BALANCED BIOTICS
Establishing a healthy colony of bacteria.
There’s a battle being waged in your intestinal tract, and the bacteria outnumber the cells ten-to-one. Fortunately, this is a good thing. Probiotics are the good bacteria that we all have and need for intestinal tract and bowel health. These beneficial bacteria keep the bowel walls healthy, make vitamins and block out many of the bad bacteria that can infect the intestines.
Doctors often recommend probiotics during and after an antibiotic regimen to combat the loss of good bacteria killed by the antibiotic. Losing these good bacteria can cause diarrhea and expose one to bacterial superinfections. Following an antibiotic with a probiotic can help replenish the good bacteria in the bowels. Patients with a history of bowel symptoms are often given probiotics to help restore the health of the bowel wall. The bacteria have also been shown to reduce the risk and severity of eczema in newborns and infants when obtained by having pregnant and breastfeeding mothers ingest probiotics, or direct supplementation to the child.
Patients who have received an excess of antibiotics for colds, ear infections, sinus problems or other conditions should consider probiotics to restore a normal ratio of good-to-bad bacteria. Patients who experience irritable bowel symptoms, diarrhea, frequent travelers or those who are prone to stomach/bowel infections should consider probiotic treatment as well. Adding large amounts of the helpful bacteria can crowd out potential pathogens, bad bacteria and viruses that might cause infections.
Probiotics can be taken once or twice a day for maintenance of good bowel health. For patients taking antibiotics, it is recommended to take at least one dosage between the antibiotic doses, and for a minimum of two weeks once the antibiotic is done. Those with chronic bowel problems or suffering from bowel symptoms, start by taking probiotics twice daily. If you plan to travel and want to avoid bowel infections, consider taking one dose at least twice a day starting several days prior to departure and continuing until back home. Unless instructed otherwise, take probiotics at the end of a meal. They should be swallowed with pure, non-chlorinated water.
What about yogurt?
Certain yogurts are probiotic. After the pasteurization process, manufacturers will add active cultures of certain bacteria that are beneficial to the digestive system. Similarly, kefir is a cultured milk product full of healthy bacteria. Both of these are great additions to a healthy diet. Although the amount of bacterial colonies in these food products are far less than supplements, people with regular bowel function and children can benefit from daily use.
Be certain to read the label and check for added “active cultures.” It’s recommended you select organic products to ensure the milk used in its production is free of hormones and antibiotics as well.
Which bacteria should I look for?
There are many bacteria that are used for probiotics. Any supplement or food product used in repopulating the digestive system with healthy bacteria should contain Lactobacillus acidophilus (L. acidophilus or acidophilus), Lactobacillus casei, Bifidobacteria bifidum and Streptococcus thermophilus.
A dose of 5-10 billion colony-forming units (CFU) is best. Realize that probiotics are live bacteria that are sensitive to their environment. Because of this, it requires careful production, storage and delivery to remain viable. One should not expect to receive all of the possible benefits from an inexpensive probiotic supplement.
What are prebiotics?
Prebiotics are indigestible carbohydrates called oligosaccharides. They serve as food to healthy, probiotic bacteria. These beneficial oligosaccharides can be obtained from food products or from additional supplementation. Specific food sources include green tea, dark-colored fruits and vegetables, whole grains and garlic. Diets rich in both prebiotics and probiotics are ideal for optimal digestive health.
