Probiotics
Filed Under Naturopathy |
We are born with a variety of microorganisms on our skin, in our mouth, and in our intestines, to name a few. These microorganisms constitute our normal flora and are a necessary part of maintaining a healthy body. The key to maintaining a healthy flora is balance. If just one of these microbes has an opportunity to take over, illness would result.
Many of us eat on the run, have eating regimens that contain a great deal of fried fatty foods, and little to no fiber. Introducing a group of supplements called probiotics could help bring balance and prevent the gastric upset mentioned above. Not only do probiotics help regulate our bowels; they also play a key role in providing a barrier to infection.
If you struggle with bouts of constipation and then diarrhea, it could be related to a variety of problems stemming from poor dietary intake, stress, intestinal disease, or can be the result of antibiotic treatment. Antibiotics are given to treat bacterial infections. The problem is that the antibiotic doesn’t discriminate between good and bad bacteria. So in the process of killing the bad bacteria, some or all of the good bacteria are destroyed as well. We see this mechanism in the form of severe diarrhea. Probiotics can help rebalance the intestines after antibiotic treatment.
Not all probiotics are created equally, so it is important to do your homework before you buy. You can purchase probiotics as a separate supplement in the form of lactobacillus, bifidobacterium, and others or you can purchase many dairy products that have added probiotic cultures. Note that these supplements are very fragile and subject to destruction from heat, age, and if taken with certain types of food. Also check the expiration date. Regulation of all supplements in the United States is lax, which means there is little in the form of regular testing to ensure that the consumer is getting exactly what they paid for.
Probiotic treatment is not recommended for patients who are on immunosuppressent therapy, or have had an organ transplant. Before starting any probiotic regimen it is important to discuss with your doctor any potential adverse reactions when combining probiotics with your prescription, over-the-counter medications, herbal, or homeopathic remedies. Probiotics are a wonderful adjunct to maintaining healthy intestines. But do your research first; you gut will thank you for it later.
In health and wellness,
Dr. Mundorff
