Cottage cheese probioticBy Probiotics Expert: Dr.

Raga

Probiotics• A term which literally means “for life”• Was invented by Ellie Metchnikoff, a

Russian physiologist and Nobel prize winner. In 1907, he was the first to suggest that consuming bacteria may cause beneficial effect to the body.

• According to the World Health Organization (WHO), a probiotic should be able to survive its passage down the digestive tract (through acid tolerance and bile excretion) and be able to proliferate in the gut.

Probiotics in foods

•Nowadays, there have been an increasing number in the production of food products labeled and formulated with probiotics. In the last decade, there is an estimated 500 new probiotic food and beverage products introduced worldwide.

•The most popular food sources of probiotics are yogurts, cheese, cereals, kombucha, sauerkraut, and kefir.

Cottage cheese• Cottage cheese is referred to as

a cheese curd product that has a mild flavor. This type of cheese is a well-known favorite of people who are dieting and doing sports. This is due to its casein protein and low fat contents.

• Most cottage cheese products are made up from fat-free organic milk and pasteurized certified organic cream. Along with this, calcium and probiotics are incorporated.

Cottage cheese probiotic• Not all cottage cheese products contain

probiotics. This is why it is important to look for “live and active cultures” seal on the label of the product.

• However, there are certain cottage cheese products which are naturally produced or enriched with probiotics. Most cottage cheese probiotic products offer at least two strains of healthy bacteria. These are L. Acidophillus and B. Bifidus which are beneficial in digestive health. In other sources, cottage cheese probiotic may also contain L. Casei.

What do the probiotic strains in cottage cheese do?• Lactobacillus Acidophillus (L.

Acidophilus): A probiotic strain which grows naturally in the human gut. These good bacteria are able to ferment sugars into lactic acid, which lowers the pH of the gut, making it difficult for the pathogens to survive.

• Lactobacillus Casei (L. Casei): Another species of lactobacillus which compliments the growth of acidophillus. These are found naturally in the mouth and intestines. Studies show that L. Casei can help in preventing infections caused by Helicobacter pylori.

What do the probiotic strains in cottage cheese do?• Bifidobacterium bifidus: One of the most

common strains of bacteria that reside in the colon. It can also be found in mouth and vagina. The use of this bacterial strain has been very important in probiotics and food industry due to its beneficial effects on health. These beneficial effects include inhibition or pathogenic growth in the digestive tract, regulation of intestinal bacterial environment, improvement of immune system response, vitamin production, bioconversion of some dietary compounds, and repression of procarcinogenic enzymatic activities.

How do probiotics in cottage cheese do their work?•Probiotics or the good bacteria do their work

by decreasing the pH of the intestine. When the pH is decreased or acidic, the environment becomes less favorable for the pathogens or the bad bacteria.

• If the gastric pH is lessened, this means that the production of good bacteria will be increased

•The more lactic, acetic, and butyric acids are produced, the more friendly the bacteria is.

Benefits of daily intake of probiotics

According to the World Health Organization, when probiotics are taken daily may cause beneficial effects in two ways:

•Probiotics can aid in the strengthening of the immune system by supplying regular probiotic bacteria to the digestive tract.

•Probiotics can be a calcium source for the people who are lactose intolerant and others who have problems in consuming dairy foods.

Other benefits of probiotics• Constipation: Probiotics can improve bowel

movement regularity and shorten long intestinal transit time.

• Diarrhea: With probiotics, balance of good and bad bacteria in the intestines can be restored.

• Colon Cancer: Probiotics promote healthy digestive system environment.

• Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS): Probiotics do not only restore intestinal microflora balance but also eliminate gas, constipation, and abdominal pain.

Other benefits of probiotics• Cholesterol: There are studies which have shown

probiotics’ availability to increase the level of good cholesterol in the body.

• Hypertension: Several studies suggest that probiotics can positively effect the blood pressure.

• Allergies: In some people, probiotics have been discovered to protect and strengthen the mucosal barrier of the gastrointestinal tract.

• Immunity: Probiotics help in increasing the level of good bacteria in the gut when the body is threatened by a pathogen. Thus, this helps in creating a barrier or defence against diseases and infections.

My Favorite Probiotic• Probacto is the best probiotic that I have

ever run into. They use multiple strains and they are spore forming so they can last while not refrigerated. They do not use cheap bacteria, but expensive ones such as B. Subtilis.

• Probacto also contains prebiotics to help stimulate the growth of beneficial bacteria in your gut.

• Probacto contains digestive enzymes to assist in your digestion.

• Probacto is enteric coated and made to be slow release so it will release in your gut gradually.

Conclusion• Nowadays, almost every company have been

producing supplements and foods which contain probiotics. While this seems to be beneficial, many people should be careful in choosing their source of probiotics. As for the medical professionals, people should be guided in which types of probiotics should be consumed, either as a supplement or a part of their diet. Also, the uses and potential side effects should be taught to people in order to promote awareness and prevent falling for false marketing strategies of some probiotic companies.