Probiotics: The New Therapeutic Frontier

petri dish

There is an exciting new frontier of research being conducted involving intestinal bacteria. Finally the scientific community has accepted what nutritionists have been saying for years… that the microflora in the gut is critical to good health.

We host about 400 -500 species of microorganisms in the gut of which only 80 species have been identified. There is so much to investigate: the different strains and their appearance, structure, function and behavior.

With new emerging technologies such as Multilocus Sequence Analysis, DNA Typing using PCR, Pulsed Field Gel Electrophoresis, and others with even more complicated names, researchers can actually identify the different strains, tag them, study what they do, what chemicals they secrete and how they affect the microbiome and ultimately how they affect human health.

Furthermore, once they are identified and their behavior is studied they may be used as therapeutic interventions which are targeted to very specific conditions. This is HUGE!

For example, there is currently a probiotic product which started out as an over the counter probiotic supplement. The manufacturers have supplied it to researchers and now it is available as a prescription at double the strength. By prescription it is used for the specific conditions of ulcerative colitis, and those with an ileal pouch. This product is an extremely high dose of 8 strains of bacteria which have been studied for these specific conditions and found to be ameliorative. This combination of friendly bacteria show a great deal of promise for use in the above two conditions.

There is also research associating specific gut bacteria with obesity and diet. There is so much to study when it comes to gut bacteria!

Many of the microbiota are friendly and these make lactic acid. The same lactic acid that we get when we ferment foods. Yogurt and kefir are good examples of the end product of lactic acid fermentation. Traditionally made sauerkraut and other fermented vegetables also provide plenty of friendly lactic acid bacteria. There are many foods that lend themselves to fermentation, and are part of the traditional, real food movement. Eating probiotic rich foods is an excellent way to nurture the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut.

Before refrigeration was invented fermentation was the method used to preserve food. Humans reaped the benefits of this method by eating these foods and hosting the good bacteria. What do these beneficial bacteria do for us?

Gut bacteria have a big job:

1- Beneficial bacteria provide enzymes which aid in digestion.

2- Beneficial bacteria provide a protective barrier along the entire length of the digestive tract much like a thick layer of turf protecing top soil.

3- Beneficial bacteria provide antibiotic and antiviral substances for protection. Lactic acid bacteria enhance GI and systemic immunity in humans by:

  • Increasing B cells which recognize foreign substance.
  • Increasing phagocytic activity which works to destroy foreign matter.
  • Increasing IgA, IgG, IgM and Secretory IgA which boast antibody activity.
  • Increasing gamma interferon which enhances WBC ability to fight infections and disease.

4- Lactic acid bacteria produce SCFA (short chain fatty acids) such as butyric acid and proprionic acid. Importantly, these organic acids lower the ph in the GI tract, making it more acidic which reduces the growth of pathogenic bacteria.

5- Beneficial bacteria nourish the enterocytes (cells of the lining the digestive tract) and are the primary source of energy for these cells. It is estimated that the gut cells receive 60-70% of their energy from bacterial activity.

In our modern times we live in a sterile environment with greatly reduced exposures to microorganisms. We have become deficient in these friendly microbes. This creates an imbalance in the microbiome between the friendly and the pathogenic flora. We also engage in many activities that reduce the numbers of gut flora. That is a huge topic and will be another post.

The very first bacterial exposure comes during birth. The infant picks up the microbiota of the mother during it’s journey through the birth canal. Breast fed babies also get the mothers microbiota. Babies born through C-section and babies fed formula pick up the bacteria of their primary care giver.

There is plenty of research indicating that infants who are breast fed, thus hosting more beneficial bacteria than non breast fed babies, have fewer infections of incidences of ear infections and respiratory infections. Studies show that infants prone to respiratory infections also fare much better when fed a fermented formula (one that has naturally occurring beneficial bacteria).

Specific strains of bacteria have been found to help prevent nosocomial gastrointestinal and respiratory infections in pediatric wards. Specific strains of bacteria were found to significantly improve asthma and allergic rhinitis in school children.

The gut bacteria also affect brain chemistry and mood. Altered gut bacteria are present in children with autism and present in conditions of depression and anxiety. That is another huge topic and will be a separate article.

Clearly, it is very important to nurture and protect the gut bacteria. They are our friends! What are you doing to enhance your beneficial gut bacteria? Please leave a comment and let me know!

Resources

Where to purchase cultures for home fermentation.

Where to purchase fermented foods.

Photo Credit

This post is linked to : Fresh Bites Friday, Fight Back Friday, Friday Food, Friday Favorites, Whole Health Weekend, Sugar-Free Sunday, Savory Sunday, Melt in Mouth Monday, Mangia Monday, Meatless Monday. Monday Mania. Weekend Carnival, Tuesday Night Supper Club, Tuesday at the Table, Tasty Tuesday Tidbits, Traditional Tuesday, Tasty Tuesday. Tasty Tuesday, What’s Cooking Wednesday, Real Food Wednesday, Whats on the Menu Wednesday, Whats Cooking Wednesday, Healthy 2Day Wednesday, Gluten-Free Wednesdsay, Creative Juice Thursday, Full Plate Thursday, Turning the Table Thursday, Simple Lives Thursday, Pennywise Platter


  • Jacqueline

    Probiotics can even help with menopause! From this article: http://www.womentowomen.com/digestionandgihealth/probiotics.aspx#benefits

    Beneficial microbes metabolize and recycle hormones, too, including estrogen, thyroid hormones, and phytoestrogens. This facilitates proper hormonal balance, which can help offset symptoms of menopause and perimenopause.

    I <3 Bugs!

  • http://ecofriendlyhomemaking.com Alicia@ eco friendly homemaking

    Oh this is such a great post!! I have been researching this very topic. Thanks for all of this great information!!

  • http://www.mommyhaha.com Tara

    We drink milk and water kefir daily, as well as take Fermented Cod Liver Oil. I’ve noticed a big improvement in our health since starting these.

  • http://thecrunchycoach.com/blog/healthy-diet Emily

    We drink raw milk kefir/yogurt smoothies every morning, plus the multi we started taking also has probiotics.

  • http://www.SusannahsEmporium.artfire.com Susan

    I’ve been making yogurt and making Indian “lassi” drinks from it: Yogurt blended in the blender with fruit, a few ice cubes, with a touch of cardamom (for when I make it with peaches or mangoes.)

  • http://www.momtrends.com/ Nicole Feliciano

    Yogurt, yogurt and more yogurt. I eat it every day in part because of all the research. Thanks so much for this post–reinforces a healthy habit. Thanks so much for sharing this tasty recipe on Momtrends’ Friday Food. Have a great weekend!

  • Lea H @ Nourishing Treasures

    This is so true! Probiotics should be given directly following antibiotics.

    Thank you for your submission on Nourishing Treasure’s Whole Health Weekend Link-Up.

    Check back on Friday when the new link-up is running to see if you were one of the top 3 featured posts! :)

  • http://willingcook.com Michelle @ willingcook.com

    This is huge!  There is also some promise that probiotics may (emphasize may) be beneficial in curbing the onset of food allergies in children.  My son has severe food allergies and I recently started him on a probiotic supplement.  It may not work for him, but it certainly  won’t hurt.  I am willing to try it if it helps lessen the severity of his allergies.

    I have discussed the benefits of probiotics on my food allergy blog before.  If you don’t mind, I’d like to share your post with my readers as well.  I am very encouraged.  Thank you!

  • Michael Anne Fryer

    I have been hospitalized recently and 2 years ago for a colon abscess associated with luelositic colitis (an auto immune disease). Surgery to repair a fistula and my colon has been postponed because I contracted C.difficle toxinagen “A” while in the hospital 3 weeks ago—on massive antibiotics. I am on a monster antibiotic for a second round (the first did not get the C. diff.) My daughter put me on the GAPS diet and it has been awesome at reducing my symptoms. Question: Is there one probiotic supplement you recommend, or do you advise supplement and diet as the defense against the “bad” bacteria having its way with me again?

  • http://realfoodforager.com Jill

    Hi Michelle,
    Yes, I have also read about probiotics for food allergies and have used them in my practice. It does help, especially if the food allergies are not the immediate IgE, but the delayed hypersensitivites related to IgG allergies. It makes sense because probiotics will help the gut lining heal and seal. Allergies come from what we call a “leaky gut” because the cells of the lining are not protected by bacteria and they become spread apart. This allows large undigested food particles to enter the blood stream where they can initiate an immune reaction as they are seen as foreign particles by the immune system. It is more complex than this and a good topic for another post! But I think a good strong probiotic will help.

    Thanks for sharing my post!

  • http://realfoodforager.com Jill

    Hi Michael Ann,
    So sorry to hear about your troubles. The GAPS diet is a great place to start for any type of colitis or any intestinal inflammation. There are a lot of recipes right here on this blog. While I could not give you specific medical advise (see my disclaimer) — please see your medical doctor for that — studies show excellent results for C. Diff using the friendly yeast called Sacchromycces boulardi or s. boulardi This is sold over the counter from many manufacturers. The original was Florastore. In some cases it worked better than antibiotics which usually take many rounds to work. Good luck and please let me know how it goes!

  • Linda

    Very informative.  I like to get my probiotics from fermented vegetables.  Thank-you!

  • http://realfoodforager.com/2011/09/sunday-snippets-september-18-2011/ Sunday Snippets September 18, 2011 — Real Food Forager

    [...] Probiotics: The New Therapeutic Frontier — This article talks about the new emerging science of genetic identification of beneficial bacteria in the gut. This allows for in depth study of bacteria that may help certain specific conditions. These bacteria may then be formulated into a probiotic supplement specifically for that problem. THIS IS HUGE! [...]

  • Anonymous

    Each week, it normally takes me several days to get around to reading the entries to my blog party.  The first thing I do is search for yours.  I am an obese woman and a cook.  I cook for people as my ministry and it is a hobby.  I am trying to change my life style (though not too drastically at first).  It is a hard feat because I have cooked all my life to include lots of pasta….carbs etc.  We eat lots of good veggies and lean meat but when I am tired or ill prepared….I turn to the old comfort food.  Anyway, I get so much good info from you and I just wanted to tell that I appreciate that you keep coming back.

  • http://realfoodforager.com Jill

    Hi Susan,
    Thanks for your kind words. I always hope to help people change and improve their health. Keep reading my blog, I add new information each week!

  • http://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=683761681 Reid Kimball

    What sucks though is that the FDA is taking probiotics off the US market. I talked with a rep from Mutaflor about this. The FDA wants probiotic supplements to undergo the same testing for pharmaceutical drugs. No way probiotic makers are going to be able to make their money back.

    But on the other hand… we evolved to build our microbiota from our food, not supplements. I drink raw goat milk kefir every day, several times a day. Want to get into fermented vegetables soon.

  • http://realfoodforager.com Jill

    I agree, as probiotics become more “mainstream” they probably will become subject to scrutiny by the FDA. That will stink.

    Are you in the UK? Mutaflor is not available here in the states and I have seen the studies for use in IBD.

  • http://www.facebook.com/beehealthy.farms BeeHealthy Farms

    Probiotics were also discovered in fresh honey or nectar ready to be covered in wax. Two researchers shared the results of their great find, which is not only important to humans but to honeybees as well.

  • http://realfoodforager.com/2011/11/the-autoimmune-crisis-and-what-you-can-do-about-it/ The Autoimmune Crisis and What You Can Do About It — Real Food Forager

    [...] Most people do not realize that 80% of the immune system resides in the intestinal tract. That’s right. In the gut. That is why is it so important to have a healthy microbiome of gut bacteria (see more about gut bacteria here). [...]