What is a Probiotic?

Probiotic literally translated means, "for life," the opposite of antibiotic, "against life." Probiotics are different strains of good bacteria or positive flora that colonize in our intestines. They help us digest our food and make vitamins B and K. They also help the body produce naturally occurring antibiotics that in turn fight pathogenic bacteria that gets us sick.

Specific probiotic bacterias are: Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterum, Rhamnosus, Bifodobacterum, BREVE, Lactobacbacilus Casei, Lactobacilus Salverus and Lactobacilus Longum. Some strains are specific to certain parts of the body or intestine. The supplements are easily purchased in healh food stores. They are live bacteria and most need refrigeration, but some do not need refrigeration because they are freeze-dried. There are specific probiotics for babies, children, adolescents, and adults. Western medicine is just beginning to acknowledge the power and usefulness of probiotics. The good bacterias occurring in foods can be found in sauerkraut, plain yogurt, Kim Chee, miso soup and other fermented foods. There are also foods that support the life of the colonies in the intestines -- these are prebiotics (a term developed by Gibson and Roberford).

Probiotics are very useful when a person is taking a course of antibiotics because they replace the good flora that is being killed off by the antibotic. In turn it can prevent diarrhea and stomachache and other symptoms from loss of good bacteria.

Probiotics help fight yeasts, parasites and generally improve immunity and even allergies. People who have lost their good stomach flora colonies often develop allergies to food and other toxins because their immune system overresponds based on not having good intestinal defense probiotics.

Probiotics help the colon function better by creating short chain fatty acids that increases fecal bulking and mineral absorption. The bulking helps clear toxins that bind to the colon wall. Probotics also help prevent colon cancer.

Adapted from "Gut Solutions" by Brenda Watson, N.D. and Leonard Smith, M.D. 2003