A Refresher on Probiotics

The World Health Organization defines a probiotic as:

"Live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host"

So there are 3 key components to this definition:

• Live
• Adequate amounts
• Of the type that confer a health benefit

The probiotics we recommend (Genestra, Metagenics, Innate Response) generally fall into the category of some of the priciest probiotics going.  But, they are worth the extra cost because you can be assured that you are getting live, viable probiotics whereas some of the other products will contain only dead bacteria. Another trick to watch out for: probiotic labels that say "x billion viable bacteria at time of manufacture."  What they contained at time of manufacture is completely irrelevant, it's what they contain when you consume them that matters.  What this is really saying is "we're not sure how much will survive until you take them."  The better manufacturers will usually test their products for at least 6 months beyond the expiry date to ensure that you are still getting living bacteria in the amount on the label.

1 or 2 billion bacteria per serving just doesn't cut it, when it comes to good bacteria the higher the amount per serving the better. Over 100 trillion bacteria of 500 different species live in the human gut, if you want to have an impact, you need to add more than a drop in the bucket. There are a few manufacturers promoting something called "soil based organisms" that are supposed to be what we naturally would have inhabiting our guts if we were eating fresh from the ground.  There has been very little research supporting their use and a few case studies of people who were severely immune compromised and suffered life threatening infections after consuming these products.  There is tons of research showing the health benefits of Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacteria infantis and Bifidobacterium lactis.

Here are the benefits of healthy good bacteria in our digestive tract:

• Diarrhea prevention, especially when taking antibiotics or travelling
• Colorectal cancer prevention
• Immune system regulation and enhancement
• Asthma and allergy prevention
• Prevention of infection in the gut by Salmonella, Shigella, H pylori, yeast etc
• Treatment of Inflammatory Bowel Disease (Crohn's and Ulcerative colitis) and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)
• Provide the host with vitamin B12 and K
• Moderation of immune system function to prevent severe complications from H1N1

Oh and by the way, a class action lawsuit was filed and won against Dannon/Danone in January 2008 in which the company stood accused of spending $100 million promoting clinical benefits of Activia and DanActive that its own tests had disproved.  To add to that, Bifidus Regularis is a made up name by Danone for Bifidobacterium animalis. Commercial yogurt is not an adequate means to obtain good bacteria.

There's a new recipe for Immune Boosting Soup on our website to view it click here.

Yours in health,

Pamela
http://www.ForcesofNature.ca
http://www.NaturopathToronto.ca
http://naturopathicdetox.blogspot.com
http://h1n1naturopath.blogspot.com
http://naturopathtoronto.blogspot.com
Twitter: http://twitter.com/pfranknd

Copyright 2009 Forces of Nature

What's So Special About Rooibos?

While doing my current detox I have had to forgo my usual soy chai lattés - soy, caffeine and sweeteners are all strictly out. In my search for an herbal tea alternative most were not very satisfying until I tried David's Teas Caramel Rooibos.  It was heavenly!  Rooibos tea is naturally somewhat sweet (without any sugar or other sweetener added) and slightly nutty.  The caramel flavouring blends well with the natural flavour of the rooibos and it's healthy too!

Rooibos is becoming more among health-conscious consumers, due to its high level of antioxidants such as aspalathin and nothofagin, its lack of caffeine, and its low tannin levels compared to fully oxidized black tea or unoxidized green tea leaves.  Rooibos also contains a number of phenolic compounds, including flavanols, flavones, flavanones, and dihydrochalcones which give it potent antioxidant, immune-modulating and cancer preventive effects with zero adverse effects. Rooibos is purported to assist with nervous tension, allergies and digestive problems. Traditional medicinal uses of rooibos in South Africa include alleviating infantile colic, allergies, asthma and skin problems.

The next few weeks of weekly recipes will be devoted to Immune Enhancing recipes to keep us all healthy over the winter.  On that note, there's a new recipe for Immune Boosting Salsa on our website to view it
click here.

Yours in health,

Pamela

www.ForcesofNature.ca
http://www.NaturopathToronto.ca
http://naturopathicdetox.blogspot.com/ Detox Blog
http://h1n1naturopath.blogspot.com/ H1N1 Blog
http://naturopathtoronto.blogspot.com/ Weekly Emails Blog
Twitter: http://twitter.com/pfranknd

Copyright 2009 Forces of Nature