- ALLERGY, RESPIRATORY
- Air Quality Better in Northeast, Midwest
- 'Safe' Ozone Levels May Not Be for Some
- Using Music and Sports to Improve Kids' Asthma
- ALTERNATIVE MEDICINE
- Acupuncture May Help Restore Lost Sense of Smell
- Acupuncture Eases Side Effects of Head, Neck Cancer Treatments
- Pain-Relieving Powers of Acupuncture Unclear
- ANIMAL CARE
- Rest Easy. When It Comes to Swine Flu, Your Pet Is Safe
- Animals Respond to Acupuncture's Healing Touch
- 'Comfort Dogs' Come to Emotional Rescue
- BONES & JOINTS
- Health Tip: Back Pain in Children
- In Elderly Women, Hip Fractures Often Follow Arm Breaks
- Tips to Ease an Aching Back
- CANCER
- Strenuous Daily Workout May Keep Cancer at Bay
- Red Meat No No No But Oily Fish Yes Yes Yes
- Exercise Cuts Lung Cancer Risk in Ex-Smokers by 45%
- CAREGIVING
- Exercise During Pregnancy May Help Baby
- Hispanic Children More Likely to Have Hearing Loss
- Early Exercise Boosts Outcomes for ICU Patients
- CIRCULATORY SYSTEM
- Migraines in Pregnancy Boost Vascular Risks
- Drink a Little Wine, Live a Little Longer
- Mercury in Fish Linked to High Blood Pressure
- COSMETIC
- Gum Chewing May Cut Craving for Snacks
- Wrinkle Fillers Need Better Label Warnings: FDA Panel
- Contact Lenses Boost Kids' Self-Image
- DENTAL, ORAL
- Study Links Osteoporosis Drugs to Jaw Trouble
- Sports Drinks May Be Tough on Teeth
- Holistic Dentistry-My View
- DIABETES
- Treatment for Type 2 Diabetes Updated
- Older Diabetics With Depression Face Higher Death Rate
- Doctors Urged to Screen Diabetics for Sleep Apnea
- DIET, NUTRITION
- For Fitness, Cutting Calories May Not Be Enough
- HELP TO LOSE WEIGHT ON A LOW CAL BUDGET
- Decline of Underweight Children in U.S. Continue to Fall
- DISABILITIES
- Review Finds Marijuana May Help MS Patients
- Could Your Cell Phone Help Shield You From Alzheimer's?
- ENVIRONMENTAL HEALTH
- Household Insecticides May Be Linked to Autoimmune Diseases
- Sunken, Unexploded Bombs Pose Cancer Risk
- Chemicals in Carpets, Non-Stick Pans Tied to Thyroid Disease
- EYE CARE, VISION
- Green Tea May Ward Off Eye Disease
- Eye Problems, Hearing Loss May Be Linked
- When Corks Fly, Watch the Eyes
- FITNESS
- Eating Well And Keeping Active As You Grow Old Will Help You Stay Sharp
- More Steps a Day Lead to Better Health
- Early Exercise Boosts Outcomes for ICU Patients
- GASTROINTESTINAL PROBLEMS
- Gum Chewing May Speed Colon Surgery Recovery
- Peppermint Oil, Fiber Can Fight Irritable Bowel
- New Yogurt May Ease Stomach Ulcers
- GENERAL HEALTH
- Eating Lots Of Vegetables, Olive Oil May Extend Life
- Study Supports Swine Flu's Pandemic Potential
- Diet, Exercise May Slow Kidney Disease Progression
- HEAD & NECK
- Ski Helmets Encouraged for All
- Many Children Will Outgrow Headaches
- Zen May Thicken Brain, Thwart Pain
- HEALTH & TECHNOLOGY
- Subway Defibrillators Save Lives
- 'Comfort Dogs' Come to Emotional Rescue
- The Internet Is Becoming One-Stop Shopping for Health Help
- HEART & CARDIOVASCULAR
- Lack of Vitamin D Linked to High Blood Pressure
- Review Confirms Links Between Diet, Heart Health
- Ginkgo Won't Prevent Heart Attack, Stroke in Elderly
- INFECTIOUS DISEASE
- Swine Flu Loves a Crowd
- The HPV Vaccine: Preventative Medicine or Human Sacrifice?
- More Medicinal Uses for Pomegranate
- KID'S HEALTH
- Breast-Feeding May Protect a Woman's Heart
- Pregnant Women Exposed To Certain Pollutants Could Lower Childs IQ
- Dangerous Toys Still on Store Shelves, Report Finds
- MEN'S HEALTH
- The Dark Side of Vegetarianism
- Lots of Sex May Prevent Erectile Dysfunction
- Low Vitamin D Levels May Boost Men's Heart Attack Risk
- MENTAL HEALTH
- Eight Spiritual Universal Principles in the Art of Practice
- Vitamin C Protects Some Elderly Men From Bone Loss
- Green Spaces Boost the Body and the Mind
- PREGNANCY
- Acupuncture May Ease Depression During Pregnancy
- Expectant Mom's Exercise Keeps Newborn's Birth Weight Down
- Before Conceiving, Take Folic Acid for One Full Year
- SENIORS
- Living Alone Increases Odds of Developing Dementia
- Exercise Helps Reduce Falls in Young and Old
- Boost In Elderly Population Will Be Felt Worldwide
Probiotics Are The Good Guys
By eHolistic.com Published: 08/01/2008
Seen the latest commercial or advertisement for Dannon Activia‚? This is a prime example of the increasing trend of functional foods to hit the market place. As a result, the health benefits of probiotics are coming to the forefront. Research on probiotics is being conducted at Tufts University, Ohio State University, the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Johns Hopkins University, and the New England Medical Centers in Boston.
Simply put, probiotics are the “good bacteria”, part of the normal gut flora that help to maintain balance in your gastrointestinal (GI) tract. When not kept in check, “bad bacteria” (or yeast such as Candida) can overgrow and cause infections or digestive problems. Life in modern society constantly exposes us to large amounts of stress, toxins, and medications that can compromise our healthy gut flora. A common way is through antibiotic usage. In fact, it may take up to three months for normal gut flora to fully recolonize after a single course of antibiotics. There are different types of probiotics including several species of Lactobacillus (acidophilus being the most well-known), Bifidobacterium, and Saccharomyces (a nonpathogenic yeast unrelated to Candida).
Some of the health benefits of probiotics include protection against GI tract infection, overgrowth, and imbalance; immune system support; support of digestion and the absorption of nutrients; and support of intestinal mobility. About 60-70% of our immune system cells are associated with our GI tract, so it makes sense that a healthy gut keeps us healthy. The general mechanism of action of probiotics is competition for attachment sites in the GI tract. Basically, they keep the bad guys from taking over. Other actions include production of digestive enzymes, vitamins B and K, and compounds that inhibit the growth of pathogenic organisms.
Other foods, aside from yogurt, that contain probiotics include buttermilk, fermented cheeses, traditionally made sauerkraut, kefir, kombucha and miso. Probiotic supplements provide higher dosages in capsules, powders, drinks, and even probiotic-lined straws for kids. These may be necessary for replenishing a significant depletion. Ready to support healthy gut function and immunity? You can start by increasing your dietary intake of probiotic-rich foods or the addition of a quality supplement (under the guidance of your health-care practitioner). Who knew bacteria could be good after all?
-Dr. Christine Gonzalez (Integrative PharmD, CHC)