Irritable Bowel Syndrome | A Metabolic Plan

Probiotics: Bacteria for Your Digestive System

Filed under: gastrointestinal system, health and nutrition; Tagged as: Bladder Cancer Recurrence, Cholesterol Levels, Colon Surgery, Digestive Health, Gastrointestinal Tract, Gum Disease, Harmful Bacteria, Healthy Digestive System, Helicobacter Pylori, Intestinal Infections, irritable bowel syndrome, Sweet Acidophilus Milk, Symptoms Of Lactose Intolerance, Urinary Tract Infections, Vaginal Yeast Infections

Your digestive tract contains billions of bacteria and other microorganisms. In fact there are more than 400 types of “friendly” bacteria in your gastrointestinal tract. These friendly bacteria, called probiotics, promote a healthy digestive system by reducing the growth of harmful bacteria.

There is a growing public and scientific interest in probiotics. Researchers are studying whether probiotics taken as foods or supplements can help treat or prevent illness. There is encouraging evidence that probiotics may help:

Treat diarrhea, especially following treatment with certain antibiotics
Enhance and boost the immune system
Promote and improve digestive health
Prevent and treat vaginal yeast infections and urinary tract infections
Treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Reduce bladder cancer recurrence
Shorten the duration of intestinal infections
Help alleviate symptoms of lactose intolerance
Prevent and treat inflammation following colon surgery (pouchitis)
Prevent eczema in children
Reduce cholesterol levels
Play a role in reducing the development of allergy in children
Decrease Helicobacter pylori colonization of the stomach
Prevent cavities and ease gum disease (Only a small number of studies have shown this)

Some researchers believe probiotics may improve general health. Each type of friendly bacteria has a specific health benefit to the body. With over 400 different types of probiotics identified, researchers are just starting to uncover the health roles and benefits of each.

Food Sources
Currently, foods that contain probiotics are primarily dairy products but sources include:

Yogurt with active culture (Pay close attention to the expiration date because these live bacterial cultures can diminish with time)
some soft cheeses
Fermented milk such as sweet acidophilus milk
Kefir
miso
some juices and soy drinks
sauerkraut
many pickles

Probiotics are affected by prebiotic food. Prebiotic food does not generally contain bacteria but promotes the growth and proliferation of beneficial bacteria in the intestinal tract which enhances the effect of probiotic bacteria. Prebiotics have also been shown to increase the absorption of certain minerals (such as calcium and magnesium) and may reduce the risk factors involved in colorectal diseases.
Prebiotic foods include Jerusalem and regular artichokes, oats, honey, many fruits (in particular, bananas), goat’s milk and human breast milk which may explain the enormous benefits to a newborn.

Probiotic Supplements
Probiotic supplements are available in a variety of forms, such as freeze dried powder, capsules, wafers and liquids. A good probiotic will contain at least 10 billion live bacteria and should be from one or more of the Lactobacillus family in a single dose.

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29 Comments

Aloe Vera is known primarily for its topical benefits on a scrape or burn. However, it is actually enormously beneficial when ingested. It’s like moisturizing your body from the inside out. Used on a daily basis, Aloe can help reduce the damage which occurs in the gastrointestinal system much like it helps heal a skin lesion.

How many people do you know who complain of heartburn, gas, acid indigestion, colitis, irritable bowel syndrome, constipation or diarrhea, to name a few? All of these ailments are related to the GI tract. Many things such as medication (antibiotics for example), affect the health of the GI tract and its ability to function properly by fighting off harmful bacteria and eliminating waste. When the gastrointestinal tract is damaged or stressed it effects the entire body.

For years people who consumed Aloe have testified to the its healing qualities and now there is more and more scientific research that supports those claims. Aloe has been added to hand and body lotion to help add moisture and heal the skin which is “epithelial tissue”. The GI tract is also lined with epithelial tissue and therefore aloe also heals and keeps it supple. Just like the skin, when the GI tract is dry and “cracked” it’s susceptible to infection.

Aloe is reported to aid in

digestion
blood-sugar regulation and cleansing
detoxification
healing by stimulating cell replication
reducing inflammation in joint and muscle tissue associated with arthritis
strengthening the immune system

Even consuming aloe daily may require several weeks to notice significant improvement and any continuing gastrointestinal issue should be addressed by a doctor.

There are many Aloe products on the market. Before selecting one, check to be sure it’s bioactive and that it has a good ratio of aloe to water. There is a company who produces Aloe which has 200 parts aloe to 1 part water, but they don’t want their name published . For added defense, active botanical compounds – Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) and green tea extract are added to help support the growth of beneficial intestinal flora. Most aloe on the market has been heat processed thereby destroying the polysaccharides and therefore many of the benefits. Also much of the value of aloe is lost in about 6 hours after it is harvested. This aloe is processed near the fields in order to capture those active elements.