Probiotic
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Probiotics are dietary supplements containing potentially beneficial bacteria and yeasts.
Probiotic bacterial cultures are intended to assist the body's naturally occurring flora within the digestive tract to reestablish themselves. Many probiotics are present in natural sources such as lactobacillus in yogurt. Claims are made that probiotics strengthen the immune system.1
The rationale of probiotics is that our body contains a miniature ecology of microbes. This can be damaged and thrown out of balance by a wide range of circumstances including the use of antibiotics, use of other drugs, excess alcohol, stress, disease, exposure to toxic substances, or even the use antibacterial soap . When this happens, the bacteria that work well with our bodies (see symbiosis) decrease in number which allows harmful competitors to thrive to the detriment of our health.
It is a common myth, even among professionals within the health care community; that probiotics replace the body’s natural flora when these have been killed off by various causes. The truth is, the various strains of probiotics do not form permanent colonies within the body, but rather, temporarily assist the body in the same functions as the natural flora, while allowing the natural flora time to recover from depletion. The probiotics are then flushed from the system.
The maintenance of a healthy gut flora not only aids digestion and boosts the immune system but also prevents constipation, reduces insomnia and is believed to have beneficial impacts on stress related illnesses. The improvement in normal gut function may also help to reduce the risks of colorectal cancer.
Although use of probiotic formulations may well help in achieving these benefits, it is also possible to increase and maintain a healthy bacterial gut flora by increasing the amounts of prebiotics in the diet such as Inulin, raw oats, and unrefined wheat. This is likely to be a more effective mechanism since without appropriate food sources in the gut, probiotic organisms will die.
Some common probiotics include:
- Bifidobacterium bifidum
- Bifidobacterium breve
- Bifidobacterium infantis
- Bifidobacterium longum
- Lactobacillus acidophilus
- Lactobacillus bulgaricus
- Lactobacillus casei
- Lactobacillus plantarum
- Lactobacillus rhamnosus
- Lactobacillus GG
- Streptococcus thermophilus
Some products containing probiotic bacteria include:
References
- Benefits of exposure to bacteria and danger of antibacterial cleaners (http://www.cbc.ca/story/news/national/2000/07/17/Consumers/soap000717.html)
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