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Probiotics |
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A group of experts assembled by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) defined probiotics as “live microorganisms that confer a health benefit on the host when taken in adequate amounts”.
The discovery that microbes play a significant role in keeping people healthy has prompted a lot of research into the health benefits associated probiotic microbes. Several studies have indicated that probiotic bacteria can improve the immune functioning of the body, help lower the incidence of diarrheal illnesses, and help enhance lactose digestion in those who are lactose intolerant.
Some common probiotic products include soured milks such as yogurt, kefir, miso, tempeh and sauerkraut. The largest group of probiotic bacteria in the intestine is lactic acid bacteria, of which Lactobacillus acidophilus (found in yogurt) is best known. Common strains of probiotic bacteria include Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Enterococcus faecium, and Bifidobacteria longum.
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Elie Metchnikoff, Russian Nobel Prize winner and father of modern immunology, was the first to promote the idea of probiotics in the early 20th century. He developed the theory that the reason behind the longevity and good health of Bulgarian peasants was due to the fermented bacteria in the milk products they consumed. Recent research on probiotics has done much to corroborate this theory.
First used as a contrast to the word “antibiotics”, it was only in 1979 that the word "probiotics" was used to describe particular supplements.
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Extensive studies that have revealed that probiotics can offer the following health benefits to the host:
Immune System Enhancement
A person’s immune system can be adversely affected by several factors - including stress and age. Clinical trials indicate that probiotic cultures (or beneficial bacteria) help increase the body’s ability to help itself when the immune system is under attack by external factors. Some studies also indicate that probiotics could reduce the effects caused when the body’s immune system does not regulate itself in a way that it should. More research needs to be done with regards to the effects of probiotics on the immune system.
Erickson KL, Hubbard NE. Probiotic Immunomodulation in Health and Disease. Journal of Nutrition. 2000;130:403S-409S.
Perdigon G, Alvarez S, Rachid M, et al. Immune System Stimulation by Probiotics. Journal of Dairy Science. 1995;7(78):1597-1606.
Prevention of Diarrhea
Prevention of diarrhea is the most commonly touted health benefit of probiotics. Several clinical trials have shown a huge improvement in young children with persistent or acute diarrhea after the consumption of probiotics, especially species of the lactobacillus family. Probiotics have also proven beneficial in cases of infant diarrhea.
Zhang W, Azevedo MSP, Wen K, et al. Probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus enhances the immunogenicity of an oral rotavirus vaccine in gnotobiotic pigs. Vaccine. 2008;26(29–30):3655–3661.
Protection against Crohn’s Disease and Colitis Disease
Probiotics help regulate the growth of the "bad" bacteria in the intestines and also protects the patient from the undesirable effects of these bacteria. Including probiotics in the diet on a regular basis had the result of drastically decreasing the number of recurrences of Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis.
Early tests suggest that the intestinal resident - Faecalibacterium prausnitzii - may be a beneficial probiotic treatment for Crohn's disease. The researchers describe their findings in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences Early Edition.
Aiding In Lactose Intolerance
The lactase enzyme helps break down the sugar lactose that is present in milk and dairy products. Lactose Intolerance, (also called Lactose Maldigestion or Lactose Malabsorption) is a condition brought about when the small intestines do not produce enough of the lactase enzyme. The resultant undigested lactose causes stomach cramps, flatulence, bloating, and diarrhea. Different probiotics help in lactose digestion by several different methods.
Cancer Prevention
Despite extensive research, there are no definitive results linking any probiotic use to reduced risk of cancer of any type, though there have been promising results in trials, with evidence suggesting that probiotics could possibly prevent colorectal cancer. Also, results of different trials are in conflict as to the efficacy of different microbes. Whereas some studies maintain that it is the Lactobacillus acidophilus strain that lowers the concentration of major cancer promoting enzymes in the intestinal tract, other studies give credit to Bifidobacterium in addition to certain other members of the lactobacillus family.
Iyer C, Kosters A, Sethi G, et al. Probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri promotes TNF-induced apoptosis in human myeloid leukemia-derived cells by modulation of NF-kB and MAPK signaling. Cellular Microbiology. 2008;10(7):1442–1452.
Prevention of Infections
Probiotics present in certain lactobacilli are thought to be effective in reducing the incidence of vaginal infections, candida yeast infections, as well as gastric ulcers and gastric cancer.
Some studies indicate that probiotics are very effective at preventing infection when applied topically to skin burns, as well to tracheostomies, which are a temporary or permanent opening cut into the windpipe or the trachea.
Alvarez-Olmos MI, Oberhelman RA. Probiotic agents and infectious diseases: a modern perspective on a traditional therapy. Clinical Infectious Diseases. 2001;32(11):1567–1576.
Reduction of Cholesterol Levels
Though still not proven beyond a doubt - studies suggest that consumption of probiotics, especially those that are dairy-based, could lower serum cholesterol by reducing the re-absorption of cholesterol in the internal tract. Lowered serum cholesterol levels are a large factor in reducing the development of heart disease.
Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, two of the most widely recognized inflammatory bowel diseases are thought to be initially triggered by ultra-sensitivity to normal intestinal flora. Clinical studies conducted during the remission stages of these two diseases suggest that the remission period could be extended by acute, high consumption of particular probiotics.
Research suggests that an imbalance in the intestinal microflora could cause Irribitable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), which is a chronic condition causing abdominal bloating, pain, diarrhea and constipation.
Huebner ES, Surawicz CM. Probiotics in the prevention and treatment of gastrointestinal infections. Gastroenterology Clinics of North America. 2006;35(2):355–365.
Regularity of Bowel Movements
Probiotics are hailed as one of the most natural ways to promote regularity of bowel movements, though their use is not popular outside of the medical and healthcare community. Clinical results that were published in the European Journal of Gastroenterology & Hepatology (attributed to Birkenfeld B, Kordecki H and Niedzielin K) used Lactobacillus plantarum 299V to study the effect of probiotics on the stability of bowel movements. When subjects were administered a probiotic in liquid suspension form for one month or a placebo, those administered the probiotic showed improvement in bowel movement regularity. These patients also experienced a decrease in their symptoms of IBS.
From: www.irritable-bowel-syndrome.ws
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Sources and Forms of Probiotics: |
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Yogurt is the principle probiotic food source for most people. In addition to containing live cultures of Streptococcus therophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus, probiotic yogurt also contains 4 more live cultures, which include Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus reuteri, Lactobacillus casei and Bifidobacterium bifidum. Keep in mind that not all yogurts have the same number and type of cultures - especially those varieties that have been pasteurized after having added the cultures. Pasteurization does not discriminate – it kills off all bacteria including the beneficial varieties.
Additionally, probiotics are manufactured as part of a $290 million industry (in the US alone) producing supplements, cultured drinks, and vegetables. Fermented milk drink kefir is another source, especially the kefir that is made from young, tender coconuts. There is great difficulty in making these cultured strains of probiotics (and it is especially difficult to make kefir). The supplement industry helps provide probiotics in a readily available form. One such probiotics supplement, CocoBiotic, is made from young kefir and cultured vegetables, and contains the strains of: Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus delbreukii, Saccharomyces boulardii, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
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Recommended Dosage of Probiotics: |
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In order to optimize the benefits of probiotics, they need to be taken on a regular basis, and this is best accomplished by including foods that contain probiotics into your daily diet. Probiotics do not reside permanently in the small intestine - they do their good work as they pass through.
Some of the ways to increase your intake of probiotics on a daily basis include:
- Making yoghurt a part of your daily breakfast or lunch.
- Having yoghurt for your midday snack or your desert after dinner.
- Use acidophilus-enhanced milk when eating cereal or drinking coffee.
- Make a “yoghurt” smoothie.
Probiotic supplements work by helping to regenerate and increase the healthy bacteria in the intestinal tract, thus helping to improve the environment within the digestive tract. This helps in improving digestion and absorption of food, boosting the body’s natural defense mechanisms, and enhancing overall health.
Current products being sold contain anywhere from less than 1 billion to 35 billion bacteria count (cfu). Nutritionalinsider.com recommends products with a minimum of 1 billion probiotic counts per day for maximum benefits.
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Safety and Side Effects of Probiotics: |
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There has not been much research on the safety of taking probiotics. Much more information is sought on how safe probiotics are for the elderly, young children and for those individuals with a compromised immune system.
To date, side effects of probiotics are rare and may include mild digestion-related issues such as bloating or gas. Probiotics may also cause excessive stimulation of the immune system, unhealthy metabolic activities, or unwanted gene transfers (where genetic material is inserted into a cell). There is also the possibility that probiotics could cause infections in people who suffer from underlying health problems. These infections would in all likelihood need to be treated with antibiotics.
Precautions when taking Probiotics
Here are a few facts to take into consideration if you are planning on taking Probiotics:
- The effects produced by one strain of probiotics are not always the same as the effects produced by another strain (or even for different preparations of the same strain or species).
- If you use a probiotic product and experience any effect that is out of the ordinary, it is best to contact your health care provider.
- Probiotics should not be used in place of conventional medical care.
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Frequently Asked Questions on Probiotics: |
What are Probiotics & how do they affect human health?
Probiotics are bacteria that live inside a person’s digestive tract, providing the person with certain health benefits. Levels of health-promoting bacteria in a healthy person are perfectly balanced. Factors such as stress, antibiotic treatments, excessive consumption of food additives, and consumption of certain foods and/or drugs can cause an imbalance leading to a decrease in the natural level of beneficial bacteria. Adverse health disorders can result from such an imbalance. Sufficient intake of probiotics can offset or reduce the severity of these ailments.
Which products contain probiotic bacteria?
Probiotic bacteria are mostly found in fermented dairy products, the most common of which is yoghurt. Some other probiotic dairy products include cheese, sour cream and kefir. In addition, probiotic bacteria are available as a dietary supplements.
Are probiotic bacteria in dietary supplement capsules really alive?
If stabilized properly, probiotic bacteria remain alive in dormant cycles within capsules and powders. The moist environment inside the body provides optimum conditions for these dried bacteria to start to grow again. The stability of the probiotic bacteria is dependant upon the type of strain, as well as on the product ingredients and storage conditions.
Who needs to take probiotics supplements?
Probiotics offer a wide range of health benefits including the ability to boost the immune system, lower the risk of colon cancer, and reduce cholesterol levels. They also reduce the incidence of diarrhea, atopic eczema, and vaginal infections. Any individual who is prone to suffering from any of these health conditions would benefit from additional probiotic intake.
DerMarderosian A, et al. (eds.) (2006). Probiotics Review of Natural Products. St. Louis:Wolters Kluwer Health.
How are probiotics different from functional foods?
Functional foods encompass a wide range of food products that contain additional health properties that maximize the nutritional value of the product. Typically, a food product is considered functional when it includes: a probiotic bacteria culture, calcium, vitamins, antioxidants, or fiber.
How can I reap the full benefits of probiotics supplementation?
It is important to keep in mind that probiotics need to be consumed regularly and in sufficient quantities to be effective. To enjoy the benefits of any probiotic product you need to make sure that you consume the recommended quantities every day.
How are probiotics helpful in Crohn’s and Colitis Disease?
Probiotics are good bacteria which help regulate the growth of the bad bacteria in the intestine (thereby protecting them from the undesirable effects produced by these bad bacteria). Including probiotics in the diet on a regular basis had the result of drastically decreasing the number of recurrences of Crohn's disease.
Living Probiotics & The Poten-Zyme™ Process.
Do bacteria survive in the digestive system?
Studies indicate that some strains of bacteria used in probiotic products are capable of surviving through the entire digestive system. Some strains can survive and thrive in acidic environments. Oleic acid is an example of a probiotic bacteria that can survive in acidic conditions. More about oleic acid can be read here.
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Additional Research on Probiotics: |
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Probiotics and Crohn's Disease
Buttorworth AD, Thomas AG, Akobeng AK. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2008 Jul 16;(3):CD006634.
Shteyer E, Wilschanski M. Novel therapeutic modalities in pediatric inflammatory bowel disease. Isr Med Assoc J. 2008 Nov;10(11):816-20.
Wong K, Bressler B. Mild to moderate Crohn's disease: an evidence-based treatment algorithm. Drugs. 2008;68(17):2419-25.
Probiotics and Cancer
Fotiadis CI, Stoidis CN, Spyropoulos BG, Zografos ED. Role of probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics in chemoprevention for colorectal cancer. World J Gastroenterol. 2008 Nov 14;14(42):6453-7.
Hatakka K, Holma R, El-Nezami H, et al. The influence of Lactobacillus rhamnosus LC705 together with Propionibacterium freudenreichii ssp. shermanii JS on potentially carcinogenic bacterial activity in human colon. Int J Food Microbiol. 2008 Dec 10;128(2):406-10.
Liong MT. Roles of Probiotics and Prebiotics in Colon Cancer Prevention: Postulated Mechanisms and In-vivo Evidence. Int J Mol Sci. 2008 May;9(5):854-63.
Thirabunyanon M, Boonprasom P, Niamsup P. Probiotic potential of lactic acid bacteria isolated from fermented dairy milks on antiproliferation of colon cancer cells. Biotechnol Lett. 2009 Apr;31(4):571-6.
Probiotics and Immune System Health
Baron M. Original Research: A Patented Strain of Bacillus coagulans increased Immune Response to Viral Challenge. Postgrad Med. 2009 Mar;121(2):114-8.
Boirivant M, Amendola A, Butera A. Intestinal microflora and immunoregulation. Mucosal Immunol. 2008 Nov;1 Suppl 1:S47-9.
Borchers AT, Selmi C, Meyers FJ, Keen CL, Gershwin ME. Probiotics and immunity. J Gastroenterol. 2009;44(1):26-46.
Frece J, Kos B, Svetec IK, et al. Synbiotic effect of Lactobacillus helveticus M92 and prebiotics on the intestinal microflora and immune system of mice. J Dairy Res. 2009 Feb;76(1):98-104.
Ruemmele FM, Bier D, Marteau P, et al. Clinical evidence for immunomodulatory effects of probiotic bacteria. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2009 Feb;48(2):126-41.
Tseng DY, Ho PL, Huang SY, et al. Enhancement of immunity and disease resistance in the white shrimp, Litopenaeus vannamei by the probiotic, Bacillus subtilis E20. Fish Shellfish Immunol. 2009 Feb;26(2):339-44.
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