What Are Probiotics?
Probiotics are live microorganisms thought to be healthy for the host organism. According to the currently adopted definition by FAO/WHO, probiotics are: “Live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host”. Lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and bifidobacteria are the most common types of microbes used as probiotics; but certain yeasts and bacilli may also be helpful. Probiotics are commonly consumed as part of fermented foods with specially added active live cultures; such as in yogurt, soy yogurt, or as dietary supplements.
Etymologically, the term appears to be a composite of the Latin preposition pro (“for”) and the Greek adjective βιωτικός (biotic), the latter deriving from the noun βίος (bios, “life”). At the start of the 20th century, probiotics were thought to beneficially affect the host by improving its intestinal microbial balance, thus inhibiting pathogens and toxin producing bacteria. Today, specific health effects are being investigated and documented including alleviation of chronic intestinal inflammatory diseases, prevention and treatment of pathogen-induced diarrhea, urogenital infections, and atopic diseases.
Studies show there is no single probiotic supplement that is best for everyone. However, there are many probiotic strains that have been proven to work for almost everyone.
Products like vsl 3 and probiotic plus contain high quality acidophilus supplements.
There are also many probiotic foods such as yogurt, sauerkraut or kimchi that will often contain prebiotics, which help feed your probiotics. But the best healthy bacterium will be found through personal experimentation.
Proven Probiotic Strains:
acidophilus bifidus blend
probiotic lactobacillus
lactobacillus acidophilus
lactobacillus gg
L. reuteri
bifidobacterium lactis
bifidus infantis
bifidus
Acidophilus Bifidus Blend
Acidophilus Bifidus is a probiotic blend that is a mixture of the popular L. acidophilus probiotics and bifidus microflora. But why on earth would we want to mix two types of probiotics together?
Acidophillus Strains and Bifidus Strains Work Together
It’s natural to us that different people have different jobs. Likewise, in nature, different types of probiotics have different functions. Because of the complementary roles that they play, we should ideally have 5% acidophillus (Lactobacillus Acidophillus) and 90% Bifidus (Bifidobacteria). The remaining 5% is neutral or pathogenic bacteria (which is okay when it’s only at 5%). But what do each of the different probiotic bacteria do?
How Do Acidophilus Microflora Benefit Us?
Acidophillus primarily lowers the pH of the intestines, making your body inhospitable for bad bacteria. There are more than 127 health benefits of taking probiotics, and there are many Acidophillius benefits.
How Do Bifidus Probiotics Benefit Us?
Bifidobacteria are especially important for consistent bowel movements, keeping pathogens out of the blood stream and processing our waste. Additionally, they also manufacture B-vitamins and combat antibiotic side effects. At birth, infants primarily have bifidobacterium in their colons and a lack of colonization from this bacteria can increase susceptibility to rotavirus, e coli. and other bacteria.
~~~~~~~~~~
Probiotic Lactobacillus
Lactobacillus probiotics comprise a small percentage of the good bacteria in our body, but they have a huge health effect. Research studies have shown probiotic strains of Lactobacillus are known for numerous health benefits for everyone from babies and infants to adults and the elderly.
These benefits range from reducing allergies (eczema), fighting cancer, reducing cavities, to lowering blood pressure. They also can help with digestive problems such as occasional diarrhea, flatulence, IBS and ulcerative colitis.
But perhaps most importantly, the lactobacillius microflora lower the pH of the intestines and pave the way for other probiotics such as SBOs and Bifidobacteria. So when we use lactobacillus bacteria in a blend with other type of probiotics, such as an Acidophilus Bifidus blend, we can reap the benefits of all the probiotics.
Among the various strains of probiotic Lactobacillus, we are afforded an amazing number of benefits, at least 140 have been proven by scientific research.
L. acidophilus Benefits
- Chronic Conditions (25)
- lower LDL and total cholesterol
- increase (good) HDL-cholesterol
- lower total cholesterol
- reduce blood pressure among hypertensive patients
- decrease blood pressure
- reduce systolic blood pressure
- reduce blood pressure
- inhibit H. pylori (and ulcers)
- reduce uninary oxalate levels (associated with kidney stones)
- reduce kidney oxalate levels (kidney stone risk)
- reduce anemia
- produce ACE-inhibitor molecules (reduces blood pressure)
- inhibit keratoconjunctivitis (when used as eye drops)
- decrease triglycerides (linked to heart disease and stroke)
- decrease PTH (marker for bone loss)
- maintain remission of diverticular disease
- improve glucose control (reduce symptoms of diabetes)
- decrease colds and influenza
- reduce colds and flu
- reduce colds and influenza
- reduce risk of ear infections
- inhibit CRE (antibiotic-ressistant)
- reduce burn infections (topical)
- increase burn healing
- reduce symptoms and aid healing of multiple traumas among injured patients
- improve liver function (3)
- decrease risk of cirrhosis
- help restore healthy liver enzymes (in mild alcohol-induced liver injury)
- support liver function
- immue systetem boosting (36)
- inhibit pathogenic bacterial infections
- Inhibit Salmonella spp.
- inhibit E. coli
- inhibit Pseudomonas aeruginosa
- reduce pancreatic sepsis (infection)
- reduce postoperative infection
- inhibit pseudomonas aeruginosa infections in repiratory tract
- inhibit clostridium difficile
- inhibit pneumonia
- inhibit bronchitis
- increase immune response in HIV/AIDS patients
- decrease symptoms of HIV/AIDS
- stimulate immunity in HIV children
- produce virus-specific antibodies
- inhibit viruses
- inhibit viral infections
- inhibit candida overgrowth
- reduce fungal infections
- inhibit severe systemic inflammatory response syndrome
- reduce inflammation
- reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines
- reduce inflammatory response
- increase vaccine efficiency
- stimulate the immune system
- stimulate the immmune system among the elderly
- stimulate the immune system
- stimulate the immune system
- strengthen the immune system
- increase immune response
- reduce risk of strep throat caused by S. pyogenes
- inhibit upper respiratory infections
- reduce risk of pneumonia
- reduce frequency and severity of respiratory diseases during the cold and flu season
- reduce lower respiratory infections
- inhibit respiratory tract infections
- reduce risk of respiratory infections
- Infant Conditions (11)
- increase growth rates (in infants)
- reduce IgE eczema in infancy
- reduce infant colic
- stimulate growth and feeding among preterm infants
- stimulate infant growth
- increase growth in preterm infants
- reduce infection from rotavirus
- inhibit rotavirus
- decrease rotavirus infections
- reduce necrotizing enterocolitis (primarily occurs in infants)
- normalize gut colonization similar to breast-fed infants among formula-fed infants
- Vaginal Health (4)
- help re-establish the pH of the vagina
- inhibit vaginal candidasis
- reduce vaginosis and vaginitis
- reduce mastitis
- allergies (8)
- help prevent atopic eczema
- reduce eczema
- reduce allergic response
- decrease allergic symptoms
- reduce allergy symptoms
- reduce asthma symptoms
- reduce atopic dermatitis in children
- decrease atopic dermatitis
- digestive issues (28)
- reduce constipation
- reduce nausea
- reduce flatulence
- decrease nausea
- reduce stress-induced GI problems
- reduce intestinal permeability
- inhibit various intestinal pathobiotics (such as Clostridium difficile)
- reduce intestinal permeability
- stabilize barrier function (reducing intestinal permeability)
- stabilize intestinal barrier function (decreased permeability)
- reduce intestinal permeability
- reduce IBS symptoms
- decrease symptoms of IBS
- reduce IBS symptoms
- reduce occurrence, risk and symptoms of IBS
- reduce IBS
- relieve and inhibit IBS
- decrease IBS symptoms
- reduce dyspepsia
- decrease dyspepsia
- reduce intestinal bacteria
- relieve and inhibit ulcerative colitis
- reduce ulcerative colitis
- inhibit and resolve acute diarrhea
- decrease diarrhea (rotavirus and non-rotavirus)
- inhibit and reduce diarrhea episodes
- inhibit antibiotic-related diarrhea
- reduce diarrhea (rotavirus and non-rotavirus)
- Increased Vitamins and Nutrients (7)
- increase calcium absorption
- increase serum levels of calcium
- help digest milk
- decrease milk intolerance
- increase absorption of dairy (lactose)
- break down nutrients for bioavailability
- produce vitamins B1 and B2
- general health benefits (3)
- increase appetite
- increase sleep quality and duration
- increase general health perception
- oral health (7)
- reduce dental carries
- reduce salivary mutans in the mouth
- reduce mouth ulcers
- reduce gingivitis
- inhibit periodontal disease
- reduce plaque on teeth
- inhibit tonsilitiis
- cancer and cancer treatment (8)
- prevent recurrence of bladder cancer
- reduce risk of bladder cancer
- increase white blood cell counts after chemoterapy
- inhibit malignant pleural effusions secondary to lung cancer
- inhibit tumor growth of carcinomatous peritonitis/stomach cancer
- reduce the risk of colon cancer
- prevent colorectal tumor growth
- reduce cervix tumors when used in combination radiation therapy
~~~~~~~~~~
Lactobacillus Acidophilus
L. Acidophilus probiotics have been proven to have amazing health benefits. For example, Lactobacillus Acidophilus has been shown to improve digestion of milk and reduce blood pressure. Also, there are a number of ways you can consume.
It is genuinely amazing that just eating a few good acidophilus bacteria can lower your blood pressure, but our body is an amazingly complex system.
Our L. Acidophilus probiotic friends are good for digestive issues, enhancing immunity, healthier infants, allergies & fighting viruses.
The list of below benefits come from the many studies we have read & Dr. Casey Adams’s Probiotics book.
The Wonderful Benefits of Acidophilus Probiotics
Improve Blood Pressure & Cholesterol
- increase HDL-cholesterol (good)
- lower (bad) LDL cholesterol
- lower total cholesterol
- decrease triglycerides
- reduce blood pressure
Help Digestive Conditions
- decrease in stress-induced digestive system problems
- reduce (too many bad tummy bacteria) dyspepsia
- relieve/prevent IBS
- relieve/prevent ulcerative colitis
- relieve/prevent acute diarrhea
- relieve/prevent antibiotic-related diarrhea
- reduce intestinal permeability (leaky gut)
- decrease lactose intolerance
Improvement of Infant Conditions
- increase growth in preterm infants
- fight rotavirus in infants
- reduce necrotizing enterocolitis (mostly occurs in infants)
Fight Viral, Bacterial & Fungal Infections
- prevent E. coli infection
- reduce/prevent H. pylori (ulcers)
- enhance vaccine effectiveness
- produce virus-specific antibodies (so cool)
- prevent tonsilitiis
- fight viruses
- reduce upper respiratory infections
- reduce cadida spp. overgrowths
- reduce keratoconjunctivitis (when used as eye drops)
- decrease vaginosis and vaginitis
Nutritional Benefits
- increase calcium absorption
- produce B vitamins and other some nutrients
- increase appetite
Reduce Allergy Severity
- mitigate allergic response
- decrease allergy symptoms
Fight Other Chronic Conditions
- reduce anemia
- reduce uninaryoxalate levels (associated with kidney stones)
~~~~~~~~~~
Lactobacillus gg
Lactobacillus gg is an extremely well researched probiotic strain. It was patented in 1985 and there have been numerous studies proving more than 44 health benefits of this good bacteria.
Lactobacillus gg, also known as L. rhamnosus gg, has extremely good intestinal wall adhesion and thus considered a good probiotic for clearing the way for your body’s native friendly bacterial strains. This probiotic is also great for stimulating the immune system. See the rest of the benefits below 
How Can I Consume Lactobacillus gg?
The best way to get lactobacillus gg into your diet is through consuming yogurt or probiotic supplements, such as culturelle.
Lactobacillus gg Benefits
Diabetes management
- improve glucose control
Immunity Boosting
- fight bacterial infections (general)
- reduce risk of ear infections
- reduce risk of respiratory infections
- inhibit vaginosis
- reduce colds and flu
- inhibit ulcer causing H. pylori
- stimulate the immune system (general)
- increase immune response in HIV/AIDS patiens
- decrease symptoms of HIV/AIDS
Reduce Allergies And Inflammation
- reduce eczema
- help prevent atopic eczema
- reduce inflammation
Infant and Baby Benefits of Lactobacillus gg
- inhibit rotavirus
- reduce colic
- stimulate infant growth
Cancer Fighting And Preventing
- reduce risk of colon cancer
- stimulate tumor killing activity among NK-cells
Digestive Benefits of Lactobacillus gg
- reduce IBS symptoms
- reduce constipation
- stabilize intestinal barrier function
Lower Bad Cholesterol
- reduce LDL-cholesterol levels
~~~~~~~~~~
L. Reuteri
Benefits of L. reuteri
L. reuteri
inhibit gingivitis
reduce pro-inflammatory cytokines
help re–establish the pH of the vagina
stimulate growth and feeding among preterm infants
inhibit and suppress H. pylori
decrease dyspepsia
reduce nausea
reduce flatulence
reduce diarrhea (rotavirus and non-rotavirus)
reduce salivary mutans streptococus
stimulate the immune system
reduce plaque on teeth
inhibit vaginal candidasis
decrease symptoms of IBS
reduce IgE eczema in infancy
reduce infant colic
reduce vagina pH
reduce colds and influenza
stabilize barrier function (reducing intestinal permeability)
decrease atopic dermatitis
Bifidobacterium Lactis
Bifidobacterium Lactis is a very powerful transient probiotic bacteria. Scientific studies have proven that B. Lactis enhances immunity, fights tumor growth, improves digestion and can lower cholesterol.
B. animalis/lactis inhabit the intestines & the colon in great numbers. Generally, their job is to break down body waste & the absorption of various vitamins & minerals
Bifido Lactis is present in raw milk and is used as starter culture for cheese, cottage cheese and butter milk.
Full List of B. Lactis Benefits
Fight Cancerous Tumors
- increase tumoricidal activity
Improve Digestive Conditions
- reduce constipation
- improve digestive comfort
- reduce acute diarrhea (rotavirus and non-rotavirus)
- reduce IBS symptoms
- reduce diarrhea
- normalize bowel movements
- decrease intestinal permeability
Oral Health from B. Lactis
- reduce dental caries
- reduce salivary mutans in mouth
Enhance Immunity
- increase vaccination immune response
- increase T-cell activity as needed
- increase immunity among the elderly
- otitis media (middle ear inflammation)
- reduce respiratory diseases (severity and frequency)
- reduce colds and flu
- strengthen the immune system
- inhibit H. pylori (can cause ulcers)
Reduce Allergies and Inflammation
- reduce allergic inflammation
- reduce inflammatory responses
- stimulate improvement in atopic dermatitis patients
- improve atopic dermatitis symptoms and sensitivity
Diabetes Management
- increase blood glucose control
Improve Cholesterol
- increase HDL-cholesterol
- decrease total cholesterol
Other Health Benefits
- increase absorption of dairy
- increase body weight among preterm infants
~~~~~~~~~~
Bifidus Infantis
Given the name “B. Infantis“, it is clear that this probiotic strain is important to healthy babies. This probiotic also present in adults and older children. Moreover, Bifido Infantis also help reduce the severity of diarrhea, kidney stones and a host of other scientifically proven benefits.
B. Infantis produce large amounts of acid (like L. acidohpillus) to protect from invading bad pathogenic bacteria. In women, these bacteria also colonize and protect baby’s vaginas. Thus making it advisable for pregnant women to take Bifidobacterium Infantis probiotic supplements.
Bifidobacterium decline with age, so it could be argued that it is worth supplementing them.
B. infantis Benefits (9)
Reduce IBS Symptoms and Acute Diarrhea
- reduces acute diarrhea (rotavirus and non-rotavirus)
- reduce or eliminate symptoms of IBS
Protect Vaginal Canal
- B. infantis protect vaginal canal from infection and invasion
Bifido infantis Benefits for Babies and Infants
- establish infant microflora
- reduce death among very low birth weight infants
- increase immunity among very low birth weight infants
Improve Immune System
- improve immune system efficiency
- reduce inflammatory allergic response
- increase polio vaccine efficiency
Reduce Risk of Kidney Stones
- reduce urinary oxalate (associated with kidney stones)
~~~~~~~~~~
Bifidus
Bifodo probiotics, also know as bifidobacterium is a group of probiotics that have amazing health benefits. Below are a few strains that have been scientifically proven to improve or cure digestive ailments, lower cholesterol and even fight the common cold.
They typically reside in the intestines & colon. Their main jobs are:
- absorb nutrients before elimination
- process bile & other body waste products
- help regulate bowel rhythm (peristalsis)
- produce B vitamins
- inhibit yeast growth
And there you have it ! Probiotics also fight colds, stop diarrhea and prevent cavities. In fact, there are more than 127 scientifically proven probiotic benefits that bacteria like L. acidophilus have.
I hope this blog was helpful and informative ~ Good Health to you !
_________________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________________
Nutrition Byte 