Health & Wellness Blog – EndoMune Probiotic

With a growing number of probiotics, it’s often hard to determine which are the best. I stumbled across a recent article summarizing a lecture about Probiotics and Inflammatory Bowel Disease (such as Colitis, Crohn’s Disease, etc). The article outlines characteristics of suitable probiotics:

Studies are starting to shows that “Probiotic” or “beneficial microorganisms” may be able to improve chronic inflammatory bowel disease.

According to Johannsen, probiotics should have the following characteristics if they are to be used in human beings:

- The micro-organisms must be of human origin – using probiotics produced from micro-organisms that occur in soil or animals can be dangerous

- The micro-organisms in probiotics must be present in adequate quantities (not too little and not too much)

- The micro-organisms in probiotics must be viable (i.e. alive – it is no use taking large doses of probiotics that are dead!)

- The ideal micro-organisms for the human gut belong to the Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus families

EndoMune meets all of the above criteria. Each capsule contains 6 billion bacteria, and has multiple strains of the Bifido and Lacto bacteria species. It’s important to note that probiotics are comprised of live organisms. In order for this potency to remain, long-term storage should be within a refrigerator. As the article notes, consuming probiotics that have no live organisms has zero benefit.

The full article may be viewed by visiting:
http://www.health24.com/dietnfood/DietDocs_articles/15-1871,50242.asp

I found another worthwhile article about fiber and gastrointestinal health – are they following this blog and my monthly newsletters?

MSNBC takes a look at the impact of fiber, prebiotics and antibiotics on the general health of your gut. As indicated in a recent EndoMune newsletter, the synbiotic effect of probiotics and prebiotics is powerful. See what some of the leading researchers have to say:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/28690925/

What do your tooth brush and probiotics have in common?
Both are important for oral health.

I have previously discussed the many health benefits of probiotics, most of which have been related to the GI tract. I would like to review some of the reports on probiotics with regard to oral health.

Clinical studies have been carried out to determine whether probiotics can prevent or lessen common oral and dental diseases. The three disorders that I will review are dental caries, periodontal disease, and halitosis.

Dental Caries
Dental caries, or cavities, are formed by bacteria. Streptococcus mutans is the most destructive bacterial strain in the mouth as it attaches easily to teeth and produces a lot of acid. It is able to ferment the sugars (carbohydrates) in our diet, especially those sweet foods that get caught on and between our teeth.

Studies using orally-administered probiotics have found that certain strains can inhibit the growth of S. mutans (1,2). The conclusion was that probiotics seem to be a natural way to maintain dental health, and that daily intake of probioitcs in early childhood may result in less dental caries (3).

Periodontal Disease
Periodontal disease is an inflammation of the tissues that support the teeth. These tissues consist of our gums (gingiva), outer layer of the roots of our teeth (cementum), the bony sockets that anchor our teeth (alveolar bone), and the connective tissue supporting the roots and bony sockets.

Studies have found that the bacteria causing periodontal disease could be regulated by applying a probiotic which inhibited their growth. A decrease in gum inflammation and bleeding was noted in those subjects given probiotics (4). These studies, like those for dental caries, are promising but have not yet proved that they can prevent periodontal disease.

Halitosis
Halitosis, or bad breath, is the condition when breath has an unpleasant odor. Halitosis is an embarrassing social problem more than it is a dental health problem. Approximately 80-90% of the causes of bad breath originate in the mouth. Again, this is a bacterial disorder. Two studies have found that by administering probiotic bacteria, it was possible to suppress the odor-producing bacteria, resulting in a decrease in the foul smelling gases arising in the mouth (5,6).

Probiotics seem to be a potential therapy for maintaining oral health. Just like in the GI tract, maintaining a healthy balance of the bacteria flora in the mouth may help to prevent increased visits to the dentist. Probiotics are certainly not a substitute for the basic recommendations by the American Dental Association.

If you are prone to cavities, periodontal disease, or suffer with halitosis, it may be worthwhile to take a good probiotic such as EndoMune.

for more information about probiotics and oral health, please visit:
http://hubpages.com/hub/probiotics-and-oral-health

Last week an interesting report was published regarding a genetic variant associated with both autism and gastrointestinal dysfunction. An excerpt is as follows:

A study led by researchers at the University of Southern California (USC) and Vanderbilt University have identified a specific gene variant that links increased genetic risk for autism with gastrointestinal (GI) conditions.

The findings suggest that disrupted signaling of the MET gene may contribute to a syndrome that includes autism and co-occurring gastrointestinal dysfunction, says principal investigator Pat Levitt, Ph.D., director of the Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute at the Keck School of Medicine of USC and chair-designate of the Department of cell and neurobiology.

The article may be read in its entirety at:
http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/140718.php

A recent study reported by the Mayo Clinic indicates ulcers, once thought to have been caused by stress or spicy foods, are actually a result of bacteria. This bacteria, H. pylori, is directly related to the incidence of stomach ulcers. Unfortunately, the absense of this bacteria may be the cause of asthma.

Once you have this bacterium, it’s a lifelong companion unless you get treatment. Often, H. pylori is a benign visitor. You don’t know it’s there, and no problems result.

But for some people, the bacterium causes inflammation in the stomach, which can lead to ulcers. Ulcer symptoms include stomach pain anywhere from the navel to the breast bone, nausea, stomach bloating or feeling prematurely full, so that it’s difficult to eat a normal meal.

H. pylori also can cause stomach pain without the presence of an ulcer, a condition called non-ulcer dyspepsia.

While probiotics are not discussed in the article, this research is more indicative of the many adverse effects of harmful bacteria in the gut. For the full article, view:

http://news.postbulletin.com/newsmanager/templates/localnews…