Probiotics . . .

There is a whole world of “bugs” living in our intestinal tract. These “bugs” consist of bacteria, mold, and fungi. Medical science is just beginning to understand their importance for our health. More than just breaking down unabsorbable food into waste, their active growth leaves no room for foreign bacteria to take up residence, such as C. diff. Like any tight-knit community they do not like foreigners invading their turf. It is also estimated that our immune system, most of which is in our GI tract, develops and is maintained because of a constant contact with the intestinal bacteria which have their own genetic and immune system. This “communication” between these immune systems is important and its breakdown has been linked to such diseases as Crohn’s disease. Bacteria also produce a wide variety of organic substances which helps maintain the health of our GI tract. Many of the nutrients we absorb are byproducts of this bacterial growth.

The word probiotic refers to a wide variety of these bugs such as lactobacillus which live in a mutually beneficial relationship with us.

What makes one brand of probiotics better than another?

• 1. Proper balance of the many different varieties of bacteria.
• 2. Bacteria that are harvested when they are young adolescents and not “senior citizens”.

When to take probiotics?

• 1. Traveling to a country where dysentery or traveler’s diarrhea is likely.
• 2. After extensive course of antibiotics.
• 3. Anybody suffering from inflammatory bowel disease.
• 4. After surgery on the GI tract.
• 5. With the excessive use of antibiotics in all animal feed, it is probably best that we include a good probiotic in our daily supplements.