Wednesday, January 28, 2009

Probiotics for Health Support

By Yee Smith

Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria are friendly bacteria that normally occur in the human gastrointestinal (GI) and genitourinary tracts and play important roles in promoting good health. They are also friendly because they are used therapeutically as probiotics (the opposite of antibiotics) for the purpose of re-colonizing areas of the body where they may be depleted for one reason or another. This is important since the body relies on beneficial bacteria for several functions, including nutrient absorption, preventing colonization by pathogenic bacteria and metabolizing foods and certain drugs. Probiotic bacteria are found in some fermented food products (i.e., yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut) as well as in dietary supplements.

What types of Probiotics?

The second healthy bacteria is called the Bifidobacteria, which colonizes in the colon and like our previous species can produce lactic acid. This specie produces antimicrobial substances that protect against harmful gram-negative and positive bacteria. This helps block infection in your gut. Bifidobacteria species can bind to the intestinal mucosa and prevent good bacteria from forming.

Probiotic Benefits

Probiotics come in different types. Each of the types offer specific health benefits. In clinical studies that have been conducted L. rhamnosus did enhance the natural immunity in adults by simply increasing activity of certain white blood cells. NK cells are a major role in the immune system. Their role is to reject and tumors or cells that are infected by viruses. This probiotic can also help greatly with diarrhea.

This probiotic can also increase production of (IFN-gamma) interferon-gamma, which shows protective effects on the intestinal mucosa, which is great. IFN's are proteins produced by cells of the immune system in response to blockages by foreign agents like parasites, tumor cells, and viruses. IFN has anti-viral, anti-tumor, and immunoregulatory properties which benefit the body.

Better known is the bacteria strain L. acidophilus. The benefits of this healthy bacteria is the ability to confront bacterial vaginosis, which is a cause of vaginal infections. Intravaginal suppositories containing L. acidophilus greatly improved infection in vaginosis compared to placebos. Tablets with estrogen may also get rid of bacterial vaginosis, along with yogurt and some other foods. This also helps the growth of Helicobacter pylori, or peptic ulcers in the body.

Effect way to use probiotics.

Studies have shown that Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria have a great safety profile and are tolerated very well, when used orally and appropriately. One of the more common effects from this is flatulence which will be mild, and usually subsides over time as supplementation is on-going. Children beware because bifidobacteria will also lead to diarrhea. No drug interactions are know with these species.

Given the many types of probiotic species, there are many potential supplements from which to choose. To provide comprehensive benefits, products offering combinations of these probiotics may make the most sense. In terms of daily dosage, at least 10 billion colony forming units (CFU) is often recommended, although 14 billion CFU may be more desirable.

If you want to get an additional health benefit on top of your probiotics, many deliver prebiotics, which help promote the growth and activity of beneficial probiotic bacteria. These prebiotics especially (FOS) is known the relive constipation by increasing the fecal mass inside. - 16004

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