bacteria

Probiotics 101: Everything You Need to Know (Literally)

June 11, 2017 By Morning Health Team Leave a Comment

Did you know that the bacteria in your body outnumber your body’s cells 10 to 1? It’s true, and most of them reside in your gut. But there really is no need to panic, most bacteria are quite harmless. Having the right bacteria in there has even been linked to numerous health benefits. This includes weight loss, improved digestion, enhanced immune function, better skin and a reduced risk of many diseases.

This leads us to the topic at hand, probiotics.

Probiotics are foods or supplements that contain these friendly bacteria, and are supposed to help colonize our guts with health-boosting microorganisms. The importance of this can not be overstated.

Taking care of your gut, and the friendly bacteria that reside there, may be one of the single most important things you can do for your health.

What Are Probiotics?

According to the official definition, probiotics are “live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host”. Probiotics are usually bacteria, but there is also a type of yeast that can function as a probiotic. You can get probiotics from supplements, as well as foods that are prepared by bacterial fermentation. Probiotic foods include yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, tempeh, kimchi and others.

Probiotics should not be confused with prebiotics (note the “e”), which are dietary fibers that help feed the friendly bacteria that are already in the gut. There are actually dozens of different probiotic bacteria that have been shown to have health benefits. The most common groups include Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. Then there are many different species within each group, and each species has many strains.

Interestingly, different probiotics seem to work for different health conditions. Therefore, choosing the right type (or types) of probiotic is essential. Many probiotic supplements combine different species together in the same supplement. These are known as broad-spectrum probiotics, or multi-probiotics.

Keep in mind that this is a new but rapidly expanding area of research. Although the evidence is promising, it is not conclusively proven that probiotics help with all the health conditions mentioned in this article.

Bottom Line: Probiotics are live microorganisms that cause health benefits when consumed in adequate amounts. There are many different types, and you can get them from foods or supplements.

Photo: simplesmartnutrition.com

The Importance of Microorganisms in The Gut

The complex community of microorganisms in your gut is called the gut flora. Your gut actually contains hundreds of different types of microorganisms, with some numbers going as high as 1000. This includes bacteria, yeasts and viruses. The great majority is bacteria.

Most of the gut flora is found in the colon, or large intestine, the last part of the digestive tract. The metabolic activities of the gut flora actually resemble those of an organ. For this reason, some scientists refer to the gut flora as the “forgotten organ”.

The gut flora actually performs many functions that are important for health. It manufactures vitamins, including vitamin K and some of the B vitamins. It also turns fibers into short-chain fatty acids like butyrate, propionate and acetate, which feed the gut wall and perform many metabolic functions.

They also stimulate the immune system, and regulate the integrity of the gut. This can help prevent unwanted substances from “leaking” into the body and provoking an immune response.

However, not all organisms in the gut are friendly. Some are good, others are bad. The gut flora is actually highly sensitive to modern insults, and studies show that an “unbalanced” gut flora is linked to numerous diseases.

This includes obesity, type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, heart disease, colorectal cancer, Alzheimer’s, depression and many, many more. Probiotics (and prebiotic fibers) can help correct this balance, making sure that our “forgotten organ” is functioning optimally.

Bottom Line: Your gut flora consists of hundreds of different types of microorganisms. Probiotics help your gut flora perform optimally.

Photo: lorensworld.com

Probiotics and Digestive Health

Probiotics have been studied most in regard to digestive health. The strongest evidence has to do with antibiotic-associated diarrhea. When people take antibiotics, especially for long periods of time, they often suffer from diarrhea for a long time after the infection has been eradicated.

This is because the antibiotics kill many of the natural bacteria in the gut, which shifts the balance and allows the “bad” bacteria to thrive. Dozens of studies have provided strong evidence that probiotic supplements can help cure antibiotic-associated diarrhea.

Probiotics have also been shown to be beneficial against irritable bowel syndrome, a very common digestive disorder. They can help reduce gas, bloating, constipation, diarrhea and other symptoms.

Some studies also show that probiotics may be beneficial against inflammatory bowel diseases such as Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Probiotics may also be useful against Helicobacter pylori infections, the main driver of ulcers and stomach cancer.

If you currently have digestive problems that you can’t seem to get rid of, then perhaps a probiotic supplement is something you should consider.

Bottom Line: Probiotics have been shown to be effective against various digestive problems. This includes antibiotic-associated diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome.

Photo: divineweightlossinc.com

Probiotics and Weight Loss

Obese individuals have different gut bacteria than lean people. Animal studies have also shown that fecal transplants from lean animals can make obese animals lose weight. For this reason, many scientists now believe that our gut bacteria are important in determining body fatness.

Although this needs to be studied a lot more, some probiotic strains have been shown to help with fat loss. The most impressive study on this was published in 2013. It was a study of 210 individuals with central obesity (lots of belly fat).

In this study, taking the probiotic Lactobacillus gasseri caused people to lose 8.5% of their belly fat mass over a period of 12 week. When they stopped taking the probiotic, they gained the belly fat back within 4 weeks.

There is also some evidence that Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Bifidobacterium lactis can help with weight loss and obesity prevention. However, this needs to be studied more before any recommendations can be made. There are also some animal studies showing that other probiotic strains could even lead to weight gain, not loss.

Bottom Line: There is some evidence that the probiotic Lactobacillus gasserican help people lose belly fat. This needs to be studied a lot more.

Photo: localhouseofhealth.com

Other Health Benefits of Probiotics

Getting into all the incredible benefits of probiotics is beyond the scope of this article.

However, there are a few that are definitely worth highlighting here:

Inflammation: Probiotics have been shown to reduce systemic inflammation, a leading driver of many diseases.
Depression and anxiety: The probiotic strains Lactobacillus helveticus and Bifidobacterium longum have been shown to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression in people with clinical depression.
Blood cholesterol: Several probiotics have been shown to lower total and LDL cholesterol levels.
Blood pressure: Probiotics have also been shown to cause modest reductions in blood pressure.
Immune function: Several different probiotic strains can enhance immune function and lead to reduced risk of infections, including the common cold.
Skin health: There is some evidence that probiotics can be useful for acne, rosacea and eczema, as well as other skin disorders.

This is just the tip of the iceberg. Probiotics have been studied, and shown to be beneficial, for a wide range of other health problems.

Bottom Line: Probiotics have been shown to have numerous health benefits. They may reduce depression and anxiety, improve heart health and enhance immune function, to name a few.

Are There Any Side Effects?

Probiotics are generally well tolerated and considered safe for most people. However, in the first few days, you may experience side effects related to digestion. This includes gas and mild abdominal discomfort.

After this initial adaptation period is over, your digestion should be better than it was before. Probiotics can be dangerous, and even lead to infections, in people with compromised immune systems. This includes people with HIV, AIDS and several other health conditions.

If you have a medical condition, definitely consult with your doctor before taking a probiotic supplement.

Bottom Line: Probiotic supplements may cause digestive symptoms, but this should subside within a few days. They may be dangerous for people with certain medical conditions.

Photo: labdoor.com

What Are The Best Probiotic Supplements?

There are hundreds of different probiotic supplements available. If you have a health problem and you want to try a probiotic for that purpose, then it is very important that you choose the right strain.

Make sure to buy probiotics from a reputable manufacturer. Dietary supplements are not regulated, so many of these products may not contain what the labels say they do.

According to one study, it is best to take probiotics either right before, or with, a meal that contains some fat. Beyond that, make sure to follow the instructions on the packaging. Keep in mind that some products need to be refrigerated.

Photo: davidallennutrition.com

Take Home Message

Maintaining a healthy gut goes way beyond just taking a probiotic supplement. What you do from day to day is just as important. All sorts of lifestyle factors, especially the foods you eat, have been shown to affect the gut bacteria.

Living a healthy lifestyle, getting good sleep, and eating real food with lots of fiber is the key.

In many cases, probiotic foods and supplement can be helpful as well.It has significantly improved my digestion, and I feel that my energy levels and thinking have improved as well.

I now consider probiotics to be an essential component of my own personal health strategy.

Source: healthy-holistic-living.com

Researchers Develop New Super-Potent Antibiotic to Fight Resistant Bacteria

June 2, 2017 By Morning Health Team Leave a Comment

Every hear of vancomycin? That the generic name for an antibiotic called vancocin HCL pulvules. Yes, it’s an antibiotic with a narrow range of usefulness, however, it’s still an important medication.

According to Drugs.com:

“Vancomycin is an antibiotic. When taken by mouth it fights bacteria in the intestines.”

“Vancomycin is used to treat an infection of the intestines caused by Clostridium difficile, which can cause watery or bloody diarrhea. It is also used to treat staph infections that can cause inflammation of the colon and small intestines.”

“Oral vancomycin works only in the intestines. This medicine is not normally absorbed into the body and will not treat other types of infection. An injection form of this medication is available to treat serious infections in other parts of the body.”

“Vancomycin may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.”

While vancomycin may have been a useful antibiotic in fighting intestinal infections, it does have its harmful side effects like so many other drugs. One of the major side effects is ringing in the ears and even hearing loss. If that happens, a person needs to notify their doctor as soon as possible.

It can also be passed through breast milk, so any woman who is prescribed to take vancomycin and is breast feeding, should stop breast feeding as long as they are taking the antibiotic.

Like many antibiotics, some bacteria are found to be resistant to vancomycin. This is NOT evolution, but a matter of genetic selection. Like all superbugs, certain bacteria already contain the genetic information that makes them resistant to a specific medication. The medication will kill off all of the bacteria that are not resistant, leaving just those with the resistance to survive and multiply. Now that particular population of bacteria all has resistance since they are descendants of the few that previously contained the resistance in their genes. In reality, this is a loss of genetic variation and information which is the opposite of what evolution demands – an increase in genetic variation and information.

Researchers at the Scripps Research Institute have announced that they found a way to make vancomycin many times more potent and durable. Their hope is that the newer super-potent form of the antibiotic is powerful enough to kill off the more resistant bacteria.

How much stronger is the new vancomycin? Depends upon the source you turn to. One source said the new form is 1,000 times stronger and another source says it’s 25,000 times stronger. Either way, the announcement may be huge in fighting some strong intestinal bacterial infections.

Regardless of the how many times more potent the new version is, the question is how is it in treating the intended antibiotic resistant bacteria infections? According to a report:

“A team from the California-based Scripps Research Institute have modified the antibiotic vancomycin, deeming the new variation ‘the first antibiotic to have three independent mechanisms of action’ in a press release made public Monday.”

‘Dr. Dale Boger, the lead scientist behind the development, said that the adapted vancomycin meant that ‘doctors would need to use less of the antibiotic to fight infection’.”

“The drug was tested on vancomycin-resistant enterococci (VRE), a bacteria which can cause infections in the intestine, urinary tract and wounds. VRE is listed as being high priority on the World Health Organization’s ranking of bacteria which most urgently need research and development into new antibiotics.”

None of the reports said if the new super-potent form of vancomycin still has the same side effects or even if the side effects have also increased with the new increased potency. It seems that only time will tell what, if any, side effects will be with the new super-potent vancomycin, but it would be best if anyone taking it, knows what the possible side effects could be and to watch out for them.

Dirty Details of Germs Hiding at Our Grocery Stores

April 1, 2017 By Morning Health Team 4 Comments

If someone were to ask you which is cleaner or has the fewest germs, the grocery store you like to frequent or your toilet at home that you frequently visit, how would you answer?

Many people find it gross or unclean to have one’s dog lick them in the face, but they have no qualm kissing someone else, but they are shocked when they learn that dog’s mouth is cleaner than most people’s mouths. Years ago, I worked as a manager at a large retail store. Our security guard was bitten in the shoulder by a female shoplifter he was trying to stop. The bite infected and left his arm around 75% useless. His doctor told him that humans have far more germs and dangers lurking in their mouths than our dogs do, and that’s taking into account the fact that dogs always lick their privates.

Well, a recent study says that many of our grocery stores contain more germs and bacteria than found on our toilets at home.

Many grocery stores have sanitizing wipes for hands near where they keep their shopping carts, but the carts are not the source of the germs found in our grocery stores. Dr. Charles Gerbia, also known as Dr. Germ, is a professor of microbiology and environmental sciences at the University of Arizona, located in Tucson. He was asked to list the top ten ‘germiest’ items or places in our grocery stores. You may not be shocked by #1 on the list, but you will probably be shocked and perhaps horrified to learn the other top 9.

Shopping carts – “Since 80 percent of germs are transmitted with our hands, it makes sense that shopping cart handles are covered in bacteria. ‘The first thing I do is wipe the handle,’ says Gerba. Take advantage of the sanitizing wipes at the entrance to the store and do the same, or carry your own wipes.”
Shopping cart child’s seat – Just think about the dirty and leaky diapers along with drooling toddlers and more. Many ladies set their purses on the child seat without realizing where else or what else the purse has sat on. One may want to wipe off child’s seats before placing their produce on the seats.
Produce aisle – “‘I don’t know anyone who buys produce without squeezing or touching it,’ says Gerba. Cuts or tears in produce provide an open door for germs to enter, so Gerba recommends choosing produce that is not cracked, split or opened in some way. While you’re in the produce aisle, pick up some extra plastic baggies.”
Meat & seafood counters – Gerba recommends to never buy a package of meat or seafood that isn’t cold or has been torn or poked open. He also recommends double bagging meat and seafood and to make sure it’s kept separate from produce.
Canned & boxed goods – “NSF International, a public health and safety organization, advises shoppers to check all canned and boxed goods for damage. Never buy swollen, leaking or damp cans — that can be a sign that the product is contaminated with bacteria, including the Clostridium botulinum that causes botulism. Also, avoid products with rips or punctures in packaging. These are gateways for germs. According to Gerba, as long as the packages aren’t damaged, most canned and boxed goods should be safe, though he does recommend wiping the tops of canned goods before opening them.”
Self-checkout touch scanners – Most of us have used them. We’ve entered produce codes or number of something, as well as method of payment. Now for the shocker – “A disturbing 50 percent of self–checkout touch–screens had fecal bacteria and some had MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, a staph bacteria that is resistant to many types of antibiotics normally used to treat staph infections) too, according to Gerba. ‘There are actually more antibiotic–resistant bacteria on these screens than in a hospital,’ he says. If you like to DIY, make sure to use hand sanitizer after you finish checking out.”
Credit card screens – Realize that the same dirty fingers touching the self-check scanners are also touching the credit card screens. Enough said?
Restroom faucet handle – Most of us wash our hands after we go to the bathroom, but realize that the dirty hands generally turn on the faucets before you wash them. After you wash them, you touch the same faucet handles that were just contaminated before washing.
Re-usable bags – Do you take re-usable bags from home to put your groceries in? If you don’t wash them between rips to the store, think about all the contamination you’ve just read about, being placed in those bags each time you use them.
Improper handling of food – “Sometimes shoppers inadvertently turn perfectly good food into a germ-fest by not handling it properly, says Gerba. Keep cold food cool and hot food warm by picking up refrigerated, frozen and hot deli items right before checking out. If it’s going to take more than an hour to get home, NSF International advises consumers to pack raw meat in a cooler — and keep the cooler in the passenger area of the car during warm weather.”

This wasn’t intended to make anyone paranoid, but it is a way that we can reduce our exposure to some of the germs that can make us ill. If you have a suppressed immune system like I do, that’s very important.

In closing this gruesome tour of your favorite grocery store, I can’t help but wonder if it wouldn’t be wise to wear disposable gloves like many in the medical profession wear. They may look strange and get strange looks from others, but your body may thank you.