Beyond Digestion: The Latest Research on Probiotics
Television
commercials might have you convinced that probiotics are needed mainly for a
healthy digestive system and to help promote a flat belly. These are important
benefits, but the live, health-enhancing microorganisms offer protection
outside of the digestive system, too. More and more research is proving the
benefits of lactic acid-producing probiotics to the entire body and to overall
health. You might be surprised to learn that about 70 percent of the immune
system is located in the large intestine as a vast network of lymph tissue
referred to as GALT, or Gut-Associated Lymphoid Tissue. Probiotics in the
intestines are constantly interacting with this tissue and preparing the rest
of the body’s immune system for contact with other bacteria. Think of them as
teaching the body to respond to a bacterial attack without actually having to
suffer an infection.
Science is currently
exploring various health benefits that probiotics can offer. Here is a synopsis
of some of the ongoing areas of research:
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable
bowel syndrome, or IBS, is a common - if not the most common - digestive
disorder, affecting anywhere from 11 to 20 percent of adults. The major
symptoms, gas, bloating, and cramping, are often accompanied by bouts of constipation
alternating with diarrhea. Drug treatments haven’t been successful, but
European research has suggested that an imbalance of healthy to unhealthy
intestinal organisms may be a significant contributor to the condition. In one
study, IBS patients noticed significant improvement of symptoms after only two
weeks of supplementation with probiotics. At the present time, there is enough
evidence to recommend that IBS sufferers regularly supplement with probiotics
for the reduction of pain, bloating, and gas.
Dental/Oral Health
They’ve
only recently been introduced in dentistry and oral medicine, but science is
suggesting a promising role for probiotics as a treatment for various dental
conditions in the future. The first randomized controlled trials have shown
that the live microorganisms may control dental
caries in children by inhibiting cariogenic streptococci, or bacteria that
promotes tooth decay. Presently, there isn’t enough evidence to suggest the
role of probiotics in periodontal disease or oral yeast infections; however
these areas are still being explored. Research is also investigating the most
effective means of delivering probiotics into the mouth for optimal results.
Dairy products are an option, but probiotic chewing gum and lozenges are being
examined as potential vehicles as well.
Blood Pressure
Probiotics have not traditionally been
considered part of the treatment for hypertension, but a Japanese study showed
that supplementing with probiotics led to a decrease in both systolic and
diastolic pressure almost immediately, as compared with the placebo group, and
a significant decrease in diastolic blood pressure after four weeks of
supplementation in those with high-normal blood pressure or mild hypertension.
Mental Health
An
emerging area of research on probiotics involves their relationship to mental
health. Since a number of neurochemicals, including GABA, norepinephrine,
serotonin, dopamine, and acetylcholine, are produced not only in the brain, but
also by various microbes in the gut, it isn’t farfetched that probiotics may
soon be used to modulate brain chemicals and mood. GABA, for example, reduces
stress and anxiety (and incidentally, may reduce inflammation in cases of
Irritable Bowel Disease). Currently, experiments with mice are showing
promising results. One study found that as certain intestinal bacteria
decreased, immune biomarkers and inflammation increased.
Probiotics
are also being examined for their influence on obesity, allergies, childhood
immunity, cancer, as well as several other conditions, and their impact on
vaginal infections is already well established.
By
and large, there is sufficient scientific support to recommend the regular use
of probiotics to improve or protect overall health, and Health Canada
recommends including at least one source of probiotics in your diet or
supplementation regimen daily.
The
best known example of a probiotic-rich food is plain, organic yogurt, but other
fermented foods containing similar bacteria include miso, sauerkraut, and
kefir. If these foods aren’t part of your daily diet, or if you suffer from a
health condition that could benefit from probiotics, don’t delay - introduce a
daily supplement right away.
Healthy Tip: A
child`s immune system isn't fully developed until age seven, and a
probiotic-rich diet, plus adequate supplementation may help to prevent
childhood allergies, eczema, asthma, and infections. It is safe to administer
probiotics to newborns by placing it on the tongue or adding it to baby
formula. Expectant mothers should consider taking larger doses of probiotic supplements
in the days prior to delivery. Probiotics help to strengthen a mother`s
defenses against infections that could potentially be passed on to their
newborn, and may help to prevent preterm labour. Also, one study showed that
new mothers who took probiotic supplements lost body fat faster than those who
didn't.
REFERENCES:
IBS
Rev Esp Enferm Dig. 2009
Aug;101(8):553-64. Treatment of irritable bowel syndrome with probiotics. An
etiopathogenic approach at last?
J Clin
Gastroenterol. 2004 Jul;38(6 Suppl):S104-6. Probiotics in the
treatment of irritable bowel syndrome.
Mental Health:
M. Lyte, BioEssays,
2011, Probiotics function mechanistically as delivery vehicles for neuroactive
compounds: Microbial Endocrinology in the design and use of probiotics.
G. Reid, BioEssays,
2011, Neuroactive probiotics.
Bailey MT
et al., Brain, Behavior, and Immunity, 2011, Exposure to a social stressor
alters the structure of the intestinal microbiota: implications for stressor-induced
immunomodulation.
