Scientific Research into Lactobacillus Bacteria shows the following: Note this is just a small sample of the extensive research into bacteria.
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.
At the turn of the century a Dr. Elias Metchnikoff wrote a groundbreaking book "Prolongation of Life". In doing so he created the incredible ongoing revolution this work inspired known as the Probiotic Revolution. Metchnikoff, a Nobel laureate who discovered phagocytes and other immune system components, documented in the book what he believed to be a direct link between human longevity and the necessity of maintaining a healthy balance of beneficial micro organisms within the body.
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.
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.
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 adults lack needed levels of the vitamin.
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.
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. "
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.
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.
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.
In conclusion, scientific research on human health and longevity has suggested that aiding the growth of select strains of beneficial microorganisms through careful dietary supplementation may very well provide remarkable health benefits. By taking advantage of this research, individuals can optimize their health and longevity and help prevent chronic problems from gaining a foothold.
A new and interesting area of application for bacterial therapy is in the treatment of cystic fibrosis. In a preliminary report, an Italian research group (Guarino 1998) has shown that taking Lactobacillus GG bacteria daily for six months significantly reduced the number of pulmonary infections and abdominal pains, and particularly improved weight gain in children suffering from Pseudomonas infection. Further studies (Guarino et al 1995) confirmed the benefits for Pseudomonas-infected patients. The incidence and duration of their infections were significantly reduced, pulmonary function improved and weight gain increased compared to the placebo group.
In children with chronic arthritis, Lactobacillus GG has been proved to enhance IgA class local immune response, increase specific IgA response to food antigens, and normalise high urease enzyme activity in stools. High urease activity indicate dysbalance in the intestinal micro-flora. All changes were transient and related to short-term (10 days) use of Lactobacillus GG (Malin 1997, Malin, Verronen et al 1996). These results suggest that Lactobacillus GG has the ability to strengthen the intestinal immune barrier of the mucous membrane in chronic arthritis. Studies on the significance of Lactobacillus GG in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis are underway, because other studies have conjectured that an abundant lactic acid bacteria flora is advantageous in such treatment.
Crohn's disease is a serious disease of unknown aetiology that can appear in any section of the digestive tract but most often in the bowel. The clinical description includes increased permeability of the intestinal mucous membrane and disturbed processing and transport of food antigens. Because Lactobacillus GG is known to restore permeability of the mucous membrane, its effect was studied in patients with Crohn's disease (n=14). The study confirmed that Lactobacillus GG increases local, antigen-specific immune response in the mucous membrane and in this way corrects permeability disturbance of the mucous membrane (Malin, Suomalainen et al 1996, Malin 1997). Studies on the clinical significance of Lactobacillus GG in Crohn's disease are underway.
Approximately 2.5% of small children suffer from allergy caused by cowmilk protein in Finland. Milk allergy is widely believed to be exclusive to young children. The latest studies have shown, however, that a clear immune response can be observed in lactose-tolerant adults who show or feel symptoms during exposure to milk (Pelto, Salminen et al 1998). This manifested itself as a boosting of non-specific immunological inflammation response (increasing of phagocyte receptors and boosting of phagocytoses). Lactobacillus GG administered in conjunction with milk exposure reduced the inflammation response significantly. In the healthy control group, milk did not cause a phagocyte response; milk containing LGG, however, increased the non-specific immune response instead of lowering it (Pelto, Isolauri et al 1998). This reflects the balancing effect of Lactobacillus GG in regard to immune responses (Fig. 13). On the one hand, it increases immunological defence and boosts immune responses in healthy subjects and in those with infections; and on the other, it reduces hyper-active immune response in allergies. Lactic acid bacteria have been found to influence in vitro cytokine production (Miettinen et al 1996, Miettinen et al 1998, Miettinen et al 2000), but the effects will have to be examined in clinical studies, before their significance in health can be explained.
Adhesion of Salmonella typhimurium on intestinal mucus in vitro was enhanced by Lactobacillus GG (Tuomola 1999, Tuomola et al 1999). However cell cultures demonstrated that Lactobacillus GG reduced the invasion of Salmonella typhimurium to the cells (Hudault et al 1997). Animal experiments have shown that Lactobacillus GG improves colonisation resistance and protects the intestine from harmful bacteria. Salmonella levels were considerably lower in the intestines of mice that received Lactobacillus GG than in the placebo group. Furthermore, the life spans of Salmonella infected ex-germ-free mice were considerably extended by Lactobacillus GG (Fig. 4). Lactobacillus GG also protected the mice from Candida albicans infection, reduced the growth of yeast and prolonged the life of the mice. The protective influence of Lactobacillus GG was based on both immunological and non-immunological factors (Wagner, Pearson et al 1997, Wagner, Warner et al 1997). It was also shown to prevent the attachment of Clostridium difficile onto the wall of hamster´s intestines and, together with xylitol, to protect hamster´s from death caused by C. difficile (Naaber et al 1998). Furthermore, in laboratory experiments Lactobacillus GG reduced the adhesion of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli on intestinal mucus (Tuomola et al 1999) and intestinal cells (Mack et al 1999).
Lactobacillus GG accelerates recovery in acute diarrhoea. Studies have been primarily conducted on children with rotavirus, which is the most common cause of diarrhoea in Western countries. Lactobacillus GG accelerated recovery of children hospitalised with acute diarrhoea by about one day (Table 3). The acceleration of recovery was generally noted on the second day: children treated with Lactobacillus GG defecated less often and their stools were more solid than those in the placebo group. Children treated at home, with Lactobacillus GG administration starting on the second day after the onset of diarrhoea, suffered symptoms for approximately half as long as the placebo group (Fig. 8). In addition, these children spread the virus for a shorter time than those in the placebo group, since significantly fewer of them excreted rotavirus in their stools after six days than in the placebo group. The effect of Lactobacillus GG in the treatment of diarrhoea has been confirmed through a multi-centre study done by the 'diarrhoea working group' of ESPGHAN (European Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition) (Guandalini et al 2000, Table 3).
The role of probiotic cultures in the control of gastrointestinal health Rolfe RD
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock 79430, USA.
J Nutr 2000 Feb;130(2S Suppl):396S-402S
The use of probiotics to enhance intestinal health has been proposed for many years. Probiotics are traditionally defined as viable microorganisms that have a beneficial effect in the prevention and treatment of specific pathologic conditions when they are ingested. There is a relatively large volume of literature that supports the use of probiotics to prevent or treat intestinal disorders. However, the scientific basis of probiotic use has been firmly established only recently, and sound clinical studies have begun to be published. Currently, the best-studied probiotics are the lactic acid bacteria, particularly Lactobacillus sp. and Bifidobacterium sp. However, other organisms used as probiotics in humans include Escherichia coli, Streptococcus sp., Enterococcus sp., Bacteroides sp., Bacillus sp., Propionibacterium sp. and various fungi. Some probiotic preparations contain mixtures of more than one bacterial strain.
Probiotics have been examined for their effectiveness in the prevention and treatment of a diverse spectrum of gastrointestinal disorders such as antibiotic-associated diarrhea (including Clostridium difficile-associated intestinal disease), infectious bacterial and viral diarrhea (including diarrhea caused by rotavirus, Shigella, Salmonella, enterotoxigenic E. coli, Vibrio cholerae and human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency disorder, enteral feeding diarrhea, Helicobacter pylori gastroenteritis, sucrase maltase deficiency, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, small bowel bacterial overgrowth and lactose intolerance. Probiotics have been found to inhibit intestinal bacterial enzymes involved in the synthesis of colonic carcinogens. There are many mechanisms by which probiotics enhance intestinal health, including stimulation of immunity, competition for limited nutrients, inhibition of epithelial and mucosal adherence, inhibition of epithelial invasion and production of antimicrobial substances. Probiotics represent an exciting prophylactic and therapeutic advance, although additional investigations must be undertaken before their role in intestinal health can be delineated clearly.
Effect of lactic acid bacteria on human body.
1. Restoration of the ecological balance of intestinal microflora.(Treat chronic intestinal problems & diarrhea)
2. Improved digestibility of food components and enhanced bioavailability of nutrients. (pre-digestion of protein, ongoing health maintenance)
3. Restore normal flora after antibiotic therapy, stress, non-infactious disbacteriosis.
4. Enhancement of Immunity (inhibition of carcinogenesis)
5. Alleviation of lactose intolerance
6. Vitamin assimilation
7. Detoxification of harmful products
8. Suppression of food-borne pathogens
9. Anti-cholresterol effect
10. Anti-aging
- by Brian J. B. Wood, 1992, The lactic acid bacteria Vol. 1 Elsevier appplied Science by London pp 151-297
According to Gerald Domingue, M.D.3, in a talk presented in part at the 75th Annual Meeting of American Society for Microbiology and subsequently published by Microbia, in his article "Naked Bacteria in Human Blood," many common and disease-producing bacteria, under the influence of many antibiotics, do not die, but rather strip off their walls so that they are no longer recognizable by our immune system.
Some of these "Cell-Wall-Deficient Bacteria" can reduce themselves down to a filterable virus size — among the smallest known forms of virus.
Amazingly, it has been shown that these viral particles and the incomplete bacteria — Cell-Wall Deficient Bacteria -- can and often do restructure themselves again, so that full-fledged disease appears to be "another infection" that must be treated with more antibiotics, which then strip off the walls, ad infinitum. . . . . .!
Consequences of this unexploited and little known phenomena are possibly vast. Sadly, very little has been done in established medicine to test for and to design treatment strategies for this fantastic survival ability of bacteria. Lida Mattman, Ph.D. of Wayne University4 trained numerous Ph.D. candidates in this new field of microbiology, but few of her graduates carry on with the work. She trained one laboratory to test for Cell Wall Deficient Bacteria, but the people with the training are long gone from that laboratory.
Quite clearly, microorganisms are the dominate species on planet earth!
According to Dr. Ken Rifkin5, "The average human body contains approximately three and a half pounds of bacteria some of which perform essential functions AND others which promote disease." [This is about 100 trillion organisms: Ed.] "When the equilibrium of `friendly' and pathogenic bacteria is disturbed through the ingestion of chemical additives, birth control pills, antibiotics, alcohol, pesticides, food additives and even stress — disease producing bacteria will multiply within the intestinal tract."
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.
At the turn of the century a Dr. Elias Metchnikoff wrote a groundbreaking book "Prolongation of Life". In doing so he created the incredible ongoing revolution this work inspired known as the Probiotic Revolution. Metchnikoff, a Nobel laureate who discovered phagocytes and other immune system components, documented in the book what he believed to be a direct link between human longevity and the necessity of maintaining a healthy balance of beneficial micro organisms within the body.
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.
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.
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 adults lack needed levels of the vitamin.
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.
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. "
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.
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.
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.
In conclusion, scientific research on human health and longevity has suggested that aiding the growth of select strains of beneficial microorganisms through careful dietary supplementation may very well provide remarkable health benefits. By taking advantage of this research, individuals can optimize their health and longevity and help prevent chronic problems from gaining a foothold.
A new and interesting area of application for bacterial therapy is in the treatment of cystic fibrosis. In a preliminary report, an Italian research group (Guarino 1998) has shown that taking Lactobacillus GG bacteria daily for six months significantly reduced the number of pulmonary infections and abdominal pains, and particularly improved weight gain in children suffering from Pseudomonas infection. Further studies (Guarino et al 1995) confirmed the benefits for Pseudomonas-infected patients. The incidence and duration of their infections were significantly reduced, pulmonary function improved and weight gain increased compared to the placebo group.
In children with chronic arthritis, Lactobacillus GG has been proved to enhance IgA class local immune response, increase specific IgA response to food antigens, and normalise high urease enzyme activity in stools. High urease activity indicate dysbalance in the intestinal micro-flora. All changes were transient and related to short-term (10 days) use of Lactobacillus GG (Malin 1997, Malin, Verronen et al 1996). These results suggest that Lactobacillus GG has the ability to strengthen the intestinal immune barrier of the mucous membrane in chronic arthritis. Studies on the significance of Lactobacillus GG in the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis are underway, because other studies have conjectured that an abundant lactic acid bacteria flora is advantageous in such treatment.
Crohn's disease is a serious disease of unknown aetiology that can appear in any section of the digestive tract but most often in the bowel. The clinical description includes increased permeability of the intestinal mucous membrane and disturbed processing and transport of food antigens. Because Lactobacillus GG is known to restore permeability of the mucous membrane, its effect was studied in patients with Crohn's disease (n=14). The study confirmed that Lactobacillus GG increases local, antigen-specific immune response in the mucous membrane and in this way corrects permeability disturbance of the mucous membrane (Malin, Suomalainen et al 1996, Malin 1997). Studies on the clinical significance of Lactobacillus GG in Crohn's disease are underway.
Approximately 2.5% of small children suffer from allergy caused by cowmilk protein in Finland. Milk allergy is widely believed to be exclusive to young children. The latest studies have shown, however, that a clear immune response can be observed in lactose-tolerant adults who show or feel symptoms during exposure to milk (Pelto, Salminen et al 1998). This manifested itself as a boosting of non-specific immunological inflammation response (increasing of phagocyte receptors and boosting of phagocytoses). Lactobacillus GG administered in conjunction with milk exposure reduced the inflammation response significantly. In the healthy control group, milk did not cause a phagocyte response; milk containing LGG, however, increased the non-specific immune response instead of lowering it (Pelto, Isolauri et al 1998). This reflects the balancing effect of Lactobacillus GG in regard to immune responses (Fig. 13). On the one hand, it increases immunological defence and boosts immune responses in healthy subjects and in those with infections; and on the other, it reduces hyper-active immune response in allergies. Lactic acid bacteria have been found to influence in vitro cytokine production (Miettinen et al 1996, Miettinen et al 1998, Miettinen et al 2000), but the effects will have to be examined in clinical studies, before their significance in health can be explained.
Adhesion of Salmonella typhimurium on intestinal mucus in vitro was enhanced by Lactobacillus GG (Tuomola 1999, Tuomola et al 1999). However cell cultures demonstrated that Lactobacillus GG reduced the invasion of Salmonella typhimurium to the cells (Hudault et al 1997). Animal experiments have shown that Lactobacillus GG improves colonisation resistance and protects the intestine from harmful bacteria. Salmonella levels were considerably lower in the intestines of mice that received Lactobacillus GG than in the placebo group. Furthermore, the life spans of Salmonella infected ex-germ-free mice were considerably extended by Lactobacillus GG (Fig. 4). Lactobacillus GG also protected the mice from Candida albicans infection, reduced the growth of yeast and prolonged the life of the mice. The protective influence of Lactobacillus GG was based on both immunological and non-immunological factors (Wagner, Pearson et al 1997, Wagner, Warner et al 1997). It was also shown to prevent the attachment of Clostridium difficile onto the wall of hamster´s intestines and, together with xylitol, to protect hamster´s from death caused by C. difficile (Naaber et al 1998). Furthermore, in laboratory experiments Lactobacillus GG reduced the adhesion of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli on intestinal mucus (Tuomola et al 1999) and intestinal cells (Mack et al 1999).
Lactobacillus GG accelerates recovery in acute diarrhoea. Studies have been primarily conducted on children with rotavirus, which is the most common cause of diarrhoea in Western countries. Lactobacillus GG accelerated recovery of children hospitalised with acute diarrhoea by about one day (Table 3). The acceleration of recovery was generally noted on the second day: children treated with Lactobacillus GG defecated less often and their stools were more solid than those in the placebo group. Children treated at home, with Lactobacillus GG administration starting on the second day after the onset of diarrhoea, suffered symptoms for approximately half as long as the placebo group (Fig. 8). In addition, these children spread the virus for a shorter time than those in the placebo group, since significantly fewer of them excreted rotavirus in their stools after six days than in the placebo group. The effect of Lactobacillus GG in the treatment of diarrhoea has been confirmed through a multi-centre study done by the 'diarrhoea working group' of ESPGHAN (European Society of Paediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition) (Guandalini et al 2000, Table 3).
The role of probiotic cultures in the control of gastrointestinal health Rolfe RD
Department of Microbiology and Immunology, Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center, Lubbock 79430, USA.
J Nutr 2000 Feb;130(2S Suppl):396S-402S
The use of probiotics to enhance intestinal health has been proposed for many years. Probiotics are traditionally defined as viable microorganisms that have a beneficial effect in the prevention and treatment of specific pathologic conditions when they are ingested. There is a relatively large volume of literature that supports the use of probiotics to prevent or treat intestinal disorders. However, the scientific basis of probiotic use has been firmly established only recently, and sound clinical studies have begun to be published. Currently, the best-studied probiotics are the lactic acid bacteria, particularly Lactobacillus sp. and Bifidobacterium sp. However, other organisms used as probiotics in humans include Escherichia coli, Streptococcus sp., Enterococcus sp., Bacteroides sp., Bacillus sp., Propionibacterium sp. and various fungi. Some probiotic preparations contain mixtures of more than one bacterial strain.
Probiotics have been examined for their effectiveness in the prevention and treatment of a diverse spectrum of gastrointestinal disorders such as antibiotic-associated diarrhea (including Clostridium difficile-associated intestinal disease), infectious bacterial and viral diarrhea (including diarrhea caused by rotavirus, Shigella, Salmonella, enterotoxigenic E. coli, Vibrio cholerae and human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency disorder, enteral feeding diarrhea, Helicobacter pylori gastroenteritis, sucrase maltase deficiency, inflammatory bowel disease, irritable bowel syndrome, small bowel bacterial overgrowth and lactose intolerance. Probiotics have been found to inhibit intestinal bacterial enzymes involved in the synthesis of colonic carcinogens. There are many mechanisms by which probiotics enhance intestinal health, including stimulation of immunity, competition for limited nutrients, inhibition of epithelial and mucosal adherence, inhibition of epithelial invasion and production of antimicrobial substances. Probiotics represent an exciting prophylactic and therapeutic advance, although additional investigations must be undertaken before their role in intestinal health can be delineated clearly.
Effect of lactic acid bacteria on human body.
1. Restoration of the ecological balance of intestinal microflora.(Treat chronic intestinal problems & diarrhea)
2. Improved digestibility of food components and enhanced bioavailability of nutrients. (pre-digestion of protein, ongoing health maintenance)
3. Restore normal flora after antibiotic therapy, stress, non-infactious disbacteriosis.
4. Enhancement of Immunity (inhibition of carcinogenesis)
5. Alleviation of lactose intolerance
6. Vitamin assimilation
7. Detoxification of harmful products
8. Suppression of food-borne pathogens
9. Anti-cholresterol effect
10. Anti-aging
- by Brian J. B. Wood, 1992, The lactic acid bacteria Vol. 1 Elsevier appplied Science by London pp 151-297
According to Gerald Domingue, M.D.3, in a talk presented in part at the 75th Annual Meeting of American Society for Microbiology and subsequently published by Microbia, in his article "Naked Bacteria in Human Blood," many common and disease-producing bacteria, under the influence of many antibiotics, do not die, but rather strip off their walls so that they are no longer recognizable by our immune system.
Some of these "Cell-Wall-Deficient Bacteria" can reduce themselves down to a filterable virus size — among the smallest known forms of virus.
Amazingly, it has been shown that these viral particles and the incomplete bacteria — Cell-Wall Deficient Bacteria -- can and often do restructure themselves again, so that full-fledged disease appears to be "another infection" that must be treated with more antibiotics, which then strip off the walls, ad infinitum. . . . . .!
Consequences of this unexploited and little known phenomena are possibly vast. Sadly, very little has been done in established medicine to test for and to design treatment strategies for this fantastic survival ability of bacteria. Lida Mattman, Ph.D. of Wayne University4 trained numerous Ph.D. candidates in this new field of microbiology, but few of her graduates carry on with the work. She trained one laboratory to test for Cell Wall Deficient Bacteria, but the people with the training are long gone from that laboratory.
Quite clearly, microorganisms are the dominate species on planet earth!
According to Dr. Ken Rifkin5, "The average human body contains approximately three and a half pounds of bacteria some of which perform essential functions AND others which promote disease." [This is about 100 trillion organisms: Ed.] "When the equilibrium of `friendly' and pathogenic bacteria is disturbed through the ingestion of chemical additives, birth control pills, antibiotics, alcohol, pesticides, food additives and even stress — disease producing bacteria will multiply within the intestinal tract."