Probiotics Are Good For You

We don’t normally like to think of it but humans have a symbiotic relationship with many tiny organisms. ‘Symbiosis’ means two or more species interacting, sometimes very closely, and gaining mutual benefit from the relationship. ‘Closely’, in this case, actually means: inside our bodies.

The intestinal flora that live inside our colon is a good example. There are over 700 different species of bacteria inside the human gut, most of which are beneficial. They are essential to healthy digestion and even help produce some vitamins, along with aiding the immune system. They also lower the pH of the intestine slightly, which inhibits the growth of some pathogens (harmful organisms) like salmonella.

That balance of good bacteria to potentially harmful bacteria can get out of whack, though. Antibiotics, stress, and other factors can lower the amount and ratio of helpful digestive bacteria. When that happens, probiotics – supplements or food additives that contain some of those species – can be a useful health aid.

Dannon Activia, for example, has become a well-known brand/type of yogurt that goes beyond the usual benefits of that food. It contains additional probiotics that have a clinically proven, and real-world tested benefit. Less intestinal gas and cramping, firmer stools, and other benefits have been well documented. Another probiotic, the now-common Lactobacillus acidophilus ‘additive’ (an ingredient in many probiotics) has long been known to aid in treating constipation.

In some instances you may see listed among the ingredients of supplements or foods the word ‘prebiotics’. These additives are not bacterial species themselves (i.e. they’re not technically probiotics) but contain ‘food’ for the probiotic species or those that naturally live in the colon.

Prebiotics, like most supplements or food additives, cover a wide range of type and quality and may be beneficial or may be nothing but hype. The only way to know is to research an individual product. The same may be said of probiotics, but here the research is a little more substantial. Major manufacturers with respected reputations have more well-known and trustworthy products.

The two most common prebiotics on the market are whey and FOS (fructo-oligosaccharides).

Whey is the liquid ‘waste’ left behind when cheese curds are separated off during cheesemaking. However, what is waste in one circumstance can be a very useful product in another. Whey has been consumed for centuries by cultures around the world and has known health benefits. That’s not surprising, since it’s chiefly water, potassium, calcium, phosphorus, lactose, fat, and water-soluble vitamins. Naturally, those with lactose intolerance should avoid this type of prebiotic.

FOS is a type of sugar that humans don’t possess the enzyme needed to break down. Fortunately, bifidobacteria in the colon do have that ability. One of those 700 naturally occurring species mentioned, this tiny organism aids digestion and so ‘feeding’ it can be beneficial, in the right amount. It’s found naturally in tomatoes, bananas, honey, barley, and other foods. Their growth can also be encouraged by the intake of fiber.

While no miracle cure, probiotics can be useful in the treatment of diarrhea, vaginal yeast infections, and IBS (irritable bowel syndrome). As with any significant change to diet or when attempting to home-treat illness, it’s always wise to consult with your physician.

Common Intestinal Parasites

Over 700 bacterial species inhabit the human colon, many of which are essential to good digestion and overall health. There are some intestinal parasites, though, that are at best benign and at worst potentially lethal.

The majority of those divide into two groups: one-celled organisms (called protozoans) and parasitic worms. They generally enter the gut as a result of consuming inadequately cooked or poorly washed food, or contaminated water. Once there, they find the mucous lining on the intestine a conducive growth environment and they reproduce.

The result is frequently an infection that, left untreated, can lead to harmful health consequences. That can run the gamut from unpleasant abdominal cramps with constipation or diarrhea to nausea, colitis, or even blindness.

E. vermicularis, for example, (a common roundworm) can induce sleep disturbances and infects about 200 million people worldwide. The adult male worms are about 2-5 mm in size (about the length of a pencil lead) and the females 8-13 mm. Females can lay up to 15,000 eggs. Fortunately, most die within 3 days and infection is often cured spontaneously by the immune system within 4-6 weeks.

Giardia, or G. lamblia, can cause nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. This pear-shaped protozoan is extremely common, infesting more than 2.5 million individuals in the U.S. alone annually, according to the CDC. It can be spread by contact with feces or, because it’s water borne, by drinking contaminated water. It’s even resistant to the chlorine in normal tap water. Incubation generally takes 1-2 weeks, after which symptoms begin to appear.

Hookworms like A. duodenale can cause anemia. Along with its cousin, N. americanus, this parasite is less common today in developed countries than in the past, thanks to improved plumbing and better sanitation. Still, it is prevalent enough to be the second most common helminthic (parasitic worm) infection in the U.S.

One of the reasons is that, unlike many others, they can infect the host through the pores or hair follicles; they don’t require a break in the skin or ingestion. Within about six weeks, the parasite has attached itself to the intestine where it feeds. Symptoms may not appear for long periods, but the hookworm acts like an anticoagulant, leading ultimately to blood loss and hence anemia. In advanced stages it can produce mental retardation in children.

E. histolytica may cause intestinal ulcers, fever, or peritonitis. It’s unfortunately very widespread, producing up to 50 million cases per year worldwide, of which 100,000 or so are fatal. After malaria, it’s the most second leading cause of death from protozoan infection. It acts to disrupt the mucous lining in the intestine, resulting in colitis, ulcers, and possible bloody diarrhea.

Fortunately, all of these can be guarded against with proper health procedures and most are readily treated, once diagnosed. Once infected, many antibiotics are effective. Naturally, prevention is always the best option. Food should be thoroughly washed and/or well-cooked. Keeping the immune system healthy and practicing good colon health can minimize the odds of disease in the first place.