Colon Health

Colon Health

If your colon (large intestine) isn't healthy, neither are you!

Probiotics (the following was written by Metagenics - www.Metagenics.com )

Probiotics are "friendly" bacteria or flora that beneficially affect humans by improving microbial balance in the intestinal tract. The intestinal tract is teeming with an incredible assortment of different kinds of bacteria, both friendly and unfriendly. All bacteria live in harmony together—even though some bacteria have the potential to become very toxic and damaging—because there is a sufficient amount of friendly bacteria to prevent an overgrowth of those that can cause harm.

Antibiotic therapy, a high fat/low fiber diet, and the use of specific drugs such as antacids and gastric acid inhibitors can all contribute to an overgrowth of unfriendly bacteria. In addition, traveling abroad—especially to developing countries—as well as eating or drinking contaminated food or water may result in increased exposure to harmful bacteria.

Fortunately, high quality probiotic therapy can restore microbial balance. According to the scientific literature, probiotics have the potential to decrease side effects-such as diarrhea and yeast infections-of antibiotic therapy. Probiotics have also been shown to:

* Improve overall digestion, lactose tolerance, and immune function.
* Support a healthy balance of microflora in the urogenital tract.
* Protect against intestinal pathogens.
* Support colon health through the improved detoxification of harmful carcinogens.
* Improve vitamin and short-chain fatty acid synthesis and nutrient absorption.
* Support a healthy response to allergens and a balanced inflammatory response.
* Support healthy cholesterol metabolism.

What is the difference between a probiotic supplement, yogurt, and acidophilus milk?
A probiotic supplement is friendly bacteria that can be taken orally for many health benefits; it is also used to make yogurt. Yogurt is a fermented food made by culturing milk with selected species of probiotics. Another very common item in most food markets is acidophilus milk. In this instance, the milk is similar to yogurt in probiotic properties, but with a liquid consistency.

While yogurt and acidophilus milk may be, for some individuals, nourishing to the intestinal lining, easily digested, and assimilated, the number of actual living, intact bacteria is often very low. Low numbers of bacteria make it highly improbable that microbial balance will be restored after it has been disrupted. For this reason, a high quality probiotic supplement is a better way of establishing and maintaining healthy intestinal ecology.

How do probiotics differ from one another and how are they classified?
Probiotics differ according to genus, species, and strain. While all probiotic bacteria are considered safe and friendly in a broad sense, not all probiotics possess enough health benefits to warrant their being chosen as supplements.

Probiotics are classified according to structural and chemical similarities. At the genus level, probiotics demonstrate enough differences to be given special names based on their distinguishing features. Examples of different probiotic genera are Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium.

Each genus is further subdivided into species, also based on structural and chemical similarities. Lactobacillus can be divided into many species, including Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus bulgaricus. The genus Bifidobacterium is mainly represented by Bifidobacterium lactis and Bifidobacterium longum.

Finally, a species may possess a subclass of individual bacteria known as a single strain. Two widely known, extremely beneficial probiotic strains are the Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM® and the Bifidobacterium lactis BI-07 strains.

Are all probiotic products safe and effective?
No. Research has demonstrated that probiotic products vary greatly in quality. A recent study was conducted to assess the accuracy of labels on 52 products claiming to contain probiotic bacteria. After extensive examination, researchers found that several probiotic products contained far fewer organisms—and/or extraneous or missing strains—than the label, packaging, and promotional literature claimed. Furthermore, many of the products contained harmful bacterial contaminants, including Enterococcus faecium—one of the leading causes of hospital-acquired infections.

How do I know if my probiotic product of choice is safe and effective?
Before purchasing a probiotic supplement, make sure that your product of choice contains strains that adhere to the following:
* Isolated from human microflora and safe for human use.
* Supported by a large body of scientific evidence that demonstrates the safety and positive roles of the specific organisms in human health.
* Resistant to stomach acid and bile, which ensures survival in the intestinal environment.
* Proven ability to adhere to the intestinal wall.
* Stored and shipped to you under refrigeration to protect against loss of potency.
* Guaranteed viability of organisms is through the time of expiration.

Features of Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM and Bifidobacterium lactis
In addition to its many health benefits, Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM:
* Has been used in milk and yogurt since the mid-1970s.
* Has been used in probiotic supplements since the mid-1980s.
* Is of human origin and therefore appropriate for human use.
* Is proven safe and effective by over 60 scientific studies (both in vitro and in vivo).
* Is one of a few strains shown to effectively adhere to the intestinal lining.

Certain strains of Bifidobacteria, such as Bifidobacterium lactis:
* Are of human origin and have proven effectiveness as immune-supporting agents.
* Comprise 95% of the total intestinal flora of newborns and 25% in healthy adults.
* Produce strong acids (e.g., acetic, lactic) that affect intestinal pH thereby playing a critical role in modulating toxin levels to maintain health and support intestinal microbial balance.
* Are approximately 1,000 times more abundant than species of Lactobacillus in healthy adults.
* May be the best marker of human intestinal flora stability.
(end Metagenic's writing)