Probiotics
Frequently Asked Questions…
What are Probiotics?
Most everyone is familiar with Antibiotics (such as penicillin, which are medicines that destroy bacteria) . Probiotics are bacteria (good bacteria) themselves that help maintain the natural balance of organisms (microflora) in the intestines. The normal human digestive tract contains about 400 types of probiotic bacteria that help reduce the growth of harmful bacteria and promote a healthy digestive system. The largest group of probiotic bacteria in the intestine is lactic acid bacteria, of which Lactobacillus acidophilus (which is found in yogurt, for example), is the best known. Yeast is also a probiotic, as are probiotic dietary supplements, which have been used to help discourage stomach and intestinal issues, with certain types of bacteria or yeast (called strains) having been shown to benefit the digestive tract.*
There are trillions of these microorganisms colonizing the surfaces and cavities of our bodies. In fact, there are ten times as many of them in and on our bodies as there are human cells! When we’re healthy, it’s in large part because they’re healthy. Called beneficial flora, these small friends help us digest and absorb our food, shore up our immune systems, detoxify noxious compounds, and even contribute to the manufacture of essential vitamins. The term probiotics, a word you may be hearing more often these days, refers to foods or supplements containing these live beneficial microbes, primarily bacterial strains and yeast, that can be used to fortify or rebuild our own natural flora.*
The Colony Count?
The number of beneficial bacteria found in a probiotic is often expressed in terms of the number of a colony-forming unit (CFU). In microbiology, a colony-forming unit is a measure of viable bacterial. Unlike in direct microscopic counts where all cells (dead and living) are counted, CFU measures only viable, living cells. By convenience, the results are given as colony-forming units per milliliter – expressed as CFU/mL.
What are Probiotics Used for?
In most circumstances, people use probiotics to help discourage the effects of antibiotics, which are not selective in the bacteria they destroy, killing the “good” (beneficial) bacteria along with the bacteria that cause illness – potentially leading to the development of intestinal issues. Taking a probiotic supplement works to replace the lost beneficial bacteria – thus, helping to discourage any undesirable after-effects following the use of antibiotics.*
Prebiotics?
A few nutrients called prebiotics have also been isolated that help set the stage for probiotic survival. These include fructooligosaccharides (FOS) and inulin, which are natural sugars found in bananas, chicory root, onions, leeks, fruit, soybeans, sweet potatoes, asparagus and some whole grains. Prebiotics help probiotics survive passage through the acidity of the stomach and small intestine, and foster their growth in the intestines and colon.*
Recognizing the value of prebiotics and probiotics is an important step towards optimum digestive health – particularly following the use of antibiotics.*