If you're unfamiliar with this gastro miracle worker, it's time to brush up on this healthy bacteria.
What are probiotics?
Probiotics are live bacteria that predominately live in the gastrointestinal tract. They help balance the “good” and “bad” micro-organisms. In the 1990s, interest surged in probiotics as doctors began to see the benefits of using them to treat digestive problems.
Microflora, the bacteria found in the large intestine, aids digestion, synthesizes vitamins and help nutrients metabolize meds, support functioning of the gut and enhance the immune system. That is why it is important to keep the microflora up to snuff, which is where probiotics come in.
There are two major classes of probiotics useful in humans – lactobacillis and bifidobacteria. One fact revealed by research is that different types of probiotics are helpful in some situations but may not be helpful against other bacteria types in certain body parts. So quite a bit of research has yet to be done to ferret out the uses of both types of probiotics.
Lactobacillis
This is a “friendly” bacteria that lives in the gastrointestinal tract. With more than 400 varieties of bacterial, or microbiotal or mircroflora species in the gut, the majority live in the colon. This bacteria helps to absorb nutrients, break down food and fight off organisms that cause diseases such as diarrhea. Helpful in treating or preventing Crohn’s disease, bacteria that causes ulcers and UTIs, digestive problems, inflammation of the colon and vaginal yeast infections.
Also, it's helpful with abdominal ailments such as antibiotic-related diarrhea, traveler’s diarrhea, and skin disorders like canker sores, fever blisters, eczema and acne.
Bifidobacteria
Bifidobacteria is another “friendly” bacteria that normally live in the intestines. Some think this bacteria restores the natural balance of food bacteria which have been thrown off by encounters with radiation, antibiotics, diarrhea or chemotherapy. Typically used for ulcerative colitis and at times taken for breast pain, lactose intolerance, hepatitis, Lyme disease, cancer, and mumps.
This bifidobacteria is also used to treat eczema in infants and adults alike, along with flu-like symptoms and flu. One of its functions is to boost immune systems and lower cholesterol.
Probiotics are found in active live cultures such as yogurt and other fermented foods. They are also found in supplies such as capsules, liquids and chewables. In one UCLA study, healthy women who regularly ate probiotic yogurt had improved brain functioning.
Lead author of the study, Dr. Kirsten Tillisch, said "Many of us have a container of yogurt in our refrigerator that we may eat for enjoyment, for calcium or because we think it might help our health in other ways. Our findings indicate that some of the contents of yogurt may actually change the way our brain responds to the environment. When we consider the implications of this work, the old sayings 'you are what you eat' and 'gut feelings' take on new meaning."
Ever feel uneasy somewhere?
Speaking of “gut feelings,” research reveals the neural network serving our abdominal cavity or “guts” is extensive and some have nicknamed it “the second brain.” This second brain is known as the enteric nervous system. It controls every aspect of digestion including the small intestine, colon, stomach and esophagus. This could account for the queasiness some of us feel in situations in which we are not comfortable.
It goes to say that integrating foods with natural probiotic properties into your diet is a no brainer.
Probiotic Foods
Foods brimming with probiotics are: yogurt; kefir; aged and fermented cheeses tempeh; some soy beverages; products labeled “probiotic fortified” like juices, flour, cereal and chocolates.
“Conventionally, when people hear about probiotics, they typically think of yogurt or supplements,” says Dr. B.J. Hardick, founder of the Centre for Maximized Living in London, Ontario. “Most people are unfortunately unaware of several other incredible -- and typically better -- sources of healthy gut bacteria.” Among those sources is a wide array of cultured and fermented foods.
Five Conditions for Probiotic Use
The following five conditions benefit from the use of probiotics for either preventing, treating or using after an illness.
1. Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is one type of ulcerative colitis that affects the large intestine lining. Ulcerative colitis is an autoimmune disease. IBD has the following symptoms – weight loss; abdominal cramping and pain and frequently bloody diarrhea. Use of probiotics in IBD seem prescribed in cases where it is in remission. Research indicated that people who take probiotics at this stage seem to experience prolonged and extended periods of remission, as long as six months to a year.
2. Antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Administering both an antibiotic and probiotic in children and adults may help prevent diarrhea. Antibiotics interfere with the natural balance between bad and good antibiotics and as much as 30 percent of people suffer from diarrhea. Because antibiotics are hard on your intestines, doctors recommend taking probiotics for up to a month after antibiotics have been stopped.
3. Pouchitis can occur after surgery to remove diseased parts of the large intestine caused by ulcerative colitis. Fifty percent of those who undergo surgery experience this ailment. A pouch is surgically created by use of the small intestine. Sometimes this pouch harbors bacteria.
The patient is typically given a variety of antibiotics to continue remission. Studies show that taking probiotics after surgery may prevent pouchitis and maintain healthy bacterial mix once the disease is in remission.
4. Eczema usually signals a problem with one’s immune system. Infant and childhood eczema have been on the rise and some experts posit that infants aren’t being exposed to a variety of common childhood bacteria. The problem may be “too clean” an environment to be healthy for infants and children. This affects their immune system development.
Eczema may be the first indication of upcoming allergies or hay fevers later in childhood. In fact, according to the Mayo Clinic, three out of four children will get allergies. Experts believe that good bacteria like that found in probiotics helps prevent allergies by programming the immune system to distinguish between pathogens and non-harmful antigens and prevent eczema.
5. Initial research demonstrates that probiotic use can help with some of the symptoms of depression. Probiotics can reduce gut inflammation which subsequently lowers brain inflammation, which is thought to help those with depression.
There are many healthy uses for probiotics that have already been mentioned but by doing a little internet research, you can find other applications for these useful foods. Good searching to you.