Protect your GUTS with PREBIOTICS and PROBIOTICS

Our gastrointestinal tract is the first line of defence for the immune system, populated by more than 100 trillion bacteria of 500 species, both bad and good (probiotics). The good ones attach to the walls of our intestine and act as "soldiers", providing a defense against pathogens. Antibiotics/medications, aging, stress, alcohol and poor dietary habits can eliminate the protectors, rendering us more susceptible to diseases or health problems. A healthy lower intestine should have at least 85% good bacteria for life supporting, in helping to digest food and produce beneficial chemical compounds to keep the harmful bacteria at bay and thus our health in check.





History of probiotics

In the early 20th Century, a Professor Metchnikoff at the Pasteur Institute in Paris proposed the hypothesis that the aging process results from the activity of putrefactive microbes producing toxic substances in the large intestines, including phenols, indols and ammonia from the digestion of proteins. This “intestinal auto-intoxication” process causes the physical changes associated with illness and old age.

At the same time, he observed that certain rural populations in Europe, for example in Bulgaria and the Russian steppes who lived largely on milk fermented by lactic-acid bacteria enjoyed good health and longevity. It was believed that milk fermented with lactic-acid bacteria inhibits the growth of such toxic bacteria because of the high acidity produced by the fermentation of lactose. He started off by introducing in his diet sour milk fermented with the bacteria he named “Bulgarian Bacillus” and saw much health improvement.

Types of probiotics

There are more than 50 species of LACTOBACILLI and are naturally found in the digestive (mainly small intestine), urinary and genital systems. Foods that are fermented like yogurt and dietary supplements contain these bacteria, namely Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus blugaricus, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus casei etc which can help to prevent yeast infections, herpes, vaginal yeast infection, cyctitis, irritable bowel syndrome, antibiotic-related diarrhoea, lactose intolerance, skin disorders (eg. psoriasis), respiratory infections and control of cholesterol. Animal studies showed that they can help to reduce polyps and colon cancer.

A specie active in the upper digestive tract - STREPTOCOCCUS THERMOPHILUS produces large quantities of the enzyme lactase, making it effective in the digestion of dairy products especially for most Asians who are lactose intolerance and improves diarrhoea condition. It also offers protection against carcinogen. As it resides temporarily in the tract, there is a need to be constantly replenished. 

Common use of BIFIDOBACTERIA are Bifodbacterium bifidum, Bifodbacterium lactis, Bifodbacterium longum, Bifodbacterium breve, Bifodbacterium infantis, Bifodbacterium thermophilum and Bifodbacterium pseudolongum.

Bifidobacterium Bifidum reside in the small intestine and are able to provide a conducive environment for the production of vitamins K and Bs. Others are mostly found in the lower digestive tract which appear within days of birth, more especially in breastfed infants. There are approximately 30 such species making up approximately 90% of the healthy bacteria in the colon. Being the last section of the digestive tract, it carries and treats undigested food before eventually pass out through the anus. Comprising mostly fiber, the residing friendly bacteria can extract residual nutrients and vitamins such as short chain fatty acids, lactic acid, digestive enzymes, vitamin B and K.

Why need to replenish?


Scientists found that 80% of our intestinal bacteria is passed out with the feces and thus an adult requires at least 15-20 billion of friendly bacteria daily for replenishment. This number is further reduced as we age and adopt unhealthy eating habits with detrimental effect on the ecosystem of the gastrointestinal tract. People who need more tend to:

 

+ Indulge in spicy food, excessive refined sugar and meat;

+ Consume food contaminated with pesticides;

+ Love drinking too much chlorinated or carbonated beverages;

+ Stress easily (reflex between the brain and gastrointestinal becomes abnormal);

+ Over-dependent on antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, pain killers and steroids

A less conducive environment induces some friendly bacteria to join the colony of unfriendly bacteria. Even with replenishment of the friendly bacteria diligently, not all get to the colon successfully as they have to withstand the onslaught of acidity in the stomach.


Should children take?


+  Recent study done showed babies given antibiotics before the age of 6 months could cause obesity. What happens is that microbes in our intestines may play critical roles in how calories and nutrients are absorbed, and exposure to antibiotics prematurely may kill the healthy bacteria.


+  Probiotics may be effective in preventing diarrhea in children after a bout of antibiotics, the same way as they are effective in adults. Antibiotics reduce good bacteria and increase the chances of diarrhea whereas probiotics help to restore the balance of good bacteria, which ultimately prevents antibiotic induced diarrhea. Many infants and children may be lacking beneficial bacteria, and supplements could potentially help them get fewer infections.


+   Preliminary studies show that probiotics are most effective in children with moderately severe eczema, as opposed to children with mild eczema. Avoiding known allergens, but supplemented with probiotics may help to keep your child’s eczema under control.

Common symptoms


Allergies, colds, flu and thrush are all signs that the good and bad bacteria are out of balance. Other symptoms include:

+ Digestive problems eg stomach discomfort,flatulence, diarrhea, Crohn's disease, irritable bowel syndrome

+ Malnutrition (either underweight or overweight)

+ Skin problems eg eczema, herpes and yeast infections


+  Abnormal cell growth eg tumor, cancer

+ Autoimmune disorder eg rheumatoid arthritis, muscular dystrophy, multiple sclerosis

Benefits

As the bad bacteria are capable of producing harmful disease-causing toxins, the good bacteria have some anti-inflammatory factors to check on them and even combat induced infections in the intestines and urinary tract (UTI). A typical occurrence is candidiasis where there is an overproduction of yeast in the digestive system and genitals leading to an infection of the skin and mucous membranes (eg, mouth). Probiotics produce acidic waste that creates an inhospitable environment for candida organisms which thrive in low pH. Remedy may take 1-4 weeks - depending on the number and type of probiotics used, and severity of the condition. 


Having sufficient good bacteria has other benefits like:

+ Strengthens the immune system by boosting the strength of the natural killer cells and improves endocrine function to reduce the incidence of infection, food poisoning, food allergy and skin problems (eg. eczema).

A clinical study was conducted on 20% of colicky babies suffering the inconsolable bouts of crying, probably due to allergies derived from hormones in milk, stress whilst in the womb or gut inflammation. After being fed one of the beneficial bacteria, crying was reduced. Same study found that kids aged 3-5 years who were prone to influenza had fewer episode of fever, cough and runny nose after being supplemented daily for 6 consecutive months.

+ Enhances calcium bioavailability and utilisation to prevent osteoporosis

+ Assists in weight management as metabolism improves

+ Aids in maintaining normal cholesterol and triglyceride levels

+ Relieves those suffering from Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)


Food sources

+ Probiotics are available in the form of dietary supplements or foods. Yogurt, kimchi, fermented and unfermented milk, miso, soy beverages and some juices are examples of foods that contain probiotics. The number of live organisms can vary greatly in food products due to processing methods (avoid those pasteurised to destroy bacteria). Also avoid yogurt drinks loaded with sugar, artificial coloring and flavoring.

+ Prebiotics are a type of carbohydrate called oligosacchardies of which the most common ones are Fructo-Oligosaccharides (FOS) and inulin. They are non-digestible fibers (eg. onions, garlic, banana, whole grains) that stimulate the growth and activity of bacterial species in the colon.

When probiotics and prebiotics are mixed together, they form a symbiotic and shown to improve the ecosystem of the intestinal tract significantly by increasing the probiotic population and digestive enzyme activities.

Food sources or supplements can both be effective. Food is advantageous in that you also get nutritional benefits from it, but supplements can be more convenient for some people. As dietary supplements, probiotics are not as regulated as conventional drugs, and so active doses can vary widely between products. It is best to do some research into the probiotic you wish to take to find out how much of the active ingredient is contained.

Caution:


Probiotics should be recommended after taking a course of antibiotics as mentioned above. Likewise, garlic is effective against viruses, yeast, protozoa and other micro-organisms but is capable of wiping off both the good and bad bacteria, and thus repopulation of the good ones is necessary too.


Conclusion

In general, researchers found that probiotic doses of more than 5 billion colony-forming units per day for children (is safe) and more than 10 billion colony-forming units per day for adults were associated with the best outcomes. Taking on an empty stomach for best effect.

Remember we are part BACTERIA too. So we are better off supporting, rather than destroying the life-supporting bacteria in us.

Hence it is better be pro-life, not anti-life !


VIVA corner


According to recommendation:

• An adult should have around 15-20 billion of bacterial cells per day
• An infant up to 12 months of age can have 1-2 billion of bacterial cells per day
• A toddler 1 to 2 years of age can have 2-4 billion of bacterial cells per day
• A child 2 to 4 years of age can handle 4-8 billion of bacterial cells per day
• A child 4 to 11 years of age can have 8-12 billion of bacterial cells per day
• A child 12 to 16 years of age can have 12-15 billion of bacterial cells per day

To make up the daily requirement, introduce a scoop of VIVA Floraguard enhanced formula containing 10 billion CFU (equal to 10 bottles of those single strain bacteria drinks which are usually loaded with high sugar and calorie content). In fact, is rare to find a product that contains few strains in one. It also contains  PREBIOTICS, such as inulin, brewers' yeast and B complex to provide adequate 'food' for optimal probiotics development and to ensure live activities of PROBIOTICS from being neutralised before reaching the intestines.  Kids below 6 can go for 1/4 to 1/3 of adult serving each time.

It consists of 5 strains of potent, friendly sugar-free bacteria or probiotics namely:


    1.  Lactobacillus acidophilus
    2. Lactobacterium bulgaricus
    3. Bifidobacterium bifidum
    4. Bifidobacterium longum
    5. Streptococcus thermophiles  

Credentials

* Silver Award of 2005 Taiwan National Biotechnology & Medical Care Quality Award and 2005 Symbol of National Quality

* The efficacy has been proven and published at the World Journal of Gastroenterology 2005, 11 (47)