Nutritional Guide

Why you need it?

Beneficial bacteria, such as Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobac-terium bifidum, are called probiotics. Probiotic bacteria favourably alter the intestinal microflora balance, inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria, promote good digestion, boost immune function, and increase resistance to infection. Individuals with flourishing intestinal colonies of beneficial bacteria are better equipped to fight the growth of disease-causing bacteria.

Acidophilus and bifido bacteria maintain a healthy balance of intestinal flora by producing organic compounds—such as lactic acid, hydrogen peroxide, and acetic acid—that increase the acidity of the intestine and inhibit the reproduction of many harmful bacteria. Probiotic bacteria also produce substances called bacteriocin, which act as natural antibiotics to kill undesirable microorganisms.

Deficiency Symptoms:

Several groups of people are more likely to have depleted colonies of friendly bacteria. These include people using antibiotics, eating a poor diet, or suffering from diarrhoea.

Good Food Sources:

Yoghurt is the traditional source of beneficial bacteria; however, different brands of yoghurt can vary greatly in their bacteria strain and potency. Probiotic bacteria are also found in fermented foods such as cheese, miso and tempeh.

However, most fermented foods (including yoghurts) are made with L. bulgaricus or Streptococcus ther-mophilus. While these are friendly, beneficial microorganisms, they do not perform long-term colonization of the gut; therefore, they are not as effective as probiotic supplements at reestablishing population of friendly bacteria.

Some (particularly frozen) yogurts do not contain any live bacteria. Supplements in powder, liquid extract, capsule, or tablet form containing beneficial bacteria are often a better source of probiotics.

Precautions

GRAS - Generally recognized as safe. No adverse reactions, side effects or overdose symptoms expected when taken within the recommended amounts.

There are no reported side effects with even large intakes of probiotic bacteria which are deemed safe as supplements regardless of age (including infants) and during pregnancy and lactation.

Regular ingestion of probiotic bacteria may help prevent vaginal yeast infection. A review of the research concluded that both topical and oral use of acidophilus can prevent yeast infection caused by candida overgrowth.

During the course of eliminating disease-causing bacteria antibiotics also usually destroy normally-occurring beneficial bacterial flora that form an integral part of the healthy intestinal ecology and assist digestive and immune functions. Diarrhoea and yeast infections, including vaginal yeast, are common side-effects of the disruption of intestinal ecology and the creation of an environment more susceptible to proliferation of pathogenic levels of opportunistic yeast. Supplementation of beneficial probiotic bacterial flora, such as Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium bifidus and Lactobacillus cassei, preferably in the form of a varied, vigorous and abundant culture, will restore the healthy intestinal ecology and stabilize the mucosal lining of the gut. A supplemental dosage of at least one billion organisms per day is necessary to achieve the critical mass of bacterial restoration and successfully re-invigorate healthy intestinal ecology.

The information provided on this site is for educational purposes only. Neither the information provided nor products supplied or offered should be construed to be in any way substitutes for medical attention or prescribed medication. Consult with your healthcare professional before taking any supplements or herbal remedies if you are suffering from an undiagnosed illness or if you are on prescribed medication.

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