 increases vitamin D levels?
1. L. reuteri NCIMB 30242 raises 7-dehydrocholesterol (7-DHC)
2. L. reuteri NCIMB 30242 owns a unique bile salt hydrolase (BSH) activity. While the enzyme BSH reduces the cholesterol levels, the levels of an animal sterol
called 7-DHC are also elevated in response to BSH activity. 7-DHC (present in
the skin and other tissues) is a precursor to vitamin D and is converted to
vitamin D on exposure to sunlight.
Lactobacilli lower the intestinal pH
Vitamin D requires an acidic medium to be absorbed. The acid in the lactic acid
bacteria reduces the pH of the intestine, which enhances the absorption of the
vitamin D ingested in the diet.
L. reuteri NCIMB 30242 enhances the expression of Vitamin D Receptor
Also recognized, is the role of L. reuteri NCIMB 30242 in augmenting the
expression and activity of the vitamin D receptor (VDR). VDR facilitates the body to respond to vitamin D appropriately, increasing its uptake by the intestinal
cells. The VDR is also critical to maintaining a state of balance in the gut, warding off the bad bacteria, blocking inflammation, and preserving the integrity of the
intestinal lining. A dysfunctional VDR and consequently a paucity of vitamin D
may thus provoke intestinal damage and inflammatory bowel disease.
Decreased intake of vitamin D is associated with an altered microbiome
Lately, it has been revealed that changes in the gut microbiome might contribute
to the lack of vitamin D. In such instances, introducing a probiotic, primarily L.
reuteri NCIMB 30242, restores the gut harmony and raises the vitamin D levels.
According to a Canadian study conducted in 2013, probiotic supplementation
with L. reuteri NCIMB 30242 over a 9-week period significantly raises the
circulating vitamin D levels by 25%. The authors concluded that either more
vitamin D is being absorbed or more precursor (i.e. 7-DHC) is being made after
supplementation with probiotic L. reuteri NCIMB 30242.
A variety of factors can incite vitamin D deficiency, including but not limited to, poor diet, inadequate exposure to sunlight, obesity, dark skin, heredity,
problems with absorption, or inability to convert vitamin D to its active form.
Popping the probiotic, L. reuteri NCIMB 30242 boosts the vitamin D levels,
offering protection for the bones, heart, and gut.
References
1. Jones ML, Martoni CJ, Prakash S. Oral supplementation with probiotic L.
reuteri NCIMB 30242 increases mean circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D: a post
hoc analysis of a randomized controlled trial. J Clin Endocrinol Metab.
2013;98(7):2944-51. doi: 10.1210/jc.2012-4262.
2. Kong J, Zhang Z, Musch MW et al. Novel role of the vitamin D receptor in
maintaining the integrity of the intestinal mucosal barrier. Am J Physiol
Gastrointest Liver Physiol. 2008;294(1):G208-16.
3. Mai V, McCrary QM, Sinha R, Glei M. Associations between dietary habits and
body mass index with gut microbiota composition and fecal water
genotoxicity: an observational study in African American and Caucasian
American volunteers. Nutr J. 2009;8:49. doi: 10.1186/1475-2891-8-49.
Probiotics and Anxiety- The
Gut Emotions
Say Hello to The Tiny World Inside!
If you could see what’s inside your gut, you’d see an endless number of tiny
bacteria lingering around. The word ‘bacteria’ is enough to startle you as it is
usually associated with illness. But these bacteria are the type that benefits you so called the friendly bacteria or probiotics.
Researchers believe that the number of probiotic bacteria is ten times the
number of your body cells (1). These bacteria have a profound role in disease
and health. They even alter how your brain works. Brain? Yes, your brain. The
bacteria in your gut actually communicate with your brain. Let’s break it down to understand it better.
The gut-brain axis is quite complex and contains three important components:
the Central Nervous System (CNS), the Enteric Nervous System (ENS), and the
Hypothalamic Pituitary Axis (HPA). Don’t lose it over these difficult sounding
terms. Your CNS consists of your brain and the spinal cord. The ENS consists of a collection of nerve cells within your gut walls. In other words, your gut has a
brain of its own. Finally, the HPA is the part of this system that secretes a number of hormones and other chemicals (2).
The gut-brain axis is a high-speed two-way lane. In simple terms, your brain
signals your gut what to do and your gut signals back some feedback as well.
The HPA receives some of these signals too and secretes hormones accordingly.
So if your gut microbiome is happy, your brain will be happy too. If your gut
microbiome is not doing well, things will go South for your brain too (3).
Gut Dysbiosis and Anxiety
Where it is good, there is bad too and same goes for your gut bacteria as well. In addition to the health promoting probiotic bacteria, your gut hosts a number of
diseasing causing microbes as well. But not to worry! These boogers don’t do
much harm as long as you have an ample supply of probiotic bacteria.
Unfortunately, the modern lifestyle jeopardizes the well-being of your gut
bacteria. Factors like the use of fiber-deficient diet, unnecessary use of
antibiotics, lack of physical activity, exposure to pollutants, and leading a stressful life can inflict a colossal damage to your gut probiotics. That’s when the bad guys take over and things go into a state of disorder, termed as the gut dysbiosis (4).
When that happens, the gut dysbiosis kick-starts a chain of events that ends up
in a vicious cycle. Once your gut microbiome balance is out of order, the gut
starts to send stress signals to your brain and the HPA. As a result, the HPA starts releasing a lot of stress hormones like cortisol. The cortisol damages the gut
probiotics even further and this cycle continues (5). To put in simple words, gut dysbiosis causes anxiety and vice versa.
Top 4 Ways You Can Set Things Right
The only way you can put an end to this cycle is by adopting a healthy lifestyle.
Here is what you should do.
#1- Eat a Fiber-Rich Diet
You can start off by eating a healthy diet. Put those greasy hamburgers, pizzas,
and chips away for a moment and make friends with healthier foods. You should
eat a diet rich in fiber. Fiber acts as a food source for the probiotic bacteria and helps them flourish (6). Fiber rich diet includes:
Fruits
Peas
Lentils
Beans
Fresh fruit and vegetable juices
# 2: Try a Probiotic-Prebiotic Supplement
You can also get a little help by trying a good quality probiotic-prebiotic
supplement. These supplements provide a quick fix for your condition, reduce
your anxiety levels, and improve your mood.
In one research, scientists studied the effects of probiotic supplementation on
the psychiatric status of 30 subjects. The subjects had low mood and suffered
from anxiety and depression. They were divided into two groups depending on
whether or not they received the probiotic supplement. At the end of the study, scientists discovered a remarkable improvement in the mood and anxiety levels
among the probiotic group (7).
This shows how effective probiotics can be in treating the mood disorder,
including anxiety.
# 3: Relax Your Mind
Another way you can put an end to this cycle is by engaging in some relaxing
activity. This will reduce the levels of your anxiety and will help you deal with dysbiosis as well.
The activities you can try include:
Yoga
Meditation
Breathing exercises
Mindfulness
# 4: Avoid Antibiotics Unless Absolutely Necessary
You can deal with this issue is avoiding the frequent use of antibiotics. Antibiotics wreak havoc on your gut microbiome which then makes you prone to conditions
It is, therefore, important that you don’t use antibiotics without consulting with your healthcare provider first. Once you start taking antibiotics, take them as per your doctor’s recommendations.
There you have it! A healthy lifestyle is pivotal for a healthy gut and a fresh mind.
Follow the instructions given in this article and wave bye-bye to an anxiety-filled life!
References
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3726476/
2. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26175487
3. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4367209/
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/15253677
5. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4879184/
6. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3601973/
7. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3788166/
Probioitcs Increase Energy
Levels
It is usual for many of us to experience fatigue and lethargy from time to time.
The causes can range from trivial factors like poor diet and sleep to more serious factors like depression, fibromyalgia, or hypothyroidism. The gut microbiome has
a lot to do with these fluctuating energy levels. They communicate with our brain (microbiome-gut-brain axis), and hence, can influence our mood and dynamism.
How does supplementing probiotics hoist the sinking energy levels? Let's delve a
little deeper to understand this.
For reasons acknowledged, we know that the friendly gut bacteria strengthen
the defense mechanisms of our body and fend off harmful invaders. A healthy
immune system is the initial step towards boosting our energy levels and getting us back on the track.
Probiotics activate a variety of immune cells including but not limited to
macrophages, natural killer cell, and white blood cells. These cells shield against contracting diseases by warding off foreign agents. In order to communicate,
these immune cells require the help of protein molecules, called cytokines.
Probiotics also stimulate the release of these cytokines, thereby enabling the
immune cells to interact and function.
2. Burn Excessive Fat
Obesity, weight gain, and sedentary lifestyles are one of the primary causes of
declining energy levels. The beneficial gut microbes help reduce the extra pound
of flesh over your belly. Obesity has been associated with an imbalance in the
microbial gut flora. In addition, it is observed that individuals with a flabby body have inflammation going on at the microscopic level. Probiotics ameliorate
inflammation, restore the disturbed harmony of the gut flora, and accelerate
weight loss. A body that is in a better shape is more energetic than that of a bad one.
3. Help you Snooze Better and Alleviate Depression
Sometimes, depression is the root cause of insomnia and both sleep deprivation
and depression individually contribute to fatigue. Owing to the bidirectional
communication between the gut microbiota and the brain, probiotics appear to
benefit sleep, mood, and energy levels - thus, also known as psychobiotics.
Quality sleep not only reinvigorates your body but also aids in getting rid of
various other factors that tend to make you lazy, such as weight gain. The
probiotic-induced increase in tryptophan might also account for these beneficial
effects. Tryptophan is an amino acid that converts into serotonin - the happy
neurotransmitter. The vast majority of serotonin (around 90%) is synthesized in
the gut and its production is regulated by the gut flora.
4. Relieve GI issues and the associated Fatigue
In a randomized trial, patients with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) reported a
significant reduction in the fatigue and anxiety symptoms after taking a probiotic. People with CFS tend to experience digestive issues, primarily leaky
gut and IBS. Using probiotics repairs the gut lining, modulate the gut microbiota, and mitigate gut inflammation in CFS, all of which reduce exhaustion and infuse
vitality from inside out.
References
1. Ashraf R, Shah NP. Immune system stimulation by probiotic microorganisms.
Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2014;54(7):938-56. doi:
2. Kobyliak N, Conte C, Cammarota G, et al. Probiotics in prevention and
treatment of obesity: a critical view. Nutrition & Metabolism. 2016;13:14.
doi:10.1186/s12986-016-0067-0.
3. Zhou L, Foster JA. Psychobiotics and the gut–brain axis: in the pursuit of
happiness. Neuropsychiatric Disease and Treatment. 2015;11:715-723.
4. Rao AV, Bested AC, Beaulne TM, et al. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-
controlled pilot study of a probiotic in emotional symptoms of chronic fatigue
syndrome. Gut Pathogens. 2009;1:6. doi:10.1186/1757-4749-1-6.
5. Yano JM, Yu K, Donaldson GPet al. Indigenous bacteria from the gut
microbiota regulate host serotonin biosynthesis. Cel . 2015;161(2):264-76. doi:
6. Lakhan SE, Kirchgessner A. Gut inflammation in chronic fatigue syndrome.
Nutrition & Metabolism. 2010;7:79. doi:10.1186/1743-7075-7-79.
Probiotics and Antibiotics
The use of antibiotics has been expanding steadily over the past several
decades. Presently, they are among the most widely prescribed medications.
Though antibiotics can be life-saving for a plethora of infections, these bacteria-eradicating medications can themselves predispose to life-threatening infections.
Taking probiotics during a course of antibiotic therapy replenishes the gut with the (lost) healthy bacteria and helps assuage antibiotic-associated side effects.
Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea (AAD) and Antibiotic-Associated Clostridium
difficile Infection (CDI)
Around 10% to 25% of individuals treated with antibiotics develop AAD. The occurrence of AAD leads to a poor compliance with the antibiotic therapy and an
incomplete eradication of the infection.
Adding fuel to the fire, antibiotics cause overgrowth of a more harmful
bacterium, called Clostridium difficile. Once infected, this pathogen incites a
severe inflammation throughout the colon (colitis).
How do antibiotics Cause Diarrhea?
The antibiotics upset the composition and function of the intestinal flora (cause dysbiosis), which causes diarrhea. The proportion of the unfriendly gut
commensals goes up, whereas that of the friendly ones plunges.
Antibiotics also reduce the breakdown of fermentable carbohydrates in the gut.
These nonabsorbable carbohydrates osmotically draw more water into the gut,
increasing the fluidity and frequency of stools (osmotic diarrhea).
Moreover, antibiotics can undermine the gut barriers, enabling the intrusion of
the offending attackers like Clostridium difficile that lead to devastating colonic infections and intractable diarrhea.
Antibiotic-Induced Dysbiosis and Probiotics
The bad news is that antibiotics not only provoke diarrhea but a whole host of
systemic illnesses. The dysbiosis can contribute to GI issues like IBS, IBD, as well as non-GI problems such as obesity.
The good news is, using probiotics concurrently with antibiotics reduces the risk of both AAD and CDI.
A systematic review conducted by the Department of Medicine at St. Michael’s
Hospital in Toronto showed a profound decline in the frequency of both AAD
and CDI after consumption of probiotics.
Probiotics not only reduce the severity of CDI and AAD but when taken
simultaneously with antibiotics, they can indeed preclude these imminent
adverse effects.
Introducing probiotics replaces the disturbed microbial colony with the footmark of friendly microbes that line the gut barriers and serve as a line of defense
against the pathogen-receptor binding. Their anti-inflammatory characteristics
help alleviate the antibiotic-induced colitis.
The healthy microbes also elaborate protective gut antibodies like IgA that aid in neutralizing the toxins released by Clostridia. According to a research conducted by the Yale University School of Medicine in 2008, L. rhamnosus GG and S.
boulardi were found to be effective in preventing AAD.
It is ideal to continue probiotics even after completing the course of
antibiotic therapy
This is in view of the fact that AAD or CDI might develop 5 to 10 days after
stopping the antibiotic, or rarely symptoms of CDI do not manifest until as late as 10 weeks afterward. Hence, continuing probiotics for an extended period will
thwart the unwanted side effects.
Summary
Antibiotics carry a potential risk of messing up the harmony of the gut
microbiome. Their use and benefits should be weighed against the risks associated with them. Precautionary measures should be taken, including the
supplementation of probiotics.
Written By:
Dr. Rasheed Huma
References
1. Pattani R, Palda VA, Hwang SW, Shah PS. Probiotics for the prevention of
antibiotic-associated diarrhea and Clostridium difficile infection among
hospitalized patients: systematic review and meta-analysis. Open Medicine.
2. McFarland LV. Meta-analysis of probiotics for the prevention of antibiotic
associated diarrhea and the treatment of Clostridium difficile disease. Am J
Gastroenterol. 2006;101(4):812-22.
3. Hickson M. Probiotics in the prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea and
1. Clostridium difficile infection. Therapeutic Advances in Gastroenterology.
2011;4(3):185-197. doi:10.1177/1756283X11399115.
2. Hussack G, Tanha J. Toxin-Specific Antibodies for the Treatment of
Clostridium difficile: Current Status and Future Perspectives †. Toxins.
2010;2(5):998-1018. doi:10.3390/toxins2050998.
3. Floch MH, Walker WA, Guandalini S et al. Recommendations for probiotic
use--2008. Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology. 2008 Jul;42 Suppl 2:S104-8.
doi: 10.1097/MCG.0b013e31816b903f.
Top 4 Probiotic Foods
Given the present unhealthy Western dietary pattern, our gut microbial
community is prone to perturbations. This makes the addition of probiotics, whether taken in the form of supplements or ingested as foods, vastly beneficial.
In this post, we'll highlight the top 4 probiotic-rich foods that you should
consider supplementing to your dietary regime.
Yogurt is the most enriched source of probiotics. It contains live active cultures of bacteria, preferably Lactobacil i and Streptococcus thermophilus. These bacteria
are used to ferment fresh milk and/or cream that results in the production of
yogurt. Yogurt cultures are scientifically documented to boost gut health,
immune function, and mental abilities. They can hasten your sluggish bowel
movements or otherwise, they tend to slow down the intestinal peristalsis in
diarrhea. To be brief, they regulate your bowel function.
The latest research conducted by the Iranian experts revealed a significant
improvement in various mental health parameters, including depression, anxiety, and stress after a 6 week trial of probiotic yogurt consumption. This beneficial
effect of yogurt can be attributed to the microbiota-gut-brain connection.
In another study published in the Ailment Pharmacology and Therapeutics, the
subjects experiencing IBS demonstrated positive health effects after ingesting fermented milk containing Bifidobacterium.
2. Kimchi
Kimchi is one of the traditional cornerstones of Korean medicine. It is a vegetable probiotic food manufactured by fermenting vegetables with lactobacilli. Koreans
serve kimchi with rice usually at every meal. This probiotic-loaded food possesses infinite advantageous, some of which are as follows:
Kimchi accelerates the bowel movements and keeps constipation at bay
It helps in blasting the excess body fat and fight obesity
It is shown to prevent cancer
It promotes brain health, immune function, and skin vitality
3. Kefir
Kefir is a fermented milk beverage produced by the action of bacteria and yeasts
(occurring in tiny gelatinous grains) on milk proteins. Although yogurt is the most abundant source of probiotics, higher concentrations of a variety of healthy
probiotic species in kefir render it as a relatively healthier choice. Kefir fends off
disease-causing bacteria from the intestine while restoring the good gut microbes. This yogurt-like drink lessens inflammation, lowers cholesterol levels,
and serves as an essential source of calcium and vitamin D for people with
lactose intolerance.
4. Kombucha
Kombucha (KBC) is a sweetened black or green tea manufactured by fermenting
tea with a symbiotic colony of lactic acid bacteria and yeasts. This delectable
probiotic brew exhibits several health benefits. Apart from its gut replenishing
(with friendly bacteria) qualities, KBC fuels the production of a potent natural
detoxifier called glucuronic acid. Glucuronic acid is a precursor of vitamin C, a water-soluble vitamin that is essential for gum and skin health. Moreover, KBC
has anti-bacterial properties against potentially harmful microbes, like Listeria monocytogenes and E.coli to name a few.
Also recognized is KBC's ability to scavenge the highly inert cellular damage-
promoting ions called free radicals. It is, therefore, effective against plaque
formation in the arteries and heart diseases. The production of vitamin C, vitamin B, and DSL attributes to these antioxidant properties of KBC.
References
1. Mohammadi AA, Jazayeri S, Khosravi-Darani K et al. The effects of probiotics
on mental health and hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis: A randomized,
double-blind, placebo-controlled trial in petrochemical workers. Nutritional
Neuroscience. 2016;19(9):387-395.
2. Guyonnet D, Chassany O, Ducrotte P et al. Effect of a fermented milk
containing Bifidobacterium animalis DN-173 010 on the health-related quality
of life and symptoms in irritable bowel syndrome in adults in primary care: a
multicentre, randomized, double-blind, controlled trial. Aliment Pharmacol
3. Patra JK, Das G, Paramithiotis S, Shin H-S. Kimchi and Other Widely
Consumed Traditional Fermented Foods of Korea: A Review. Frontiers in
1. Microbiology. 2016;7:1493. doi:10.3389/fmicb.2016.01493.
2. De Oliveira Leite AM, Miguel MAL, Peixoto RS, Rosado AS, Silva JT,
Paschoalin VMF. Microbiological, technological and therapeutic properties of
kefir: a natural probiotic beverage. Brazilian Journal of Microbiology.
2013;44(2):341-349. doi:10.1590/S1517-83822013000200001.
3. Nguyen NK, Dong NTN, Nguyen HT, Le PH. Lactic acid bacteria: promising
supplements for enhancing the biological activities of kombucha.
SpringerPlus. 2015;4:91. doi:10.1186/s40064-015-0872-3.
How Probiotics Help Boost
The Immune System
Overview
Our internal defense system - the immune system does an incredible job of
defending the body from foreign invaders. People with a compromised immunity
can become vulnerable to different infections, especially cold and flu, as well as cancers. In addition to consuming a healthy diet, we can implement several other
strategies to boost our body's defense mechanisms. Of these, using probiotics is
a well-recognized immunity-enhancing approach. Approximately 70%-80% of our
immune system resides within the gut, with the gut-associated lymphoid tissue
(GALT) representing the largest proportion. Since probiotics confer a healthy digestive system, they also ensure the proper functioning of the immune system
occupying our gut.
How Probiotics Enhance the Immune System
and Ward off the Pathogens?
1. Improve the Health of the Beneficial Gut Colonizers
Our gut flora and the defense system are in a reciprocal relationship with one
another. What happens to one will influence the other. Probiotics restore the good bacteria, and hence, they automatically restore your immune function.
2. Fortify the Host-Gut Barriers
Our intestinal epithelial cells form a barrier against the invading microbes.
Because probiotics strengthen these gut barriers, they prevent the disease-
causing agents from entering into our system. The probiotic-dependent
modulation of immunoglobulin A (IgA) responses accounts for the majority of
their gut barrier-strengthening properties . IgA is an antibody that is present in abundant amounts in the mucosal linings, including the gut. This antibody serves
as the first line of defense against the invasion of the bacteria and viruses into the intestinal membranes.
Moreover, the probiotics minimize the leakage from the intestinal membranes.
Intact intestinal membranes deflect the entry of the microbes. The reduced
microbial intrusion contributes to a healthy immune system.
Among different probiotics, the Lactobacillus strains are particularly shown to
bolster the immune function.
3. Augment the Function of GALT
The lymph nodes constitute an essential component of the immune system, and
as aforementioned, the GALT occupies a large section of the defense system.
The IgA antibodies are one of the key elements of GALT. The others include the
immune cells, the Peyer's patches in the small bowel, and the cytokines.
Probiotics cause marked expansion of the GALT, its associated elements, and
their functions, all of which impede the access of the foreign intruders.
4. Secrete antimicrobial peptides
When ingested, the viable bacterial strains release substances that slay the
monster pathogens. These substances, known as antimicrobial peptides inhibit
the major component in the walls of certain bacteria, annihilating them before
they make you ill.
5. Accelerate Cytokine Production
Cytokines are immune stimulators that signal the key cells of the immune system,
called white blood cells (WBCs) to migrate toward the site of infection or
inflammation. There, the WBCs engulf the immunity attackers. Probiotics bump
up the cytokine production, and subsequently, rev up the immune performance
through the protective actions of WBCs. Probiotics not only benefit adults but
also reduce the frequency and severity of cold and flu-like symptoms in children.
Summary
To sum up, probiotics optimize immunity and fitness. They not only keep
gastrointestinal and airborne infections at bay but also cure coughs and colds
once you catch them.
References
1. Chassaing B, Kumar M, Baker MT, Singh V, Vijay-Kumar M. Mammalian Gut
Immunity. Biomedical journal. 2014;37(5):246-258. doi:10.4103/2319-
2. Ashraf R, Shah NP. Immune system stimulation by probiotic microorganisms.
Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr. 2014;54(7):938-56. doi: 10.1080/10408398.2011.619671.
3. Mangalat N, Liu Y, Fatheree NY, et al. Safety and Tolerability of Lactobacillus
reuteri DSM 17938 and Effects on Biomarkers in Healthy Adults: Results from a
Randomized Masked Trial. Forestier C, ed. PLoS ONE. 2012;7(9):e43910.
doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0043910.
4. Beagley KW, Elson CO. Cells and cytokines in mucosal immunity and
inflammation. Gastroenterol Clin North Am. 1992;21(2):347-66.
5. Hardy H, Harris J, Lyon E, Beal J, Foey AD. Probiotics, Prebiotics and
Immunomodulation of Gut Mucosal Defences: Homeostasis and
Immunopathology. Nutrients. 2013;5(6):1869-1912. doi:10.3390/nu5061869.
6. Hemarajata P, Versalovic J. Effects of probiotics on gut microbiota:
mechanisms of intestinal immunomodulation and neuromodulation. Therapeutic
Advances in Gastroenterology. 2013;6(1):39-51.
7. Leyer GJ, Li S, Mubasher ME et al. Probiotic effects on cold and influenza-like
symptom incidence and duration in children. Pediatrics. 2009;124(2):e172-9. doi:
Factors that Increase the Risk for Yeast Infections
Uncontrolled diabetes
Antibiotics (since they disrupt the normal vaginal flora)
Poor dietary habits, in particular, excessive consumption of sugar
Weakened immune system
Pregnancy (due to hormonal imbalances)
Treatments available
While pharmacological management, safe sex practices, maintaining a good
hygiene, and a healthy diet all appear to play essential roles in treating yeast
infections, the use of viable lactobacillus strains in alleviating yeast infections is also promising.
How Probiotics Ward off and Treat Yeast
Infections?
Although the exact role of probiotics in getting rid of yeast infections is unclear, a few mechanisms have been proposed.
The vaginal pH is normally acidic and the lactic acid-producing bacteria tend to
maintain it. These bacteria also keep the growth of the vaginal flora in check.
A study conducted on 33 women with recurrent vaginal candidiasis revealed that
a daily administration of Lactobacillus-containing probiotic for 12 months
reduced the vaginal symptoms and infection.
The Lactobacillus species preclude the adherence of the yeast to vaginal lining,
and thereby fend off the fungi. What mediates this stickiness of Lactobacilli to
the vaginal lining? It appears that the presence of some proteins and
carbohydrates on the surface of these healthy bacteria accounts for this property of Lactobacilli.
Lactobacilli-containing Probiotics are Women's
Best Buddies
Two Lactobacillus species, specifically, L. rhamnosus and L. reuteri have shown to be highly competent at repopulating the vaginal ecosystem and holding off the
unwanted yeasts and bacteria. A controlled trial performed by the researchers at
the Lawson Health Research Institute in London demonstrated the potential of
these strains to considerably deplete the vaginal yeasts at week 4 as well as
replace and preserve the normal urogenital flora after 2 months of the daily oral administration.
Summary
Recurrent yeast infections can lead to significant complications. Hence, timely
recognition and management are crucial. The use of probiotics in mitigating
vaginal infections is gaining momentum.
References
1. Hilton E, Isenberg HD, Alperstein P et al. Ingestion of yogurt containing
Lactobacillus acidophilus as prophylaxis for candidal vaginitis. Annals of Internal
2. Boris S, Suárez JE, Vázquez F, Barbés C. Adherence of Human Vaginal
Lactobacilli to Vaginal Epithelial Cells and Interaction with Uropathogens.
Infection and Immunity. 1998;66(5):1985-1989.
3. Henriksson A, Szewzyk R, Conway PL. Characteristics of the adhesive
determinants of Lactobacillus fermentum 104. Applied and Environmental
Microbiology. 1991;57(2):499-502.
4. Reid G, Charbonneau D, Erb J et al. Oral use of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1
and L. fermentum RC-14 significantly alters vaginal flora: randomized, placebo-
controlled trial in 64 healthy women. FEMS Immunology and Medical
Microbiology. 2003;35(2):131-4.
Probiotics and Acne
Overview
Acne vulgaris is the most common skin disorder. A disturbed human skin
microbiome results in acne. The overgrowth of an unhealthy bacterium, called P.
acnes predisposes to acne. Microbiome probiotics are therefore vastly beneficial in acne. Introducing healthy microbes can help in getting rid of acne.
Association of Acne with Gut and
Psychological Problems - THE
A considerable overlap exists between gut issues, psychological problems (like
depression and anxiety), and skin conditions such as acne. Individuals with acne
sustain greater psychological fallouts (skin and brain). Likewise, gastrointestinal problems are more prevalent in those with acne (gut and skin). This gut, brain,
skin triangle is referred to as the gut-brain-skin axis.
Gut Mechanisms Underlying Acne Flare-ups Explain the
Implications of Probiotics in Acne
The Link between SIBO and Acne
A type of acne called rosacea occurs with greater frequency in adults with small
intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). Studies report a significant link between SIBO and the flare-ups of acne rosacea. Since overgrowth of harmful bacteria
characterizes SIBO, introducing probiotics balances the gut flora, improves the
SIBO symptoms, and eventually can offset the accompanied skin rash and
pimples.
Moreover, the enhanced intestinal leakage that triggers SIBO also appears to be
present in acne. Because probiotics accelerate the repair of the gut lining and
modify the fermentation patterns in the intestine, they ease not only SIBO but
acne as well.
A study indicating compromised gut barriers in people with acne revealed
augmented reactivity to toxins (isolated from E-coli) in the blood in those
suffering from acne compared to those without acne. These toxins were also
present in substantial amounts in the blood of adults with acne. These toxins
penetrate the gut walls and provoke a severe inflammatory reaction in the body
that also triggers the breakouts of acne. Having that said, probiotics strengthen the gut barriers preventing the body and skin from getting inflamed.
The Link between Constipation and Acne
Scientific data reveals that individuals with acne are more prone to be
constipated. In addition, the levels of good bacteria plummet in constipation. A
Russian study demonstrated a significant decrease in the levels of healthy
bacteria in those suffering from long-standing constipation. Likewise, the gut
lining in these people also exhibited a high permeability just like in people with acne.
Owing to their gut-barrier and healthy microbiome-restoring properties,
probiotics alleviate constipation as well as aid in clearing the skin.
The Role of Substance P in Acne: Added
Significance of Probiotics in Acne
Substance P is a key inflammatory mediator that also plays a role in the sebum
production of acne. Lactobacillus-containing probiotics can slow down the
substance P-induced skin inflammation while simultaneously hastening recovery
of the skin barrier function.
Summary
Although more research is warranted to identify the protective effects of
probiotics in acne, ingesting or applying probiotics seems to benefit acne largely if not completely eradicate it. Acne can be managed by a balanced diet,
avoidance of precipitating factors, and introducing healthy bacteria in the form
References
1. Parodi A, Paolino S, Greco A et al. Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth in
rosacea: clinical effectiveness of its eradication. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol.
2008;6(7):759-64. doi: 10.1016/j.cgh.2008.02.054.
2. Barrett JS, Canale KE, Gearry RB, Irving PM, Gibson PR. Probiotic effects on
intestinal fermentation patterns in patients with irritable bowel syndrome.
World Journal of Gastroenterology: WJG. 2008;14(32):5020-5024.
3. Juhlin L, Michaëlsson G. Fibrin microclot formation in patients with acne. Acta
Derm Venereol. 1983;63(6):538-40.
4. Khalif IL, Quigley EM, Konovitch EA, Maximova ID. Alterations in the colonic
flora and intestinal permeability and evidence of immune activation in chronic
constipation. Dig Liver Dis. 2005;37(11):838-49.
5. Gueniche A, Benyacoub J, Philippe D et al. Lactobacillus paracasei CNCM I-
2116 (ST11) inhibits substance P-induced skin inflammation and accelerates skin
barrier function recovery in vitro. Eur J Dermatol. 2010;20(6):731-7. doi:
Probiotics for Hair, Skin and
Nails
Various daily factors, including the foods we eat and drink and the products that we use on our skin and hair influence their health. Radiant skin and sleek hair is something we all desire. In addition to healthy food and correct products,
probiotics can have amazing effects on the health of skin and hair. Wondering
how? Let's see!
Probiotics speed up nutrient absorption
"We are what we eat." Eating a healthy diet help us go a long way and defy aging. Nevertheless, not everyone who eats healthy looks healthy. So, what are
we missing? It's the proper absorption of macro and micronutrients. The friendly gut bacteria help us assimilate more nutrients from our diet. Hence, our skin, hair, and nails get more of the nutrients that they require to be healthy.
Probiotics Accelerate Subcuticular Hair Follicle Cycling
Our hair grows in cycles of several phases, called as hair follicle cycling.
Stimulating hair follicle beneath the outermost part of the hair shaft (the hair
cuticle) during the growth phase results in a robust hair growth. Although mostly limited to animals, some probiotics up-regulate this subcuticular hair follicle
cycling, speeding up the hair growth.
Probiotics Add Moisture and Shine to Your Skin and Hair
The beneficial bacteria also stimulate the proliferation of cells that secrete
sebum. Sebum is an oily substance that keeps your skin and hair moisturized.
Probiotics Work More than Skin Deep
Skin conditions like rosacea make our skin more dry and dull. Probiotics are
effective in alleviating several skin complaints, especially rosacea. Rosacea is a skin disorder characterized by hypersensitive skin causing redness, facial flushing, and acne. Some probiotics elaborate antimicrobial peptides that have
demonstrated to be significantly beneficial in individuals with rosacea. In 2013,
the American Academy of Dermatologists proposed the use of probiotics in
treating rosacea. When applied topically on rosacea or acne prone skin, our
immune system recognizes probiotics as being foreign and reacts, thus easing
inflammation, redness, or bumps.
Rosacea is associated with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO). Because
probiotics mitigate SIBO and replenish the healthy gut bacteria, they reduce the
skin inflammation in rosacea.
Another common skin ailment is eczema. Eczema is a disorder where patches of
skin become inflamed, itchy, red, cracked, and rough. Probiotics add more
sebum and oil to the dry eczematous skin while their anti-inflammatory
properties attenuate the redness and inflammation.
Probiotics Reduce the pH of the Hair
Our hair requires an acidic pH for luster and health. Alkaline pH increases the
friction between the hair fibers via augmenting the negative electrical charge of the hair fiber surface. This may lead to cuticle damage, increasing the frizz and fiber breakage of the hair. Probiotics impart an acidic pH to the hair shaft,
reducing the frizz, and increasing the vitality and glow.
Probiotics boost our immune system
We know that people with a healthy immune system have healthy skin and hair. If
our immune system is down, our body is vulnerable to sickness and disease.
Being unhealthy from inside can never make us (including our skin and hair) look
healthy and beautiful. Probiotics fortify our immune system that eventually revives our health and the dull-appearing skin and hair.
References
1. Levkovich T, Poutahidis T, Smillie C, et al. Probiotic Bacteria Induce a “Glow of
Health.” Kobinger GP, ed. PLoS ONE. 2013;8(1):e53867.
doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0053867.
2. Vemuri RC, Gundamaraju R, Sekaran SD, Manikam R. Major
Pathophysiological Correlations of Rosacea: A Complete Clinical Appraisal.
International Journal of Medical Sciences. 2015;12(5):387-396.
3. Bowe WP, Logan AC. Acne vulgaris, probiotics and the gut-brain-skin axis -
back to the future? Gut Pathogens. 2011;3:1. doi:10.1186/1757-4749-3-1.
Do Probiotics Help With
Weight Loss?
.
Overview
Being obese or overweight can have a critical impact on your health. The health
consequences can vary from cardiovascular disease, diabetes, and stroke to
cancers like colon and breast cancers. Individuals with obesity or excessive
weight tend to have a varied gut microbial population than normal-weight
people. The good news is that probiotics possess the potential to help you shed some extra pounds.
In this post, we'll explore how can probiotics
help you trim down
1. Probiotics Suppress the Dietary Fat
Absorption
The dietary fat is the major contributor to our body and belly fat. Anything that inhibits dietary fat absorption will ease weight loss. Probiotics limit the
absorption of dietary fat and simultaneously promote the elimination of fat via
feces. The Lactobacillus strains primarily exert their anti-obesity effects through this mechanism.
2. Probiotics Replace Beneficial Gut Bacteria
An imbalance in the intestinal flora is another recognized cause of obesity.
Probiotics promote weight loss by restoring the gut microbiome.
3. Probiotics Reduce Inflammation
One of the dominant factors linked to weight gain and obesity is low-grade
inflammation. Since probiotics repair the leaky epithelial gut barriers, they
prevent the pro- inflammatory stimuli from finding their way into the body.
Moreover, they enhance the production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) - which
are anti-inflammatory products derived from the fermentation of fiber by the
healthy gut bacteria. The beneficial bacteria also decrease the expression of
certain genes that drive inflammation. Hence, by acting at the molecular level,
the probiotics slow down the low-grade inflammation and the consequent build
up of body fat.
4. Probiotics Stimulate the Release of Satiety
Hormones
The less we eat, the less we expand. The probiotics-induced SCFA production
plays a significant role in mediating their satiety effects. SCFAs promote
secretion of a chief hormone that curbs appetite, called as GLP-1 (Glucagon-like peptide-1).
5. Probiotics Enhance Insulin Sensitivity
Insulin is a hormone secreted by the pancreas that lowers the blood glucose
levels. It acts on target organs to facilitate the entry of glucose into the cells.
However, the body cells can sometimes become resistant to insulin, triggering a
metabolic state, known as insulin resistance (IR). There is a strong causal
relationship between IR and obesity. Probiotics reverse insulin resistance and
subsequently can help you drop some pounds.
Summary
A healthy gut is a secret gateway to an effective weight loss. Experts now
consider probiotics as a novel and promising approach for preventing and
treating obesity.
References
1. Kadooka Y, Sato M, Ogawa A et al. Effect of Lactobacillus gasseri SBT2055 in
fermented milk on abdominal adiposity in adults in a randomised controlled
trial. The Brtitsh Journal of Nutrition. 2013;110(9):1696-703. doi:
2. Monteiro R, Azevedo I. Chronic Inflammation in Obesity and the Metabolic
Syndrome. Mediators of Inflammation. 2010;2010:289645.
3. Mekkes MC, Weenen TC, Brummer RJ et al. The development of probiotic
treatment in obesity: a review. Beneficial Microbes. 2014;5(1):19-28. doi:
4. Yadav H, Lee J-H, Lloyd J, Walter P, Rane SG. Beneficial Metabolic Effects of a
Probiotic via Butyrate-induced GLP-1 Hormone Secretion. The Journal of
Biological Chemistry. 2013;288(35):25088-25097.
Probiotics for Kids
Why are probiotics useful for kids? In children, when the composition of the GI
flora is out-of-whack, a myriad of illnesses (similar to that of adults) can ensue.
Probiotics exert a major influence on the microbiome. A kid's microbiome begins to develop inside the womb and matures during infancy and childhood. The
newborn leaves the germ-free environment of the mother's womb and enters a
highly contaminated world, which mandates potent defenses to prevent disease.
The pro- and prebiotics confer long-term health benefits on the developing immune system of a child. This post will highlight the significance of adding
probiotics to children's diet.
Probiotics can Prevent Necrotizing Enterocolitis in Premature Infants Some infants who are born prematurely can suffer from an intractable bloody
diarrheal illness, called necrotizing enterocolitis (NEC). It is a condition in which the intestinal tissue undergoes inflammation, injury, and begins to die. Infectious agents seem to colonize the gut in these infants after the introduction of formula milk. Specific strains of bacteria, primarily the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria can preclude the occurrence of NEC when fed to the preterm babies. These
probiotics break down carbohydrates to produce lactic acid, creating an acidic
milieu in the gut. This promotes the growth of beneficial bacteria, whereas
hampers that of the harmful ones.
These beneficial bacteria also strengthen the gut barriers, which fends off the
harmful agents against navigating from the GI tract to the outside systems - a
process called bacterial translocation.
Moreover, the preterm infants afflicted with NEC lack the ability to tolerate
anything through the mouth. Statistics show that probiotics given to these babies can improve oral (mouth) intake via accelerating maturation of intestine.
Probiotic preparations containing either Lactobacillus alone or in combination
with Bifidobacterium are found to be highly effective at keeping NEC at bay.
What's more? Probiotics also appear to minimize the death rates associated with
NEC.
Probiotics to Aid in the Formation of Nutrients in Children
The favorable bacteria help to form nutrients otherwise not made by the body
(like vitamin K) and other beneficial nutrients (such as amino acids and short‐
chain fatty acids).
Probiotics May Benefit Kids with Allergies and Asthma
Type 2 helper T cells (Th2) are the white blood cells that play a triggering role in the recruitment of IgE antibody-producing cells of the body, which, subsequently
precipitate allergic and airway diseases in children. Probiotics might slow down
this Th2 immune response, thereby improving the breathing issues in children
with asthma. In addition, these beneficial microbes balance the pollen-specific
antibody levels in seasonal allergic rhinitis that might alleviate the severity of symptoms of this condition. These theories are nonetheless controversial.
An additional promising area suggesting the effectiveness of probiotics in kids is eczema. Research reveals that probiotics can reduce the risk of eczema in babies
when given to pregnant women or breastfeeding mothers.
Probiotics Ease Viral Diarrhea
The commonest cause of acute diarrhea in kids is rotavirus. A systematic analysis that merged the results from multiple studies demonstrated that probiotics
(predominantly lactobacil us reuteri) decreased the duration of acute rotavirus diarrhea in children. Also observed was a drop in the number of hospital
admissions and the duration of the hospital stay in children infected with
rotavirus.
Probiotics Can Control Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea (AAD)
Just like adults, children who are given antibiotics are prone to microbiome
perturbations and AAD. In these instances, probiotics stabilize the microbiome
and prevent GI and non-GI-related illnesses.
References
1. Schanler RJ. Probiotics and necrotising enterocolitis in premature infants.
Archives of Disease in Childhood Fetal and Neonatal Edition.
2006;91(6):F395-F397. doi:10.1136/adc.2005.092742.
2. AlFaleh K, Anabrees J.Probiotics for prevention of necrotizing enterocolitis in
preterm infants. Evid Based Child Health. 2014;9(3):584-671. doi:
3. Yang G, Liu Z-Q, Yang P-C. Treatment of Allergic Rhinitis with Probiotics: An
Alternative Approach. North American Journal of Medical Sciences.
2013;5(8):465-468. doi:10.4103/1947-2714.117299.
4. Cuello-Garcia CA, Brożek JL, Fiocchi A et al. Probiotics for the prevention of
allergy: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
1. J Al ergy Clin Immunol. 2015 Oct;136(4):952-61. doi:
2. Ahmadi E, Alizadeh-Navaei R, Rezai MS. Efficacy of probiotic use in acute
rotavirus diarrhea in children: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Caspian
Journal of Internal Medicine. 2015;6(4):187-195.
Although they sound similar, probiotics and prebiotics are not the same. Even
though pro and prebiotics work in concert to promote the health of their host,
they are drastically different in form and function.
Probiotics are defined as live microorganisms that confer a health benefit, when
administered in adequate amounts, to a host, or those who consume them.
Specifically, probiotics are microorganisms or live bacteria and yeasts, that assist primarily with digestion. The word probiotic means “promoting life”. These
microorganisms promote life by maintaining a healthy digestive tract and
immune system. Research indicates probiotic use may also provide several health
benefits including promoting the health of the reproductive tract, oral cavity,
lungs, skin, and gut-brain axis.
When compared to probiotics, prebiotics are not as easily defined or
understood. Over the years, the definition of prebiotics has changed. As
defined by current research, prebiotics are non-digestible food ingredients, when metabolized by intestinal microorganisms, that facilitate changes in the
composition and/or activity of intestinal microorganisms. These changes in
composition and/or activity may result in potential health benefits appreciated by the host.
Simplistically speaking, prebiotics are ingested food ingredients that facilitate changes in the composition and/or activity in the bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract. These changes often confer benefits to the host's well-being and health.
Prebiotics are substances that are not digested, rather, they are fermented.
Fermentation is the process of converting food products, such as sugars, into
acid, gas, or alcohol. The byproducts of fermentation are utilized as an energy source by intestinal bacteria. These byproducts may positively alter the
composition of intestinal microorganisms. Essentially, prebiotics can be
considered fertilizer for beneficial bacterial growth.
Our gut has several trillions of bacterial strains which confer many health benefits to us. In our current culture, millions of Americans are consuming probiotics to obtain health benefits. However, by consuming probiotics without prebiotics you
may not appreciate the benefits probiotics confer to overall health.
Prebiotics may exert benefits on the colon, oral cavity, urogenital tract, and the skin. However, these benefits are in concert with the fermentation process
performed by probiotics. The composition of prebiotics and the dose
administered is an important factor that influences the fermentation process.
The estimated daily dose recommended by the World Health Organization is ~ 5
g. Usually, prebiotics are found naturally in whole grains, fruits, and legumes.
Potential Benefits of Prebiotics:
Increase levels of good bacteria, reduction in levels of bad bacteria
Enhance absorption and bioavailability of minerals such as calcium and
magnesium
Improved colon, oral, urogenital, and skin health.
Pourabedin M, Zhao X, Prebiotics and gut microbiota in chickens. FEMS
Microbiol Lett. 2015; 362(15):fnv122.
Roberfroid M et al. Prebiotic effects: metabolic and health benefits. Br J Nutr.
2010104 suppl 2:S1-63
Valcheva R, Dieleman LA, Prebiotics: Definition and protective mechanism. Best
Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol. 2016; 30(1):27-37.
Prebiotics Help with Stress
and Anxiety
Stress takes a heavy toll on various bodily functions. Cardiac problems,
psychological disturbances, GI sensitivity, you name it - virtually all body systems are targeted by stress and anxiety. Prebiotic supplements fuel the growth of the good bacteria while inhibiting the expansion of the bad ones. They can help you
calm down when you're feeling keyed up. This post will address the subject on
how prebiotics act as stress relievers.
Statistics indicate that the prebiotic fiber, which serves as a food for the
beneficial bacteria can alter the thoughts, emotions, and stress and anxiety levels in a number of ways.
Prebiotics Restore the Balance of the Gut Flora
Several experts now refer to the gut as our "second brain." The brain interacts with our gut and the friendly gut bacteria communicate with our brain, indicating that an imbalance in the gut microbiome (dysbiosis) can lead to psychological
imbalances and vice versa. This dysbiosis, in particular, lower levels of
bifidobacteria underlie functional bowel disorders like IBS. Also noted in IBS, is the reduced production of short-chain fatty acids, such as butyrate. Likewise,
decreased levels of both Bifidobacteria and butyrate are responsible for the
generation of mental disturbances like anxiety. Prebiotics, primarily fructo-
oligosaccharides (FOS) amplify both the number of bifidobacteria and the
butyrate production.
Moreover, people with IBS appear to be more sensitive to emotional stressors.
Reciprocally, anxiety and stress constitute one of the most significant triggers of IBS.
By restoring the disproportion of the gut ecology, the prebiotic fiber can restore the mental serenity.
Prebiotics Lower Cortisol Levels
Individuals who suffer from anxiety or depression have a more pessimistic
approach to life as compared to those without these mental ailments. Findings
from an interesting paper published in a scientific journal revealed that subjects who received prebiotics paid more heed to the positive information in contrast
to the negative stimuli. The researchers further reported that these anxiolytic
effects of prebiotics were analogous to the prescription pills used for controlling anxiety and depression. The reduced cortisol levels, as measured in saliva
accounted for these anxiolytic effects of prebiotics. Cortisol is a hormone
released by the adrenal glands as part of the flight-or-fight response during
stressful events. A drop in cortisol is indicative of reduced stress levels.
Prebiotics Nurture the Good Bacteria that Facilitate the Action of GABA
Prebiotics nurture the healthy gut microbes that modulate the expression of
GABA (gamma-amino butyric acid), a neurotransmitter that relaxes the nerves
and muscles, helping us to unwind from the day more easily. The indirect
relationship between prebiotics and GABA profoundly steers their use in anxiety-
related disorders.
Summary
In summary, prebiotics can positively influence emotional behavior. Although
studies have been mostly limited to rodents, modulation of the gut-brain axis by
prebiotics is a proven novel remedy for anxiety. Further evaluation is however still required to prove the efficacy of prebiotics in anxiety.
References
1. Scott KP, Antoine J-M, Midtvedt T, van Hemert S. Manipulating the gut
1. microbiota to maintain health and treat disease. Microbial Ecology in Health
and Disease. 2015;26:10.3402/mehd.v26.25877.
2. Roberfroid M, Gibson GR, Hoyles L et al. Prebiotic effects: metabolic and
health benefits. The British Journal of Nutrition. 2010 Aug;104 Suppl 2:S1-63.
doi: 10.1017/S0007114510003363.
3. Schmidt K, Cowen PJ, Harmer CJ, Tzortzis G, Errington S, Burnet PWJ.
Prebiotic intake reduces the waking cortisol response and alters emotional
bias in healthy volunteers. Psychopharmacology. 2015;232(10):1793-1801.
doi:10.1007/s00213-014-3810-0.
4. Bravo JA, Forsythe P, Chew MV et al. Ingestion of Lactobacillus strain
regulates emotional behavior and central GABA receptor expression in a
mouse via the vagus nerve. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2011;108(38):16050-5.
5 Reasons Why Probiotics
and Prebiotics Should Be
Taken Daily
Trillions of health-promoting bacteria reside in our bowels, where they function
to fend off harmful microorganisms and accelerate digestion and normal bile
metabolism. Mounting scientific evidence suggests that supplements containing
beneficial bacteria (probiotics) or supplements supporting the growth of these good microbes (prebiotics) can preclude a variety of illnesses.
However, the question that arises is do we need to consume them on a regular basis?
Here are the top 5 reasons for taking the pro-and prebiotics daily!
1. Regulate the Normal Bowel Function and Soothe Gastrointestinal
Symptoms
Pro - and prebiotics are a gateway to a healthy gut and a healthy gut is a
gateway to a healthy body. It's no secret that these viable bacterial strains
regulate absorption and digestion of nutrients and strengthen the protective
mucosal gut barriers, and thus, prevent the invasion of the disease-causing
microorganisms. The subsequent reduction in the gut inflammation aids in
obviating and healing gastrointestinal (GI) tract ulcers. 1
The daily domino effect is a healthy, flourishing gut (flora) and body, conducive to functioning optimally.
In short, you can count on probiotics for virtually any GI complaint.
2. Maintenance of Optimal Cardiovascular Health
A deranged lipid profile, a high blood pressure, and obesity are major cardiac
risk factors. Daily consumption of probiotics has a positive impact on our cardiac health. They lower the bad cholesterol (LDL) levels while improving the HDL
(good cholesterol) levels. 2 The improved cholesterol levels, in turn cause a
modest drop in blood pressure. 3
What's more? Daily ingestion of these favorable microbes can help you jumpstart
weight loss. Excerpts from several studies support the notion that weight gain
and obesity have an association with altered gut flora. 4
Thus, populating our intestine with the good ones will optimize our cardiac
health.
Our immune system does a remarkable task to safeguard us from sickness-
inducing invaders and keeping infections at bay. Taking probiotics every day
serves to fortify the immune system and prevent infections like cold and flu. If
you're looking for another reason to work more pro - and prebiotics into your
schedule, this is the one.
4. Prevent and Treat Antibiotic-Associated GI Side Effects
In the course of severe infections, antibiotics are hailed as lifesavers. Having that said, the usage of antibiotics causes GI upset predominantly nausea/vomiting,
and diarrhea. 5 Moreover, antibiotics are shown to alter the framework of the gut microbiota. 6 Needless to say, supplementing pro - and prebiotics in these cases
will help restore the lost healthy gut flora as well as mitigate GI distress. 5
The bottom-line: Antibiotic-associated GI upset warrants the use of probiotics.
4. Reinstate the Gut Ecosystem Destroyed by the Standard Western Diet
The genetically engineered foods have taken over the major part of our
nutritional regime by leaps and bounds. The current trendy Western diet largely
comprises of foods with a high-GMO content. These foods disrupt the
composition of gut bacteria in ways that aggravate a whole host of systemic
illnesses. The smoking GMO gun is glyphosate. 7
Thankfully, regular supplementation with probiotics can reverse the diet-
triggered incongruity of the microbial gut system.
References
1. Hemarajata P, Versalovic J. Effects of probiotics on gut microbiota:
mechanisms of intestinal immunomodulation and neuromodulation. Therapeutic
Advances in Gastroenterology. 2013;6(1):39-51. doi:10.1177/1756283X1245929.
2. Thushara RM, Gangadaran S1, Solati Z et al. Cardiovascular benefits of
probiotics: a review of experimental and clinical studies. Food Funct.
2016;7(2):632-42. doi: 10.1039/c5fo01190f.
3. Khalesi S, Sun J, Buys N et al. Effect of probiotics on blood pressure: A
systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized, controlled trials.
Hypertension. 2014;64(4):897-903. doi:
10.1161/HYPERTENSIONAHA.114.03469.
4. Tsai F, Coyle WJ. The microbiome and obesity: Is obesity linked to our gut
flora? Curr Gastroenterol Rep. 2009;11(4):307-13.
5. Pattani R, Palda VA, Hwang SW, Shah PS. Probiotics for the prevention of
antibiotic-associated diarrhea and Clostridium difficile infection among
hospitalized patients: Systematic review and meta-analysis. Open Medicine.
6. Robinson CJ, Young VB. Antibiotic administration alters the community
structure of the gastrointestinal micobiota. Gut Microbes. 2010;1(4):279-284.
7. Samsel A, Seneff S. Glyphosate, pathways to modern diseases II: Celiac sprue
and gluten intolerance. Interdisciplinary Toxicology. 2013;6(4):159-184.
Prebiotics and probiotics are the yin-and-yang of gastrointestinal health. They
are opposites in many ways. One is living, and the other is not. One is found in vegetables, and the other is found in dairy. There is no redundancy between
them, and they each have their specific job. Their differences are what make
them such a dynamic team and what make them the most effective when they
are taken in tandem.
Prebiotics act as fertilizer and nurture the positive bacterial inhabitants in our guts that aid us by digesting things we can’t, producing vitamins we don’t, and
creating an acidic environment that inhibits the growth of disease-causing bacteria. Prebiotics are plant-based fibers that promote the growth and activity of these beneficial microorganisms in the large intestine and colon. They also
increase calcium absorption and bone health.
Foods that are high in fiber are typically high in prebiotics, but not all fiber is prebiotic. A prebiotic is defined as a food that is non-digestible, meaning it
passes through the stomach and small intestine. In the colon, the good bacteria
use it as food which is great because it amplifies their population. While the
good bacteria are proliferating, they ferment it and release fatty acid byproducts that nourish our intestinal lining and help regulate electrolyte levels.
Artichokes, bananas, leeks, onions, garlic, and whole-wheat products are rich,
natural sources of prebiotics. Keep in mind that heating usually alters the food’s structure, so eating raw food over cooked food is recommended for maximum
prebiotic benefits.
Probiotics are living bacterial cultures and are quite different from nonliving
organic prebiotics. Probiotics are naturally found in foods like yogurt (Greek or not), kefir, and other dairy-based foods. Because probiotics are alive, they are sensitive to acid and heat, and the stomach acid can destroy most of these good
bacteria before they even reach the intestines. Thus, probiotics need help to
survive and multiply, and here prebiotics come into play.
Every day, somewhere around 70 million people suffer from gastrointestinal
distress. Some of those include people with an infection that take antibiotics to intentionally wipe out bad bacteria. Unfortunately, the nonspecific nature of
antibiotics also wipes out the beneficial bacteria, which are critical for optimal digestive health. Whether it is a temporary GI problem or a chronic one,
probiotics are often recommended to help ease symptoms by beneficially
altering the intestinal flora. Prebiotics are not as popular, but for probiotics to be the most effective, a prebiotic should be involved as well. A supplement that
contains both is called a synbiotic because they work synergistically. The
prebiotics give the probiotics an edge and a substrate to latch on to, increasing the probiotic’s chance of surviving the gastrointestinal tract. Prebiotics set up the stage so that probiotics can have their best chance at survival and success.
Sources (accessed July, 2016):
http://americannutritionassociation.org/newsletter/digestive-issues
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sn/humanbody/truthaboutfood/healthy/prebiotics.shtml
http://www.eatright.org/resource/food/vitamins-and-supplements/nutrient-rich-
foods/prebiotics-and-probiotics-the-dynamic-duo
http://www.livestrong.com/article/335114-the-difference-between-probiotic-
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3705355/
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17311984
http://paleoleap.com/need-know-prebiotics/
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/282658249_Scientific_evidence_for_he
alth_effects_attributed_to_the_consumption_of_probiotics_and_prebiotics_An_u
pdate_for_current_perspectives_and_future_challenges
The importance of the probiotic
strain Lactobacillus reuteri
NCIMB 30242
Walk into any health food store and you will find an overwhelming variety of
probiotic supplements. Be careful though; there is little FDA oversight in the
industry, and some products have even had severe contamination in their
distributions.
Our company has had no such issues. We are meticulous about the quality of
our products, and we have tremendous pride in our supplements because they
are developed using tailored ingredients based on extensive research and
scientific data. They contain the culture Lactobacil us reuteri NCIMB 30242 that has proven to be safe and well tolerated with no dangerous toxicological effects.
Many probiotic suppliers try to dazzle consumers with a laundry list of ingredients. They focus on quantity over quality. What many of them don’t offer is the probiotic culture L. reuteri NCIMB 30242, one of the many lactobacil us (l reuteri probiotics) strains. There are several cultures of “lactobacillus”, but the reuteri strain has its own specific microbiome niche. L. reuteri affects the
intestinal balance between bile salts and bile acid, which is important for the
proper absorption of fats. The right amount of healthy fats and its proper
absorption is important for energy and metabolism as well as digestive and
cardiovascular health. This particular strain has many beneficial functions that are due to its effects on absorption, all verified by clinical studies.
L. reuteri NCIMB 30242 lowers cholesterol. A study including over 110 high
cholesterol individuals involved subjects taking capsules of the strain or a
placebo over a 9-week period. Results showed that the capsules of this strain
unequivocally reduced cholesterol. Furthermore, this strain was actually
found to be the only strain that caused a significant decrease in LDL levels.
L. reuteri NCIMB 30242 capsules increase 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in the
blood, which was demonstrated in a 13-week study involving over 130
subjects . Vitamin D deficiencies are associated with cardiovascular decline,
asthma, cancer, and even cognitive impairment.
Another study conducted with 127 subjects evaluated their gastrointestinal
(GI) health over a 9-week period, and those treated with reuteri NCIMB 30242
had a significant improvement in self-reported GI symptoms with the most
significant improvement being reduction of diarrhea .
The multi-faceted effects of functioning L. reuteri is not only confirmed by these studies, but also by the fact that disruption of the bile salt/bile acid balance is associated with obesity, liver, and GI problems .
Not all probiotics are created equal, and Microbiome Plus+ supplements have an
edge because they contain the vital strain L. reuteri NCIMB 30242 which can
ameliorate several physiological problems. Try it out and see for yourself! You won’t be disappointed.
1. Scudellari, M. Probiotics come with bold claims, but the science is shaky.
January 21, 2016 [cited 2016; Available from:
https://www.statnews.com/2016/01/21/probiotics-shaky-science/.
2. Ricks, D. After infant dies, health officials urge caution in children's use of probiotic supplement. 2014 [cited 2016; Available from:
http://medicalxpress.com/news/2014-12-infant-dies-health-urge-caution.html.
3. Jones, M.L., et al., Evaluation of clinical safety and tolerance of a Lactobacil us reuteri NCIMB 30242 supplement capsule: a randomized control trial. Regul
Toxicol Pharmacol, 2012. 63(2): p. 313-20.
4. DiRienzo, D.B., Effect of probiotics on biomarkers of cardiovascular disease:
implications for heart-healthy diets. Nutr Rev, 2014. 72(1): p. 18-29.
5. Jones, M.L., C.J. Martoni, and S. Prakash, Oral supplementation with
probiotic L. reuteri NCIMB 30242 increases mean circulating 25-
hydroxyvitamin D: a post hoc analysis of a randomized control ed trial. J Clin
Endocrinol Metab, 2013. 98(7): p. 2944-51.
6. Jones, M.L., et al., Improvement of gastrointestinal health status in subjects consuming Lactobacil us reuteri NCIMB 30242 capsules: a post-hoc analysis of
a randomized control ed trial. Expert Opin Biol Ther, 2013. 13(12): p. 1643-51.
7. Lorena Ruiz, A.M., and Borja Sanchez. Bile resistance mechanisms in
Lactobacil us and Bifidobacterium. 2013 [cited 2016; Available from:
http://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fmicb.2013.00396/full.
8. Martoni, C.J., et al., Changes in bile acids, FGF-19 and sterol absorption in
response to bile salt hydrolase active L. reuteri NCIMB 30242. Gut Microbes,
1. 2015. 6(1): p. 57-65.
Around 100 trillion microorganisms reside in our bodies, including over 400
bacterial species. The bacteria that live in our intestine are known as our gut
flora, and it is well known that taking probiotics to restore the beneficial bacteria helps with digestive issues such as diarrhea, constipation, bloating, and even
more serious conditions including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and Chron’s
disease. Many people don’t know that there are many additional benefits of
probiotics including the following.
1. Probiotics prevent type 2 diabetes and help to maintain a healthy weight.
Many studies show the danger of the buildup of unhealthy bacteria in our gut.
There is a protein called toll-like receptor 5 (TLR5), and mouse models show that without this protein, the beneficial bacteria in the gut are overrun with the bad kind. Any mice lacking the TLR5 protein had inflammation and insulin-resistance
which is a hallmark of type 2 diabetes. The study also transferred the TLR5
knockout mice gut flora to skinny mice with functioning TLR5. Due to the
alterations in their intestinal bacteria, the skinny mice changed their eating
habits. Many even became obese and showed resistance to insulin over time.
An unhealthy microbiome seemingly caused weight gain and type 2 diabetes in
some of the mice, suggesting that it does so in humans as well. Other studies
show that a healthy gut flora lowers fat absorption, decreases fat storage, and
raises levels of a hormone that reduces appetite which are all important for
weight loss and maintenance.
2. Probiotics can eliminate side effects of antibiotic treatment.
Antibiotics are effective in destroying bad bacteria, but a problem with oral
antibiotics is that they also wipeout many of the beneficial bacteria in our gut.
An instant microbiome change due to the use of antibiotics wreaks havoc on the
digestive system, leading to diarrhea in about a third of patients. Taking
probiotics can reduce this risk by almost 50%.
3. Probiotics boost the Immune system.
Healthy bacteria add a layer between ingested food and the intestinal wall.
Good bacteria break down fiber, make vitamin K, and have acidic byproducts
that decrease inflammation. Some of the good bacteria even produce selective
antibiotics and even make white blood cells that are harmful to bad bacteria but
not to themselves. Without the good bacteria, not only are these substances not
made, but also the bad bacteria cause inflammation of the gut.
Inflammation is a negative consequence of an unhealthy gut because it prevents important chemical and nutrient absorption. This leads to problems with organs
that aren’t getting the substances they need to optimally function. The brain,
the heart, the skin, and even the reproductive system are affected by microbial
misbalance as described in the following five benefits.
4. Probiotics benefit mental health.
Studies show that probiotics ease anxiety and depression and that our
microbiome contains bacteria that produce neurotransmitters such as serotonin
and dopamine. These are both important substances for mental health. Healthy
bacteria also decrease levels of the stress hormone cortisol. Studies also show
that consequences of not having a healthy microbiome within three weeks of
birth is associated with the development of autism, ADHD, learning disabilities,
and allergies in children.
5. Probiotics reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.
Rat studies show that probiotics lower triglyceride levels which significantly
reduces the risk of coronary heart disease. Also, the acid byproducts of the gut flora reduce cholesterol levels, and some bacteria even directly degrade
cholesterol. Reduced cholesterol levels lead to improved cardiovascular health.
6. Probiotics clear up the skin.
Even the complexion may benefit from the use of probiotics. Studies show that
acne, eczema, and rosacea improve with probiotics most likely due to the
reduced inflammation of the gut. Gut flora reduces toxin, pathogen, and
allergen absorption of substances that affect the skin.
7. Probiotics are good for women’s health.
Symbiotic bacteria in our body play an important role in estrogen degradation
and excretion. It is extremely important that estrogen levels fluctuate
appropriately because lingering estrogen leads to symptoms including PMS
symptoms such as bloating, menopausal symptoms such as hot flashes, and
other symptoms such as weight gain and even breast cancer. Probiotics also help
vaginal health and prevent yeast infections, urinary tract infections, bacterial
infections, and sexually transmitted diseases. Osteoporosis prevention is important for women as they age, and gut flora are important for the production
of vitamin K, an important compound for bone strength.
8. Probiotics are also good for men’s health.
Not only do bacteria help women with estrogen, but there are also some in the
gut that are natural testosterone synthesizers. Male mice on a probiotic diet are thinner, shinier, have bigger testicles, and inseminate females more successfully.
Studies on men’s semen have found that those with more probiotics in their diet
have higher sperm quality.
9. Probiotics improve oral hygiene.
Probiotics have been shown to reduce plaque, gum-disease, and halitosis, or
bad-breath. Once again, the anti-inflammatory effects of probiotics include the
mouth, and the better immune system significantly improves oral health.
10. Probiotics keep you young.
Around 60 years old, healthy bacteria count in the gut drops significantly.
Disease-causing microbes set up camp and proliferate, and the microbiome shift
increases gut inflammation and a slew of other problems as a result. In one study on people between 63 and 84, probiotic treatment substantially increased white
blood count and effectiveness, suggesting that supplemental probiotics are
increasingly important as we age.
Collectively, all these studies show that probiotics are critical for the optimal functioning of the entire human body.
Author:
Kelly Daescu, MS
Editor:
Dr. Rasheed Huma
References:
https://authoritynutrition.com/probiotics-101/
https://chriskresser.com/a-healthy-gut-is-the-hidden-key-to-weight-loss/
http://www.livescience.com/46502-probiotics-hold-promise-skin-conditions.html
http://www.colgate.com/en/us/oc/oral-health/conditions/plaque-and-
tartar/article/probiotics-for-oral-health-0814
http://www.medicaldaily.com/mental-health-benefits-probiotics-good-bacteria-
may-improve-mood-fight-depression-328882
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3023901/
http://www.newsmax.com/FastFeatures/probiotics-prostate-
http://paleoleap.com/importance-gut-flora-immune-system/
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/evolutionary-psychiatry/201206/groovy-
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/long-fuse-big-bang/201503/improving-
http://renegadehealth.com/blog/2012/06/06/the-secret-ingredient-for-boosting-
http://www.totalhealthmagazine.com/Womens-Health/PROBIOTICS-A-Womans-
http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/news/20120508/probiotics-reduce-
The Importance of
Microbiome Genetics
In 2003, the human genome project found the sequence of all of our 3 billion
base pairs of DNA. In 2008, a new, extended study began in order to discover
the DNA contained within the 30 to 50 trillion beneficial bacteria cells that reside within our body. These bacteria significantly outnumber our own cells and make
up 3% of our body mass. This microbiome project is investigating the over 1,000
genes that our bacterial inhabitants contribute to our body’s functionality.
So what is a gene and why are scientists so interested in sequencing them?
Genes are bits of DNA that code for proteins, and proteins facilitate every single chemical reaction in our body. Think of DNA as instructions on how to build
something. By themselves, they are just letters. It is only when interpreted
that they become functional. Bacterial instructions are simple and would be akin
to
“how to build Jenga blocks or a Lego cube.” Human instructions, in contrast, are infinitely more complicated and would be akin to “how to build the Empire
state building”. The four letters of DNA are indeed conserved across all
organisms, but as you can see, their “words”, “reading level”, and sheer
numerical differences result in life’s diversity.
Even though bacteria are so much simpler than humans, they contain genes that
we do not. The microbiome in our body includes a whopping 3.3 million total genes. This is surprising due to their simplicity; however, it is a collective number that includes hundreds, and possibly even thousands of bacterial species.
Bacterial cells have taken up residence in our intestine because it benefits them by giving them easy access to food. It is not an altruistic motive by any means, but it works for us by facilitating digestion as well as overall health. They provide the following actions that we are incapable of doing on our own, such as:
Absorbing excess nutrients so that harmful bacteria can’t consume them and
survive
Establishing intestinal residence that blocks harmful bacteria from attaching
instead
Producing vitamin K which is important for bone metabolism and blood
clotting
Producing B vitamins that are important for blood formation and energy
Boosting the immune system
Contributing to neutralizing acidity in the colon, protecting our cells from
damage
None of these effects would exist without the ability of the gut flora to degrade almost half of the indigestible fiber and other carbohydrates we consume such as
cellulose and lactose. Because our bacterial friends degrade these
carbohydrates, we are able to absorb them and reap their nutritional benefits.
Studies show that our modern diet of processed foods, artificially modified
foods, and fast foods is drastically reducing the diversity of the microbiome
and allowing pathogenic bacteria to establish residence. Studies also show that
these disruptions are contributing to obesity and intestinal problems such as
Chron’s disease and irritable bowel syndrome.
It is essential to maintain a healthy microbiome, and one way to do this is to increase consumption of healthy fiber and reduce the consumption of processed
food and artificial ingredients. Another way to optimize digestive health is to
supplement your diet with a prebiotic/probiotic regime. Go to any pharmacy
and you will find prebiotics and probiotics that only contain bacterial cultures.
Our product expands upon the business model of the traditional supplement
industry. Our innovative research developed ways to ease digestive symptoms by
increasing bacteria’s genetic impact. In addition to our products’ customized
blend of safe and natural ingredients and essential vitamins, our products
address the cause of the symptoms. They boost protein functionality.
Author:
Kelly Daescu, MS
Editor:
Dr. Rasheed Huma
Sources Accessed July 13, 2016
https://www.genome.gov/10001772/all-about-the--human-genome-project-
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2646358/
http://www.nature.com/nature/j...
http://www.nutri-facts.org/content/nutrifacts/en_US/news/vitamin-k-_-
established-and-potential-new-functions.html
http://www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-gut-bacteria-help-make-us-fat-
Health Benefits of
Probiotics
Our bodies are full of bacteria. Normally bacteria are thought of as disease
causing agents. However, there are “good” bacteria that help keep us healthy.
Our bodies continually attempt to maintain a balance of good and bad bacteria.
Age, genetics, and diet may influence the balance of bacteria in our bodies.
Stress, lack of sleep, antibiotic overuse, drug use, and environmental factors may also influence the balance of bacteria in our bodies. Unfortunately, an imbalance
may predispose you to diseases including Crohn’s, irritable bowel, ulcerative colitis, obesity, and diabetes.
Probiotics are microorganisms or live bacteria and yeasts, that assist primarily
with digestion. The word probiotic means “promoting life”. These
microorganisms promote life by maintaining a healthy digestive tract and
immune system. Research indicates probiotic use may also have several other
health benefits. Ongoing research indicates probiotics may promote the health
of the reproductive tract, oral cavity, lungs, skin, and gut-brain axis. Probiotics may even prevent obesity and diabetes.
Probiotics should not be considered a replacement for medications treating
certain conditions. However, daily consumption of probiotics may confer several
benefits to those who utilize them. That being said, probiotics should be
considered a compliment to rather than a replacement of prescribed
medications. Specific health benefits related to probiotic use include:
Urinary health - Often, urinary and vaginal tact infections occurring in women are caused by bacteria common to the intestinal tract. These infections are easily
treated with antimicrobial therapy, however, not without occasional side-effects.
Studies suggest utilizing probiotics, specifically, lactobacilli, may have a
preventative role in urinary and vaginal tract infections.
Immunity and allergies- Believe it or not, our gut plays a large role in our ability to fight off infections. Cells that help fight off infections and coordinate allergic reactions develop and mature in our gut. Data indicates probiotics may positively affect this development and maturation process and increase our ability to fight
off and respond to infective processes. Probiotics may also improve our bodies
ability to respond to common allergens such as pollen, hair, and mold.
Obesity and diabetes - A daily dose of probiotics was found to prevent weight
gain and insulin resistance in lab mice. Daily consumption of certain probiotics
increased the ability of these mice to process diets high in fat. Probiotics were also thought to be involved in appetite suppression and improve the ability of
how these mice processed glucose. Although these results were observed in
mice, researchers are optimistic the same benefits may be appreciated by
humans. Researchers also believe the proper balance of bacteria in the gut may
combat and prevent obesity.
Hypertension - 50 million Americans have been diagnosed with and take daily medications for hypertension. Hypertension, or elevated blood pressure, has
significant negative effects on overall health. Data indicates daily consumption of probiotics may decrease blood pressure. Although the decrease in blood
pressure were small, significant decreases were appreciated. Of note, the
benefits appreciated were not directly caused by the probiotics but secondary to
how probiotics process milk products.
Resources:
Reid G, Jass J, Sebulsky TM, McCormick JK. Potential Uses of Probiotics in
Clinical Practice. Clin Microbiol Rev. 2003. 16(4): 658-672.
Sanders ME. Considerations for Use of Probiotic Bacteria to Modulate Human
health. J. Nutr. 2000. 130: 384S-390S.
Proverb “The Way to a
Person's Heart is Through
His Stomach”?
Cholesterol: The Good and Bad__ The trouble arises when the balance between
the two cholesterol carriers gets out of whack. High LDL-cholesterol that result
from poor diet, age or genetics may result in plaques in the arteries that can
burst, leading to heart attack or stroke. Due to its connection with heart disease it’s no wonder that LDL-cholesterol is referred to as “bad” cholesterol. Indeed, a 1% drop in LDL-cholesterol may reduce the risk of heart disease by up to 3%.
The Way to Our Hearts Through Our Gut What is not necessarily obvious is the
role our gut plays in cholesterol and heart health.
Scientists are now studying how the microbial communities in our gut
(collectively known as our microbiome) interact with each other
(http://www.economist.com/node/21560523). Interestingly, for metabolic
diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes and heart disease, the microbiome
seems to play a vital role. Researchers now suggest that the types and levels of
microbes in the gut may be used to predict a person’s chance of having a heart
attack (http://www.fasebj.org/content/26/4/1727.long).
Microbiome Plus+™ for Heart Health One strategy to shift the microbiome to
health is through the ingestion of probiotics. But research also shows that
probiotics are not “one size fits all”. Two recent clinical studies showed that
when patients with high cholesterol levels were given daily doses of the probiotic bacterium Lactobacillus reuteri NCIMB 30242 (Microbiome Plus+™), their blood
cholesterol levels dropped by 10-12% compared to patients that were given a
placebo. (https://microbiomeplus.com/lac... ). Microbiome Plus+™ was selected and optimized for production of a key enzyme called bile salt hydrolase. Once
ingested, Microbiome Plus+™ uses its potent enzymatic machinery to help
modulate cholesterol levels and promote heart health.
Microbiome Plus+™ for Inflammation: In addition to keeping LDL-cholesterol in
check, calming inflammation in the body may be just as important for preventing
heart disease. Starting in 1997, Dr. Paul Ridker of Harvard Medical School began
finding a relation between an inflammation compound called C-reactive protein
(CRP) and heart disease (http://annals.org/article.aspx?articleid=712737). It was shown that elevated CRP levels almost tripled the risk for heart attack and
doubled the risk for stroke. Indeed, Microbiome Plus+™ when given twice daily
for 9 weeks, was shown to reduce CRP levels by a significant amount when
compared to patients taking placebo. Microbiome Plus+™ also greatly reduced
the number of subjects with CRP levels in the so-called “high-risk” group. With
rapidly increasing rates of heart disease throughout the world, the development
of Microbiome Plus+™ as a safe and effective probiotic is timely. When it comes
to probiotics, the way to our hearts are indeed through our gut.
Sources and further reading The human microbiome: Me, myself, us. The
Economist. August 2012.
http://www.economist.com/node/... V. Lam et al. Intestinal microbiota determine severity of myocardial infarction in rats. The Journal of the Federation of
American Socities for Experimental Biology. April 2012, pages 1727-35.
http://www.fasebj.org/content/... Paul M. Ridker. Evaluating novel cardiovascular risk factors: can we better predict heart attacks?. Annals of Internal Medicine.
June 1999, pages 933-37. http://annals.org/article.aspx...
How Dogs Benefit from
Probiotics
Similar to your intestinal tract, your pet's gut is also home to trillions of bacteria that keep their gut in a healthy state. Once the defenses break down, the dogs
can also fall a victim to various GI diseases. Hence, the question arises, "can probiotics help your dog?" Research shows that probiotic therapy is a promising strategy for canines' GI disorders.
Lactobacilli are phenomenal probiotics for dogs!
The primary probiotics studied to benefit dogs are the lactic acid bacteria. ( This is ascribable to the potential of these live bacteria to survive in the intestinal tract of these animals.
Lactobacilli help ease inflammatory bowel disease (IBD)
Dogs also tend to experience GI disorders like IBD and small-intestinal bacterial overgrowth. In fact, IBD is one of the common bowel problems experienced by
canines. These illnesses cause chronic diarrhea in dogs, and on top of that, IBD
and SIBO are treated with antibiotics (just like in humans) because of which the
microbiome gets more out of control. Probiotics restore the balance of the
microbiome in dogs that is thrown into turmoil by these inflammatory gut
ailments and by their use of antibiotics. This alleviates the associated diarrheal symptoms in canines. Probiotics also enhance the nutrient absorption (that is
compromised in these disorders) in puppies required for the maintenance of
their health.
Probiotics lessen the severity of acute diarrhea in dogs
The good bacteria strengthen the gut barriers in dogs, which prevents the
invasion of harmful agents into their system that can induce acute diarrheal
infections. In 2009, Dr. Kelly and colleagues from the Procter & Gamble Pet Care Technical Center reported that supplementation with a particular strain of
probiotic reduces the duration of diarrhea in dogs. Also noted was a drop in the
need for antibiotic treatment by about 38.5% (for the probiotic group) over
placebo.
Probiotics benefit a great deal of worm infections in canines
The hygiene and dietary habits of the pets render them susceptible to a wide
range of infections. Especially worth mentioning is the hookworm infection, one
of the universal infections identified in these animals. These parasites can critically harm the dogs, contributing to symptoms such as anemia, irritability,
weight loss, and abdominal cramps and in severe cases, death. The dog
hookworm, in turn, can trigger detrimental infections in humans. Feeding certain
probiotics to dogs infected with hookworm reduces the elimination of eggs laid
by the hookworm, thereby improving the accompanying symptoms. Probiotics
not only provide protection against hookworm infection but a variety of other
parasitic infections in dogs appear to benefit from probiotics.
Probiotics help ease IBS in canines
Just like the human version, IBS in dogs can be distressing. Probiotics can
alleviate IBS symptoms via improving the frequency and quality of the stools in
dogs with sensitive guts.
Probiotics boost the immune system in dogs
Probiotics prime the immune defenses in pets by promoting the production of
secretory IgA, a protective antibody.
Probiotics minimize the production of inflammatory substances in dogs
Very much like in humans, probiotics exert anti-inflammatory effects in canines by stimulating the release of anti-inflammatory substances, and hence, ease
symptoms related to long-standing enteropathies like IBD.
Summary
In the light of the given reasons, many veterinarians recommend probiotic use for the health of pets, including dogs.
References
1. Manninen TJK, Rinkinen ML, Beasley SS, Saris PEJ. Alteration of the Canine
Small-Intestinal Lactic Acid Bacterium Microbiota by Feeding of Potential
Probiotics. Applied and Environmental Microbiology. 2006;72(10):6539-6543.
2. Kelley RL, Minikhiem D, Kiely B et al. Clinical benefits of probiotic canine-
derived Bifidobacterium animalis strain AHC7 in dogs with acute idiopathic
diarrhea. Veterinary Therapeutics. 2009;10(3):121-30.
3. Landmann JK, Prociv P. Experimental human infection with the dog
hookworm, Ancylostoma caninum. Med J Aust. 2003;178(2):69-71.
4. Coêlho MDG, Coêlho FA da S, de Mancilha IM. Probiotic Therapy: A
Promising Strategy for the Control of Canine Hookworm. Journal of
Parasitology Research. 2013;2013:430413. doi:10.1155/2013/430413.
5. Pascher M, Hellweg P, Khol-Parisini A, Zentek J. Effects of a probiotic
Lactobacillus acidophilus strain on feed tolerance in dogs with non-specific
dietary sensitivity. Arch Anim Nutr. 2008;62(2):107-16. doi:
6. Benyacoub J, Czarnecki-Maulden GL et al. Supplementation of food with
Enterococcus faecium (SF68) stimulates immune functions in young dogs. J
7. Malewska K, Rychlik A, Nieradka R, Kander M. Treatment of inflammatory
bowel disease (IBD) in dogs and cats. Pol J Vet Sci. 2011;14(1):165-71.
Disclaimer: The contents in this book are for informational purposes only and not intended to be professional medical advice. These are my personal thoughts and
we do recommend you seek professional medical advice from your doctor before
taking any health supplements. These statements have not been evaluated by
the Food and Drug Administration.This drug is not intended to diagnose treat,
cure and prevent any disease.
Thank you!
Dear all thank you for spending time
your appreciation will boost us to write
more articles like this. if you wish to donate us for our wonderful
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What Probiotics Should I Be
Taking?
Microbiome Plus+ offers an advanced probiotic and prebiotic that
have been proven to be effective in a number of clinical trials.
Here are some of the benefits:
* Improves Digestive Health
*Boosts Immune
* Helps Maintain a Healthy Microbiome
* Increase Vitamin D
* Lowers Cholesterol
* Improves Mood and Energy Levels
* Helps with Weight Loss
* Improves Overall Health
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