Train with Wayne: What Are the Benefits of Consuming Probiotics?

Friday, June 22, 2012

What Are the Benefits of Consuming Probiotics?

Have you eaten your bugs today? Probiotics, that is. Probiotics, often referred to as “healthy bacteria,” are similar to the naturally occurring bacteria found in the human gut. The focus of much health and wellness attention, probiotics have been shown to provide benefits when specific species and quantities are consumed every day. They are found in fermented foods such as yogurt and tempeh, as well as in supplements.

Restore Balance

The human gut serves as host to millions of microbacteria. In return, these beneficial bacteria perform an array of important functions, including maintaining immunity, protecting the body from harmful bacteria, and digestion of food and nutrients. Problems arise when the delicate balance of healthy gut bacteria is disrupted by such factors as antibiotic use, stress and diet changes. This allows for an infiltration of disease-causing bacteria and can result in inflammation, poor nutrient absorption, infection and diarrhea. Research shows that probiotics may be effective for restoring the balance of healthy gut bacteria, by both stopping the growth of disease-causing bacteria and limiting their destructive activity. After reviewing 36 studies on the use of probiotic supplements in the treatment of antibiotic-induced diarrhea, researchers at the University of Oklahoma concluded that probiotics are effective for restoring intestinal flora to healthy levels. The results were published in the "Journal of the American Dietetic Association" in September 2010.

Influence Immunity

A relationship between gut health and immunity exists. Epithelial cells lining the human gastrointestinal tract interact with the immune system in a number of ways. One particular means involves cytokines, signaling molecules that direct immune system activity. The types and concentrations of bacteria in the human gut have a direct impact on cytokine production, leading to both enhanced and decreased immunity. A 2011 study published in “Inflammatory Bowel Diseases” found that probiotics were effective for reducing inflammatory cytokines and provided protection from colitis in mice. This is considered compelling because of the role inflammation plays in the development of chronic diseases.

Lactose Digestion

Lactose intolerance prevents millions of Americans from consuming milk and other dairy products containing the sugar lactose. Probiotics may allow those with lactose intolerance to enjoy dairy without the often painful gastrointestinal symptoms associated with the condition. A 2010 study reported in the "Southeast Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health" found that children given probiotic supplements experienced significant changes in lactose digestion when evaluated via a hydrogen breath test, a common clinical tool used to diagnose and measure lactose intolerance. The probiotics present in fermented foods such as yogurt, as well as those contained in supplements, break down lactose.

Considerations

When considering adding probiotic-containing foods or probiotic supplements to your diet, it is important to research those strains of bacteria evaluated in studies. For example, lactic-acid-producing probtioics such as Lactobacillus acidophilus are most commonly used in studies evaluating the effectiveness of probiotics for lactose intolerance, while others, including Bifidobacterium infantis, have shown benefit for antibiotic-induced diarrhea.
Probiotics are generally regarded as safe and for the majority of people can be consumed without issue. Mild side effects, including abdominal pain and gas, have been reported. The very young, the elderly and those with underlying health conditions should consult a physician or registered dietitian before consuming probiotics.

References

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