Food sources for probiotics are fermented raw foods, such as
sauerkraut and kim chee, raw pickles, nutritional yeast, yogurt, and Rejuvalac
(a fermented wheat drink) ~ Rose Kalajian
Pros of Probiotics
Yes, Virginia, there are good bacteria ~ by Roon Frost
After a winter filled with commercials warning about germs' ill effects, it's
easy to forget that many bacteria are beneficial to health. More than 400
strains of friendly flora, or probiotics, work with our bodies to fight off
disease in a variety of ways. In fact, good bacteria secrete antibacterial
substances, competing with the bad "bugs" to help us withstand these
diseases. Probiotics also help balance the immune system, fighting allergies and
reducing the risk of cancer. While they populate our gastrointestinal tract, the
benefits of friendly bacteria also travel to the respiratory system and the
urogenital tract.
Important for the Very Young
Babies first encounter bacteria when they pass through the birth canal -
unless they're delivered by Cesarean section. Breast milk contains probiotics,
critical since infant' immune systems are still undeveloped. "For babies
who can't be breastfed, supplementation with probiotics has been found to
establish better intestinal health," says Earl Mindell, RPh, PhD. "If
you would like to try this with your own child, do so with the guidance of your
pediatrician," he adds.
A good deal of research on probiotics focuses on the their benefits for
diarrhea, especially in children. An extensively investigated strain, Lactobacillus
rhamnosus shortened the duration of diarrhea due to rotavirus in one
randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Other clinical trials find
that Lactobacillus GG and Saccharomyces boulardii significantly
lessen the incidence of diarrhea caused by antibiotic drugs.
Fighting Allergies
Probiotics have proved effective in treating your children with
moderate-to-severe dermatitis. Swedish research finds differences in microflora
between healthy and allergic infants. Intestinal microflora may be "the
major external driving force in the maturation of the immune system after
birth," this study explains.
Experimental research suggests that beneficial bacteria exert antiallergic
effects on immune and intestinal epithelial cells, protecting the gut's defense
barrier. Probiotics appear to reduce intestinal inflammation, which can cause
tiny holes in the intestinal wall, allowing food particles to enter the
bloodstream. Since the immune system works to rid the body of these particles,
friendly bacteria prevent immune reactivity and allergies.
Digestive Health
Not surprisingly, probiotics are useful for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD),
supporting the internal ecosystems of those with Crohn's disease, irritable
bowel syndrome (IBS), and ulcerative colitis. And the role of good bacteria
extends to healthy individuals, too.
Without probiotics, digestion, absorption, and detoxification cannot proceed
normally. This explains why antibiotics usually cause digestive problems, since
these drugs kill off good as well as bad bacteria. Many probiotics increase the
acidity of the GI tract, protecting against pathogens and yeasts. Candida
albicans yeasts in the digestive tract and mucous membranes quickly grow and
spread when the levels of good bacteria fall, setting the stage for severe yeast
overgrowth throughout the body and compromising immunity.
Other Benefits
Friendly flora also protect against H. Pylori bacteria, implicated in
stomach ulcers and cancer. Not only to probiotics themselves fight infection by
killing off bad bacteria, but they also enhance the activity of white blood
cells (which attack pathogens) and support cytokine production (which helps
cells communicate effectively). Animal research suggests that friendly bacteria
help inhibit the growth of cancer caused by toxic chemicals and may even protect
against colon cancer.
Beneficial bacteria manufacture a host of nutrients in the body; amino acids,
antioxidants, B complex vitamins, vitamin K, and short-chain fatty acids.
Bacterial cultures used to ferment foods make nutrients more bioavailable in the
body and can help people with lactose intolerance enjoy yogurt and other
fermented dairy products.
Natural Health Hut
