We don’t like to think about the fact that there are at least 2.2 lbs. of bacteria residing in our gut. Another word for those intestinal bacteria is “flora”. There is a constant battle in the human gastrointestinal tract between “friendly” and “unfriendly” flora. Probiotics are living, “friendly” flora that go to war to keep our immune system strong
We often hear that 70-80% of the immune system is related to the gut because this is where B cells are produced. B cells create antibodies, or proteins that protect the body. Their job is to seek out and neutralize foreign invaders, such as virus and bacteria — including the flu virus.
Research implicates “unfriendly” bacteria as playing a significant role in the following health conditions: diarrhea, constipation, ulcers (caused by the bacteria H. Pylori), IBS, allergies, asthma, yeast and urinary tract infections, eczema, and inflammatory bowel diseases (such as ulcerative colitis and Chron’s disease). Promising studies are ongoing to discover if probiotic use may raise HDL (“healthy”) cholesterol and help prevent colon cancer. The health conditions listed above are all related to inflammation. The good news: probiotics reduce inflammation.
“Unfriendly” bacteria may get a hold over the “friendly” flora for many reasons: use of pharmaceutical medications, stress, poor diet, and most commonly, the use of antibiotics. Many health professionals stress the importance of taking probiotic s during a course of antibiotics and up to at least a week following the last dose. This will give the digestive tract an opportunity to replace the “friendly” bacteria – which was annihilated by the antibiotics along with the “unfriendly” bacteria, the bacteria for which the antibiotic was originally intended.
One of the most promising uses for probiotics is they aid in digestion in the presence of food intolerances. Food intolerances, such as lactose intolerance, often result in bloating, gas, pain and other discomfort. Food intolerances occur due to improperly digested or absorbed proteins, often from a lack of enzymes. Consumption of dairy, wheat, soy and eggs are commonly associated with food intolerances.
You may increase your probiotic intake through foods, pills, liquid or powdered supplements. Foods with probiotics include kimchi, sauerkraut, kefir, yogurt and other fermented foods such as miso, tempeh, and tofu. I suggest organic or Greek yogurt, as not all yogurts contain live cultures. Organic cottage cheese also contains live cultures. When shopping, check the label for live, active cultures and the name of specific bacteria strains such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium.
Probiotics are not only for those with existing health conditions. Research indicates that probiotics also enhance the immune response in healthy people, helping them avoid flu, colds and other illness. For years I’ve opted for a daily probiotic supplement in addition to my fermented organic dairy foods, and doubled my probiotic intake staring with onset of flu season.
Check with your dietetic professional or health care provider for the right strain of probiotic for your specific needs. Also, make sure to consult such professionals before taking probiotics if you have an immune-comprised condition.
Lastly, don’t forget the prebiotics. Prebiotics allow the “friendly” bacteria to take hold and grow. They may be added to foods as fructooligosaccharide (FOS) or oligofructose. They are extracted from fruits and vegetables, most notably the Jerusalem artichoke. They are found in pill and powdered supplements, and often added to my favorite natural, no-calorie sweetener, Stevia. You may also find prebiotics accompany several probiotic supplement formulations in pill, liquid or powder form. Prebiotics may be found in the following foods: flax, barley, dark leafy greens, legumes, honey, onions, berries and other fruits, as well as whole grains such as oatmeal.
Hooray for 2.2lbs of gut bacteria!
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