Andrew Duffy, NASM-CPT, PES, and Alix Cohen, R.D.
You may not need to add probiotics to your diet in order to be healthy.  That’s right.  You may not find any benefit from these “friendly” bacteria.  But priobiotics have been shown to provide many positive health benefits for common digestive problems.

What are priobiotics?

Probiotics are bacteria that contribute to the health and balance of the intestinal tract in addition to assisting with digestion.  Particularly, in the large intestine they help break down carbohydrates, proteins, and fats that are not digested by gastric acid in the stomach and small intestine. 

How do probiotics help with digestion?

Probiotics serve as support for a) breaking down foods that resist the gastric acid in the stomach, as well as b) a lack of enzymes in the digestive tract.  Gastric acid in the stomach simply can’t break down all foods.  Further, enzymes in the intestines are limited in supply and are produced to break certain foods down.  Due to aging and development, some of us stop producing the right amounts of enzymes to break down certain foods, like milk sugar (lactose).   So, priobiotics can assist our digestive system when it fails to digest a food. 

How can priobiotics help me? 6 Reasons...

There is encouraging research showing probiotics may help a variety of issues, including: 

  1. Treat diarrhea, especially following certain antibiotic treatment
  2. Treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
  3. Help with lactose intolerance. What is lactose intolerance?  Lactose intolerance results from the body’s inability to produce the lactase enzyme that helps digest milk sugar, known as lactose.  When the lactose passes undigested through to the colon, it ferments, releasing gases that are well known to be uncomfortable.  Bacteria in yogurt, including lactobacillus and L. acidophilus, breaks down the lactose into digestible components.  
  4. Speed treatment of certain intestinal infections
  5. Prevent and treat vaginal yeast infections and urinary tract infections
  6. Prevent or reduce the severity of the cold and flu
How do I get priobiotics?

Natural foods containing the friendly bacteria include yogurt, fermented and unfermented milk, kefir, miso, kombucha, kimchi, and sauerkraut.  Probiotics are also being added into cereals, bars, and energy drinks.  Probiotics can also be added to your diet artificially through nutritional supplements or processed foods.  Although probiotics in processed foods and supplements have their benefits, their benefits manifest best in fresh, natural and whole like yogurt and kombucha.

But hold on!  When reading product labels, be sure to look for a statement that the product contains “live and active cultures” such as lactobacillus and L. acidophilus. 
And guess what?  No set limit has been made on the amount of probiotics one needs in the diet.  But be careful – too much bacteria can set your digestive tract balance out of whack.  So as with most foods and drinks: enjoy probiotics in moderation. 



About Alix:

Graduated from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo with a Bachelors of Science in Nutrition.  She also competed as a Division I scholar athlete for Cal Poly Women’s Soccer.  She continued to Central Washington University and completed the dietetic internship program in July 2009. She currently lives in San Francisco pursuing her career as a dietitian. 

 


Comments




Leave a Reply