Isotonix

Posts Tagged ‘probiotics’

The subject of probiotics and their effect on human health has been popular during the last week, owing to a study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association endorsing their possible application in relation to Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea (AAD). This recent finding has prompted general interest in what effects our internal “ecology” might have on our health, and more studies on this topic are currently under way.

It is estimated that humans have ten times as many foreign microbes in their bodies as they have native cells. As such, an area of human biology justifiably in need of study is the nature of the relationship between microorganisms (microbiomes) that exist in the gut and the health of the human host. Crohn’s disease and Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) are both believed to be the byproducts of an imbalance in this relationship.

Complicating matters is a relative lack of baseline information regarding similarities and differences in microbiomes between different members of the world population. That knowledge would prove an invaluable asset in understanding how this micro-environment affects us.

To that end, a large international study has been obtaining fecal samples from people in three different countries and comparing the differences in their microbiomes. The researchers collected several hundred samples from people living in villages in rural Malawi, Africa, from rural Amerindians living in villages in the Amazon Basin in Venezuela and from metropolitan residents in the United States. Samples obtained came from people of all ages, from just after birth to the elderly.

Not surprisingly, the team found that gut bacteria in the people in Malawi and Venezuela were far greater in similarity than either group of samples were to Americans living in big cities. Both groups of rural villagers tended to have microbial populations that were better suited for processing foods that were high in fiber, complex sugars and starches, while those in the American group had higher percentages of microbes that are better at processing meats and refined sugar. They also found that the microbiomes of both village groups tended to be much more diverse than for the American group as a whole.

The study is likely to lead to others, which are much needed and most welcome. More research can only lead to more understanding and hopefully, more options for treatment. To discover that the solution to many of the common digestive afflictions of our time might already be inside us—merely in need of a little re-balancing—would be great news indeed.

Earlier, we discussed the latest study on probiotics, in which researchers said that the live microorganisms “showed promise” in preventing and treating digestive problems – namely, antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD).

In that research, which analyzed 82 separate studies on probiotics and their effects, scientists found a 42% reduction in the risk of AAD in nearly 12,000 case subjects. The study has been picked up by hundreds of media outlets since it was first reported on Tuesday night. And there are a couple of takeaways from the numerous stories that have been published on the subject:

One of the little-discussed parts of this study is that many people don’t know how antibiotics they put in their bodies – whether it be for the relief of allergies, to combat illness or stave off infection – are affecting their health. Roshini Rajapaksa, a gastroenterologist at the NYU Langone Medical Center, said it best when she was quoted in the USA Today on the study:

When people take antibiotics, the drugs kill not only the bad bacteria that cause illness but also the good microbes that help regulate the intestines.

As it relates to probiotics and digestive health, taking a probiotic supplement – one that includes billions of CFUs, preferably across a variety of strains that positively affect various areas of your digestive health – can be beneficial.

While it is true that the manufacturing process for yogurt means it will inevitably contain some probiotic bacteria, this simple fact cannot justify strong probiotics claims. There is a very important difference between probiotic presence and probiotic benefits, which manufacturers tend to ignore. According to Dr. Shira Doron, an assistant professor of medicine at Tufts University:

It’s a huge problem for the consumer to try to make heads or tails of whether the products that are out there really work.

Though this may be true, more and more consumers are taking notice of probiotics – and taking action. In 2009, Dannon, one of the biggest sellers of probiotic yogurts, paid $35 million to settle a class-action lawsuit over probiotics claims made on its products.

It’s also important to note that probiotics aren’t the only ingredient in yogurt – a fact that, if watching a commercial on television or seeing a full-page ad in a magazine, might not be foremost in your mind (which, it seems, is the way yogurt companies want it).

Below you’ll find two labels. Take a close look at the information contained on these labels. Really study them:

Label #1

Label #2

The first image is the nutritional information for a leading national brand of yogurt that touts its probiotic benefits. You’ll notice the 120 calories, one gram of saturated fat, five milligrams of cholesterol and the 55 milligrams of sodium in each serving.

The second label? Well, that is the nutritional information for a leading national brand of mayonnaise. Yes, mayonnaise. You’ll notice the 90 calories, 1.5 grams of saturated fat, five milligrams of cholesterol and 90 milligrams of sodium in each serving.

Would you have ever guessed your yogurt had a very similar nutritional profile as your mayonnaise?

According to a recent study published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, probiotics have “shown promise” in prevention and treatment of antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD).

The study, reported in national news outlets over the last few hours, states that:

Probiotics reduced the risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhea by 42% … Diarrhea is more common with certain antibiotics, particularly at high doses needed to treat serious infections.

The meta-analysis of 82 such studies shows great potential for the use of probiotics in restoring digestive balance following antibiotic treatment. Some lactic acid bacteria can help alleviate inflammation, therefore preventing intestinal disorders, and other evidence from recent scientific studies has demonstrated that some bacterial strains actually have a probiotic effect and thus may even aid in the prevention of disease.

Antimicrobial drugs—antibiotics—are a great asset in treating bacterial diseases, but overuse of antibiotics can result in the development of various gastrointenstinal disorders as a result of their powerful and indiscriminate nature—simply put, antibiotics wipe out all bacteria, good and bad, with some unfortunate side effects. In the studies analyzed, researchers were looking specifically for the effectiveness of probiotic bacteria in treating antibiotic associated diarrhea (AAD).

The majority of the clinical trials used Lactobacillus-based interventions alone or in combination with other strains, although overall the specific combinations used were not documented in sufficient clinical detail. Of all included trials, 63 reported the number of participants with specific gastrointestinal disorders such as diarrhea and the number of participants randomized to both treatment groups.

Across 63 studies and a total of some 11,811 participants, the use of probiotic bacteria was associated with a 42 percent lower risk of developing diarrhea compared with control groups. This result was consistent across a number of subgroups within these studies:

In summary, our review found sufficient evidence to conclude that adjunct probiotic administration is associated with a reduced risk of AAD. This generalized conclusion likely obscures heterogeneity in effectiveness among the patients, the antibiotics, and the probiotic strains or blends. Future studies should assess these factors and explicitly assess the possibility of adverse events to better refine our understanding of the use of probiotics to prevent AAD.

Clearly more research will be required to refine any future treatment approaches. For the moment, however, it appears that the protective and restorative effects of these beneficial bacteria are apparent. The use of probiotic bacteria has become increasingly popular for improved nutrient absorption, facilitating healthy digestion and even weight loss. There is now potential for their use in the clinical environment, as well.

The human microbiome can be explained as the quantity and characteristics of the various species of bacteria for which humans are a host. Most of these have no effect on us, but some are absolutely essential in order for us to enjoy proper health–as in the case of our probiotic population.

Located in the digestive tract, these beneficial bacteria are absolutely essential for proper growth and development, immune function and, ultimately, nutritional status. Proper absorption and use of nutrients begins with these microorganisms, and research indicates that significant differences have been identified in the probiotic states of lean individuals as compared with those who are identified as obese.

In 2006, researchers at Washington University observed that weight loss in obese patients was accompanied by a corresponding shift in probiotic population. The type that was dominant at the outset produced greater caloric extraction from food; as the study progressed, this population slowly shifted in favor of a different species that extracted less.

In more recent studies, attempts have been made to outline computational “maps” that can advance these findings when used to measure and compare microbial populations in obese and lean individuals. To date,  these maps do seem to confirm that “lean and obese microbiomes differ primarily in their interface with the host and in the way they interact with host metabolism.” In other words, when different species of probiotics are dominant in the digestive system, differences in metabolism can be reasonably expected.

Although it is difficult to determine whether the probiotic population shift occurs before, during or after the weight loss, it has been established in at least one study that the addition of probiotics to the diet is linked to a reduction in both Body Mass Index and abdominal fat. In this case, it appears cause and effect are very closely connected, and that anyone taking a comprehensive approach to weight loss would find probiotic supplementation worth investigating.

For those who thought probiotics were just for your digestive health, we’ve got some news for you.

New research published in the British Journal of Nutrition shows that two particular strains of probiotics — Lactobacillus helveticus and Bifidobacterium longum –have “beneficial psychological effects in humans” and may play a key role in reducing some people’s anxiety.

The research by French scientists found that “levels of psychological distress, including measures of depression, anger-hostility, anxiety, and problem solving, were significantly improved in the probiotic group, compared with placebo.” According to the researchers:

These results provide further evidence that gut microflora play a role in stress, anxiety and depression, perhaps via the enteric nervous system as well as centrally. … Subject to the confirmation of these results, probiotics might offer a useful novel therapeutic approach to neuropathological disorders and/or as adjunct therapies in psychiatric disorders.

Researchers have found that two probiotic strains could help with anxiety issues

Research has shown probiotics to support immunity, as well as other important areas of one’s health. Probiotics, tiny microorganisms that help maintain a healthy balance of essential bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract, are becoming increasingly popular in today’s health & nutrition market.

It is important to understand, though, that while some products claim to provide large quantities of probiotics, the diversity of strains, total bacterial count and protection of the probiotics are key elements in a powerful product.

Word association: I say immune health, you say …

While vitamin C is probably the first thing on most people’s minds, there are plenty of other vitamins, minerals and nutraceutical ingredients that can help protect the body. Researchers around the world are always looking for new ways to boost immunity. And later this month, a number of those researchers are gathering in one place.

On October 28, the International Society of Antioxidants in Nutrition & Health will sponsor the 2nd World Congress on Immunity Ingredients “to discuss the latest advances on immunity and health and how to boost the immune health system.”

According to organizers, the conference will specifically focus on “the innovations in probiotics, prebiotics and antioxidants applications … dedicated to immune system of babies, seniors, obese individuals and diabetics by these immunity modulators.”

There will also be presentations on how antioxidants can help protect the skin, early-life nutrition and the links between immunity, obesity and gut microbes. But probiotics will be center-stage at the event, a topic that the Isotonix Blog and maBlog have discussed in the past.

Research has shown  probiotics to support immunity, as well as other important areas of one’s health. Probiotics, tiny microorganisms that help maintain a healthy balance of essential bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract, are becoming increasingly popular in today’s health & nutrition market.

It is important to understand, though, that while some products claim to provide large quantities of probiotics, the diversity of strains, total bacterial count and protection of the probiotics are key elements in a powerful product.

The benefits of probiotics have been touted in a new report from Global Industry Analysts. According to a news article about the September 2010 report, “[r]esearch work was continuing to improve the efficacy of probiotic ingredients and the variety of platforms in which they could be present.”

The increased consumption is also a result of the probiotic product being available in the form of dietary supplements and food such as baked and dairy products, which induced major players to integrate probiotics with products such as chocolates, cheese, muffins, and sausages … With further advancement in technology, probiotics usage is likely to extend beyond the current realms of gut, dental, and immune health to several other areas of human health. As consumers across the world are becoming increasingly aware of the favorable benefits of the ‘friendly’ bacteria, the market is likely to reap rich gains in coming years.

The report also said that consumers looking to purchase a high-quality probiotics product are “increasingly likely to pay premiums”. But the question remains: What makes a high-quality probiotics product?

A new report finds that probiotics have become a hot commodity in the global marketplace

Many products on the market deliver a high total probiotic count, but they are only coming from one or two strains. That yields a product which does not deliver comprehensive support. According to research published in Food Research International, probiotic products which deliver multiple strains can offer more benefits that a single strain.

Diversity of strains, total bacterial count and protection of the probiotics are key elements in a powerful probiotic product. The digestive tract is home to 400-500 different types of microbes. These microbes include both healthy bacteria (probiotics) and potentially unhealthy bacteria.

Maintaining optimal digestive and immune health depends in large part on maintaining optimal bacterial balance within the digestive tract. With such tremendous diversity naturally present in the digestive tract, it is important to supplement with not just one strain, but numerous strains of probiotics, so that the most comprehensive benefit is received.

Are you ready to get the newest Health & Nutrition products from Market America – including the latest and greatest Isotonix®-brand nutraceuticals?

Just announced on the main stage during Market America’s 2010 International Convention, we are introducing not one, not two, but three brand-new products!

Welcome to the Market America family: Might-a-Mins® Spectrum Probiotics, NutriClean® Probiotics and Prime™ Joint Support Formula by Isotonix®!

Joining the already successful and highly-received Might-a-Mins family, Might-a-Mins Spectrum Probiotics delivers a unique blend of five active probiotic strains and five billion Colony Forming Units (CFUs) to promote immune and digestive health in a delicious chewable tablet.

For the adults, NutriClean Probiotics doubles those amounts, with 10 active probiotic strains and 10 billion Colony Forming Units (CFUs) to promote digestive and immune health. The patented processes used to formulate NutriClean Probiotics allow the selected strains to pass through the body, providing the ideal probiotic environment.

And if you weren’t in the Greensboro Coliseum to see the introduction of Prime Joint Support Formula by Isotonix, you missed a whopper. Not only did we tell you about the creation of the most comprehensive joint health nutraceutical on the market today, but we also had NBA legend and soon-to-be-inducted Hall of Famer Scottie Pippen personally endorse Prime Joint Support Formula by Isotonix!

That’s three great, new products for the Market America Health & Nutrition line. And we’re not done yet! That’s right – we’ve got more exciting news for you: We’ve also enhanced our Isotonix Custom Cocktail, adding seven more great Isotonix products to the mix. That means you can choose from a total of 17 Isotonix-brand nutraceuticals for your Isotonix Custom Cocktail!

For those of you attending Market America’s 2010 International Convention, there will be a couple of chances to learn more about these great new products. Tonight at 8 p.m., there will be a breakout in the Imperial Ballroom at the Koury Convention Center to discuss all of the new and improved products being launched during convention.

There will also be a few breakouts during Trade Show at the Greensboro Coliseum on Sunday. That schedule includes:

• 10 a.m. for a general Health & Nutrition products Q&A
• Noon for a discussion about the new Prime Joint Support Formula by Isotonix
• 1 p.m. for a discussion on Might-a-Mins Spectrum Probiotics and NutriClean probiotics
• 2 p.m. for a discussion on the newly-revamped Isotonix Custom Cocktail

You can also stop by the Isotonix booth on the main concourse at the Greensboro Coliseum during Market America 2010 International Convention, or the Isotonix and NutriClean booths during Trade Show.

For those of you not in Greensboro this week, you are missing out on a lot of excitement! But don’t fear – we’ve got you covered here at the Isotonix Blog. And check out the Market America Portal for more information about these new products.