Gut Health: Probiotics & Prebiotics

We dive deep to gut-concerning root causes like Dysbiosis, decreased levels of good bacteria, and increased levels of bad bacteria. In this blog you will read about common causes, and symptoms of dysbiosis, and nutritional sources that support metabolic and digestive health.

This imbalance can result in a variety of current health concerns including: 

• Gas
• Bloating
• Allergies
• Indegesition
• Atopic Dermatitis 
• Irregular Bowel Upsets
• Cognition: Mood and Brain Fog

Dysbiosis is an important term when its come to the gut, and ultimately your digestion! Working with a registered health care professional, and practicing optimal dietary choices can help manage concerns.  

What is Dysbiosis?

The human digestive tract is made of billions of living organisms called microbiota, and create what's called the microbiome 

Various microbes, from beneficial to pathogenic - live in the human body, interacting with other microorganisms like:

• Bacteria
• Yeast
• Parasites
• Fungi

Sometimes, these interactions cause dysbiosis, which refers to "microbial imbalance inside the body". 

In other words, decreased levels of good bacteria, and increased levels of bad bacteria. 

The combination of dysbiosis with prexisting health concerns can exacberate symptoms related to Bloating, Gas, Irregular Bowel Movements, Brain Fog, Fatigue, Allergies, Atopic Dermatitis, Digestive Upset, and more.

Lifestyle Dietary Management alongside conventional care are important factors in treating dysbiosis. 

Proper screening, assays & assessment from a qualified health care professional is required to accurately identify, treat, and manage your concerns. 

 

Signs & Symptoms 

Intestinal illnesses

• Irritable bowel syndrome
• Celiac disease
• Inflammatory bowel disease

Extra-intestinal illnesses

• Obesity
• Metabolic Disorder
• Cardiovascular Syndrome
• Allergy and Asthma

Related illnesses

• Duodenal Ulcers
• Gastric Tumours
• Presence of H. Pylori 
• Functional Dypepsia (FD) (chronic indegistion)

 

Therapeutic Strategies

1. Probiotics 

Probiotics are beneficial bacteria typically found in the digestive tract. Aside from maintaining a safe internal environment, probiotics also contribute to synthesizing vitamin K. 

Probiotics can be consumed as supplements, with strains ranging from: 

• Lactobacillus (Acidophilus) 
• Bifidobacterium (Bifidum)
• Lactococus
• Streptococcus
• Enterococcus
• Bacillus
• Saccharomyces (Yeast Strain)

In a research study investigating probiotic strains, Saccharomyces boulardii, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, and probiotic mixtures significantly reduced the development of antibiotic-associated diarrhea

Visiting our Health Foods Store, our associates can also clarify alternative strains for specific conditions. 

 

SHOP LACTOBACILLUS & BIFIDUM 

Genestra: HMF Forte Daily (20billion CFU) (Shelf-Stable) (50vcap)

 

Food Sources Probiotics:

• Buttermilk  
• Cheese
• Kefir
• Miso
• Sauerkraut
• Tempeh 
• Umeboshi
• Yogurt

 

2. Prebiotics

Prebiotics are essential for the maintenance of a healthy microbiome. They are non-digestable fiber used that help good bacteria grow.

Prebiotics are primarily dietary components of foods (mostly nonstarch polysaccharides and oligosaccharides)

• Inulin (also able to increase calcium absorption)
• Fructo-oligosaccharide supplements (FOS)
• Galacto-oligosaccharides

Inulin Sources 

• Chicory Root
• Oats
• Garlic 
• Leeks
• Onions
• Wheat
• Soybeans
• Asparagus
• Jerusalem Artichoke

Our Top Picks: 

NOW: 100% Pure Organic Inulin Powder (227g)

Teeccino: Chaga & Ashwagandha Organic Herbal Tea (10ct) 

***Always consult a health care pracitioner before supplementing with Inulin, side-effects include stomach upset. 

 

Beta-Glucan Sources

Beta glucans are also considered prebiotic fibers, with immune benefiting properties.

• Oat
• Barley Inari: Organic Pearled Barley (500g)
• Algae Algae Vegan Omega 3 Oil (225mg) (High DHA)
• Mushrooms (Chaga, Reishi) North American Herb and Spice: Chaga Syrup (4oz)

 

3. Synbiotics

Synbiotics are the combination of Probiotics (beneficial bacteria) and Prebiotics (non-digestable fiber used that help good bacteria grow) 

An appropriate combination of both components nutritionally or in a single product can deliver a superior effect, compared to the probiotic or prebiotic alone.

 

Synbiotics

• Genestra - HMF Forte 

Bifidobacterium or Lactobacillus genus bacteria with fructooligosaccharides (FOS)

 

Take off

Root-cause medicine can help establish parameters that identify and treat concerns. Proper maintenance of the gut and microbiome can be managed through dietary support.

Dysbiosis is an important component to digestive health, and can be managed through the guidance of a registered professional.

 

 

 

References

Carlson, J.L., Erickson, J.M., Lloyd, B.B., Slavin, J.L. (2018). Health Effects and sources of prebiotic dietary fibre. Current Developments in Nutrition. 2(3). doi: 10.1093/cdn/nzy005

 

Gagliardi, A. et al. (2018). Rebuilding the gut microbiota ecosystem, Int J Environ Res Public Health. 15(8), pp. 1697. doi: 10.3390/ijerph15081679

 

Iizasa, H., Ishihara, S., Richardo, T., Kanehiro, Y., Yoshiyama, H.(2015). Dysbiotic infection in the stomach. World J Gastroenterol. 21(40), PPÉ 11450 -- 11457.  doi: 10.3748/wjg.v21.i40.11450

 

Markowiak, P., Silzewska, K. (2017). Effects of probiotics, prebiotics, symbiotic on human health. Nutrients. 9(9),pp. 1021. doi: 10.3390/nu9091021

 

Marteau P., Shanahan F. (2003). Basic aspects and pharmacology of probiotics: An overview of pharmacokinetics, mechanisms of action and side-effects. Best Pract. Res. Clin. Gastroenterol. 17:725–740. doi: 10.1016/S1521-6918(03)00055-6.