Our body is truly an amazing thing. Each and every day we encounter thousands of various germs and bacteria that, without any sort of immune system, would make us ill very quickly. That said, if someone were to tell you that one of the best ways to maintain optimal health is to gobble up 50 billion or so bacteria, you might think the joke’s on you. But these type of bacteria, called probiotics, are proving to be just what the doctor ordered to help with a number of common ailments that often keep us from feeling 100 percent healthy.

What are probiotics?

According to Chicago-based registered dietician Jackie Mosure, “probiotics are supplements you can take to help regulate the healthy bacteria in your gut.” Bad bacteria can cause harmful effects on the body, and has even been linked to diseases such as Crohn’s, obesity, and cancer. “Good bacteria,” says Mosure, “helps regulate your system to work properly.” Probiotics are a healthy and proven way to add back the good bacteria that’s destroyed as we age.

Awareness of probiotics continues to grow, with more people understanding the relationship between the bacteria that inhabit our gut as “good” and “bad.” Probiotics might be most widely consumed to help control the growth of a most undesirable microorganism: yeast. But probiotics play a big role in helping in other areas, too! They also manage the growth of fungi and viruses, help keep bowel function moving properly, and protect us against the negative effects of pollutants and toxins.

Bad bacteria

Bad bacteria, on the other hand, will always be present in our gut to some degree. Our diet is largely responsible for the further growth of bad bacteria in our body. Mosure says, “bad bacteria is caused by not cooking meats or fish to the correct temperature. If a food is spoiled and eaten, the bad bacteria can cause sickness such as diarrhea or vomiting.” This bad bacteria can then grow. This growth can be managed or minimized by the use of “good” bacteria, or probiotics. Another common cause to the imbalance of good and bad bacteria in the gut is antibiotics. Arguably one of the greatest inventions of the 20th century, many health professionals say antibiotics are overused. Simply put, antibiotics wipe out the bad bacteria that might be related to an infection for which the antibiotic is taken, but it also tends to wipe out a large amount of the good bacteria as well. It’s not uncommon for people who take antibiotics to experience the sudden onset of a yeast infection, caused by the overgrowth of fast growing bad bacteria, after the use of antibiotics.

Antibiotics are not always knowingly consumed. Each of us takes in a dose of antibiotics every time we consume eggs, cheese, milk, or meat that hasn’t been organically produced.

Probiotics: Where to find them

Fortunately, probiotics are widely available. Mosure says, “acidobifidus and lacto-bifidus are the most common forms and can be found in supplement form.” If you’re looking for a more tasty way to get your probiotics, turn to the dairy case at your supermarket. Many yogurts are now formulated with different forms of probiotics. In addition to yogurt, probiotics can also be found in kefir, cultured butter, fermented cabbage (sauerkraut), brined olives, juices such as kombucha, and even energy bars!

Using sugar sense

Before you load your shopping cart up with a week’s worth of products containing probiotics, remember to be a scrutinizing consumer. As our awareness of probiotics has risen, so has the amount of marketing dollars pumped into just about every product on the market claiming to have the “super powers” of probiotics. Yes, probiotics are that good – just make sure the probiotics you buy are the real deal and will be as effective as you want them to be. Read the nutrition information on the product you’re interested in. If the sugar on the label (found just under the carbohydrate listing) is more than 16 grams, there is too much sugar in the product. Bad bacteria loves sugar. Buying a “probiotic” product with too much sugar is like taking one step forward and two steps back.

If you’re interested in getting the real benefits of probiotics, try to eat as clean of a diet as possible, reducing the amount of sugar and refined carbohydrates. Before you start buying various types of sugary yogurts, go for a wel-recognized supplement. If you have a question about just how much you should take, consult a health professional.

Healthy note

Dairy products, such as kefir, are packed with probiotics!

Probiotics & Kidney Health

The kidney’s primary function is excretion of several waste solutes or nitrogenous metabolites. When the kidney malfunctions, these waste materials accumulate, leading to a condition known as Azotemia or kidney failure. Probiotics are generally known for their use in gut and digestive health. However, use of specially formulated and selected strains of probiotics may also be helpful in the elimination of accumulated waste. Therefore, this kind of probiotic formulation may have significant potential in maintaining a healthy kidney function.

Dr. Natarajan Ranganathan

Interim CEO, Senior VP R&D

Kibow Biotech, Inc

http://www.kibow.com