What are Probiotics?
There are billions of bacteria living in the digestive system of every human, many of which are "friendly" bacteria that contribute to the health and balance of the intestinal tract. This normal microflora prevents the overgrowth of potentially pathogenic bacteria in the intestinal tract.
Sometimes, due to viral or bacterial infections, diet, lifestyle changes, antibiotic use, and other factors, the normal bacteria in our intestinal tract become depleted, allowing the potentially pathogenic bacteria to overgrow. The result may be diarrhea, gas, or other gastrointestinal symptoms.
Nutritional supplements with probiotics contain the "friendly" bacteria that your body needs. A diet including probiotics may have a beneficial effect on the intestinal tract and help maintain a healthy digestive system.
Probiotic foods are also known as functional foods, which have been in our diets for years. A functional food is a product that is consumed every day and has been shown through clinical studies to maintain human health or to promote human well-being better than similar traditional foods.
What to look for in a probiotic
Probiotics short course and strains compiled from several sources.
1. Trillions of microorganisms live on and inside us. Most are good, some are harmful. The beneficial ones are called "probiotic microorganisms." They improve the environment of the intestinal tract.The use of good probiotics is important in healing many chronic gastrointestinal problems that are so often associated in those with ASD. Some experts feel that ASD children need several times the amount of probiotics than those without GI problems, due to the frequency of dysbiosis (overgrowth of yeast, bacteria, etc.) and "Leaky Gut"
(intestinal permeability problems).
2 Scientific studies over the last 50 years show that probiotic organisms can improve the nutritional quality of foods, produce antibiotics, anticarcinogens, and substances that break down and recycle toxins for their human host.
3. The major benefits of adding probiotic organisms to the diet: boosts immune system, inhibits disease causing organisms, improved digestion, vitamin synthesis, detoxification and protection from toxins, prevents diarrhea from various causes, reduced risk of irritable bowel syndromes, cancer-protective effects, increased nutrient absorption, improves resistance to allergies, reduces yeast and other infections.
4. Lactobacillus acidophilus bacteria reside mostly in the small intestine, and Bifidobacterium bifidum are found in the large intestine (colon). Whether taking a mixed-species product or a single species is better has not been determined. There are mixed opinions. Some will decide to choose a single strain of friendly flora because of the proven effectiveness of that particular probiotic strain. Taking this strain for its specific properties can be very helpful. However, over an extended period of time, you may want to include a variety of strains.
5. Capsules are the preferred way to take probiotics because there is more protection from contamination, oxygen, and moisture, and capsules maintain organism integrity. Dairy products that contain added organisms like lactobacillus provide a mild dose of probiotics, if you can have it.
6. Generally higher more therapeutic doses of probiotics are need when first addressing GI symptoms. Probiotic strength is measured in CFUs (colony forming units) per capsule. You may want to take one or several daily. For therapeutic benefits, references varied widely from 250 million – 20 billion viable
organisms/day. It is best to check with your doctor, or you can start slowly and build-up to a level you feel is most beneficial.
7. Talk to others and about quality issues, and what works best. Choose a probiotic that has been extensively researched with a great deal of scientific support behind it. Don't buy any product unless it has the manufacture date right on the bottle. Probiotic products, especially lactobacillus and bifidobacterium, lose a lot of potency after 4-10 months. Products last longer when they are refrigerated, although some product do not require refrigeration.
8. When to take probiotics varies by brand. Always check the label and follow the recommendation of the manufacturer. Some say to take on an empty stomach; some say with food so the food can buffer the organisms; some say in the morning because of stomach acid content; some can be taken anytime. The acid and salts in the gut will harm certain probiotics. Manufacturers take this into
account when designing a formulation and preparing the capsules. Some capsules are specially coated so the microorganisms will safely reach their destination.
Others need to be taken at certain times for optimum performance for that product. Probiotics are not adversely affected by the use of enzymes. They can both be taken during at mealtime.
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Probiotic Strains
This is a list of most strains of probiotics used. The * indicates the most prevalent ones in products. You can do a search by Probiotics or the species you are in terested in to find out more.
Lactobacillus acidophilus *
Lactobacillus brevis
Lactobacillus bulgaricus
Lactobacillus casei subspecies casei
Lactobacillus casei, subspecies paracasei
Lactobacillus casei, subspecies rhamnosus *
Lactobacillus fermentum
Lactobacillus rhamnosus (casei) *
Lactobacillus caucasicus
Lactobacillus helveticus
Lactobacillus lactis
Lactobacillus plantarum
Lactobacillus reuteri
Bifidobacterium bifidum (lactis) *
Bifidobacterium breve subspecies breve
Bifidobacterium infantis
Bifidobacterium licheniformis
Bifidobacterium longum *
Bifidobacterium subtilus
Enterococcus faecium
Fructooligosaccharides (scFOS) -feeds the friendly bacteria
Streptococcus cremoris
Streptococcus faecium
Streptococcus infantis
Streptococcus thermophilus
There is substantial research done on one probiotic in particular called Culturelle GG
Culturelle GG studies
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Probiotic Descriptions
Thanks to John Hedy of http://www.vitallifevitamins.com/
for the following information.
1. Bifidobacterium Bifidum
B. bifidum is a prominent probiotic microorganism that takes up residence primarily in the mucous membrane lining of the large intestines and the vaginal tract. B. bifidum prevents the colonization of invading pathogenic bacteria by attaching to the intestinal wall, crowding out and taking nutrients from these unfriendly bacteria and yeast. B. bifidum produces lactic and acetic acids, which lower the intestinal pH and further inhibit the undesirable bacteria from growing. Research on Bifidobacteria has established that these organisms enhance the assimilation of minerals such as iron, calcium, magnesium and zinc.
2. Bifidobacterium Infantis
Bifidobacterium infantis is an important organism shown to stimulate production of immunomodulating agents such as cytokines.
Bacteriocidal activity is also observed against such pathogens as Clostridia, Salmonella, and Shigella.
3. Bifidobacterium Longum
Bifidobacterium longum is a very abundant organism found in the large intestine. It plays a role in preventing the colonization of invading pathogenic bacteria by attaching to the intestinal wall and crowding out unfriendly bacteria and yeast. Along with other microorganisms, it produces lactic and acetic acids that lower the intestinal pH and further inhibit the undesirable bacteria. B. longum has, in clinical studies, been found to reduce the frequency of gastrointestinal disorders (diarrhea, nausea, etc.) during antibiotic use.
4. Enterococcus Faecium
E. faecium has been shown to be important in the nutritional support of diarrheal diseases, especially in cases where pathogenic microbes, such as rotavirus, invade the bowel. This particular organism only transiently colonizes the GI tract. A recent study indicated that an
E. faecium-containing yogurt was able to significantly lower LDL cholesterol. E. faecium is safe, and has been researched extensively by the World Health Organization.
5. Fructooligosaccharides & Inulin
FOS and inulin are non-digestible oligosaccharides that help promote the growth and activity of friendly bacteria in the intestinal tract.
These oligosaccharides are non-caloric compounds that can not be broken down by our digestive enzymes and therefore do not adversely affect blood sugar levels. Research has shown that both FOS and insulin enhance the growth of lactic bacteria, especially
Bifidobacteria, and inhibit the growth of a variety of undesirable
organisms.
6. Lactobacillus Acidophilus
L. acidophilus is one of the most important microorganisms found in the small intestines. It is known to implant itself on the intestinal wall, and in the lining of the wall of the vagina, cervix, and urethra. It performs many critical functions including inhibiting pathogenic organisms and preventing them from multiplying and colonizing.
It is well documented that L. acidophilus produces natural antibiotics like lactocidin, acidophilin, etc., which enhances
resistance or immunity. L. acidophilus has known antimicrobial
activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella, E.coli and
Candida albicans.
7. Lactobacillus Brevis
Lactobacillus brevis is a lactic acid producing organism important in the synthesis of vitamins D and K.
8. Lactobacillus Bulgaricus
Lactobacillus bulgaricus is considered a transient microorganism that does not implant in the intestinal tract, but still provides an important protective role. This organism is used extensively in the commercial fermentation of yogurt. Production of lactic acid by the bacterium provides a favorable environment for the growth of other lactobacilli and bifidobacteria residing in the intestine. Studies indicate that certain strains of L. bulgaricus stimulate production of interferon and tumor necrosis factor, thus establishing a potential role in modulating the immune system.
9. Lactobacillus Casei
Lactobacillus casei is closely related to the L. rhamnosus and L. acidophilus strains with some of the same immuno-modulating effects as other Lactobacilli. L. casei has several health-promoting effects provided through the production of bacteriocins, compounds that inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria in the small intestine.
10. Lactobacillus Plantarum
Lactobacillus plantarum secretes the naturally occurring antibiotic lactolin, and is also known to have the ability to synthesize the amino acid L-lysine, which has beneficial anti-viral activities. L. plantarum also produces glycolytic enzymes shown to degrade cyanogenic glycosides and is effective in eliminating nitrate while producing nitric oxide. This probiotic can preserve key nutrients,vitamins, and antioxidants, eliminate toxic components from food, and eradicate pathogens such as S. aureus from fermented food. L. plantarum-fermented oat given to healthy volunteers significantly reduced a number of potential pathogens in the gut.
11. Lactobacillus Rhamnosus
Lactobacillus rhamnosus is primarily found in the small bowel and vaginal tract and is beneficial in inhibiting those bacteria involved in vaginal and urinary tract infections. L. rhamnosus is very prolific in growth, has a high tolerance (resistance) to bile salts, adheres to the intestinal mucosa, and protects the intestinal tract against the invasion of harmful microorganisms. Additionally, this organism favorably affects lactose intolerance. A recent double-blinded, placebo-controlled study suggests that this probiotic bacteria may down-regulate hypersensitivity reactions and intestinal inflammation in patients with atopic eczema and food allergies. L.rhamnosus has been found to have significant benefits in the nutrition and well-being of infants and in the elderly. According to research with this strain, administration of L. rhamnosus is most helpful in inhibiting early intestinal infections in infants. This species of Lactobacillus does not only colonize, acidify and protect the small intestine, but it can quickly establish itself in the large intestine, inhibit the growth of streptococci and clostridia, create anaerobic conditions which favor the implantation of bifidobacteria,and produce biologically desirable lactic acid.
12. Lactobacillus Salivarius
Lactobacillus salivarius is important in normalizing the gut flora of those dealing with chronic bowel conditions and shows potential as an effective inhibitor of H. pylori, an organism associated with the occurrence of ulcers.
13. Streptococcus Thermophilus
Streptococcus thermophilus, in combination with L. bulgaricus, is used commercially to produce yogurt. This organism is known to be efficient in breaking down lactose by producing the enzyme lactase.
Those who are lactose-intolerant may be greatly helped by supplementation with this particular strain. Cytokine production is stimulated in tissue cultured cells by this bacterium.
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Combinations
1. L. acidophilus, L. rhamnosus
Many researchers now believe the myriad health benefits of L. acidophilus are also attributable to L. rhamnosus. These two species are perhaps the most important Lactobacilli in the small intestine.
2. E. faecium
This probiotic has become so popular with health professionals over the years because of the proven therapeutic value of E. faecium. This species shows strong activity against a variety of pathogenic organisms. In several studies it has proven resistant to a wide variety of antibiotics and, in one study, proved more effective than L. acidophilus in shortening the duration of diarrheal episodes. E. faecium is a natural resident of the human intestinal tract.
3. L. rhamnosous, L. acidophilus, B. lactis, Streptococcus
thermophilus, L. bulgaricus
These are five extensively researched strains of friendly bacteria. These strains maintain viability in acidic environs as may be found in the stomach, and are tolerant to compounds found in the intestine such as bile. Clinical research has documented the usefulness of these probiotic strains as an adjunct to the management of gastrointestinal disorders, including: Antibiotic-associated decrease in friendly bacteria, Prevention of
Clostridial colonization, Traveler's diarrhea, Diarrhea associated
with rotaviral gastroenteritis, Acute non specific diarrhea,
Constipation, Enhancement of immune response to rotaviral infection
and adjuvant to rotavirus vaccine, Alleviation of intestinal
inflammation and permeability, Amelioration of food allergies,
especially lactose intolerance, Enhancement of the intestine's
immunological barrier function, Intestinal production of short-chain
fatty acids.
4. L. casei, L. rhamnosus, L. acidophilus, B. longum
Important studies have demonstrated the immune-enhancing properties of lactic acid bacteria. L. casei has been named in a significant number of these studies. L. rhamnosus, until recently, was subsumed under the heading of L. casei and likely possesses similar immune-potentiating characteristics as L. casei. A strain of L. rhamnosus was also recently shown to mitigate the effects of food allergy on infants with atopic dermatitis -- a reduction in
intestinal inflammation was considered a key factor in bringing about the improvements observed. Numerous studies have shown probiotic organisms to be effective in reducing lactose intolerance, relieving constipation, preventing gastrointestinal infections, enhancing immune activity and, in some studies, reducing cholesterol.
5. Culturelle Lactobacillus GG: Lactobacillus GG.
Culturelle is the only probiotic supplement containing Lactobacillus GG.
In 1985, Drs. Sherwood Gorbach and Barry Golden isolated a new strain of Lactobacillus that appears to be ideal for use in humans. The strain, named Lactobacillus GG (after the surnames of its inventors), is resistant to stomach acid and bile, allowing it to survive its passage through the digestive tract and reach the large intestine intact. Once there it shows an exceptional ability to adhere to the intestinal mucosa and proliferate.
see Research on Culturelle
Will enzymes interfere with probiotics/probiotic foods?
The enzymes in question are usually proteases. Probiotics consist mainly of proteins so there is the thinking that protease enzymes might break down the probiotics or make it harder for them to securely attach and anchor in gut. I searched a lot of the research literature several times on this.
It depends greatly on the probiotic strain in question and how it is manufacturered. Some strains are totally unaffected by enzymes, whereas other strains are slightly affected, and others very affected. Some probiotics are destined to function in the small intestine and some in the large.
The other consideration is how it is manufacturered. Some are enterically coated, some are not. Some can be mixed with foods, some can not. Some *must* be taken with meals, some *must* be taken between meals. Some in the morning, some it doesn't matter.
If you aren't sure, the safest bet is to just give the probiotic at the end of the meal (the enzymes are given at the beginning) or between meals (unless it specifies with food). I always gave probiotics at bedtime.
Check the label of the probiotic and call the manufacturer of the probiotic to be sure how *their* product needs to be taken. They could comment on their own products. You can also just try giving probiotic with enzymes, and then without...and see if it makes any noticeable change.
Should enzymes be taken with probiotics or probiotic foods, such as the young green coconut kefir, cultured vegetables and nut yogurts recommended on BED and SCD diets?
This is generally fine. I hope to get more definitive information on this soon. The difference is that the probiotics in food are in a whole-food form. Probiotics 'grown' or derived in food are producing digestive enzymes anyway. So they are already there. In fact, this is one of the benefits that yogurt and other fermented foods supply: digestive enzymes to your body!
The probiotics in food are already 'established' and hard at work digesting the food as you are eating it. Probiotics in supplements are not.
They are preserved in the capsule or tablet. They get to the gut, then they need to 'attach' and colonize. Then they start digesting food as it comes down the hatch.
Some of the supplement makers have the sales line: Our probiotic supplements provide much higer counts of bacteria than a cup of yogurt.
You would need to eat 6 cups of yogurt to equal it. However, many of the probiotics in capsule may very well get wiped out going through the gut and attempting to colonize.
The yogurt makers will say: You don't need that high a culture count because the probiotics are already established and going in a whole-food form. So in the final tally, the yogurt culture may well outperform the supplement. In addition, the yogurt supplies other beneficial factors that a supplement does not.
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The gastrointestinal (GI tract) is actually a complex micro-ecosystem in which the mucosal lining of the host coexists with billions of microorganisms that live on or attached to the lining. These "probiotic" bacteria are provided with shelter and support, and copious amounts of food substrates. The body benefits from the vitamins and other useful metabolic products these bacteria produce. Other, less beneficial micro-organisms are also present and compete with the probiotics. Dietary supplementation with potent probiotic cultures assists the host in maintaining a healthy probiotic balance. |
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Allergy Research Group's probiotic products are non-dairy and are generally well-tolerated. They should be kept away from extremes of heat or cold. Their potency is best maintained by storing them refrigerated (but not frozen) until just before opening, then keeping the opened bottle in a cool, dry place and using up the contents within 4-6 weeks. These formulations take advantage of the powers of certain plant extracts to favorably affect the intestinal balance of micro-organisms. * This statement has not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. |
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BifidoLife with L. sporogenes 60 capsules Bifidobacteria is the largest probiotics group in the large intestines. They are comparatively delicate, however, and their numbers can be depleted by toxins in the intestines or by other stressors. Lactobacillus sporogenes (Bacillus coagulans) is a non-dairy probiotic strain uniquely "pre-encapsulated" in spores that resist the action of antibiotics and gastric juices.
Each
capsule contains:
Suggested Use:
Gastro
Flora 60 capsules This combination of 4 beneficial ("probiotic") bacteria is designed to support optimal equilibrium of the flora of the GI tract. The 4 probiotic bacteria consist of Lactobacillus acidophilus, L. rhamnosus, L. casei, and Bifidobacterium longum. Free of milk, grains, yeast, soy, and other common allergens.
Each
capsule contains:
Suggested Use:
Lactobacillus GG (Culturelle®) Lactobacillus GG is an extensively studied lactose and dairy free strain of friendly intestinal bacteria, naturally occurring in the digestive tract. Together with Lactobacillus rhamnosus LGG is a subspecies of Lactobacillus casei. It was discovered and patented by researchers Drs. Gorbach and Goldin at Tufts University. LGG is a member of the L. acidophilus family of friendly probiotic bacteria. To date it is the best-studied and most extensively documented probiotic lactic acid bacteria strain in the world, containing 20 billion viable organisms per capsule.
Each
capsule contains:
Suggested Use:
LactoBlend 100 capsules Contains three particularly hardy strains of the friendly probiotic bacteria lactobacillus. This may be a more appropriate product for individuals who do not derive benefit from less hardy strains of lactobacillus such as acidophilus.
Each
capsule contains:
Suggested Use:
SymBiotics with FOS 140 grams This product puts the probiotics all together! Some suppliers claim that the probiotic strains can only work if given one at a time, and that certain single strains have near magical properties. Yet the intestinal micro-ecosystem typically carries up to 400 strains of bacteria. From the point of view of intestinal health, a product that provides bacteria for the different probiotic "niches" makes a lot more sense. The nine strains in SymBiotics include Lactobacillus acidophilus; L. rhamnosus A and L. rhamnosus B (both more versatile and hardier than L. acidophilus); L. bulgaricus and L. casei (major contributors to fermented foods); and L. sporogenes (Bacillus coagulans), a particularly hardy and antibiotic resistant probiotic strain.* Bifidobacterium longum and B. breve, two of the hardier bifidobacteria , are also present in high potency, as is Streptococcus thermophilus. The bifidobacteria thrive on the FOS provided in this formulation, and ascorbic acid (vitamin C) is added as a stabilizer. SymBiotics with FOS contains no dairy material and provides more than 4 billion viable organisms per serving.
Each
capsule contains:
Suggested Use: CAUTION: Some individuals using FOS experience gastrointestinal bloating that does not subside after 1 of 2 weeks of use. In those cases, FOS should be discontinued. Recent clinical experience by some practitioners suggests that there are some unfriendly microbial invaders that are suspected of feeding on FOS. Symptoms of that occurring would be as indicated above. *These statements has not been evaluated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. The product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. |
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The
bifidobacteria group are the most common probiotics in the large intestine. They
are compartively delicate, however, and their numbers can be depleted by toxins
in the intestines or by other stressors. Lactobacillus sporogenes (Bacillus
coagulans) is a probiotic strain uniquely "preencapsulated" in spores that
resist the action of antibiotics and gastric juices; it is non-dairy and is
cultured on malt.
Each capsule contains a minimum of:
Bifidobacteria..........2.4 billion viable cells
Lactobacillus sporogenes..........360 million viable cells (Bacillus coagulants)
Available in bottles of 60 capsules. Non-dairy.
Suggested Use:
As a dietary supplement, one (1) capsule two or three times per day with meals,
or as directed by a health practitioner. TO MAINTAIN POTENCY, STORE REFRIGERATED
UNTIL JUST BEFORE OPENING. DO NOT FREEZE. SHORT TERM HEAT EXPOSURE IS
ACCEPTABLE.
This statement has not been evaluated by the (FDA). These products are not
intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
