Probiotic Bacteria and Your Health
There is an secret world within you that dramatically influences your health and longevity. The Earth is home to an abundance of life forms that sometimes exist harmoniously and at other times struggle fitfully against each other.
The human body also holds a vast internal ecosystem consisting of millions of living micro organisms that coexist, sometimes harmoniously and sometimes disruptively.
This vast internal ecosystem, called by many researchers our human intestinal flora, dramatically influences, and to a certain degree even directs, every individual's personal state of health and well being. This includes our physical and mental health, our metabolism, and quite possibly, our life span.
Over 400 distinct species of micro organisms inhabit the various regions of the human digestive tract, making up nearly four pounds of every individual's total body weight. This vast population of micro organisms far exceeds the number of tissue cells that make up the human body.
If this ecosystem is functioning properly it guards your body against harmful bacteria, yeast and viruses. It also stimulates the function of the entire digestive system and produces essential vitamins and regulates their levels.
This vast unseen world maintains your body's vital chemical and hormonal balance. It also performs a vast number of necessary tasks for maintaining high energy levels, proper immune function and counteracts cancer causing compounds in the colon.
Beneficial vs. Harmful Micro Organisms
It is important to understand that both beneficial "friendly" and harmful "unfriendly" micro organisms inhabit the human intestinal tract simultaneously. They enjoy a complex symbiotic relationship with each other. In fact, in many cases each contributes to the overall function and health of the intestinal tract, while keeping the other in check at the same time.
For example, even unfriendly micro organisms, such as the small colonies of Candida yeast that inhabit the intestinal tract, carry out important tasks relating to human digestion. They aid in the digestion of sugars and release vital enzymes, nutrients and other essential substances as by products of their work.
Normally, friendly micro organisms such as L. acidophilus and others keep the Candida yeast in check. They prevent Candida from over colonizing the digestive tract and spreading elsewhere. If conditions prevail which allow the Candida yeast to grow uncontrollably, their once beneficial work turns grossly destructive to the human host and may result in an infectious spread to other areas of the body.
Of course, under undisturbed conditions, the balance of "friendly" micro organisms to "unfriendly" micro organisms remains remarkably stable. Intestinal function runs smoothly, with digestion and metabolism operating at peak levels, providing essential enzymes, nutrients and chemicals to the rest of the body.
Healthful conditions prevail. It is only when the ecology of the gastrointestinal tract becomes disturbed or otherwise altered that the balance of friendly micro organisms to unfriendly micro organisms becomes disrupted, and serious health problems could begin to occur.
Why Do We Get Sick So Often?
When the ecology of the human gastrointestinal tract becomes disrupted, beneficial micro organisms can no longer flourish in needed numbers and proper balances. What's more, harmful toxin producing bacteria and fungi begin to take over, further changing the ecology of the gastrointestinal tract.
We've all heard the saying "Death Begins in the Colon." Then it should come as no surprise that many alternative doctors believe that a disrupted ecology of the gastrointestinal tract may be at the heart of up to ninety percent of all known human illness and disease.
The gastrointestinal tract's balance of beneficial flora is most commonly disrupted by antibiotic usage, excessive sugar consumption, stress and drinking chlorinated water.
Researchers also have found that altered levels of acidity and alkalinity in the gastrointestinal tract will change the ecology of the bowel environment, and thereby affect the type, quantity and behavior of micro organisms found there.
For example, a diet consisting chiefly of processed foods can dramatically alter the vital acid/alkaline balance of the intestinal tract. Such an imbalance can lead to a dramatic overgrowth of unwanted and extremely harmful microorganisms.
Excessive alcohol consumption, frequent use of both over the counter as well as prescription anti-inflammatory drugs, painkillers and frequent consumption of colas or other carbonated beverages can all disrupt the gut.
A diet high in red meats or rich, fatty foods will dramatically alter the acid/alkaline balance of the intestines, leading to the overgrowth of disease causing, putrefactive bacteria that eventually overcome the beneficial bacteria and open the door to an onset of serious health problems.
Moreover, colonies of putrefactive bacteria often discharge highly toxic by-products while reacting with foods in the digestive tract. This reaction could further upset the ecology of the gastrointestinal tract and slowly poison the entire body. The end result is the onset of chronic degenerative diseases.
Is Supplementation the Key?
Due to disturbances in the intestinal tract's environment, important beneficial microorganisms may no longer be present in desirable quantities in most adults. The result is all too often seen in the fading health and vitality of millions of individuals who could otherwise be enjoying the fruits of their labor without the burden of chronically poor health.
The solution may be as simple as supplementation with adequate and desirable quantities of beneficial micro organisms. Many doctors feel that inadequate levels of beneficial bacteria may be associated with health robbing conditions.
This situation can be prevented through the supplementation of the diet with food products rich in beneficial bacteria. Foods such as cultured yogurt, buttermilk, cottage cheese, whey and other soured milk food products are good examples. These foods may be enough for general prevention.
If you have had antibiotics, endure a high stress level, or have any of the signs of the following symptoms then you may have a bacterial imbalance.
Chronic fatigue, frequent diarrhea, intestinal gas, frequent constipation, poor immune response, bladder infections, chronic vaginal infections, candidia, allergies, skin fungus, dairy product sensitivities, menstrual complaints or chronic bad breath are all indicators of a possible imbalance.
In such a case, you may benefit from a probiotic supplement. There are powerful dietary supplements that help you rebuild the balance of beneficial micro organisms in your gastrointestinal tract and reverse the imbalances that may contribute to the onset of chronic conditions.
Ones that contain friendly bacteria are increasingly providing results to sufferers of conditions that often mystify practitioners. Candida and Chronic Fatigue patients often relay sagas about the agonizing search to remedy their affliction.
Frequently this exercise culminates in and only in the combination of cleaning up the putrefaction in their systems and reestablishing a harmonious balance to their gastrointestinal tract.
Resident and Transient Microbes
Among the innumerable living inhabitants of the human gastrointestinal tract, there are both resident inhabitants as well as transient or visiting microorganisms. Both play a direct and vital role in maintaining superior health and well being; and both may very well have an important impact on the life span of every individual.
Resident Microorganisms – Bifidobacteria
Bifidobacteria consist of a number of different species, four of the most important being B. longum, B. bifidum, B. infantis and B. breve. From birth these vital bifidobacteria play a crucial role in human health. When a baby is born, the intestines are virtually sterile, free of micro organisms.
Immediately, something like a Wild West land grab ensues as friendly and harmful bacteria alike vie for territory and dominance.
Between the forth and seventh day among breast fed babies, bifidobacteria normally outdo the rest of the field. Researchers now realize that one of the chief reasons breast fed babies get markedly fewer infections than formula- fed ones is that mother's milk tends to promote superior growth of bifidobacteria in the gastrointestinal tract, whereas store bought formulas have little such beneficial effect.
Over ninety percent of the microbial count in a breast fed infant's intestinal tract is composed of the highly beneficial bifidobacteria. These micro organisms, in turn, produce high degrees of essential byproducts in the intestines, which act as a barrier to the growth of dangerous pathogenic microbes that cause infection and disease.
The levels of beneficial bifidobacteria appear to decline dramatically as the human body ages. Some researchers believe this steep decline is due chiefly to gradual disruptions and changes in the acid/alkaline balance of the bowels; which tend to favor the growth of harmful viral and fungal organisms as well as putrefactive, disease causing bacteria, and disfavor the growth of beneficial bifidobacteria.
Many researchers now believe that declining levels of bifidobacteria in the intestinal tract may actually mark the eventual onset of chronic degenerative disease. These declines brought on by aging make supplementation of these vital, beneficial micro organisms all the more crucial.
Vital bifidobacteria may help detoxify the human system and remove numerous harmful substances. According to David B. Hughes and Dallas G. Hoover of the University of Delaware, bifidobacteria have the ability to remove cancer forming elements or the enzymes that lead to their formation.
Bifidobacteria Longum
Writing in the April 1991 issue of Food Technology, Hughes and Hoover reported animal studies demonstrating bifidobacteria longum's ability to protect against the formation of liver tumors related to pathogenic microbes in the intestine.
Bifidobacteria longum has also been found to substantially inhibit the formation of colon and mammary gland tumors in laboratory animals caused by nitrosamines, common dietary mutagens found in browned or charred food. Although no claims can be made for curing colon cancer, certain strains of friendly bacteria have indeed been documented in animal studies to have anti-tumor properties.
Certain strains also possess the ability to counteract cancer causing compounds in the colon.
Japanese research has recently shown that the beneficial micro organisms bifidobacteria longum and bifidum breve are substantial producers of important B vitamins. The production of these B vitamins is of special importance today, especially when a large number of adult Americans lack needed levels of the vitamin.
According to recent medical data, without adequate levels of B vitamins, the human body has a difficult time converting high levels of the atherosclerosis promoting compound homocysteine into harmless cystathionine, which may result in a more rapid onset of hardening of the arteries.
Proper levels of these essential B vitamins may act as a preventative to arterosclerosis. It is of vital necessity to maintain adequate levels of B-12 in order to sustain peak mental agility and physical vigor as we age.
Many of the problems associated with aging such as mental fatigue, depression, low energy levels, upper respiratory problems have been linked to decreasing levels of B-12. Some researchers suggest that supplementing the body with a healthy population of bifidobacteria may be extremely helpful in maintaining adequate levels of these important health enhancing and disease preventing B vitamins.
Lactobacilli
Lactobacilli have recently caught the rapt attention of medical and scientific researchers due to the extra ordinary health enhancing benefits they exhibit. Unfortunately, much like the beneficial bifidobacteria, these vital resident micro organisms have also been noted to decline in numbers in the human body as we age.
As they decline, certain diseases they would normally help prevent can now gain a foothold. For example, one of the many tasks the lactobacilli are responsible for is the production of vitamin K. Vitamin K is important in helping blood to clot and is essential for the building of strong bones. New research suggests that Vitamin K deficiency may be a crucial factor in predisposing the human body to the onset of osteoporosis.
This is only one example of why scientists studying these beneficial lactobacilli almost unanimously agree that supplementing the body with them is of vital importance as we age.
Lactobacillus Rhamnosus
According to noted Canadian bacteriologist Edward Brochu, L. rhamnosus exhibits a number of fascinating immunological properties.
For example, in animal studies it has been demonstrated to increase the natural killing activity of spleen cells, which may help to prevent tumor formation. It also demonstrated an increased resistance to listeria monocytogenes, the disease causing bacteria associated with encephalitis.
Even more laboratory studies have shown L. rhamnosus to boost phagocytic activity. The destruction of foreign invaders and other harmful matter by phagocytes can be increased by three times their normal activity. Circulating antibodies have been shown to increase by six to eight times their normal levels after introduction of L. rhamnosus.
It may also help the body resist microbial infections by increasing levels of immunoglobulins and directly activating macrophages. Researcher Brochu, of the Institute Rosell of Montreal, Canada, concludes one report by saying: "L. rhamnosus may be considered as one of the most important lactobacilli, if not the best. "
Lactobacillus Salivarius
According to Scott Gregory, O.M.D., author of A Holistic Protocol for the Immune System, the resident L. salivarius is a friendly gastrointestinal super culture. L. salivarius is specially noted for it's ability to provide the human body with increased stores of energy due to its unique ability to break down foods in the intestinal tract and make vital nutrients more readily available for use elsewhere in the body.
It also helps the entire colon by eating away encrusted putrefactive materials, and it helps repair the intestinal tract by providing needed enzymes and essential nutrients, as well as by adhering to and protecting the mucosal lining.
The Amazing Qualities of Lactobacillus Acidophilus
Lactobacillus acidophilus is the best known of all the lactobacilli. This popular resident of the gastrointestinal tract is also widely known for its ability to produce significant quantities of the enzyme lactose, which aids in the digestion of milk and other dairy products and eliminates many of the serious problems associated with lactose intolerance.
Scientists are now discovering even more amazing qualities possessed by this famous resident micro organism. For example, Dr. Morton Walker, in his recent book Secrets of Long Life, reports that L. acidophilus has now been shown to produce at least four powerful antimicrobial compounds, including acidolin, acidolphilin, lactocidin and bacteriocin.
Each of these compounds has demonstrated formidable neutralizing effects against serious disease causing microbes such as camphylobacter, listeria, staphylococci, and a long list of others. Moreover, Eileen Hilton, an infectious disease specialist at the Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New York has recently demonstrated the phenomenal disease preventing effects of this amazing beneficial microorganism on women who had previously suffered with chronic vaginal yeast infections.
Ongoing research being conducted at the University of Nebraska and reported by renowned probiotic research expert Dr. Khem Shahani, Professor, Department of Food Science and Technology, has shown that the powerful DDS-1 strain of L. acidophilus is able to reduce cholesterol levels.
Known as the "Cadillac" strain, it is also able to inhibit the growth and toxin producing capabilities of 23 known disease causing pathogens, as well as reduce tumor growth and effectively neutralize or inhibit carcinogenic substances in laboratory studies. Additionally, according to Professor Shahani, selected and specially grown strains of L. acidophilus have shown both antifungal and antiviral activity.
Consequently, acidophilus can retard the proliferation of vaginitis as well as flu or herpes.
Transient Micro Organisms
Transient micro organisms are also extremely important to understand. These include food borne micro organisms and even soil borne micro organisms that make their way into the human digestive tract and, depending upon the characteristics of the specific organism involved, either subtly or dramatically influence the overall health of the human system.
Transient micro organisms are different from resident micro organisms in that they do not take up permanent residence in the gastrointestinal tract. Instead, they establish small colonies for brief periods of time before dying off or being flushed from the intestinal system via normal digestive processes, or by peristaltic bowel action.
However, in taking up temporary residence, they contribute to the overall function and condition of the digestive system. For example, the lives of some of the most important resident micro organisms involved in human digestion and intestinal health depend on by products produced by the visiting transients.
Therefore, in many cases, these two very different types of microorganisms nonetheless enjoy a complex symbiotic relationship that may dramatically influence the health and well being of your entire body.
There are numerous health benefits of transient micro organisms. Bacillus laterosporus is one of the most enigmatic of the transient friendly micro organisms found in the human gastrointestinal tract. In recent clinical studies, it has been demonstrated to provide phenomenal relief from symptoms of disease and ill health particularly those symptoms associated with suppressed immune system function i.e., chronic fatigue syndrome, Candida infections, Epstein-Barr virus, herpes, Crohn's disease, chlamydia, cytomegalovirus, parasitic infections, and many more.
Dr. Luc Deschepper, M.D., recently treated 1,500 patients with B. laterosporus for illnesses related to suppressed immune system function. The micro organism produced such significant improvement in symptoms that his patients now demand the special B. laterosporus supplement he used in the study. One reason for its surprising effectiveness against immune related illnesses may be its strong antibiotic qualities.
Research shows B. subtilis to be one of the most important immune system stimulators of all the transient micro organisms. It is remarkable for its ability to activate the body's immune defense, as well as its ability to stimulate the proliferation of crucial lymphocytes.
This has made it one of the most interesting micro organisms of the past decade.
Other research shows L. sporogenes, also known as Bacillus coagulans, to be uniquely beneficial to human health. In a recent study, researchers discovered that regular supplementation acts to significantly modify serum lipoproteins or blood fat levels. According to Dr. A. B. Gandi, this versatile microorganism also provides an excellent preventative effect against various diseases of the intestine.
Streptococcus thermophilis is a transient micro organism that produces a number of antibiotic like substances as part of its metabolic process. This aids the body in its ongoing fight against disease causing microbes. Perhaps more importantly, S. thermophilis also helps to suppress tumor development and growth in laboratory studies.
Moreover, S. thermophilis produces substantial quantities of the enzyme lactose. So it aids in the digestion of milk sugars and may provide an effective remedy against lactose intolerance a condition that afflicts nearly two-thirds of the world's population. It has also been used in hospitals as an effective remedy for chronic diarrhea in infants.
A Broad Spectrum Does the Trick
A number of phenomenal new breakthroughs in probiotic research have recently led to a whole new level of understanding among researchers regarding which specific types of resident as well as transient beneficial micro organisms provide the most profound benefits to the human body.
Researchers on the cutting edge of this technology have pioneered highly effective products. These breakthrough products contain all of the beneficial micro organisms. Some contain up to fourteen different strains of the most powerful beneficial micro organisms in the world. A broad spectrum of beneficial transient and resident micro organisms are all needed by the human body.
These Probiotics as they've come to be called are being used with extraordinary results by a select group of doctors in private practice nationwide. Supplementing with a friendly flora product is often a decisive element in the overall healing strategy employed by these holistic health professionals.
They find that it makes an important contribution to health and recovery. Without exception, the clinicians interviewed for this article used nothing less than superlatives to describe their experience with Probiotics.
There is an secret world within you that dramatically influences your health and longevity. The Earth is home to an abundance of life forms that sometimes exist harmoniously and at other times struggle fitfully against each other.
The human body also holds a vast internal ecosystem consisting of millions of living micro organisms that coexist, sometimes harmoniously and sometimes disruptively.
This vast internal ecosystem, called by many researchers our human intestinal flora, dramatically influences, and to a certain degree even directs, every individual's personal state of health and well being. This includes our physical and mental health, our metabolism, and quite possibly, our life span.
Over 400 distinct species of micro organisms inhabit the various regions of the human digestive tract, making up nearly four pounds of every individual's total body weight. This vast population of micro organisms far exceeds the number of tissue cells that make up the human body.
If this ecosystem is functioning properly it guards your body against harmful bacteria, yeast and viruses. It also stimulates the function of the entire digestive system and produces essential vitamins and regulates their levels.
This vast unseen world maintains your body's vital chemical and hormonal balance. It also performs a vast number of necessary tasks for maintaining high energy levels, proper immune function and counteracts cancer causing compounds in the colon.
Beneficial vs. Harmful Micro Organisms
It is important to understand that both beneficial "friendly" and harmful "unfriendly" micro organisms inhabit the human intestinal tract simultaneously. They enjoy a complex symbiotic relationship with each other. In fact, in many cases each contributes to the overall function and health of the intestinal tract, while keeping the other in check at the same time.
For example, even unfriendly micro organisms, such as the small colonies of Candida yeast that inhabit the intestinal tract, carry out important tasks relating to human digestion. They aid in the digestion of sugars and release vital enzymes, nutrients and other essential substances as by products of their work.
Normally, friendly micro organisms such as L. acidophilus and others keep the Candida yeast in check. They prevent Candida from over colonizing the digestive tract and spreading elsewhere. If conditions prevail which allow the Candida yeast to grow uncontrollably, their once beneficial work turns grossly destructive to the human host and may result in an infectious spread to other areas of the body.
Of course, under undisturbed conditions, the balance of "friendly" micro organisms to "unfriendly" micro organisms remains remarkably stable. Intestinal function runs smoothly, with digestion and metabolism operating at peak levels, providing essential enzymes, nutrients and chemicals to the rest of the body.
Healthful conditions prevail. It is only when the ecology of the gastrointestinal tract becomes disturbed or otherwise altered that the balance of friendly micro organisms to unfriendly micro organisms becomes disrupted, and serious health problems could begin to occur.
Why Do We Get Sick So Often?
When the ecology of the human gastrointestinal tract becomes disrupted, beneficial micro organisms can no longer flourish in needed numbers and proper balances. What's more, harmful toxin producing bacteria and fungi begin to take over, further changing the ecology of the gastrointestinal tract.
We've all heard the saying "Death Begins in the Colon." Then it should come as no surprise that many alternative doctors believe that a disrupted ecology of the gastrointestinal tract may be at the heart of up to ninety percent of all known human illness and disease.
The gastrointestinal tract's balance of beneficial flora is most commonly disrupted by antibiotic usage, excessive sugar consumption, stress and drinking chlorinated water.
Researchers also have found that altered levels of acidity and alkalinity in the gastrointestinal tract will change the ecology of the bowel environment, and thereby affect the type, quantity and behavior of micro organisms found there.
For example, a diet consisting chiefly of processed foods can dramatically alter the vital acid/alkaline balance of the intestinal tract. Such an imbalance can lead to a dramatic overgrowth of unwanted and extremely harmful microorganisms.
Excessive alcohol consumption, frequent use of both over the counter as well as prescription anti-inflammatory drugs, painkillers and frequent consumption of colas or other carbonated beverages can all disrupt the gut.
A diet high in red meats or rich, fatty foods will dramatically alter the acid/alkaline balance of the intestines, leading to the overgrowth of disease causing, putrefactive bacteria that eventually overcome the beneficial bacteria and open the door to an onset of serious health problems.
Moreover, colonies of putrefactive bacteria often discharge highly toxic by-products while reacting with foods in the digestive tract. This reaction could further upset the ecology of the gastrointestinal tract and slowly poison the entire body. The end result is the onset of chronic degenerative diseases.
Is Supplementation the Key?
Due to disturbances in the intestinal tract's environment, important beneficial microorganisms may no longer be present in desirable quantities in most adults. The result is all too often seen in the fading health and vitality of millions of individuals who could otherwise be enjoying the fruits of their labor without the burden of chronically poor health.
The solution may be as simple as supplementation with adequate and desirable quantities of beneficial micro organisms. Many doctors feel that inadequate levels of beneficial bacteria may be associated with health robbing conditions.
This situation can be prevented through the supplementation of the diet with food products rich in beneficial bacteria. Foods such as cultured yogurt, buttermilk, cottage cheese, whey and other soured milk food products are good examples. These foods may be enough for general prevention.
If you have had antibiotics, endure a high stress level, or have any of the signs of the following symptoms then you may have a bacterial imbalance.
Chronic fatigue, frequent diarrhea, intestinal gas, frequent constipation, poor immune response, bladder infections, chronic vaginal infections, candidia, allergies, skin fungus, dairy product sensitivities, menstrual complaints or chronic bad breath are all indicators of a possible imbalance.
In such a case, you may benefit from a probiotic supplement. There are powerful dietary supplements that help you rebuild the balance of beneficial micro organisms in your gastrointestinal tract and reverse the imbalances that may contribute to the onset of chronic conditions.
Ones that contain friendly bacteria are increasingly providing results to sufferers of conditions that often mystify practitioners. Candida and Chronic Fatigue patients often relay sagas about the agonizing search to remedy their affliction.
Frequently this exercise culminates in and only in the combination of cleaning up the putrefaction in their systems and reestablishing a harmonious balance to their gastrointestinal tract.
Resident and Transient Microbes
Among the innumerable living inhabitants of the human gastrointestinal tract, there are both resident inhabitants as well as transient or visiting microorganisms. Both play a direct and vital role in maintaining superior health and well being; and both may very well have an important impact on the life span of every individual.
Resident Microorganisms – Bifidobacteria
Bifidobacteria consist of a number of different species, four of the most important being B. longum, B. bifidum, B. infantis and B. breve. From birth these vital bifidobacteria play a crucial role in human health. When a baby is born, the intestines are virtually sterile, free of micro organisms.
Immediately, something like a Wild West land grab ensues as friendly and harmful bacteria alike vie for territory and dominance.
Between the forth and seventh day among breast fed babies, bifidobacteria normally outdo the rest of the field. Researchers now realize that one of the chief reasons breast fed babies get markedly fewer infections than formula- fed ones is that mother's milk tends to promote superior growth of bifidobacteria in the gastrointestinal tract, whereas store bought formulas have little such beneficial effect.
Over ninety percent of the microbial count in a breast fed infant's intestinal tract is composed of the highly beneficial bifidobacteria. These micro organisms, in turn, produce high degrees of essential byproducts in the intestines, which act as a barrier to the growth of dangerous pathogenic microbes that cause infection and disease.
The levels of beneficial bifidobacteria appear to decline dramatically as the human body ages. Some researchers believe this steep decline is due chiefly to gradual disruptions and changes in the acid/alkaline balance of the bowels; which tend to favor the growth of harmful viral and fungal organisms as well as putrefactive, disease causing bacteria, and disfavor the growth of beneficial bifidobacteria.
Many researchers now believe that declining levels of bifidobacteria in the intestinal tract may actually mark the eventual onset of chronic degenerative disease. These declines brought on by aging make supplementation of these vital, beneficial micro organisms all the more crucial.
Vital bifidobacteria may help detoxify the human system and remove numerous harmful substances. According to David B. Hughes and Dallas G. Hoover of the University of Delaware, bifidobacteria have the ability to remove cancer forming elements or the enzymes that lead to their formation.
Bifidobacteria Longum
Writing in the April 1991 issue of Food Technology, Hughes and Hoover reported animal studies demonstrating bifidobacteria longum's ability to protect against the formation of liver tumors related to pathogenic microbes in the intestine.
Bifidobacteria longum has also been found to substantially inhibit the formation of colon and mammary gland tumors in laboratory animals caused by nitrosamines, common dietary mutagens found in browned or charred food. Although no claims can be made for curing colon cancer, certain strains of friendly bacteria have indeed been documented in animal studies to have anti-tumor properties.
Certain strains also possess the ability to counteract cancer causing compounds in the colon.
Japanese research has recently shown that the beneficial micro organisms bifidobacteria longum and bifidum breve are substantial producers of important B vitamins. The production of these B vitamins is of special importance today, especially when a large number of adult Americans lack needed levels of the vitamin.
According to recent medical data, without adequate levels of B vitamins, the human body has a difficult time converting high levels of the atherosclerosis promoting compound homocysteine into harmless cystathionine, which may result in a more rapid onset of hardening of the arteries.
Proper levels of these essential B vitamins may act as a preventative to arterosclerosis. It is of vital necessity to maintain adequate levels of B-12 in order to sustain peak mental agility and physical vigor as we age.
Many of the problems associated with aging such as mental fatigue, depression, low energy levels, upper respiratory problems have been linked to decreasing levels of B-12. Some researchers suggest that supplementing the body with a healthy population of bifidobacteria may be extremely helpful in maintaining adequate levels of these important health enhancing and disease preventing B vitamins.
Lactobacilli
Lactobacilli have recently caught the rapt attention of medical and scientific researchers due to the extra ordinary health enhancing benefits they exhibit. Unfortunately, much like the beneficial bifidobacteria, these vital resident micro organisms have also been noted to decline in numbers in the human body as we age.
As they decline, certain diseases they would normally help prevent can now gain a foothold. For example, one of the many tasks the lactobacilli are responsible for is the production of vitamin K. Vitamin K is important in helping blood to clot and is essential for the building of strong bones. New research suggests that Vitamin K deficiency may be a crucial factor in predisposing the human body to the onset of osteoporosis.
This is only one example of why scientists studying these beneficial lactobacilli almost unanimously agree that supplementing the body with them is of vital importance as we age.
Lactobacillus Rhamnosus
According to noted Canadian bacteriologist Edward Brochu, L. rhamnosus exhibits a number of fascinating immunological properties.
For example, in animal studies it has been demonstrated to increase the natural killing activity of spleen cells, which may help to prevent tumor formation. It also demonstrated an increased resistance to listeria monocytogenes, the disease causing bacteria associated with encephalitis.
Even more laboratory studies have shown L. rhamnosus to boost phagocytic activity. The destruction of foreign invaders and other harmful matter by phagocytes can be increased by three times their normal activity. Circulating antibodies have been shown to increase by six to eight times their normal levels after introduction of L. rhamnosus.
It may also help the body resist microbial infections by increasing levels of immunoglobulins and directly activating macrophages. Researcher Brochu, of the Institute Rosell of Montreal, Canada, concludes one report by saying: "L. rhamnosus may be considered as one of the most important lactobacilli, if not the best. "
Lactobacillus Salivarius
According to Scott Gregory, O.M.D., author of A Holistic Protocol for the Immune System, the resident L. salivarius is a friendly gastrointestinal super culture. L. salivarius is specially noted for it's ability to provide the human body with increased stores of energy due to its unique ability to break down foods in the intestinal tract and make vital nutrients more readily available for use elsewhere in the body.
It also helps the entire colon by eating away encrusted putrefactive materials, and it helps repair the intestinal tract by providing needed enzymes and essential nutrients, as well as by adhering to and protecting the mucosal lining.
The Amazing Qualities of Lactobacillus Acidophilus
Lactobacillus acidophilus is the best known of all the lactobacilli. This popular resident of the gastrointestinal tract is also widely known for its ability to produce significant quantities of the enzyme lactose, which aids in the digestion of milk and other dairy products and eliminates many of the serious problems associated with lactose intolerance.
Scientists are now discovering even more amazing qualities possessed by this famous resident micro organism. For example, Dr. Morton Walker, in his recent book Secrets of Long Life, reports that L. acidophilus has now been shown to produce at least four powerful antimicrobial compounds, including acidolin, acidolphilin, lactocidin and bacteriocin.
Each of these compounds has demonstrated formidable neutralizing effects against serious disease causing microbes such as camphylobacter, listeria, staphylococci, and a long list of others. Moreover, Eileen Hilton, an infectious disease specialist at the Long Island Jewish Medical Center in New York has recently demonstrated the phenomenal disease preventing effects of this amazing beneficial microorganism on women who had previously suffered with chronic vaginal yeast infections.
Ongoing research being conducted at the University of Nebraska and reported by renowned probiotic research expert Dr. Khem Shahani, Professor, Department of Food Science and Technology, has shown that the powerful DDS-1 strain of L. acidophilus is able to reduce cholesterol levels.
Known as the "Cadillac" strain, it is also able to inhibit the growth and toxin producing capabilities of 23 known disease causing pathogens, as well as reduce tumor growth and effectively neutralize or inhibit carcinogenic substances in laboratory studies. Additionally, according to Professor Shahani, selected and specially grown strains of L. acidophilus have shown both antifungal and antiviral activity.
Consequently, acidophilus can retard the proliferation of vaginitis as well as flu or herpes.
Transient Micro Organisms
Transient micro organisms are also extremely important to understand. These include food borne micro organisms and even soil borne micro organisms that make their way into the human digestive tract and, depending upon the characteristics of the specific organism involved, either subtly or dramatically influence the overall health of the human system.
Transient micro organisms are different from resident micro organisms in that they do not take up permanent residence in the gastrointestinal tract. Instead, they establish small colonies for brief periods of time before dying off or being flushed from the intestinal system via normal digestive processes, or by peristaltic bowel action.
However, in taking up temporary residence, they contribute to the overall function and condition of the digestive system. For example, the lives of some of the most important resident micro organisms involved in human digestion and intestinal health depend on by products produced by the visiting transients.
Therefore, in many cases, these two very different types of microorganisms nonetheless enjoy a complex symbiotic relationship that may dramatically influence the health and well being of your entire body.
There are numerous health benefits of transient micro organisms. Bacillus laterosporus is one of the most enigmatic of the transient friendly micro organisms found in the human gastrointestinal tract. In recent clinical studies, it has been demonstrated to provide phenomenal relief from symptoms of disease and ill health particularly those symptoms associated with suppressed immune system function i.e., chronic fatigue syndrome, Candida infections, Epstein-Barr virus, herpes, Crohn's disease, chlamydia, cytomegalovirus, parasitic infections, and many more.
Dr. Luc Deschepper, M.D., recently treated 1,500 patients with B. laterosporus for illnesses related to suppressed immune system function. The micro organism produced such significant improvement in symptoms that his patients now demand the special B. laterosporus supplement he used in the study. One reason for its surprising effectiveness against immune related illnesses may be its strong antibiotic qualities.
Research shows B. subtilis to be one of the most important immune system stimulators of all the transient micro organisms. It is remarkable for its ability to activate the body's immune defense, as well as its ability to stimulate the proliferation of crucial lymphocytes.
This has made it one of the most interesting micro organisms of the past decade.
Other research shows L. sporogenes, also known as Bacillus coagulans, to be uniquely beneficial to human health. In a recent study, researchers discovered that regular supplementation acts to significantly modify serum lipoproteins or blood fat levels. According to Dr. A. B. Gandi, this versatile microorganism also provides an excellent preventative effect against various diseases of the intestine.
Streptococcus thermophilis is a transient micro organism that produces a number of antibiotic like substances as part of its metabolic process. This aids the body in its ongoing fight against disease causing microbes. Perhaps more importantly, S. thermophilis also helps to suppress tumor development and growth in laboratory studies.
Moreover, S. thermophilis produces substantial quantities of the enzyme lactose. So it aids in the digestion of milk sugars and may provide an effective remedy against lactose intolerance a condition that afflicts nearly two-thirds of the world's population. It has also been used in hospitals as an effective remedy for chronic diarrhea in infants.
A Broad Spectrum Does the Trick
A number of phenomenal new breakthroughs in probiotic research have recently led to a whole new level of understanding among researchers regarding which specific types of resident as well as transient beneficial micro organisms provide the most profound benefits to the human body.
Researchers on the cutting edge of this technology have pioneered highly effective products. These breakthrough products contain all of the beneficial micro organisms. Some contain up to fourteen different strains of the most powerful beneficial micro organisms in the world. A broad spectrum of beneficial transient and resident micro organisms are all needed by the human body.
These Probiotics as they've come to be called are being used with extraordinary results by a select group of doctors in private practice nationwide. Supplementing with a friendly flora product is often a decisive element in the overall healing strategy employed by these holistic health professionals.
They find that it makes an important contribution to health and recovery. Without exception, the clinicians interviewed for this article used nothing less than superlatives to describe their experience with Probiotics.