Peachy the Magazine October/November 2013 | Page 96

Probiotics 101 P Probiotics have been called “health miracles” claiming to help in the treatment of a host of medical conditions from Irritable Bowel Syndrome to antibiotic induced diarrhea to eczema in children. Now these “miracles” are lining store shelves and added to foods like yogurt, beverages and supplement shakes. Most people don’t really understand exactly what probiotics are and become confused about how they should even be taking them. There are over 100 trillion microorganisms colonizing the human intestinal tract. Until just recently scientists have identified the predominant species and are relating many host benefits to their presence. There are over 15,000–30,000 diverse bacterial species that generate metabolic and immune functions that offer significant immune protection to the host. A probiotic is typically a formulation of one, or more commonly, a combination of many essential flora. 96 PEACHY WRITTEN BY Nancy A. Palermo, MD It is believed that our processed, nutrient poor diets, overuse of antibiotics directly or through our food, and increased exposure to pathogens like E.Coli, in our food, have depleted our intestinal microflora and replenishing it with probiotics is now believed to be an essential process in the prevention of disease and preservation of health. The gastrointestinal tract houses the majority of our immunity centers so the roles of these species may play important role in our immune functions. Probiotics organisms are now being studied extensively in clinical trials and have shown to be effective in a variety of intestinal and extra-intestinal conditions. Besides prevention and treatment of GI disorders like diarrhea and constipation, probiotics have shown benefit in the prevention of vaginal infections, protection against pathogenic bacteria, and immune function support by increasing circulating disease fighting cells, vitamin productions, reduction of cholesterol and anticarcinogenic activity.