Probiotics

Probiotics

Why are probiotics important?

-          Probiotics help keep your gut microbiome (the gastrointestinal microbiota that make up the ecosystem of your digestive tract) healthy and balanced. You need more beneficial bacteria in your microbiome than harmful bacteria for the greatest health benefits. Your gut microbiome affects your digestion but the role that your gastrointestinal microbiota play in your health goes far beyond just your digestive tract. These microbiota are critical for normal function of your immune system, inflammation, and your nutrition. Bacteria help produce several B vitamins, vitamin K, folate, and short chain fatty acids in your body. They also help your body more readily absorb nutrients that you eat in your diet.  

What can probiotics help with? The role that probiotics play in your body and their effect on the gut microbiome make them beneficial for people with:

-          IBS

-          IBD (ulcerative colitis, Crohn’s disease)

-          Autoimmune disease

-          Low immune system/frequent illnesses and infections

-          Anxiety and depression

-          B-vitamin deficiency

-          Allergies

-          Eczema

-          And much more

Does everyone need to take probiotics?

-          No. There is no one size fits all approach when it comes to your health. While many people will benefit from taking a probiotic, not everyone needs the same one(s), and not everyone needs to take a probiotic. Taking your specific symptoms and health history into account can help you determine if you need a probiotic and which one(s).

How do I know if I need to take a probiotic supplement?

-          A probiotic may help if:

• You experience:

  • digestive symptoms including gas, bloating, indigestion, diarrhea, constipation, or heartburn

  • IBS

  • IBD (Crohn’s or ulcerative colitis)

  • Autoimmune disease

  • Fatigue

  • Anxiety or depression

  • Eczema, psoriasis, acne, rosacea, and other skin imbalances

• If you have taken antibiotics, especially repeated or long-term

• If you regularly take antacids or prescription medications for heartburn

• If you have recently had surgery

• If you are frequently getting colds and other infections

• If you have traveled internationally, especially to a developing nation or tropical destination

• If you struggle with your weight

-          If you eat a diet that is low in sugar and processed foods and high in natural probiotics (high intake of foods such as kimchi and other naturally fermented foods), then you may not need a probiotic supplement.

Which probiotic should I take? Specific probiotic strains can have different benefits. It is important to select probiotic strains that match the condition you are trying to treat. Probiotics need to be able to survive gastric acid (the acid in your stomach used to breakdown food) and bile in order to reach the small and large intestines where they are needed.

• IBS:

  • Lactobacillus species has been shown to reduce pain, bloating and constipation in IBS

  • Bifidobacteria species help decrease gas, diarrhea and bowel irritations making it very useful in the treatment of IBS

  • Streptococcus Thermophilus decreases IBS symptoms as well as leaky gut symptoms

• IBD:

  • Bifidobacteria species help decrease gas, diarrhea and bowel irritations making it very useful in the treatment of IBD

  • Streptococcus Thermophilus decreases ulcerative colitis symptoms and acute diarrhea

• Poor immune function and autoimmune disease:

  • Bifidobacteria help stimulate the immune response and promotes microbial balance with its ability to crowd out harmful bacteria and lower the pH of the intestine to inhibit growth of harmful bacteria

  • Streptococcus Thermophilus has been shown to increase immunity and help prevent and fight upper respiratory infections

  • Sacchromyces boulardii promotes immune and digestive health as it is resistant to stomach acid and antibiotics.

• Yeast overgrowth and infections:

  • Bifidobacteria species inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria, including yeast (candida albicans)

• Acute infectious diarrhea:

  • Lactobacillus species (specifically Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG) – has the ability to synthesize antimicrobial substances which give it antibiotic capabilities

  • Sacchromyces boulardii

• Stress and anxiety:

  • bifidobacteria has been studied and been shown to help with mood management including stress and anxiety

• Nutrient deficiencies:

  • Lactobacillus species: Lactobacillus helps synthesize vitamin K

  • Bifidobacteria plays a role in the production and absorption of B vitamins in the digestive tract

• Allergies:

  • Lactobacillus species (specifically Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and Lactobacillus acidophilus)

• Eczema:

  • Bifidobacterium lactis has been shown to help decrease the symptoms of eczema and decrease inflammatory responses

• Weight issues:

  • Lactobacillus species have been shown to be the most beneficial for helping to control your weight due to their positive effects on your gut microbiome and resulting overall intestinal health.

• Some of my favorite brands for probiotics are:

  • Thorne

  • Klaire Labs

  • HLC

  • Genestra

  • RAW (Garden of Life)

• Check out our online store at wellevate.me/natureshealingcenter to find the best probiotic for you.

Variety is important. Just like a variety of foods in your diet helps provide you with the different vitamins, minerals and nutrients that your body needs, a variety of probiotic and bacterial strains is important for your gut health. The more diverse the beneficial bacteria in your gut, the more valuable they can be. Keep your dietary intake and probiotic supplements varied to increase the probiotic benefits for your health.

Dr. Christina Sahni is a second generation Naturopathic doctor in Portland, OR. She treats gastrointestinal conditions such as IBS, IBD, constipation, heartburn/GERD, abdominal bloating, and leaky gut. She also commonly treats thyroid disease, fatigue, depression, anxiety, headaches, ear infections, and hormone imbalances.

Resources:

Ciorba, Matthew A. A Gastroenterologist’s Guide to Probiotics. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2012 Sep; 10(9): 960–968. Published online 2012 Apr 10. doi: 10.1016/j.cgh.2012.03.024 <https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3424311/>

Tackett, Kate. Buyer’s Guide: Probiotic Species and Strains. Published online 2016 June 22. <https://www.pharmaca.com/projectwellness/snapshot-different-probiotic-species-and-strains/>

<Probiotics.org/strains>