|
|
|
PROBIOTICS
|
|
| Printable Version | Email |
| |
 A probiotic is a bacteria or, in one instance, a healthy yeast, that is added to yogurt, other dairy products, liquids, powders or pills. The intent is that these bacteria will move through the stomach and small intestine, take up residence in the colon, displace other bacteria, and grow in a healthy manner, providing multiple health benefits.
Introduction & Overview
The human colon is, indeed, a wonderful organ. In the past, scientists thought that it did nothing except store human waste until it could be passed through the rectum. We in medicine knew that many bacteria and a few viruses and yeasts grew there. However, we had no idea that there are over 1,000 different types of bacteria there and that the total bacteria content in the colon is perhaps 10 trillion (that's trillion with a T), more than 10 times the total number of cells in the entire body.
More than this, we had no idea that this fermenting cauldron of living organisms was vital to the colon itself and, indeed, to the body. This is true, especially if these organisms are fed the proper plant fiber foods, including prebiotics.
So, What Do Probiotics Do?
This seems like a simple question, but the answer is anything but clearcut. As noted, there are hundreds and hundreds of different bacteria in the colon, so will adding 1, 2, 6 or more make a difference? Additionally, most of these probiotic preparations claim to contain 5-10 billion live bacteria. Every food and pill manufacturer selects their own group of bacteria, so it is impossible to compare one with the other. There are likely 1,000 billion bacteria already in the colon. So, reason would say that adding just a few types of bacteria, and in really small doses to what is already there, might not change things very much.
Also very important... You can ingest as much probiotics as you wish, and if they starve and die out, they won't benefit you. That is the role of prebiotics - food for probiotics. Prebiotics are special plant-based fibers that nourish these helpful bacteria without feeding any undesirable bugs. This is so important, that Jackson GI manufactures and sells Prebiotin prebiotic fiber supplement to ensure your colon bacteria are well-fed.
The field of probiotics and prebiotics is very new and we are just beginning to learn what role probiotics play in health and disease. So, while we in medicine are always cautious about excessive claims for any new therapy or dietary change, there are some early favorable results in the medical literature, especially in people with certain disorders of the gastrointestinal tract.
Dispelling a few myths about Probiotic Supplements
Probiotics are a wonderful part of the body's health system. But we must not forget that they do their work in the colon - not by sitting in your yogurt.
- When a probiotic is stopped, the colon returns to its previous bacterial makeup within 2-3 weeks. If you do not nourish the probiotics in your colon, you will be on a constant cycle of replacement: Probiotics will have to be taken indefinitely.
- Your body has evolved a wonderful defense mechanism: the hydrochloric acid in your stomach is a powerful antibacterial agent. The problem is that the good bacteria and bad bacteria are killed just alike. So the acid environment of the stomach likely kills many of the probiotic bacteria ingested.
- By the time probiotics - they're living organisms, remember - are processed, packaged, shipped, warehoused, shelved and finally sold to you, there is some real question how many live bacteria are still present, as the FDA does not regulate dietary supplements.
- Except for certain diseases mentioned below, we don't know which of the probiotic bacteria may be better than another. We think that bifidobacter, lactobacillus and acidophilus are the most important. So rather than taking a few probiotic strains orally, you may be better off nourishing the probiotics you have with a prebiotic supplement such as Prebiotin.
Probiotics in Diseases
 It is a good bit easier to study a probiotic preparation in a well-defined group of patients with a specific disorder. So many probiotic manufacturers have begun to do such testing. Each will use its own group of bacteria, 1, 2 or even 6 or 8. They use their own dosages as well. So trying to compare one study with another becomes difficult to say the least. Having said that, there does appear to be positive and beneficial results occurring in certain situations.
Probiotics and Intestinal infections in infants and children - When certain probiotics are used in these cases, the infection appears to clear more rapidly and completely.
Probiotics and Intestinal infection in the adult by clostridium difficile bacteria - This C. diff (as we call it) infection is rampant in hospitals and is increasing in the community. It is particularly common after colon surgery and antibiotic use. Some very clear benefits have been noted when certain probiotics are used in treating the infection.
Probiotics and Pouchitis - With certain types of colon surgery, the surgeon may create a pouch just within the rectum, using a portion of the small intestine. This pouch can become infected with bacteria. Certain probiotics seem to be helpful.
Probiotics and Antibiotic use - When an antibiotic is used for anything, it will indiscriminately kill many colon bacteria as well. When this happens, other resistant and sometimes nasty, bacteria grow to fill the void. Many physicians, especially pediatricians, are now using probiotics to prevent such problems.
Probiotics and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) - We now know that the makeup of colon bacteria is different in IBS patients. There are some early studies that suggest that symptoms such as bloating and abdominal discomfort may be helped with one type of tested probiotic.
Probiotics and Colon polyps and cancer - There are no medical studies or evidence that probiotics are helpful in patients who have had colon polyps or cancer.
Probiotics and Ulcerative Colitis and Crohn's Disease - There are some early reports, mostly for ulcerative colitis and pouchitis patients, that there may be benefits with some probiotics. However, there have been four different bacteria or formulas used so we still do not have clear guidelines.
Probiotics and Allergies - There are some very interesting reports of treating expectant mothers and newborns with certain probiotics. Innfants who were determined to be at risk for early allergies seem to have a significant reduction in the development of allergies. This is very early, but still very promising work.
Probiotics and Immune factors - The word immune and immunity has been used by many in the dietary supplement field as a buzz word, implying mysterious benefits for the immune system. The fact remains that the immune system of the gut is incredibly robust and intense in most people. It is very hard to prove that it needs to be, or even can be improved by taking a pill. Having said that, there is a great deal of research that has shown that when the bacterial makeup is pushed in the right direction, such as by taking probiotics or prebiotics, that certain measurable immune factors are enhanced. The exact meaning of this research and its practical application are still uncertain.
Prebiotics and Probiotics in the Healthy
Can probiotic bacteria be of any benefit to the person who is already healthy and who consumes adequate vegetables and fruits, whole grains, fish and poultry? While we still don't have all the answers, there is reason to suspect that real benefits may occur. Doing research on a large group of free living, healthy people over a long period of time is very difficult and expensive. Having said that, many people simply take a daily portion of fat free yogurt, which is usually rich in the bifido and lacto bacteria.
Since we don't know which are the healthiest bacteria, and we do not know which dose may be most effective, there is some guess work. That's a good reason you should take a prebiotic fiber supplement. Since prebiotics feed the good bacteria already in the colon, they avoid this guess work and simply allow the existing microbiome to flourish properly.
Many disorders of the GI tract seem to improve with healthier and stronger colon bacteria, so we must suspect that benefits of probiotics and prebiotics will occur for the healthy as well.
People with HIV, AIDS, immune deficiencies of any type, or who are on chemotherapy should avoid probiotics until it is discussed with the physician.
Some Recommendations
- If you take an oral probiotic supplement (or food/yogurt with probiotics), take it with other food so that the bacteria do not stay in contact with the stomach acid very long.
- Avoid taking probiotics with fatty foods (oils, butter, sausage, bacon) as fat in any form delays emptying of the stomach and gives the stomach acid more time to kill the bacteria.
- DO take aprebiotic supplement such as Prebiotin to nourish your beneficial colon bacteria.
- Prebiotics are NOT living organism, but special types of soluble fibers - so all the above concerns don't apply. You can take Prebiotin with or without food, and it is not harmed while passing through your digestive system to the colon.
Summary
The colon is an incredibly complex and dynamic organ. Its mix of so many different bacteria results in many health benefits provided the diet icludes the fibers that feed the beneficial bacteria. When probiotics are added to this mix, there may be favorable results for those with certain gastrointestinal disorders as well as for the healthy person. Your physician can be consulted for advice. The field is still very new so we can expect considerable positive information in the years ahead.
For Jackson GI Medical products, click here.
Send Page To a Friend
|
|
|
|
|
|