PROBIOTICS: THE KEY TO ONGOING MAINTENANCE OF OPTIMAL GUT HEALTH

WHAT ARE PROBIOTICS?
The gut flora in the average human digestive system is comprised of more than 400 species and weighs up to 3 kg. This represents an enormous number of bacteria. It is estimated that the human body is composed of 100 trillion cells, but we are outnumbered by at least 10 to 1 by our gut flora! Fortunately, this enormous “zoo” of microflora can be kept in balance by taking supplemental beneficial bacteria, or probiotics.

BENEFICIAL APPLICATIONS OF PROBIOTICS.
Probiotics are defined as nonpathogenic micro-organisms, which, when ingested, exert a positive influence on the health or physiology of the host. These beneficial or “friendly” bacteria are known as probiotics (pro + bios = “for life”). Their mechanisms of action and effects have been studied extensively, with substantial scientific evidence available describing the benefits and safety of these “friendly bugs”. The applications studied include:

• Prevention or treatment of antibiotic-associated disorders, such as diarrhoea and thrush.
• Prevention or treatment of gastroenteritis and pathogen-induced diarrhoea.
• Prevention or treatment of intestinal infections and colonisation by pathogenic bacteria (including Helicobacter pylori and Clostridium difficile).
• Management of digestive disturbances such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) and inflammatory bowel disease (IBD).
• Prevention or treatment of allergies (especially atopic eczema) and/or food sensitivities.
• Prevention of carcinogenic changes in the colon.
• Prevention or treatment of urogenital infections.
• Reducing the risk of premature birth.
• Management of cardiovascular risk factors.1

WHEN ARE PROBIOTICS NECESSARY?
High quality probiotic therapy can restore balance if digestive microflora becomes disturbed. Many factors can contribute to an imbalance in gut ecology, often referred to as dysbiosis. These factors increase the need for therapeutic probiotic supplementation:

• Antibiotic therapy.
• Use of specific drugs such as antacids and gastric acid inhibitors.
• Effects of stress.
• A diet high in fat and low in fibre.
• Diarrhoea and other infectious digestive upsets.

SELECTING APPROPRIATE PROBIOTIC SPECIES AND STRAINS.
Not all probiotics are the same – their actions and health benefits differ according to genus, species, and strain. While all probiotics are considered safe and friendly in a broad sense, not all probiotics possess enough health benefits to be considered therapeutic. The best therapeutic strains recommended include the following:

Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM (North Carolina Food Microbiology) strain is one of the most comprehensively studied, beneficial probiotics. This specific strain has been shown to:

• Maintain and restore the healthy microflora in the digestive system.
• Support healthy digestive function following the use of antibiotics.
• Promote normal vaginal flora following use of antibiotics or oral contraceptives.
• Maintain general wellbeing and healthy digestive function.
• Protect the intestinal lining from increased permeability by supporting cell growth.
• Provide lactase activity, which facilitates the digestion of lactose (milk sugar).
• Vitamin and short chain fatty acid synthesis and nutrient absorption.
• Support normal, healthy immunity in children.2

Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG®) is a human probiotic strain that has been extensively studied and demonstrated to:

• Decrease the incidence of antibiotic-associated diarrhoea.3,4
• Balance gut flora, thereby decreasing the severity and duration of acute diarrhoea.5
• Reduce the risk of gastrointestinal infections in travellers.6
• Assist in preventing early atopic disease, particularly atopic dermatitis, in children at high risk.7

Lactobacillus rhamnosus HN001 has been demonstrated in human trials to significantly enhance cellular immunity by increasing:

• Phagocytic activity. 8,9
• Natural killer cell activity. 8

Lactobacillus plantarum 299v is another very useful probiotic, which has a range of actions, including:

• Reduction of mucosal inflammation in the gastrointestinal tract.10
• Proven clinical effectiveness in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).11
• Reduction of fibrinogen, interleukin-6 and LDL cholesterol, all risk factors for cardiovascular disease.12

Bifidobacterium lactis Bi-07 is a therapeutic strain of Bifidobacterium that is both acid and bile resistant. Bifidobacteria are the predominant bacteria in the large intestine. Strain B. lactis Bi-07 has been shown to:

• Effectively restore microbial balance after antibiotic use.
• Reduce the incidence of intestinal candidiasis.
• Inhibit growth of the pathogens Salmonella typhimurium, Staphylococcus aureus, Escherichia coli and Listeria monocytogenes.
• Have an immune modulating effect.13

Bifidobacterium lactis HN019 has been shown to exert specific immune enhancing activity in both animal and human studies. These effects include:

• Enhanced phagocytosis.14,15,16
• Enhanced tumour killing activity.14,15
• Increased cytokine secreting capacity.16

Saccharomyces boulardii is a nonpathogenic yeast that transiently colonises the gut, where it has exhibited the following activity:

• A direct antagonistic effect against bacterial pathogens and Candida albicans.
• Support of commensal flora to suppress pathogens (indirect antagonism).
• Increased gut mucosal chloride transport, thereby increasing chloride resorption to exert a direct antidiarrhoeal effect.
• The ability to reduce the enterotoxic effects of Clostridium difficile toxin A.17

DOES DOSE MATTER?
The “dose” of probiotics relates to the number of live organisms in a capsule or in a serve of powdered probiotics. For optimal therapeutic results, ensure the probiotics you take contain a scientifically validated dose of live organisms. A sub-therapeutic dose will not give you the clinical results you need. Interestingly, dose also matters because different numbers of probiotics have been shown to have different therapeutic
effects. For example:

• LGG® given at a dose of 2 billion organisms per day has been shown to help maintain healthy digestive function; but

• LGG® given at a dose of 20 billion organisms per day is effective for preventing eczema.

To ensure optimal therapeutic activity and ongoing colonisation of the bowel by these strains of “good” bacteria, the number of live organisms per dose needs to be guaranteed through to the expiry date. To certify that the number of live organisms in a probiotic supplement stays at a therapeutic level, it is best if the probiotic is tested in “real time” at different stages in the product’s lifespan. That is, ensure that the probiotic supplements you purchase have been analysed by microbiologists at regular intervals over a period of months and that the number of live organisms has been quantified at each stage of testing.

For guidance on the best probiotic for your body and accurate treatment advice, please make an appointment to discuss your individual health requirements.

Yours In Great Health,

Sar Rooney BHSc., ND., DC., DASc., GDSc. (Hons), MATMS, MNHAA, MHATO

Naturopathic Medicine Practitioner, Lecturer, Researcher 

Earth Medicine ^TM

Web: www.EarthMedicine.com

Email: [email protected]

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Helping you achieve optimal wellness, hormonal balance and disease prevention with personalised, professional naturopathic health care, clinical pathology testing and high-quality herbal medicines and supplements 

Sar Rooney is a Naturopathic Medicine Practitioner specialising in Anxiety and Depression |Women’s Health| Hormonal Imbalances | Thyroid Disorders | Digestive Health | Genetic Polymorphisms (MTHFR/Pyroluria) | Nutritional Medicine | Optimal Wellness & Disease Prevention 

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Disclaimer: The information provided is not intended to replace medical advice or treatment. Please note: I am not a medical practitioner.

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