There is a type of bacteria called probiotics that is emerging as one of the most important things you can consume on a regular basis to improve your health and prevent many diseases.  Probiotics are live microorganisms that have been shown to be beneficial to many aspects of health.  These “good” bacteria naturally occur in fermented foods, such as yogurt, sauerkraut, kefir, pickled vegetables, and many others.

There are several ways in which probiotics can improve your health:

• They attach and line the walls of the intestines creating a barrier to prevent foreign (“bad”) bacteria from binding to and passing through the intestinal wall and into the bloodstream.
• They improve and maintain the structural integrity (strength) of the intestinal wall.
• They reduce the acidity of the intestines and release antibacterial substances which prevents the growth and survival of foreign bacteria.
• They block the absorption of toxins from foreign bacteria (a source of illness).
• They help increase the healing of damaged intestinal walls (from ulcers, etc.)
• They reduce bowel inflammation and systemic inflammation.

Probiotics have been shown to effectively treat and prevent eczema, allergies, asthma, irritable bowel, diverticulitis, colitis, ulcers, high blood pressure, chronic fatigue, and anxiety in people with chronic fatigue.

20 Reasons Why You Need To Take Probiotics Every Day

Ideally, probiotics from fermented foods or a probiotic supplements should be consumed on a daily basis.  Since most people do not eat fermented foods on a regular basis, we recommend probiotic supplements.

The best time to take your probiotic supplement:

• Take it when you first wake up in the morning at least 30-60 minutes prior to eating breakfast with a glass of filtered water
• Avoid taking it within 3 hours of taking any antibiotic

Taking probiotics are imperative if you are taking or have taken antibiotics!
Antibiotics not only kill foreign “bad” bacteria, but they kill “good” bacteria as well.  If your population of good bacteria is significantly reduced or eliminated altogether, it can make you susceptible to any of the previously mentioned health problems as well as increasing your risk of developing yeast and fungal infections.

How much should you take?
There is a wide range of dosages per capsule on the market.  We recommend a minimum of 15 billion to 60 billion organisms per capsule (one capsule per day).  If you are taking antibiotics, a higher dosage may be required. 

We have available at our office:

Protocol Protodophilus         50 capsules   50 billion organisms, 10 strains/capsule  

References:

1. Sartor RB.  Bacteria in Crohn’s disease: Mechanisms of inflammation and therapeutic implications.  J Clin Gastroenterol.  2007; 41(Suppl 1):  537-43.
2. Aragon G, et al. Probiotic therapy for irritable bowel syndrome. Gastroenterol Hepatic. 2010;6(1) 39-44.
3. Packey CD, Sartor RB. Commensal bacteria, traditional and opportunistic pathogens, dybiosis and bacterial killing in inflammatory bowel disease. Curr Opin Infect Dis. 2009;22(3) 292-301.
4. Beckham H, Whitlow CB. The medical and nonoperative treatment of diverticulitis. Clin Colon Rectal Surg. 2009; 22(3) 156-160.
5. Lye HS, et al. The improvement of hypertension by probiotics: Effects on cholesterol, diabetes, renin, and phytoestrogens. Int J Mol Sci 2009; 10: 3755-75.
6. Sullivan A, et al. Effect of supplement with lactic acid producing bacteria on fatigue and physical activity in patients with chronic fatigue syndrome. Nutr J. 2009; 8:4
7. Rao AV, et al. A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study of a probiotic in emotional symptoms of chronic fatigue syndrome. Gut Pathogens. 2009; 1:6.