HEALTH REPORT
Which probiotic is right for you?
A probiotic’s active culture is measured by colony- forming units (CFUs). Choose a formula with billions of microorganisms and several strains, because they work best as a team. Each probiotic strain provides particular benefits: Saccharomyces boulardii (SB): This aids digestion and gut repair, decreases diarrhoea, counters candida, enhances immunity, increases enzymes and helps synthesise vitamin K and antimicrobial substances. It is the perfect probiotic for a travel kit, because it is heat- stable to 30ºC. L. acidophilus : Although this dies off quickly in the stomach, the DDS-1 strain can survive for eight days. L. acidophilus can assist acne, hayfever, lactose intolerance, thrush and digestive problems. L. rhamnosus : This clears bacteria that can contribute to diarrhoea and UTIs. One important study has found that pregnant women taking the Rhamnosus GG strain were half as likely to have children with eczema. L. plantarum : Try this anti-inflammatory probiotic for autoimmune diseases, constipation and IBS. It assists antiviral and hormone activity by forming lysine; it also produces antibacterial hydrogen peroxide. L. casei : To reduce anxiety, depression, or diarrhoea, consider casei. A similar probiotic, L. paracasei, helps fatigue, dental health and liver function. B. lactis : This neutralises gluten and lactose intolerance, by minimising damage to the intestinal walls; it has also been shown to improve immunity, ease digestion and lower cholesterol. B. longum : Science shows B. longum’s ability to chelate to metals, neutralise toxins, digest carbohydrates, elevate immunity and decrease constipation. It also assists anxiety and memory. B. bifidum : This has been shown to significantly ease ulcerative colitis. B. breve : Along with its great gut actions, this probiotic can potentially reverse sun damage. Streptococcus thermophilus : Promotes smoother skin by increasing the lipid ceramide barrier in the dermis. It also breaks down casein in cheese, to reduce allergies.
Picking the S cience supports the perks of probiotics, and products are plentiful – but which is best for you? The ‘father of probiotics’, Russian biologist Elie Metchnikoff, linked different yoghurt cultures to longevity in 1905. Since then, fermented foods and probiotic supplements have become synonymous with gut health and immunity. ‘Probiotics’ literally means ‘for life’: probiotics lift our life force by maximising the health of the billions of beneficial gut bugs which create the microbiome – the internal ecosystem that the brain, immune and digestive function, energy production, metabolism and all other bodily systems depend upon. However, a dysfunctionalmicrobiome, or dysbiosis, canbe caused by certain medications, disease, poor diet, pathogenic microbes, bacteria or viruses, and stress. Dysbiosis may then lead to a leaky gut, where undigested food particles enter the bloodstream and trigger an inflammatory immune response. So – given that the best defence is a good offence – prebiotics and probiotics can help these gut soldiers repel unwanted invaders. Replenishing probiotic reserves in the microbiome is particularly important with antibiotic use, during a cleansing program, and if allergies, digestive problems or low immunity are present. Prebiotics and probiotics
Think of your gut as a garden, with prebiotics creating the rich ‘soil’ that is essential for probiotic ‘seeds’ to sprout. Prebiotic fibre comes from inulin, oligosaccharides and galacto- oligosaccharides, which
are found in asparagus, apple skin, banana, barley, chicory root and garlic. Research reveals that prebiotic fibre can improve bone density, brain health, digestion, immunity and
weight management.
Caroline Robertson is a naturopath specialising in digestive disorders. www.carolinerobertson.com.au
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ISSUE 54 • 2019
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