Health Info

Many unhealthy conditions today are related to a poorly balanced microflora, or what is known as intestinal dysbiosis. Scientific studies are increasingly pointing to correlations between dysbiosis and various ailments.

The use of antibiotics in healthcare, agriculture and animal raising is on the rise. We have in many ways sterilised our environment, and this is detrimental to our microflora balance.

When we are not getting enough beneficial microbes, or are killing them because we have to use antibiotics, we need supplementation of probiotics more than ever.

When we have digestive or metabolic issues, too much bloating or no regular healthy elimination, it is time to consider probiotics.

We want to avoid probiotic supplements that are without quality assurance and validation from dosage research, but are created from a marketing standpoint.

We must be aware that more is not better. Some brands contain vast amounts of bacteria because they have no way of ensuring that the bacteria can remain "alive" or viable in the gastrointestinal tract. So they put in more bacteria in hope that at least some of them will reach the large intestines where they are most needed.

In this regard it is important to consider the administration route of probiotics. Many bacterial species are damaged or compromised during the pathway through the stomach and upper small intestines. Using acid and bile acid resistant strains can help. But it is best to have a protective tableting matrix technique to make sure that the supplemented probiotics can reach the large intestines and be immunologically active.

It is often assumed that more cultures will produce greater aggregate benefits. But that is not always the case. The strains have to be chosen to work together synergistically. Too many strains can introduce too much competition and inhibit the activities of the superior probiotic strains! It is also more difficult to achieve high standards of quality control when there are too many strains.

Probiotics has been defined as live microbial food supplements that beneficially affect the host by improving the intestinal bacterial balance. Bacterial species commonly referred to as probiotic are lactic-acid producing bacteria such as Bifidobacterium spp., Lactobacillus spp. and Streptococcus spp., but other microorganisms such as the fungi S. boulardii have also been used. There are many properties of probiotic bacteria that can help to improve the intestinal milieu. Probiotic cells remain viable for up to 2 weeks in the intestines, after which their cell wall structures disintegrate and intra-cellular substances are released providing a positive influence on the microbiota.

Some suggested beneficial effects of probiotics in general include:

• Improved digestion and metabolism
• Better utilisation of minerals and vitamins
• Improved lactose digestion
• Prevention of colitis induced by antibiotics or radiation
• Prevention of intestinal tract infections
• Regulation of gut motility
• Enhancement of immune system
• Protection of intestinal mucosa, lowering allergy risks
• Reduction of inflammation

The body’s utilisation of minerals and vitamins requires a healthy intestinal ecosystem. The microflora must be in a good shape and balance for healthy metabolism of proteins, lipids and carbohydrates to take place. And it is through vigorous microbiota metabolism that the nutritional system can effectively utilise minerals and vitamins. The endocrine, immune and nutritional systems are all dependent on a balanced ecology of our intestinal microflora.

A normal intestinal microflora is part of the innate immune system. By "competitive colonisation” - winning the competition for nutrients and space - friendly bacteria prevent pathogenic bacteria from colonising the mucosal tissue, which is the initial step of infection. Probiotic bacteria inhibit colonisation of pathogens by producing organic lactic and butyric acids, which lower the intestinal pH and thus inhibit growth of potentially pathogenic microorganisms.

The mucosa of the intestines is a selective barrier which, when functioning normally, prevents the penetration of potentially noxious agents into the bloodstream, while still enabling the passage of beneficial nutrients. The health of the intestinal wall is crucial to our health.

Probiotic bacteria have a healing effect on the intestinal mucosal membrane by stimulating the formation of epithelial cells and by reducing inflammation in the intestines. This is shown by a decreased production of inflammatory cytokines during intake of probiotic bacteria.

Allergies develop when substances that should not cross the intestinal barrier leak out into the blood and provoke allergic responses by the immune system. It has been shown, eg, that atopic eczema is associated with intestinal inflammation and increased antigen transfer over the intestinal barrier. Probiotics can help reduce inflammation by promoting repairs of epithelial cells which can re-seal the intestinal barriers.

Prebiotics are complex carbohydrates such as oligo- and polysaccharides, which are not digested by the enzymes of the small intestines and thus reach the large intestines in a viable form. They are the nutrients for friendly bacteria like such as bifidobacteria. They improve the stability of probiotic cultures in the intestinal tract, which in turn improves the effect of the probiotic bacteria. Products with a combination of probiotics and prebiotics appear to be more favourable and are referred to as symbiotics. The ProBion Matrix includes these complex carbohydrates which are released mostly in the large intestines due to the unique structure of the matrix. This is important as these carbohydrates can cause bloating if deposited in the small intestines.