Probiotics for Great Health & Longevity
Probiotics refers to “Live Healthy or Helpful Bacteria or Yeast” living in our digestive tract and present in the foods. They are key to better health, stronger immune system. They have their use in treating various digestive, mental and neurological disorders.
Enteric Nervous System
Our Digestive tract contains billions of live bacteria or yeast. These bacteria are the second largest part of our nervous system. GUT directly communicate with our brain via Enteric Nervous System. That is why the GUT represents as Second Brain. Most people with complex disorders or diseases don’t realise that the origin of their problem usually lies in their digestive tract which is overgrowth or imbalance between healthy and unhealthy bacteria or yeast.
Probiotics role for great health and longevity
- Enhances nutrient absorption through digestive tract
- Fight infections and supports immune cell production
- Keep bad bacterial population under control
- Indigenously produce Vitamin B12, K and other short-chain fatty acids (acetate, butyrate, propionate). SCFA’s have potent anticancer and anti-inflammatory properties
- Supports production of antibodies and killer cells which is a part of our innate immunity
Common Killers of Healthy Bacteria
- Frequent or repeated use of Antibiotic
- Chlorinated Water
- Sugar and Sugar products
- GMO foods
- Refined Carbohydrates (grains)
- Chemicals and Pesticides
- Emotional Stress
Dysbiosis
Our digestive tract comprises healthy bacteria and bad bacteria. Healthy and bad both exists in balance with each other in a ratio of 4:1. Dysbiosis is the shift in this balance where bad outgrows the healthy ones.
Conditions associated with Dysbiosis
- Autoimmune disorders like rheumatoid arthritis, psoriasis, colitis Digestive disorders like IBD, IBS, Indigestion
- Neurological disorders like schizophrenia, depression, ADD, ADHD
- Skin issues like eczema, acne, dermatitis
- Hormonal disorders like thyroid & diabetes
- Immune system disorders like frequent cold and flu, influenza, food allergies and sensitivities
- Metabolic disorders like hypertension, insulin resistance, obesity, cravings and addiction
Different Kind of Healthy Probiotic Strains
- Bifidobacterium strains: B.bifidum, B.longum, B.breve, B.infantis
- Lactobacillus strains: L.casei, L.acidophilus, L.bulgaricus, L.brevis, L.rhamnosus
- Bacillus strain: B.subtilis, B.coagulans
- Sacchromyces boulardii (yeast)
Ways to increase the Healthy bacteria in your Gut
- Eat more sour food like fermented vegetables like cabbage, onions, carrots, sauerkraut, kimchi, kanji (Indian fermented black carrot made with salt and water and keeping it in sun) and apple cider vinegar
- Consuming more probiotic rich foods like yogurt or a different form of kefir (Indian chaas made traditionally from cow milk)
- Feed the probiotics with soluble fibre through consuming beans, chia seeds, flaxseeds and sweet potatoes
- Take a quality Probiotic supplement. Don’t create over hygienic conditions for your kids and family. It is ok to get dirty in the garden. The higher the exposure to normal flora at younger age better the immunity.
Identifying a High Quality Probiotic Supplement
- Brand: look for highly reputed brands which sells quality controlled products. The brands which I trust are poliquin, vital nutrients & xymogen
- High CFU count: look for brand containing a minimum of 15 billion or above live organisms
- More diversified strains are always better which means many strains in one product
- They should survive and able to colonise in your digestive tract after oral consumptionThey must resist the acidic environment of stomach and reach the intestine unharmed
Source of Good Probiotic drinks in India is from Bombucha. You can find good quality kombucha tea, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi at affordable prices. There are various studies which proves the role of fermented foods and probiotics in maintaining great health and longevity.
