What are Probiotics?
We all have intestinal flora (that’s the word for all the bacteria in our intestines, good or bad).
Ever wonder how long your intestines are? It actually varies, of course, depending on if you are talking about the large or small intestine. The small intestine averages 20 to 23 feet long and the large intestine is about 5 feet long. Hard to imagine we have something so long in our bodies.
In fact, you have more bacteria than you do cells in your body – 20 times more. These bacteria help digest your food, regulate your immune system, and produce vitamins such as K and B complex. They are an essential part of life.
But even with 25-28 feet of intestinal lining to cover, space is limited. And there are lots of types of bacteria fighting for that space. Health experts say we’re at our healthiest when at least 80% of our flora is what’s considered “good” bacteria and only 20% “bad.” Most of us, however, have exactly the opposite ratio.
And that doesn’t always show up in the form of obvious digestive problems. A good many of us have lots of bad bacteria and experience other kinds of problems – tiredness, poor immunity, trouble sleeping. Digestion affects every other system in our body, so there really is no limit to how problems here can manifest.
“Probiotics” simply means “for life.” They are good bacteria we add to our digestion to tip the balance of flora in our favor and therefore potentially correct a host of health issues.
As you begin taking a Probiotic supplement, billions of good bacteria move into your small and large intestines. Day after day they’re joined by billions more. And the bad bacteria will have no room to live, so before long you’ll have that optimal ratio of good flora.
Suddenly, there’s no room for infectious organisms to take hold. So you get sick much less often. Every system in your body is eventually impacted in a positive way.
How Do I Choose Good Bacteria?
Just like there are hundreds of different models of cars, there are hundreds of different types of bacteria. Each different “model” is called a strain.
Most probiotics contain strains that miss certain areas of the gut.
If you want all the benefits a probiotic can offer, you need one that colonizes your entire digestive tract. No gaping holes in the coverage!
A complete probiotic will have strains from all five genera:
Genus: Bifidobacterium
- B. Bifidum – One of the most dominant bacterium found in the human intestinal system. It boosts immune system response, supports digestion and relieves diarrhea. Research also suggests that this bacterium may prevent the development of certain cancers and help improve liver function brought on from alcoholism.
- B. Lactis – This bacterium is believed to strengthen the immune system. Research has suggested that B. Lactis could help decrease the “bad bacteria” H. pylori. Additionally, studies have shown that B. Lactis improves eczema in children with food allergies, enhances cellular immunity in the elderly, and increases white blood cell effectiveness. This bacterium is also effective as an aid to both constipation and diarrhea.
- B. Longum – This bacterium can minimize allergies, promote healthy cholesterol levels, improve the absorption of calcium, and defend against colon cancer with its strong anti-tumor properties.
Genus: Lactobacillus
- L. Acidophilus – L. Acidophilus promotes regular bowel movements, ensures proper absorption of nutrients, can enhance digestion and lipid metabolism, and might also support vaginal health. Research has also suggested that this bacterium, in addition to producing antibiotics like “lactocidin” and “acidophilin” that help protect against Salomella and E. coli, may also help reduce coronary artery disease.
- L. Casei – This bacterium is beneficial to anyone that is either lactose sensitive or intolerant digest lactose as it produces amylase. It could also benefit patients with Crohn’s disease, lower levels of bacteria H.Pylori, and reduce winter infections in the elderly.
- L. Rhamnosus – This bacterium can be useful in boosting natural immunity; offering support to urinary tract health, decreasing the risks of respiratory tract infections, and treating atopic dermatitis. Research also suggests that L. Rhamnosus has potential in treating anxiety.
- L. Brevis – Plays an important role in the synthesis of Vitamin D and Vitamin K.
- L. Plantarium – Acts as a barrier in the gut to keep disease-causing bacteria from penetrating the intestinal lining. May help with symptoms of IBS or Crohns disease.
- L. Salivarius – Acts as a fast-acting bowel cleanser, especially for diverticulitis pockets.
Genus: Saccharomyces
- S. boulardii – May help with symptoms of diarrhea, IBS, colitis, or Inflammable Bowel Disease. May also help with food allergies.
Genus: Lactococcus
- L. Lactis – Can be helpful for symptoms of Crohn’s disease.
Genus: Streptococcus
- S. thermophilus – Supports immune health. May help anyone lactose intolerant digest milk.
A prebiotic is also critical to stimulate, grow, and maintain your new healthy flora!
The Rag-Tag Research Geek Recommendation:
Pinnacle Probiotic™; is the ONLY product with this exclusive formula!
If I understand correctly your Pinnacle Probiotic is vegan and contains no dairy?
I have lactose intolerance issues.
Hey GG! I can tell you there is no dairy, as far as we know, in the Pinnacle Probiotic offered by aProvenProduct. It’s encapsulated in vegetable capsules that are also vegan friendly. However, we can’t guarantee that all the bacteria strains in the product are. Some are absolute human strains, and while all of them can be grown in labs, it’s also possible some may come from animals. If you’re on a strict vegan diet, I’d say better safe than sorry.
I hope this was helpful!
Pinnacle Probiotic
Has Inuli in it But
Im hearing this may be s ( synthetic ingredients )
When I Hear that, I think of geneticly modified or something like that
I surely think of or Example: Aspertame ( BOOOOO ) 🙁
I’ m NO EXPERT Just need the right Info
There is so much information out there that is questionable.
So I came to you because I like what you GEEKS Stand For & Belive In 🙂
INULIN
Hi Beautiful! Thank you! We do what we do because we love it.
Inulin is a naturally occurring starchy substance that can be found in a wide variety of fruits, vegetables, and herbs, including wheat, onions, bananas, leeks, artichokes, and asparagus. It has great benefits for the human gut, the primary is being a fertilizer for the good bacteria in your system, to help keep them thriving.
The biggest difference between inulin and your example of aspartame, besides the major health difference, is that aspartame does not occur naturally anywhere. It is 100% chemically made.
I hope this was helpful!
Thank you
I’ve heard that inulin is used as a filler in some cases
And can be synthetic .
So in the pinnical probiotic it is Not?
What about the notion that probiotics should be refrigerated and products that are not, may not be effective?
Many probiotic bacteria are sensitive to heat and moisture. Heat can kill organisms and moisture can activate them within pills, only to die due to lack of nutrients and a proper environment. These products should ideally be refrigerated, more recently scientists have developed methods of allowing the bacteria to survive without refrigeration; one way they do this is freeze-drying probiotics and putting them in appropriate packaging to prevent moisture. The strains will then come alive again once they reach the heat of your digestive system. This method allows the bacteria to be stored for much, much longer in less climate controlled conditions without affecting their viability.
I hope that helps
OK Probiotic Geeks – have I got a video for you.
This is an addition to my comments back in August about fecal implants.
http://www.abc.net.au/catalyst/stories/3269844.htm
Hey dtjessup, that video helps illustrate the fact that there are more natural ways of correcting many health issues. It also shows that beneficial bacteria can do a lot more for a person’s health than prevent indigestion.
I was reading in the Science in the Public Interest newsletter that some doctors are using probiotic enemas for C. difficile.
Do you know of any research or information on this? Is it possible that and enema of disolved probiotics would be more effective than an oral application?
Hi dtjessup. Since I’m not a doctor, I’m really not able to give you a definite answer about using probiotic enemas for C. difficle treatment. It makes sense to me, as a lay-person, that probiotic might ease C. difficle. I was doing some research and found this article http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/756265
In that study they did use enema for severe cases of C. difficle. Let me know if that link helps you find your answer! Good Luck
Yo Geek 7,
This is from the study:
“Patients were treated with standard doses of metronidazole or vancomycin. After 4 days of continuous antibiotic treatment, patients were randomized to the probiotic S boulardii 500 mg twice daily or to placebo, then followed for 4 weeks. The study suggested that S boulardii might benefit patients with RCDAD.”
This sounds like a PO dose not an enema. I initially read about the enemas in the July/August newsletter of Nutrition Action (Center for Science in the Public Interest).
Here is the research cited:
Systematic Review of Intestinal Microbiota Transplantation (Fecal Bacteriotherapy) for Recurrent Clostridium difficile Infection
Clin Infect Dis. (2011) 53(10): 994-1002
Changes in the Composition of the Human Fecal Microbiome After Bacteriotherapy for Recurrent Clostridium difficile-associated Diarrhea
Journal of Clinical Gastroenterology:
May/June 2010 – Volume 44 – Issue 5 – pp 354-360
doi: 10.1097/MCG.0b013e3181c87e02
ALIMENTARY TRACT: Case Reports
I have been taking probiotic powder and it has lactobacillus acidophilus, rhamnosus, plantarum, bifidobacterium bifidum, lactis, longum. Also it says it has a prebiotic. Any thoughts are appreciated. Thanks
Hi goldnmnkey. We are actually in the middle of some new research on different Probiotics and the science behind them, as well as prebiotics. It’s actually still in the works, as a matter of fact! Keep on the look out for new info. coming soon!
Hi goldnmnkey. Sounds like you’re taking a well-rounded probiotic. It appears to contain the most researched probiotic strains, which may improve immune systems, help with lowering cholesterol levels, as well as possibly promoting healthy blood pressure levels.
Best of luck to you on your healthful journey!
I just found this:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fecal_bacteriotherapy
Hi dtjessup. Thanks for sharing! This is Exactly what you were looking for. Sounds like there is hope to ease the pain and embarrassment of C. diff…Fantastic!
Ps… I’ve added wikipedia to my favorite search engines – Thanks again!
60 feet of intestines?? Where are you getting this outrageous number? 30 feet is more like it.
Hi fetymann. You are absolutely correct! A nice gentleman on Facebook pointed that out as well. Thanks to both of you for alerting us so we could fix the typo. Have a great day! 🙂
How long should this product be taken?
Great question! If you never take antibiotics, including never eating non-organic meat, it’s possible you could get away with a round of probiotics 2-3 times a year. Most of us, however, are constantly exposed to detrimental bacteria and antibiotics. So we’d suggest most people take them on a continuing basis.