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 Probiotics Update:
The How and Why of a Healthy Digestive System
 In
all mammals, the process of digestion begins in the mouth with the
secretion of saliva as the food is chewed or swallowed whole. Most
natural foods contain many species of bacteria, some of which are
able to pass through the strong acid environment of the stomach
and into the small intestine. At this point these foods must withstand
pancreatic enzymes and bile from the liver in order to absorb nutrients
and multiply during their passage through the small intestine and
into the large intestine, or colon. It is here in the colon that
the largest numbers of beneficial bacteria develop, comprising about
30% of the total mass (dry weight) of the colon contents. Here also
is where the most probiotic “action” takes place.
“Probiotics will be to medicine
in the 21st century as antibiotics and microbiology were in the
20th century.” - Michael McCann, MD
In a normal, healthy intestine, there is a mutually beneficial
ecology of microflora composed of 10 to 400 species of bacteria.
These bacteria colonize the surface of the intestinal wall to form
a protective, lubricating mucosal lining throughout the intestine,
but that is not all. When food substances enter the intestines,
these bacteria begin their own processes of digestion, releasing
many by-products of their metabolism, and breaking down the ingested
food into smaller, usable components.
An example of this mutually beneficial relationship is found in
the subterranean termite. A small protozoan named Trichonympha companula
lives in the termite’s digestive system and does the job of
breaking down the cellulose the termite eats. Without this intestinal
organism, the termite could not make any use of the wood it eats.
The bacteria in our intestines provide a similar helpful service
(but not on cellulose). Human intestinal bacteria break down many
otherwise indigestible substances for us, and in the process create
essential substances such as the B vitamins and vitamin K (necessary
for blood clotting). These bacteria also secrete substances that
help maintain a healthy balance of intestinal microorganisms.
This delicate balance of beneficial microflora can be disrupted
by a number of natural and man-made factors (See Table 1). Pharmaceutical
and natural antibiotics, for example, can save lives, but they are
indiscriminate killers; they destroy both harmful and beneficial
bacteria. Antacids, which change the pH of the digestive tract,
create an environment favorable to the growth of pathogenic bacteria
and yeasts.
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Table 1 Factors Harmful to Healthy Intestinal Flora
- Antibiotics--pharmaceutical and natural
- Excessive alcohol
- Large amounts of sugar
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents
- Radiation
- Chlorine and Fluorine
- Bacterial dysentery
- Stress
- High meat, high fat diets
- Antacids
- Other anti-bacterial chemicals
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Friendly bacteria are also host specific: humans in different parts
of the world have unique species profiles that are dependent on
the historical development of their diets. As you know, the human
diet is extremely variable. People inhabiting the polar regions
eat an almost exclusively meat-and-fish diet, with local berries
only in the summer months. The  Masai
tribe of East Africa subsists on a diet composed of milk mixed with
fresh cattle blood. Neither of these groups has a cholesterol problem
even though their intake of saturated fat is probably among the
highest in the world. There is strong evidence that the intestinal
bacteria of these two ethnic groups are partly responsible for this
condition.
There are many beneficial bacteria that are not native to the Western
digestive system. These can usually be found at the local health
food stores under generic or trade names. Bacillus subtilis, commonly
found in the intestines of horses and camels, is one of these very
powerful helpful bacteria. It completely overpowers the most destructive
dysenteric bacteria species in 24 hours or less, many times saving
lives in the process. The species Oxalobacter formigenes is responsible
for regulating the amount of oxalate moving through the kidneys.
It breaks down the oxalate compounds found in foods such as spinach,
tea, asparagus, broccoli, peanut butter, and chocolate. These compounds,
when in high concentrations, precipitate out in the kidneys and
form crystal oxalate “shards” or “sharp kidney stones.”
In clinical studies, it has been shown that patients with these
kidney stones had no Oxalobacter formigenes in their intestines.
When bacterial populations in the gut exist in the balance dictated
by the genetic predisposition and diet of that ethnic group, they
perform an extremely important health maintenance function. This
cannot be overstated. Some of the benefits reported in the many
research papers on this topic are presented in Table 2.
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Table 2 Benefits of Probiotics
- Help to maintain normal cell growth and regeneration*
- Maintain regularity and normal, healthy stool consistency*
- Maintain healthy intestinal pH*
- Produce vitamin K and the B vitamins*
- Maintain normal bowel function, tone and condition*
- Produce enzymes that aid in the digestion of lactose*
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Normal levels of beneficial intestinal bacteria prevent serious
destructive action that would otherwise result from the passage
of many harmful substances into the blood through an unprotected
intestinal wall. When the intestinal wall is damaged, free radicals
and pathogens freely pass into the blood, putting tremendous pressure
on the immune system. It is no wonder that with the eating habits
so common to many Americans, subtle but damaging changes are continually
in progress.
To sum up, a good health plan should include knowledge and use
of the beneficial bacteria that can be commonly found on the raw
unprocessed foods in farmer’s markets, or from your own garden.
As much as is possible, avoid the harmful factors that disrupt or
destroy the beneficial intestinal ecosystem. Eat properly; consume
sugar, alcohol, etc. in moderation; drink pure water; and avoid
frequent use of antacids. If you want to establish a balance of
beneficial bacteria in your own intestines, you can find them in
the following foods: yogurt containing live cultures (make it yourself
to be sure), buttermilk, kefir (a fermented milk product), cottage
cheese, and uncooked fruits, grains, and vegetables. If these have
been treated too harshly with herbicides and pesticides, consider
probiotic supplements.
Many companies offer probiotic supplements. Be sure to use only
the ones containing live cultures and starter nutrients so that
a healthy friendly bacteria population can be established, and so
that you receive all the benefits of probiotics described above.
Buy from a reputable company that accurately reports the numbers
and kinds of organisms in its products. (A recent study shows that
many companies don’t.) We are the first and only company
to offer top-of-the-line probiotics combined with Wild Bluegreen™
Algae. We sell only the highest quality probiotics with
the highest counts of viable beneficial bacteria.
Do we need probiotics? Absolutely--even as much as we need food,
because without both, the digestive system doesn’t run at peak
efficiency.
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*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and
Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose,
treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
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