First in a series on probiotics, prebiotics and health.
The number of products that now offer probiotics for digestive health is truly mind-boggling. There is some scientific evidence of the benefits of probiotics, but not to justify the outsize marketing explosion. There are certain instances where certain probiotics can improve certain conditions. And, probiotic chemistry is a hot area of research, so I am confident that the science basis will be there for general health at some point. But, probiotic nutrition is complicated. There are thousands of strains, each of which act differently in the gut. Unless you take the time to become educated (or work with an educated pro you trust), you may just be paying for a lot of expensive gas. And I don't mean for your car.
So, just what are probiotics? They are:
- Microbes (tiny organisms)
- Alive
- Taxonomically defined and properly named (ie. very specific)
- Safe for a specific use
Probiotics are NOT:
- Synonymous with native 'beneficial' microbes - they are not the same as 'gut flora' per se
- Synonymous with 'live active cultures" these are specific microbes used for a purpose. Think of yeast cultures in yogurt, which ferment milk to give us the taste, texture and nutritional profile of yogurt.
The interest in probiotics is probably due in part to the large number of us who are in gastrointestinal distress. And in my (very educated) opinion, much of the gi distress we're all in can be addressed by eating smaller portions of lighter foods (try vegetables), drinking enough water and getting a little movement into your day.
Prebiotics, on the other hand, are things considered foods or stimulants to a particular strain of probiotic. Think of sugar feeding yeast. Sugar, in this case is a prebiotic. Which doesn't make it good for you!
Here's more good starter information on probiotics from the American Gastroenterological Association.
Other posts on supplements:
Supplements health experts take
You may also want to catch up on the GMO issue:
Avoiding GMO - tips & shopping lists
Health effects of GMO - we just don't know
Another article on this site you may enjoy:
Comments
I believe the rise in GI disorders, and a myriad of other diseases, is the addition of Genetically Modified Organisms in our diets. GMOs are an unknown in the gut and therefore the gut doesn't exactly know what to do with them. There have been some studies that suggest the DNA from GMOs cross species barrier and take up in our gut and in the guts of the flora and fauna that live there. Examples of GMO ingredients and foods are soy, corn, canola oil, sugar from beets, and some types of tomatoes and potatoes. Soy and corn are the most problematic because they show up in just about all processed foods. Soy milk, unless labeled 'organic', is GMO.
Right on, Henwhisperer! GMO is the health issue that the nutrition science community just doesn't seem alarmed enough about.
I wrote a short series (see the links about) on GMO, and included a shopping list for those concerned about this never-been-tested-in-humans technology.
I do think it will be another good year for the conscious-sustainable food movement.
Warm Regards,
Annie
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