Guest guest Posted October 24, 2001 Report Share Posted October 24, 2001 What are probiotics and why are they important? The human gastrointestinal tract, the small and large intestines, is home for several hundred species of bacteria. There are several thousand billion of them in each of us, and the total weight of bacteria is between 3-4 pounds. These bacteria play important an important part in human digestion and immune function. " Probiotics " are live or dead bacteria administered to humans for the purpose of improving their health. The word comes from Greek " pro bios " meaning " for life " . The probiotics help us in many different ways such as: kill or inhibit harmful bacteria by secreting small quantities of antibiotic-like substances. including lactic acid, acetic acid, benzoic acid, hydrogen peroxide, acidolin, lactocidin and acidophilin. kill or inhibit yeast growth. produce vitamins, including niacin, folic acid, biotin, and vitamin B6. assist food digestion improve enzyme levels, improve bowel regularity regulate pH value by producing lactic acid, hydrogen peroxide, ... they increase the acidity of intestine (lower pH value) and inhibit the reproduction and proliferation of many harmful bacteria and yeasts. detoxify and protect the intestines. Lactobacilli tend to combine with toxins (like heavy metals, and carcinogens), they die from toxins and are eliminated (together with toxins) as solid waste. reduce cholesterol levels when high aid absorption of minerals, especially calcium, due to increased intestinal acidity. supports immune system. In one experiment, only 10 bad bacteria (Salmonella) were necessary to kill a guinea pig with an inadequate amount of beneficial bacteria , but about a trillion cells were required to kill an animal with its full natural beneficial microorganisms present . reduce risks of cancer and certain tumors. compete with pathogenic bacteria and yeasts for food and space. In healthy humans, good bacteria and yeast cover the surface of the mucosa and pathogenic bacteria and yeast cannot attach themselves. Unfortunately, new generations of antibiotics can significantly reduce number of bacteria in few weeks or even days. Generally, antibiotics are not able to differ good bacteria from bad and prolonged use of antibiotics can significantly decrease number of friendly bacteria If you suspect that the digestive flora have been disrupted by antibiotics (typical symptoms include diarrhea, abdominal discomfort and gas), do a comprehensive stool analysis to check the proper balance of bacterial flora. If you cannot avoid taking antibiotics it is advised to take probiotics 2-3 hours after taking the antibiotics. Yogurt, natural probiotic, can also be used. Few things are worth mentioning for yogurt: Pasteurization destroys live cultures. Other friendly bacteria depleting factors include: medicines, infections (bacterial, viral and fungal), a highly processed, low-fiber diet, chronic diarrhea and stress. The probiotics, generally should be stored in refrigerator, because they lose their potency (heat will kill bacteria) at room temperature. Some manufacturers claim that their probiotics can survive at room temperature and therefore do not require refrigeration, but these statements should be taken with reserve. Therefore, it is recommended to purchase probiotics from a health store that keeps them in a refrigerator. Most digestive bacteria cannot survive the strong hydrochloric acid in the stomach. Therefore, use of probiotics in enteric coated capsules is recommended, as they will only dissolve in the lower intestine and on that way hydrochloric acid is avoided. On the other hand, probiotics in powder form can be used for treating oral thrush. How many different strains should a probiotics capsule contain? On one hand, different strains of bacteria offer different benefits and have different abilities to colonize the intestines. The variety of strains will be more competitive. On the other hand, in capsules containing 10+ strains some strains will not develop because they are present in low number and they will have to compete with other 9+ strains. How are Candida and intestinal microflora related? If you had a healthy intestinal flora you wouldn't have the Candida albicans overgrowth. When Candida albicans is killed by fungicide, it will leave the mucosa wall, and be pushed out as solid waste. Taking probiotics 15min to one hour after taking fungicide will hopefully allow good bacteria to populate the mucosa wall. The good bacteria will fight the yeast on three ways: it will compete for food with Candida, produce fungicide as hydrogen peroxide and help in digestion of food (alleviating LGS that way). How much probiotics should I take? The amount of probiotics necessary to replenish the intestine varies by the extent of microflora depletion and presence of harmful yeasts and bacteria. In general, many people advise taking 10 billion CFU per day for rebuilding of intestinal microflora and 2 billion CFU per day for the healthy maintenance of intestinal microflora. There is a company on the web that advises and sells probiotics with 30-40 billion CFU per capsule and advise its use for Candida treatment. If diarrhea occurs, dosage should be reduced, however, large doses are generally considered safe. Diarrhea is a mechanism that body uses to flash excess beneficial or harmful microorganisms. What strains of " good " bacteria and yeasts are there? Lactobacillus acidophilus. The main and most important inhabitant of small intestines in humans. Also present in the mouth and vagina. This bacteria produces lactase = an enzyme that digests milk sugar and produces lactic acid which suppresses undesirable bacteria and yeasts. Some strains produce natural antibiotics, such as acidophilin and some produce hydrogen peroxide, a byproduct that attacks yeasts and " bad " bacteria. It also can lower cholesterol levels. Bifidobacterium bifidum. The main and most important inhabitant of large intestines in humans. Bifidum is also found in the vagina and the lower part of the small intestine. It produce a number of specialized acids that prevent colonization of the large intestine by invading bacteria, yeasts and some viruses. Can produce B vitamins. Lactobacillus bulgaricus Does not proliferate in human gut. Generates very strong antifungals. Together with Streptococcus thermophilus is used to ferment natural yogurt. Can be used as food for Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum. Some strains also produce antibiotics which kill harmful bacteria. By manufacturing lactic acid these encourage a good environment for the resident bacteria such as Lactobacillus acidophilus and the Bifidobacterium bifidum. Streptococcus thermophilus Together with Lactobacillus bulgaricus it used to ferment natural yogurt. Some strains also produce antibiotics which kill harmful bacteria. Streptococcus thermophilus produces lactase and is very efficient in breaking down milk products. Bacillus laterosporus is a single-cell life form that naturally occurs in our food chain and is found in small amounts in the intestinal tract. It rapidly colonizes the gut and generates antifungals. Lactobacillus plantarium Useful against " bad " bacteria in the intestines. Can synthesize L-Lysine. Lactobacillus bifidus Streptococcus faecium, a friendly form of strep bacteria, also adds a helpful function by replacing the once-present yeast. Can survive room temperature (is somewhat heat resistant) Saccharomyces boulardii is a non-pathogenic yeast that may be used to compete with Candida. It increases secretary IgA, important for the integrity and immunity of the intestinal mucosa (usually deficient with those having food allergies). Can prevent diarrhea. Do not forget that anti-fungals will kill this friendly yeast. You can take it before going to bed, for example. Saccharomyces boulardii should not be administered if patient is suffering from reactive arthritis or other disease in which an exaggerated intestinal immune response is found. Lactobacillus sporogenese is an extremely hardy strain of lactic acid bacteria, capable of surviving the human stomach environment (most other strains are severely reduced in viability upon entering the stomach due to the potential of severe pH fluctuations). Unlike most other strains, it does not require refrigeration, making it much more convenient for use outside of the home and for travel. Bifidobacterium longum. Produces acetic acid and this acid produces very hostile environment to Candida albicans, HIV and most other infections of the large intestines. It also increases IgA and therefore improves mucosal immunity. Lactobacillus rhamnosus Eight times more prolific than Lactobacillus acidophilus, digests more carbohydrates and survives bile better. Can Candida be cured with probiotics alone? Nope, Candida albicans is attached to mucosa wall and if anti-fungals are not taken, there will be no empty space and the majority of friendly bacteria will go down the drain. 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