Probiotic = Pro Life

Believe it or not, approximately 100 trillion bacteria cells reside within each human, most of which live in the gut, constituting what is called the ‘gut microbiota’. Disgusted? Don’t be. These are ‘good’ bacteria help synthesize vitamins, improve digestion, aid in the absorption of calcium and iron, and help control inflammation in the body. Probiotics, literally meaning “pro life”, are supplements of live micro-organisms that improve and sustain the balance of the gut microbiota.

Not sure who benefits from a well-balanced and functioning gut? You do. Think of probiotics like multivitamins in that they both confer a variety of health benefits on humans. In particular, these are three (widely proven) benefits of probiotic supplementation:

1. Probiotics promote gastrointestinal health
When taken in sufficient amounts, it is well document that certain probiotics help treat IBS, constipation, and bouts of diarrhea and improve digestion.

2. Protects the crucial gut microbiota
Antibiotics, antacids, the aging process and various other lifestyle factors (e.g., diet) can adversely disrupt the ‘good’ bacteria within the human gut. Probiotics will counteract this disruption of the gut microbiota, sustaining balance within the gut. Taking a probiotic while undergoing an antibiotic regimen is thus strongly recommended.

3. Strengthens the body’s natural defenses
By improving the strength and function of the colon lining, probiotics help prevent ‘bad’ bacteria from passing through into the bloodstream, thereby supporting the body’s innate immune system. In fact, studies have shown that probiotics may decrease the length of a cold.

One major downfall of probiotics is that not all of them are the same and, more importantly, there are no standardized labeling requirements. Yoghurt or supplement, consider these salient points when deciding on a probiotic regimen:

1. Strains
Just like how a doctor would prescribe a different antibiotic for strep throat and a urinary tract infection, each strain of probiotics work differently. Make sure the strains of bacteria are listed. It is also recommended to use probiotics that contain a plethora of different strains for the greatest health benefits.

2. Culture Count
This is the amount of bacterial cells per serving. When taking a probiotic to promote general health, a recommended culture count is roughly 2-6 Billion cells per serving, while a recommended culture count is upwards of 50 Billion cells per serving size for those who are combating a health ailment.

3. Delivery System
The acidic environment of the human stomach will kill off (most) bacteria; thus, a good probiotic will come with a ‘delivery system,’ which is a capsule that protects the integrity of the probiotic while delivering it directly to the small intestine via the stomach.

This concept is not a new one. In ancient Rome, a historian named Plinius recommended sour milk for treating gastroenteritis. Remarkably, we are basically doing the same thing two millennia later but we are using probiotics instead.