Health & Wellness Blog – EndoMune Probiotic

All humans have gas in their gastrointestinal tract. The type of food, and beverages consumed and whether the individual smokes or chews gum will have a significant impact on the amount of gas produced and passed. Carbonated beverages will increase intestinal gas. Eating a healthy diet of fruits, vegetables and high fiber grains increases intestinal gas formation.

Dependent upon how it is measured, the gas in the intestinal tract varies from 3 to 6 ounces. The average adult produces 16 to 48 ounces of intestinal gas resulting in about 14 to 23 gas passages/day.

1. Complex Carbohydrates: The human intestinal tract can’t digest some of the complex carbohydrates in vegetables, fruits and whole grain products. These carbohydrates pass through the small intestines into the colon where they are fermented by gas producing bacteria. Hydrogen, carbon dioxide and methane are the main gases produced. Depending on the diet and the intestinal microflora, the amount of gas produced and expelled will vary from individual to individual. The strong odor sometimes associated with intestinal gas is due to the very small production of sulfide gases which is dependent on diet and intestinal bacteria.
2. Lactose is a sugar in dairy products which must be broken down to a simpler form to be absorbed by the intestines. Thirty to 50 million Americans develop lactose intolerance beginning after the age of 2. It is a common problem in the Asian, African American, American Indian, Hispanic, and Eastern European Jewish populations. Undigested lactose prevents fluid absorption and the sugar is fermented by the bacteria in the colon which results in increased intestinal gas and at times, diarrhea. The main form of therapy is to avoid lactose containing foods.
3. Fructose: Another dietary sugar that can cause excessive gas, bloating and loose stools is fructose. Fruits that are high in fructose include apples, apricots, pears, cherries, plums, prunes and peaches (as well as their juices). It is also a used as sweetener in soft drinks and other products. The small intestine has a limited ability to absorb dietary fructose. If it is exceeded, fructose will be fermented in the colon leading to excess gas formation.
4. Sorbitol is found naturally in fruits, including apples, pears, peaches, and prunes. It is also used as an artificial sweetener in many dietetic foods and sugar free candies and gums. Sorbitol is not well absorbed by the small intestines. Excess intake will also lead to bloating, gas, and diarrhea.

Studies have found that some individuals with symptoms of bloating and distention may be more sensitive to the amount of gas and fluid in the intestines. Some may have slow intestinal motility leading more fluid and gas in the intestines.

Having the right balance of bacteria in the intestines can be important to lessen the symptoms of bloating, distention and gas.

Probiotics, containing bacterial strains similar to those in Endomune have been studied and utilized to help lessen these symptoms. There have been positive results in many of the studies. There are no effective prescription medications to alleviate excess gas formation. One of the nice aspects of probiotics is the fact that they are safe and without significant side effects. Given the positive studies, taking Endomune may improve the digestion and absorption of the complex and simple carbohydrates.

An article in the February 2010 issue of Journal of Medical Microbiology explores the potential of various bacteria strains to address the causes of Irritable Bowel Disease (IBD). Certain types of bacteria produce compounds that can reduce inflammation of the intestinal lining.

Nearly six months ago I wrote an article addressing the potential of bacteria within probiotics to address the issues associated with IBD. In that article I explained:

Here are the five top reasons to consider probiotics in individuals with IBD (3,5,6).

1. Probiotics adhere to the intestinal lining cells and competitively inhibit the harmful bacteria from taking up residence.
2. Probiotics suppress immune mediated inflammation by producing cytokines that inhibit the inflammatory process.
3. Probiotics produce antimicrobial products that inhibit the survival of harmful bacteria.
4. Probiotics enhance the intestinal lining cells health by tightening the junction between intestinal lining, thereby inhibiting the invasion by the harmful bacteria.
5. Probiotics have been shown to inhibit immune cells responses, which would result in further inflammation.

Researchers are now trying to identity which strains are the most effective for surviving within the intestinal tract of individuals with IBD, given their unique circumstances and depleted supply of functional bacteria.

To read more about this study, visit the Medical News Today article:
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/176550.php

During the holiday season, I thought it appropriate to discuss how probiotics can help keep children healthy. This discussion will review two articles that have been published in the last month about the benefits of probiotics for children.

Probiotics and Acute Infectious Diarrhea
The first study was to determine whether probiotics have clinical benefit for children with acute infectious diarrhea (1).

Study design: The study involved 304 children, ages 3 months to 6 years who were hospitalized for acute diarrhea. All the children received rehydration therapy via intravenous fluids and oral rice or half strength formula as age appropriate. The children were randomized to receive a probiotic preparation or a placebo. The benefit of the treatment was assessed in terms of recovery time to the first normal stool. Other clinical symptoms evaluated included fever, vomiting, abdominal pain and appetite.

Results: The average duration of diarrhea after start of therapy was reduced from 86.3 hours in the placebo group to 60.1 hours in the probiotic group. There was also lessening of abdominal pain, fever and overall length of hospital stay.

Discussion: To understand how probiotics benefited these children, the immunologic effects of probiotics were evaluated. The study reveals the immune cells of the intestine reacted in two ways; 1) by increasing production of molecules that decrease inflammation and 2) by increasing the quantity of protective intestinal bacteria (bifidobacteria and lactobacillus).

While other studies have shown that probiotics can lessen infectious diarrhea in children, this is the first study that has simultaneously evaluated the clinical, immunologic, and microbiologic effects of probiotics.

Probiotics and Chronic Abdominal Pain (CAP)
The second article deals with the occurrence of chronic abdominal pain (CAP) in children. CAP accounts for approximately 25% of pediatric gastroenterology office visits.

This study’s purpose was to determine if excess build up of intestinal bacteria in the small intestine could be a common cause of the CAP symptoms (2). This condition is called small intestinal bacterial overgrowth and is referred to as “SIBO”. Sometimes, the bacteria in the small intestines can increase and disrupt the normal digestive process. When this occurs, diarrhea, excess gas, and abdominal pain can occur.

Study Design: This study evaluated children ages 8 to 18. Of those involved in the study, 40 were healthy and 75 had chronic abdominal. Using a breath hydrogen test, it was possible to determine if there was abnormal buildup of small bowel bacteria.

Results: The study found 91% of children with CAP had abnormal breath hydrogen indicating excess small intestinal bacteria, or SIBO. The control group had a 35% positive breath test.

Discussion: This study found an objective measure to explain chronic abdominal pain in these children.  Often, psychological explanations are proposed to explain the ongoing symptoms, and the correct diagnosis is missed.

To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this is the first report on the frequency of abnormal breath hydrogen test in children with CAP.

If the breath test is abnormal, then the current recommended therapy is to use antibiotics to decrease the bacterial count in the small bowel (3).  Studies have shown up to a 75% improvement in symptoms after a course of antibiotics. Sometimes there is a relapse and further courses of antibiotics are required (4).

Another approach to treat SIBO is to give probiotics.  A recent study using a probiotic in patients with SIBO found a 47% decrease or normalization of the breath hydrogen test (5). The authors concluded that, “probiotics are a promising, easily handled and well-tolerated treatment option for SIBO”. In addition, since SIBO has a high recurrence rate, the availability of a treatment alternative to antibiotics could reduce both the risk of antibiotic resistance and the incidence of side effects.

In summation, current medical research continues to gain a better understanding of how the intestinal bacteria affect the function and health of our intestines. The results of these studies certainly further our knowledge about how probiotics can improve gastrointestinal disorders in children. Consider discussing with your child’s doctor taking a good probiotic, like EndoMune, if your child is having a problem with infectious diarrhea or chronic abdominal pain.

Resources

(1) Probiotics Have Clinical, Microbiologic, and Immunologic Efficacy in Acute Infectious Diarrhea Chen, Chien-Chang; Kong, Man-Shan; Lai, Ming-Wei; Chao, Hsun-Chin; Chang, Kuei-Wen; Chen, Shih-Yen; Huang, Yhu-Chering; Chiu, Cheng-Hsun; Li, Wen-Chen; Lin, Pen-Yi; Chen, Chih-Jung; Lin, Tzou-YienThe Pediatric Infectious Disease Journal.2010 Feb;29(2)

(2) Chronic Abdominal Pain in Children Is Associated with High Prevalence of Abnormal Microbial Fermentation.Collins BS, Lin HC.Dig Dis Sci. 2009 Nov 4.

(3) Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth: diagnosis and treatment.Gasbarrini A, Lauritano EC, Gabrielli M, Scarpellini E, Lupascu A, Ojetti V, Gasbarrini G.Dig Dis. 2007;25(3):237-40.

(4) Small intestinal bacterial overgrowth recurrence after antibiotic therapy. Lauritano EC, Gabrielli M, Scarpellini E, Lupascu A, Novi M, Sottili S, Vitale G, Cesario V, Serricchio M, Cammarota G, Gasbarrini G, Gasbarrini Am J Gastroenterol. 2008 Aug;103(8):2031-5.

(5) Bacillus clausii as a treatment of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. Gabrielli M, Lauritano EC, Scarpellini E, Lupascu A, Ojetti V, Gasbarrini G, Silveri NG, Gasbarrini A.Am J Gastroenterol. 2009 May;104(5):1327-8. Epub 2009 Apr 7.

Inflammatory Bowel Disease (IBD) increases the risk of malnutrition in both adults and children, according to the American College of Gastroenterology. This incidence, likely due to malabsorption of essential nutrients, was the result of a recent study among a cross-section of adults a pediatric patients.

The study addressed patients with both Ulcerative Colitis and Chrohn’s Disease, with the latter showing higher incidence of malnutrition. Fortunately, the occurrence of malnutrition was low – but this study still indicates the need to monitor nutrients and maintain medical treatment to not only address the medical disease, but its impact on overall health and nutrition.

For more information:
http://www.medpagetoday.com/Gastroenterology/InflammatoryBowelDisease/16681

It’s no secret that many people, particularly women, turn to food when depressed or dealing with emotional anguish. A recent study confirms this behavior for individuals dealing with chronic stress.

The survey was confucted by the University fo California-San Francisco, and was the largest survey of its kind to study the relationship between chronic stress and eating behaviors. According to USA Today:

…people who had greater chronic stress were more likely than the other survey participants to say they ate high-fat foods and felt they lacked control over their eating and hunger.

Those who were chronically stressed also were more likely to rely on “rigid restraint” to try to control their weight, including vowing to avoid fattening foods and skipping meals…”

Weight maintenance and weight loss is a lifestyle change that cannot be achieved by quick, sudden changes in habits. Going ‘cold turkey’ for any addiction is difficult, particularly for food – something we cannot live without. It’s important to remember to take small, manageable steps to weight control, rather than sudden, all-encompassing changes.

For more information on this research study, visit:
http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/weightloss/2009-11-02-stresseating02_ST_N.htm