What is Probiotic Food

8/9/2019 What is Probiotic Food

1/34

What is Probiotic Food?

Probiotic food is food that contains live

bacteria, which is considered beneficial and notharmful to humans. The first example ofprobiotic food was the introduction ofacidophilus to milk, which in some cases helpedpeople who had difficulty digesting milk to beable to tolerate milk better. The specificbacteria used in probiotic food like acidophilus

milk is Lactobacillus acidophilus. Such milk wasavailable in the 1920s, and yogurt predates it,but was not specifically supplemented for -probiotic effects.

One can still find probiotic food like acidophilusmilk. However, the field has opened up to

contain other strains of bacteria and other typesof food. One naturally thinks of yogurt as aprobiotic food, and it may contain lactobacillusacidophilus. One may also see other bacterialisted on probiotic food like yogurt, primarilyLactobacillus bulgaricus, lactobacillus GG, andvariants of bifidobacteria.

Most probiotic food is fermented at leastpartially. A short list of probiotic food choicesincludes miso soup, some soft cheeses, yogurtproducts like kefir, sauerkraut and many


2/34

pickles. Those who feel probiotic food isbeneficial are now also interested in prebioticfood. It does not generally contain bacteria but

appears to help healthy bacteria grow in theintestines. Prebiotic foods include Jerusalemand regular artichokes, oats, honey, manyfruits, and goats milk. Human breast milk isalso thought to have prebiotic properties thatmay explain why it so benefits the humannewborn.

Many people add probiotic bacteria to their foodor take it in capsule form. However, it is unclearhow well probiotic bacteria work. LactobacillusGG, one of the newest probiotics, has shownthat it can survive processing by the gut and beespecially beneficial to the colon. Not allprobiotics have shown evidence that theypromote better intestinal health. Some studiesdo show that eating yogurt during antibiotictreatment may help prevent diarrhea, and isbeneficial in reducing risk of yeast infections inwomen.

Some experts in alternative medicine claimmany other benefits to eating probiotic food orusing supplements. Such claims includereduction in eczema, cessation or reduction in


3/34

mental illness, improved immunity, andreduction of childhood allergies and asthma.These claims have yet to be verified, though in

most cases few derive harm from probiotic foodor supplementation.

Some people may experience mild stomachupset, diarrhea or flatulence during the first fewdays of probiotic supplementation. Further,some people may be allergic to or intolerant of

certain probiotic supplements, or to theprobiotic food in which they are presented.However, in most cases, probiotic food is welltolerated, and at the very least, may provide onewith better intestinal health. Eating prebioticfoods may also be a good way to promoteregularity, and certain prebiotic foods like oatshave other benefits, like increasing ones dailyfiber and lowering cholesterol.

What Is Bacteriocin?

Bacteriocin is a small molecule, produced bybacteria, that inhibits closely related strains. Itis usually a peptide or a proteinvarying sizedchains of amino acids. These compounds are of


4/34

interest bothin studies of basic microbiology,and for the preservation of food andenhancementof human health.

These toxins are produced by a wide range ofbacteria. The first to be studied was thatfromescherichia coli, a bacterium that livesin humanintestinesandis frequently usedin laboratorywork. Itproducesa numberofbacteriocins,withthe mostwell-studiedbeing the colicins.

There are several waysin whichbacteriocinscan affecthuman health. Ourintestinesareteeming witha whole microbial worldthathelpsdigestion andaffectsourimmune system. Manyofthese bacteria produce abacteriocin tohelpthem gain a footholdamongstthe competition

forresources. When one takesantibiotics, thatcan kill the beneficial bacteria, allowingpathogenicorganismstotake over.

One way to preventthis from happening istotake food with probiotics, suchas enhancedyogurt. Probioticsare beneficial

microorganismsintroducedinto food sothatthey can re-colonize ourintestinal tract.Frequently these bacteriaare in a group knownas lacticacidbacteria, particularly speciesofLactobaccillus. Lacticacidbacteria convert


5/34

sugarsto lacticacidandother compoundsinthe absence ofoxygen.

La

cti

ca

cid

ba

cteria

prod

ucea

numb

erofdifferentbacteriocin types, known as

lantibiotics. Some ofthese have been shown toinhibitthe growthofbacteriathatcan causedisease. Anothertype of lacticacidbacteriumthat livesin ourintestinesis Enterococcusfaecalis. Althoughthisbacterium can be a

human pathogen, several strains produce abacteriocin withactivity againstthepneumococcal bacteriathatcause pneumonia.Researchhasbeen done using non-pathogenicstrainsthatproduce thisbacteriocin toinoculate the nosesof children, in ordertoprotectthem from getting pneumococcalpneumonia.

Fermented foodsare anotherareain whichbacteriocins contribute to effortsto keep8pathogensoutofhumans. They are one ofseveral reasons forthe anti-microbial activity oflacticacidbacteriain these typesof foods.Otherreasonsinclude the production ofanti-fungal compoundsandorganicacids. Starterculturesthatproduce bacteriocin have beentested with fermented sausage and cheese, and


6/34

foundto protectagainstthe potentially deadlypathogens listeriain both cases, andclostridium in the latter.

Asresearch continuesintothe industrialpotential ofbacteriocins, there is likely tobegreater use ofthem in the foodindustry. Theuse of probioticsisa greatly expanding marketasof 2010. Microbiological researchis likely tocontinue toidentify new bacteriocins with novel

specificitiesthatcan be usedto protecthumanhealth.

WhatIsthe Probiotic Diet?

There may be several definitions for probioticdietbecause many companiesmarketproductsthathelp people stay on one or l authors writeaboutbenefitsof following arigidly controlleddietthatis probioticheavy. A looserdefinition isthata probioticdietisone containing lotsof

probiotic foods. These dontneedtobepurchasedas partof special dietplans. Thisformofdietisalso under continuousreview anditisthoughtthe dietmay be of especial use to


7/34

people with gastricdisorders/conditionsandmightbe beneficial in general.

Probioti

csar

e live

orga

nisms

thatha

vesometimesbeen labeledas goodbacteria. Theylive in places like the gut, assisting in thedigestion of food. People also may regularly eatcertain probiotic foods. Mostfamiliarto manyfolksis yogurt, which usually contains livecultures andis createdby fermentation. Other

foods making this listare sauerkraut, somepickles, misoand miso soup, fermented soy ortempeh, and certain cheesesandbuttermilk. Anadditional foodon the listmay be honeybecause itcouldhelp the body grow itsowngoodbacteria.

Generally, those advocating fora probioticdietsuggestincreasing intake ofthese foodsbecause oftheir goodbacteria value. Theamountofincrease isntalways specified, butitsrecommendedthatpeople addthings like ayogurtaday or enjoy sauerkrautmore often.Sometimes people tendto eatadietmade upprincipally of probiotic foods, butits notfullyclearthatthisisthe bestplan ofaction. Itmightalsobe difficultto getrequisite amountsofcertain things like fiberor leafy green


8/34

vegetablesifa probioticdietconsistsonly ofprobiotic foods.

One wa

yto

addr

essthi

sisto

supplementa

di

etwith probiotics. These couldinclude adding

nutritional yeastto foodsoritmightmean takingsupplements like acidophilus. Thoughprobioticsare thoughtofasbeneficial, itishardto say how much supplementation istrulyrequired.

The reason thata probioticdietin limitedorexpanded fashion is soappealing isbecausethere is growing evidence ofthe beneficialnature of goodbacteria. In particular, anyonewithintestinal difficulties like ulcerative colitisor Crohnsdisease mightfindbenefitin having

more probioticsin the system. Those who getchronicdiarrheaaftertaking antibiotics couldbenefitand women may have fewer yeastinfections, especially afterantibiotics, bydietary probiotic supplementation. Other claimsaboutthe probioticdietexist, including thatitsupportsthe immune system.

There are questionsaboutthisdiet. Somescientists suggestthatmetabolizing anyprobiotic food may leave little goodbacteriaremaining. Othersare concernedthatclaims


9/34

aboutthe diet leave people open toaggressivesalestactics where miracle curesare promised.While probioticsdefinitely appeartooffer some

benefit, people shouldbe aware they dontneedto goto great lengthstoadd goodbacteriatotheirdietand may find plenty ofthesefermented foodsin the local grocery store.

WhatIs Bifidobacteria?

Bifidobacteriaisabacterial genus. Bacteriainthis genus can be foundas partofthe normalgutflora, the bacteria which live in the intestinaltractandassistwithdigestion. These goodbacteria, asthey are sometimes known, have asymbioticrelationship withthe body, taking

advantage of nutrientsthe body can'tuse andbreaking down digested foods sothatthe bodycan access useful nutrients. Historically,bifidobacteria were known as Lactobacillusbifidus, buteventually researchersrealizedthatthey shouldbe placedin theirown genus.

These bacteriaare gram positive, rod shaped,and non-motile. They attachtothe lining oftheintestines, producing aceticand lacticacidsasdigestive byproducts. These acidshelp tomaintain adesirable pH level in the digestive


10/34

tract, contributing todigestion andalsodiscouraging the growthof many harmfulbacteria which cannotthrive in highacid

environments.

Babieshave the highestconcentrationsofbifidobacteria, with levelsdeclining in the bodyovertime. These bacteria can be foundin manycultureddairy products, along withotherbeneficial bacteria, and people are sometimes

encouragedto eatproducts like yogurtwith liveactive culturestoboosttheirdigestive tracts.People whohave taken a lotofantibioticsorexperienced significantdisruption totheirnormal gutflora can sometimesbenefitfromcomplementing theirdietwith so-calledprobioticbacteria which will help re-establishanormal balance ofbacteriain the gut.

In add11ition tobeing foundin many foods,bifidobacteria can alsobe accessedthroughsupplements whichare marketedto people withdigestive problems suchasirritable boweldisease. These supplementsare designedtomaintain the population ofbeneficial bacteriainthe gut, andthey are sometimesrecommendedtoolderindividuals who may have unbalancedgutflora. However, people shouldbe aware that


11/34

the balance ofthe bacteriain the gutiscomplex, andthatmostsupplements will notinstantly restore the gutflorato normal.

Studiesdo suggestthatbifidobacteriasupplements can improve digestion. Thebacteriaalsoappeartobe linked withadecrease in cancerrisk, andadecrease in theseverity ofallergies, althoughthese linkshavenotbeen positively proved. People whoare

interestedin the ideaof using probioticbacteriato supportgeneral intestinal healthandtoaddress specific medical issues shouldtalk withadoctortodetermine whetheror notsupplements wouldbe appropriate, andhow thesupplements shouldbe taken to promoteabsorption by the body.

Whatis Lactobacillus?

Lactobacillusisa large bacterial genus withanumberofinteresting applications. Bacteriainthis genusare generally benign, and some areactually beneficial, leading people to use them

in probiotic preparations whichare designedtopromote health. Some common conventionalusesof Lactobacillusbacteriaincluderestoration of normal gutfloraafter severeinfectionsandtreatmentofbacterial vaginosis.


12/34

Bacteriain this genusare rod shaped, andtheymay form long chains with eachother when theycolonize something. They are gram positive,

andaerobic, requiring airto survive.Lactobacillusbacteriaare among a largerclassification ofbacteria known as lacticacidbacteriabecause they produce lacticacidasabyproductwhen they feed. In the case ofLactobacillus, the bacteria live on sugars,converting them into lacticacidandanassortmentofother compounds.

Asthe lacto, meaning milk, would seem tosuggest, Lactobacillusbacteria love milk. Somespecies can cause milk to go sour, while othersare usedto produce cultureddairy productslike cheese and sour cream. Lactobacillusacidophilusisa particularly famous speciesusedto produce various cultured foods.Lactobacillus can alsobe usedin picklesandculturesofother foodsanddrinks, ranging frombeerto sauerkraut. These bacteriaaredeliberately introduced forthe fermentation

process.

In addition tobeing fondof milk, these bacteriaalso enjoy the lining ofthe intestines, wherethey provide a numberofbenefitstotheirhosts.


13/34

Lactobacillus bacteriahelp people break downfood, promoting more efficientdigestion andensuring that people get the nutritional benefits

of the foods they eat. These bacteria alsoappear to be effective in choking out unwantedspecies, because they create an acidicenvironment which is undesirable to some otherbacteria and organisms like certain yeasts. Inother words, they are the good neighbors in thegut.

A greatdeal is known about Lactobacillusbacteria, because people have been usingthese bacterial assistants in food production forcenturies. Several specieshave beengenetically sequenced, andresearchers areconstantly uncovering more about thesemembers of the bacterial world. Food scientistsstudy these bacteria todetermine how theywork and to improve food safety by ensuringthat only desirable bacteria are introduced tofoods, and members of the medicalcommunityare interested in the potentialmedical

applications of Lactobacillus preparations.Microbiologists are fond of saying that there isalways more tolearn, and this isdefinitely thecase with this bacteria.


14/34

What are Some Health Benefits of Probiotics?

Probiotics, which are beneficialbacteria, are ahot topic among those interested in naturalhealth supplements. They are usefulfor helpingtomaintain the organismbalance within theintestines. Under normalcircumstances, thebody has a few hundred of these bacteria in thedigestive system, and one of the top health

benefits of probiotics is their ability to help keepthe digestive systemhealthy. They also help toreduce harmfulbacteria in the body.

Since the health benefits ofprobiotics arerelated to the digestive system, people oftenuse themto preventdiarrhea, particularly when

a person is taking an antibiotic. For example,antibiotics are known for helping to treat certainillnesses, but they may also killbeneficialbacteria at the same time. Whenthese goodbacteria are destroyed, diarrhea canbe theresult. To avoid this unpleasant affect, some

people use probiotic supp

lem

en

ts to replacegood or beneficialbacteria.

Besides the health benefits ofprobioticsforthose who have diarrhea caused by antibiotics,there are other reasons to take these


15/34

supplements. For example, probioticsupplements may also prove helpful fordealingwithinfectiousdiarrhea, althoughthey may not

be effective forall typesofit. They may alsobegood fordealing with such conditionsaspouchitis, an inflammatory condition thataffectspeople whohave hadtheir colons surgicallyremoved. They may alsohelp in preventinginfectionsthat form in the digestive tract, andthey have even been credited withhelping tocontrol inflammation causedby suchthingsasinflammatory bowel disease. Some believe thatprobiotics may alsohelp in dealing withirritablebowel syndrome (IBS) and cancerofthe colon.

Since probioticsare naturally occurring in thebody, mostexperts considerthem safe.However, itisimportantto note thatthe Foodand Drug Administration (FDA) hasadifferentprocess fordealing with supplementsthan itdoes for medications. As such, the organizationdoes notcarefully monitororapprovesupplementsbefore they are marketed. A

company can, therefore, produce a supplementandbegin to sell itwithoutresearching itseffectivenessor safety. Forthisreason, itsagoodideatoobtain adoctorsopinion beforetaking a supplement.


16/34

Often, people try totake advantage ofthe healthbenefitsof probioticsby eating yogurt. Manybelieve thatdoing so can help to prevent

diarrhea, for example. Some yogurtcontainersare labeledto letconsumers know whethertheycontain active cultures. If yogurtdoes notprovide active cultures, itwon'tbenefitconsumersin this way, thoughitmay still offerotherhealthbenefits.

Whatare Probiotic Capsules?

Probiotic capsulesor supplementsaremedicationsavailable atplaces like health foodand natural foods stores. Each capsule containstiny bacteriathatisalive andthatmay have

some benefittohuman health. In particular,people may take probiotic capsulestoreduceincidence of yeastinfection, toregulatedigestion ortoassistwith conditions likeirritable bowel syndrome, chronicdiarrheaorspastic colon. There is some evidence from the

scien

tific c

ommun

itythat

so

me sort

sofba

cteria

are helpful forthese conditions, thoughthereare provisostooabouttaking probioticsupplements.


17/34

Many ofthe probiotic supplementshavebacteriathatare already foundin variousareasofthe body, like lactobacillusacidophilusor

bifobacterium bifidus. There are otheringredientsthatmay be presentin probioticcapsulesandthese can include some commonyeastsorotherbacteriatypes. The US FoodandDrug Administration does notregulate amountortype ofbacteria usedorrelative safety ofthese capsules, andthere are several questionsraisedabouteachdifferentbrandsability tobeeffective.

While scientificresearchhas shown somebenefittohealthof certain formsofbacteria, itisntalwaysthe case thatprobiotic capsulescontain exactly the same types. This wouldmean if people are looking forbenefitsascribedtoa certain bacteria, they oughtto look forcapsulesor supplementsthathave the samekindand notassume thatall supplements will beequal in thisrespect. Itisntalways necessarytotake supplementsin orderto gain accessto

these beneficial bacteria. Many foodshave themin abundance and may be a more natural andenjoyable meansofobtaining them.


18/34


19/34

Though mostprobioticsare thoughtsafe,people who plan totake probiotic capsulesregularly should consulttheir physicians. In

particular, those whohave other medicalconditionsor whotake other medicationsshould make sure any supplements wontexacerbate illnessesorinterfere withotherdrugs. Pregnantwomen shouldalsotalk totheirdoctorsaboutprobiotic supplementsandparents shouldask pediatricians for guidancebefore giving them to children.

Whatare Probiotic Supplements?

Probiotic supplementsare nutritionalsupplementsthatsupply essential bacteriatoaidin the digestive process. While the humanbody normally produces enough probioticbacteriatoadequately break down food, anumberofhealthanddietary factors canreduce the amountofthese goodbacterialcomponentsin the stomach. A high quality

probiotic supplementhelpstorestore thisnatural balance andin turn help the body tofunction properly.

There are otherbenefitsof probioticsthatare


20/34

sometimes cited. Along with correcting animbalance ofbacteria within the stomachand

digestive tract, the supplementsareconsideredtoindirectly correcthealthissuesthatresultfrom the lack of properdigestion. Byrestoring balance tothe digestion process,probiotics preventsthe developmentofproblems withthe colon, ensuresthe immunesystem is nourished, andthatblockages

composedof putrefying waste materialsdo notdevelop.

Because ofthe corrective action of probioticsupplements, the productisoften citedasaway ofdealing withbadbreath, acidreflux,constipation, and even problems with sleeping.

Other sourcesattestthatthe supplementshelpto preventstiffnessin the jointsas well aspreventthe developmentof yeastinfections.

When itcomestothe effectivenessoftakingprobiotic supplements, there are twodistinctschoolsofthought. One approachisthat

replacing lostprobiotics with supplementsiseffective andis notlikely to create any sideeffects. The body will naturally riditselfofanyexcess, sothe chancesoftoxicity are extremely


21/34

low.

A differentopinion isthatprobioticsupplementsare of no value whatsoeverinrestoring a properbalance tothe digestionprocess. People who supportthisideatendtofeel the supplements simply passthroughthesystem andaccomplish nothing. They basicallyconsider using probiotic supplementstobe a

waste oftime or money. Utilizing traditionalmedicine to correctdigestion problemsisthoughttobe more effective and ultimately lessexpensive.

Even among supportersof probioticsupplementation, there is some difference of

opinion on how todifferentiate between aneffective supplementandone thatisineffectual. While mostsupportersagree thatprobiotic capsulesthatcontain nothing morethan the bacterial compoundsthemselvesare agoodoption, noteveryone agreesthatnutritional compounds whichinclude a few

probiotic substancesare worththe time oreffort. Still, there are many anecdotal accountsthatattesttothe efficacy ofboth formulas.


22/34

Obtaining probiotic supplements can bemanagedby consulting ahomeopathic

physician or purchasing various formulasinhealthand vitamin shops. A numberof so-called exclusive formulasare alsoavailableoverthe Internet

HowDo I Choose the BestHealth Supplement?

There isawide variety ofhealth supplementson the market. This may make choosing thebesthealth supplementseem more confusinganddifficultthan ithastobe. You can make thetask easierby narrowing down your choices.This can be done by considering your needsand circumstances.

You should firstconsiderwhy you have decidedtotake ahealth supplement. If yourreason isthatyou wanttobe sure you are getting thevitaminsand minerals you need, then youshoulddoa personal analysis. Consider factorssuchas your sex, age, and lifestyle.

Many nutritional supplementsare designed


23/34


24/34


25/34

and knowing exactly whatsupplements youshouldbe taking for which specificresults.

Dosage sizes, possible interactions, andotherrelevantinformation shouldalsobe considered.

Though mostof your standard nutritional needsshould come from abalanceddiet, many peoplechoose totake a multivitamin and multi-mineralsupplementevery day. Other common

supplementsinclude vitamin C, vitamin B,vitamin D, calcium, andomega-3s, justto namea few. Supplements existfor virtually any issueunderthe sun, including toimprove memory,promote weight loss, increase energy, andeven increase muscle mass. Scientificdatatoprove ordisprove the effectivenessoftaking

supplementsisoften conflicting, butmanypeople believe in their effectiveness. Mostwillnotdoany harm when taken by ahealthyindividual, andin the correctdosing amount,butexceptionsdo exist, and consulting withaphysician isalwaysrecommended.

If you are seeking some specificbenefitfrom asupplement, itishelpful toresearchthesupplementsthatyou are considering taking tofindoutwhattheirintended purposesare.


26/34

Since many similar supplementsaremanufacturedby differentcompanies, itmight

alsobe helpful to goonline andreadreviews.Surprisingly, many websitesthatsell vitaminsandother supplementsoffer customerstheoption toreview the product. You mightbe ableto find commentsabouta certain supplement'seffectiveness, or lack thereof, comparedtoother similarones. Alwaysbe sure toreadthe

label carefully, checking the listedingredientsandadditives. The staffatmany health foodstoresare often quite knowledgeable, and willbe able tohelp.

Be wary ofany dietary or nutritionalsupplementsthatpromise astonishing results,

suchastoincrease metabolism andburn fattopromote quick weight loss. Mostofthese"miracle" supplements simply do notwork, andsome can actually be dangerous. Whenchoosing the bestsupplements, as withchoosing any otheritem relatedto yourhealth,

use common sense and make sure thatthesupplementwill notinteractwithany otherdrugs you are taking. Justbecause somethingis "natural" does notmean itcannotbe harmful,


27/34

or cause adangerousinteraction.

Often, itisbestto choose andtakesupplements underthe guidance ofa physician.A doctor will be able torun teststodetermine ifyou have any underlying medical issuesthatwill needtobe treated, andthen he or she canrecommendthe bestsupplements for you. Itisalsoimportanttorememberthateven the best

supplements cannotreplace ahealthy dietandlifestyle, and shouldbe usedin conjunctionwith, notinsteadof, an overall healthy way ofliving.

Willa

Probioti

c Supplement

Help?

A probiotic supplementis eithera capsule oraliquidthatcontains live bacteria. The bacteriaprovidedare known as friendly bacteriaandthey live in the human digestion system. The

bacteria workstobreak down foodas partofthe digestive process. The purpose oftakingsupplementsistoaddthe bacteriato yourbody.A probiotic supplementcan help with:temporary digestive issues, foodallergies, side


28/34

effects from antibioticsand managing digestivediseases.

Inth

eh

uma

ndi

gesti

ve system,

therear

e ma

nydifferenttypesofbacteriathatwork tobreakdown food moleculesintoa form thatcan beabsorbedby the body. The bacteria live in allthe different levelsofthe digestive tract,ranging from your stomachto your lowerdigestive tract. In ahealthy person, the bacteria

complete theirtasks, break down food particlesefficiently andallow the body to efficientlyabsorb vitaminsand nutrients from food.

There are many possible reasons foradecreasein the numberor efficiency ofbacteriain yourdigestive system. Fatigue, a mild virusorother

issues can have a negative impactyourdigestive health. The symptomsofreduceddigestive efficiently include recurring bloating,constipation, diarrheaand cramping. Adding aprobiotic supplementto yourdietincreasesthebacteriaand will help torelieve many ofthesesymptoms.

Many foodallergieshave been linkedto poordigestion. Adding probiotic supplementstothedietimprovesthe efficiency ofthe digestivesystem. Thisincreasesthe overall healthofthe


29/34

patient, asthey are able toabsorb morenutrients from food sources. Regular use ofprobiotics may provide bacteriathatwas

missing andresolve the foodallergy symptoms.There are no known side effectsto probiotics,and many people have experiencedrelief whenusing these products.

Antibioticsare prescribed medications usedtotreatbacterial infections. They are designedto

kill all bacteria. Unfortunately, thisincludesthefriendly bacteriain yourdigestive systems. Usea probiotic supplementatthe same time astheantibioticstoreduce the side effectsofdiarrheaand nauseaassociated withthis medication.The probiotics will notinterfere withtheeffectivenessofthe antibioticsin treating theinfection.

Digestive diseases can range from chronicillnessto short-term conditions. The use ofaquality probiotic supplementisoften partofthelong-term managementplan. Thesesupplements provide the bacteriathatis eithermissing or notfunctioning properly. They aidinthe digestive processed, reducing the burdenon the body.

Whatis Friendly Bacteria?


30/34

Friendly bacteria, also known as probioticorcommensal bacteria, are bacteria which confersome sortof positive healthbenefiton their

host. These bacteria live on orin the body oftheirhost, andin some cases, they are actuallycritical to well-being. Scientistsare constantlylearning more aboutfriendly bacteriaandtheirfunctionsin the body, andthey've made somesurprising discoveriesaboutthe waysin whichthese bacteria work.

One ofthe mostfamous groupsof friendlybacteriaisthe bacteria foundin the gut.Numerous speciesofbacteria line the guttotake advantage ofthe ample suppliesof foodwhich move throughthe guton adaily basis. Inthe processofbreaking fooddown toaccessvaluable nutrients, the bacteriaalsohelp thebody digestvarious foods, thereby increasingthe amountof nutrition thatthe body can extractfrom food. Friendly bacteriain the gutalsocombatbacterial invaders which can causeinfection.

Friendly bacteria can alsobe foundin themouth, cutting down on the risk ofinfectionfrom bacteriaand viruses which enterthemouth, andin the liningsofother mucus


31/34

membranes. The skin hosts large numbersoffriendly bacteria whichdigestthe wasteproducts secretedby the skin.

There are a numberof waysin whichthebalance of friendly bacteriain the body can bedisrupted. The use ofantibioticstoaddressinfections can kill some commensal bacteriaalong the way, since antibioticsare notalwaysvery selective. Health conditions can also lead

toan imbalance, suchasa flourishing ofabacterial species whichis normally only presentin small numbers.

Sometimes, friendly bacteria may bedeliberately introducedtothe body tohelp thebody cope withan imbalance. While this

practice wasonce confinedto practitionersofalternative medicine, ithas since caughtonamong regular medical practitioners, who mayconsiderthe recommendation of probioticsupplementsto patients with certain conditions.Experimental procedureshave alsoinvolvedtheuse of friendly bacteriaasan alternative toantibiotics, withthe friendly bacteria knockingoutbacterial infections. Lactobacillus, forexample, a commensal bacteria foundin yogurt,


32/34

appearstobe effective atpreventing oralinfections.

Probioti

cs ca

nb

eadd

ed

to

th

ebod

ythro

ugh

th

euse oftabletsand supplements which containcultured probiotics, andalsothroughtheconsumption of cultured foods with cultureswhichare leftalive, ratherthan beingneutralizedby a pasteurization process. Yogurtand cheese are two common cultured foods

whichare easy toaddtothe diet. People shouldnotattempttotreata medical condition withfriendly bacteria withoutconsulting adoctor.

Whatis Probiotic Yogurt?

Probiotic yogurtis essentially any yogurtwithlive active cultures, which meansthatmostnatural orregular yogurtisa probiotic food. Itcontainsbacteriaof various sortsthatarethoughtbeneficial tothe body. In 2000, severalcompaniesbegan to make yogurtwiththeprobiotic label, muchtothe confusion ofconsumers.

According to manufacturersof probioticyogurt, the beneficial bacterial they selectfor


33/34

their productsis more likely to survivedigestion and make ittothe colon. This means

itmay be more effective in aiding digestive illsandhelping toregulate digestion. Companiesthatmanufacture these yogurts usetrademarkedbacteriathatarentavailable inother yogurts, andthey believe their studiesjustify their claimsof superiority toregularyogurt.

The medical and scientific community isrelatively dividedon the issue of whetherprobiotic yogurtis more effective than regularyogurt. Some studies suggestthatthesespecial trademarkedbacteriadohelp improvedigestion, butthere arentthatmany

comparison studiesbetween so-calledprobiotictypesof yogurtandother kindsthatalso contain healthful bacteria. While itstruethatany yogurtwith live cultures mighteasesome digestive ills, itisnta foregoneconclusion thatproducts labeled probiotic

yogurtare necessarily superior.One thing calledinto question by many ofthelarge commercial manufacturersof probioticyogurtisotheringredientsaddedtothese


34/34

products. Some have high levelsof sweetenerslike high fructose corn syrup and/or sugar.

These may notbe the healthiestproducts, andmany believe thatnatural yogurtsthatareunsweetened, orare flavored witha smallamountof fruit juice are nutritionally superior.

There are certainly studiesthatshow potentialbenefitsof probiotic yogurtandany other

yogurtwith natural live cultures. Some peoplereduce incidence of yeastinfectionsifthey eatyogurtwhile taking antibiotics. Others findthatminor flatulence, diarrheaor constipation canbe regulatedifthey consume abouta cup ofyogurtaday. Yogurtisnta wonderdrugthough, anditwontnecessarily make up for

poor eating habitsthatmightinfluence poordigestion. Itsahealthy foodin many respects,butnota magicbullet.

Some call probiotic yogurta marketing scamdevisedto charge extra money for yogurtproducts. Itistrue thatthose products labeled

probiotic may costmore perounce. Others feelthe label ishelpful because itdrawsattention tothe potential healthbenefitsof probiotic foods.

What is Probiotic Food

Documents

Transcript of What is Probiotic Food