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
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