Fred Pescatore

This is a valuable book about the importance of probiotics, which promote the growth of beneficial bacteria.

Antibiotics are widely prescribed in our modern age, and they of course save lives, but they also kill off not only the dangerous bacteria but also our essential friendly bacteria.

Before discussing the probiotics themselves, I must mention the authors’ poor use of language. At first I was pleased to see that,unlike most authors, they had discovered that “bacteria” is the plural form, while the singular form is ”bacterium” - one bacterium, several bacteria.

However, they soon forgot all about this, and began using the word “bacteria” both to denote a single bacterium and, correctly, the plural form.

They continued to irritate me by using the verb “affect” as though it were a noun. The correct word for the noun is of course effect”.

Since the book has two authors, I fail to understand how one of them, at least, did not observe and correct these mistakes.

The authors also mention that probiotics can be used instead of antibiotics to prevent and treat specific illnesses in animals; it is speculated that confirmation of probiotics as a “first-line" of prevention and treatment for bacterial conditions in humans is imminent. (At least I assume they mean imminent – the word used is actually eminent”.)

They include a quote from Colin Hill, M.D.: “It is likely that using probiotics rather than antibiotics will appeal to at-risk individuals since they are safe, non-invasive, do not create resistance bacteria and can even be administered in the form of tasty foods and beverages.”

There are trillions of bacteria in the human body. Within each species there are subsets called strains; different strains of bacteria within the same species can have very different effects.

But throughout the book we are just told of the species we should take and the authors write such things as “the Lactobacillus acidophilus species was the most significant strain”, i.e. equating “species” with “strain.

It is explained that in the case of, for example, Lactobacillus acidophilus DDS-1, Lactobacillus is the genus, acidophilus is the species, and DDS-1 is the strain.

Most human bacteria live in the gut, but they are also found in the mouth, in and around the reproductive organs, groin, and all over the skin.

Many bacteria possess incredible healing powers. They “crowd out” harmful bacteria; they form a protective barrier against invading bad bacteria.

Good bacteria

1) help to digest foods

2) process and manufacture important vitamins

3) manage and eliminate toxic substances and

4) kill harmful bacteria.

A healthy colon should contain a ratio of 85 percent good bacteria to not more than 15 percent bad bacteria.

A baby’s first exposure to friendly bacteria is through vaginal birth and breast-feeding. Supplemental probiotics are vital to both mother and infant.

There is “a direct link between bacteria and weight loss”. It was found that as obese individuals lost weight there was an increase in one particular strain of gut bacteria. Bacteria affect the body’s ability to extract calories from food and regulate genes involved in energy metabolism.

The authors point out that probiotic” means “for life” while “antibiotic” means “against life”.

Certain people are especially in need of probiotic supplements. These include:

1) People with digestion and elimination issues

2) Pregnant women

3) Infants born via cesarean section

4) Infants who are not being breast-fed

5) Children and adults who have been on antibiotics

6) Anyone suffering from a serious illness

7) The elderly

8) People eating a poor diet or those who are inactive

9) Those experiencing high amounts of stress and anxiety

10) Those taking prescription or over-the-counter drugs on a regular basis

Taking probiotics during and after antibiotic use is absolutely critical – take them at a different time than the antibiotic.

“By properly populating the friendly bacteria, we increase the probability that those bacteria will stick to the colon wall so there is less room for harmful bacteria to take up residence.”

Previously it was thought that we just needed to inundate the colon with friendly bacteria – the more, the better. This concept is outdated.

The consumption of high CFU (colony forming units) probiotics encourages the body to sense that the flora is “foe” rather than “friend” and can activate the body’s defence mechanisms.

But it is the quality and viability of the bacteria that are important.

In order for a probiotic to be viable it must address issues that go beyond total CFUs, including:

Incorporating many complementary strains versus just one or two isolated strains

Delivering prebiotics that help feed probiotic bacteria

Providing enzyme activity to aid digestion, reduce inflammation and alleviate toxins, and

Helping to normalize pH balance in the colon.

Prebiotics are non-digestible food fibres that help stimulate the growth and activity of specific, friendly bacterial strains.

Prebiotic carbohydrates occur naturally in a variety of healthy foods, including:

Berries

Garlic

Onions

Flaxseed

Leeks

Dandelion greens

Spinach

Kale

Tomatoes

Lentils

Chickpeas

Black beans.

Natural prebiotics known as oligosaccharides and fructooligosaccharides (FOS) provide nutrients to the lactic acid bacteria. I can see that fructooligosaccharides are added to the probiotics I’m taking at present. On the other hand there are only three strains of probiotics, which is not enough, so I’ve bought another brand of prebiotics with ten strains.

As indicated above, digestive enzymes should be taken.

Using the most effective probiotic supplement will help recondition the pH of the colon.

Bifidobacterium is one of the key species of bacteria that live in the colon. Both Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium breve and Bifidobacterium infantis are beneficial.

Lactobacillus acidophilus primarily lives in the intestines and the vagina; other effective Lactobacillus strains are Lactobacillus brevis, Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Lactobacillus casei.

Probiotics have been demonstrated to be effective against:

Nearly all types of diarrhoea

Constipation

Gas and bloating

Irritable bowel disorders.

The book contains much more, including an interview with Iichiroh Ohhira, PhD, who has been analyzing bacteria for three decades.

There is also a section with various common complaints and suggested treatment.

However, despite its various faults, this is an important book informing us of the value and indeed necessity of our taking probiotics.… (plus d'informations)