ADRSupport Community  

Go Back   ADRSupport Community > General Discussion > The Big File

The Big File All issues not easily categorized in the above forums are here. Comments on general health, diet, "getting comfortable," and more are here.


Reply
 
Thread Tools
  #1  
Old 03-01-2006, 06:10 PM
Harrison's Avatar
Harrison Harrison is offline
Administrator
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Posts: 7,010
Default

This relates to a few other topical discussions -- how diet can help boost your immunity defenses; in particular certain foods that are rich in probiotics.

I recently went to the store to buy yogurt, and I was stunned with the differences between products in terms of the TYPES of active bacterial cultures. Loiter around the yogurt section and you'll see what I mean!
__________________________________________________

...Protection Against Infections. Probiotics may help prevent or treat infections such as postoperative infections (11), respiratory infections (42,43), and the growth of Helicobacter pylori , a bacterial pathogen responsible for type B gastritis, peptic ulcers, and perhaps stomach cancer (44-48). A 7-month randomized, double-blind, placebo controlled study of more than 570 healthy children aged 1 to 6 years in day care centers found that intake of a probiotic milk containing L. rhamnosus GG reduced the number and severity of respiratory infections and the need for antibiotics (42). Regular intake of probiotics (i.e., a fermented milk drink containing a mixture of L. rhamnosus GG, Bifidobacterium, L. acidophilus, and S. thermophilus ) has been demonstrated to reduce potentially pathogenic bacteria in the upper respiratory tract of humans (43).

Some in vitro , experimental animal, and limited human studies indicate that probiotics, especially lactic acid bacteria, may inhibit the growth of H. pylori (4-7,12,18,44-48). Probiotics such as Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota , bifidobacteria, and Lactobacillus salivarius have been shown to inhibit the growth and/or colonization of H. pylori in in vitro and experimental animal studies (4,5,46,48). According to an in vitro study, yogurt containing Bifidobacterium lactis Bb12 reduced the growth of H. pylori , whereas L. acidophilus La5 did not (47). When 59 adults with H. pylori infection consumed a mixture of these two probiotics in yogurt twice daily after a meal for 6 weeks, H. pylori was suppressed, but only when the probiotic yogurt was consumed regularly, whereas H. pylori continued to increase in the subjects consuming a placebo (47). Other human studies show that intake of fermented milks containing Lactobacillus johnsonii with or without antibiotics suppresses H. pylori infection or diminishes the severity and activity of gastric inflammation caused by H. pylori (44,45). Although these preliminary findings in humans indicate that some specific probiotic strains may help control H. pylori infection, there is no evidence that they can kill this pathogen in vivo (7).

Reduced Risk of Colon Cancer. Some evidence, primarily from in vitro and experimental animal studies, indicates that probiotics may have the potential to reduce colon cancer risk (3-5,29a,49-53). In experimental animals, intake of yogurt and specific probiotic cultures has been shown to reduce the development of precancerous lesions (aberrant crypts) and chemically-induced tumors, although the findings appear to be both species- and strain-dependent (50,52). Epidemiological studies in humans link intake of yogurt or other fermented milk products to decreased cancer risk, however, the findings are inconsistent (3,7,12,49). Although human intervention studies demonstrate the ability of specific probiotics to inhibit biomarkers of colon cancer risk, such as bacterial enzyme activities, there is no direct evidence that probiotics reduce colon cancer incidence in humans (5). Based on a recent review of the evidence, researchers conclude that the protective role of milks fermented with probiotic cultures in colon cancer risk reduction is promising, but as yet inconclusive (49).

Immune Enhancement. Findings from experimental animal and mostly short term human studies indicate that yogurt and probiotics such as lactobacilli and bifidobacteria stimulate certain cellular and antibody functions of the immune system, which in turn may increase resistance to immune-related diseases (e.g., infections, gastrointestinal disorders, cancer, allergies) (29b,54-58). Secretory immunoglobulin A, which helps to protect against microbial antigens at the intestinal mucosal surface, has been shown to be increased in mice fed L. acidophilus, L. casei or yogurt, and in humans consuming fermented milk containing L. acidophilus (4,7,56). In mice fed fermented milk with L. casei, L. acidophilus , or both, macrophages (i.e., one of the first lines of nonspecific defense against bacterial invasion) increased (7). Consumption of yogurt or lactic acid bacteria (e.g., L. casei, L. rhamnosus GG, and other strains) also modulates the production of several cytokines, which have diverse roles in regulating immune functions (7,56).

Emerging scientific evidence indicates that specific probiotics may reduce the risk of certain diarrheal diseases, infections, and colon cancer; enhance immune function; and alleviate symptoms of inflammatory disorders, among other benefits.

Studies in older adults have shown that consumption of milk supplemented with a relatively low dose of the probiotic B. lactis HNO19 for 3 or 6 weeks enhances some aspects of cellular immunity, including total, helper, and activated T-cells, leukocyte phagocytosis, and tumor-killing cells (59,60). The greatest improvements in B. lactis -mediated immunoenhancement occurred in individuals with poorly functioning immune systems (59,60).

Many probiotic effects are mediated by balancing pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory cytokines (57). According to a recent study in 10 healthy adults, cellular immune response to intestinal microorganisms was enhanced following intake of L. rhamnosus GG for 5 weeks (61). This probiotic increased the response of peripheral T-lymphocytes to intestinal bacteria and enhanced an anti-inflammatory response by increasing the secretion of suppressive cytokines and decreasing the secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines (61). Genetically engineering probiotic bacteria with desired functions such as the production of anti-inflammatory cytokines is an active area of research (62).

Anti-inflammatory Effects. Because probiotics can influence the intestinal flora, they may have beneficial effects for patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), which includes ulcerative colitis, Crohn�s disease, and pouchitis (1,5-7,11,29c). Several animal studies and a few clinical trials in humans suggest that specific probiotic bacteria may alleviate or reduce symptoms of IBD (1,5,6,11,18,63,64). Intake of fermented milk for one year helped patients with ulcerative colitis maintain remission and had possible preventive effects, according to a randomized clinical trial in Japan (65). Other studies indicate that a combined probiotic preparation reduces relapses in patients with IBD (5,6,29c,66). Intake of a combination of eight probiotic strains was effective in maintaining remission in patients with pouchitis (66).

Reduced Symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Probiotics may reduce symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) (4,6,67). A randomized controlled clinical trial in 25 patients with diarrhea-predominant IBS showed that intake of a probiotic formula twice daily for 8 weeks reduced abdominal bloating (67).

Prevention of Allergic Reactions. Probiotics may help prevent allergic reactions in individuals at high risk of allergies, such as food allergies (29d,68-71). Results of a randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled study demonstrated that administration of L. rhamnosus GG to pregnant mothers 2 to 4 weeks prior to delivery and to their newborn babies through 6 months of age led to a 50% decrease in the infants� incidence of recurring atopic eczema (i.e., an indicator of food allergy later in childhood) (69). A follow-up study found that this preventive effect of L. rhamnosus GG extended until 4 years of age (70).

Other Potential Health Benefits. Some experimental animal and human investigations suggest that probiotics may reduce the risk of heart disease by their beneficial effects on blood lipid levels (29e,72-76) and blood pressure (3,4,77). Different strains of lactobacilli and fermented milk products containing probiotic bacteria may help prevent and treat urinary tract infections, bacterial vaginosis, and yeast vaginitis in women (1,3,6,78,79). Probiotics may also help relieve constipation (5,7,80), reduce colic in infants (81), alleviate kidney stones (1), decrease inflammation associated with arthritis (82), and protect against dental caries (1,83).

National Dairy Council
__________________
"Harrison" - info (at) adrsupport.org
Fell on my ***winter 2003, Canceled fusion April 6 2004
Reborn June 25th, 2004, L5-S1 ADR Charite in Boston
Founder & moderator of ADRSupport - 2004
Founder Arthroplasty Patient Foundation a 501(c)(3) - 2006
Creator & producer, Why Am I Still Sick? - 2012
Donate www.arthropatient.org/about/donate
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 03-02-2006, 10:53 PM
luvmysibe luvmysibe is offline
Senior Member
 
Join Date: May 2005
Posts: 556
Default

Yes, yes, I agree. There is also a significant difference amongst varying milk brands and products. Simply grabing a supplement or item off the shelf that says probiotics, doesn't mean it is the appropriate or optimum choice. Once again, read the labels!
__________________
Crystal
L5/SI Charite
7/18/05 Dr. Howard
http://www.myspace.com/luvmysibe
http://www.xanga.com/luvmysibe
"A smile is contagious, be a carrier ."
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 03-16-2006, 03:58 PM
Guest
 
Posts: n/a
Default

I live in a country where yoghurt is as common a staple as sugar, salt or flour--it is 'the' standard dessert here. From the time my kids were babies, I was told by the pediatrican that yougurt was important in helping them ward off all kinds of infections. A typical 'go�ter' (snack) for a toddler consists of yoghurt first, then maybe a cookie to give him something to chomp on.

Not surprised here at all, but it's true that the types of culture vary widely. I try to alternate from week to week.

Trace
Reply With Quote
Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 03:43 AM.


© Copyright 2006-2023 ADRSupport.org All rights reserved.