Information About Probiotics

What are probiotics?

Probiotic, literally meaning “for life”, refers to the beneficial bacteria that colonize the lower intestinal tract. There are over 400 different species of microflora living in the human digestive tract alone. There is also microflora on our skin, in our mouth, in the vagina and in the urethra of both men and women.

Our culture is an extremely germ-phobic one. Antibiotics and anti-bacterial products are extremely common place. However, beneficial microflora is a necessary component in our health.

In a healthy person, about 85% of the microflora is beneficial. Fifteen percent is potentially harmful, or opportunitistic. This means we need the beneficial bacteria to keep the harmful microbes at bay.

Function of beneficial microflora:

• Prevent food decay in the gut
• Preserve anti-oxidants and vitamins
• Produce vitamin K
• Remove toxins
• Prevent overgrowth of disease causing bacteria
• Acts as the first line of defense in the immune system of the intestines
• Stimulate increase in immune system cells for the body, such as natural killer cells (help fight cancer cells) and IgA antibodies
• Improve bowel movements
• Maintain healthy pH level in colon
• Assist in cholesterol metabolism
• Reduce production of cytokines, the proteins that cause inflammation

At birth, our gastrointestinal system is sterile. Babies depend on obtaining the gut friendly flora through diet—the main source being breast milk. The populations of beneficial microflora are increased by eating fermented and cultured foods such as yogurt, kefir, cheese, miso, tempeh, sauerkraut etc. Almost every culture uses some form of fermented foods. The healthy microflora depends on fibre from the diet as its main source of fuel.

Beneficial microflora is destroyed by antibiotics, medications, a poor diet (low fibre and complex carbohydrates; high animal protein and processed foods) and chlorinated water. It is found that populations in Africa and Asia have the highest colonization of healthy mircoflora, probably because they incorporate many fermented and high fibre foods into their diet. North American populations have the lowest colonization of beneficial microflora, probably due to our highly processed diets, high meat intake and high use of antibiotics and anti-bacterial products.

Health Benefits of Probiotics:

• Reduce inflammation, improve gastritis, colitis, arthritis
• Reduce Candida albicans, the fungus that causes yeast infections
• Reduce diarrhea and constipation
• Improve digestion in lactose intolerant individuals
• Improve nutrient assimilation from digested food
• Decrease detrimental effects of antibiotics on healthy flora
• Decrease polyps and risk of colon cancer
• Decrease urinary tract infections and vaginal yeast infections
• Lower blood cholesterol levels
• Increase immune response to vaccines, making them more effective
• Reduce food sensitivities
• Reduce eczema and allergy symptoms
• Help get rid of H. pylori, the ulcer and stomach cancer causing bacteria
• Improve most gastrointestinal tract disorders including irritable bowel syndrome
• Used opposite to or after antibiotic therapy to replenish the friendly gut flora and reduce side effects of antibiotics

Where Do I Find Probiotics?

• From diet : eating organic, plain cultured yogurt, kefir, miso, tempeh, sauerkraut, kimchee and other traditional fermented foods
• From supplements : To get the most from your money and for your health, buy from reputable brands so that you are receiving actual live culture. It is best to store your probiotics in the fridge to prolong their life.