How Probiotics Help You

Stephanie RichardsonDietetic Intern

Gut Microbiome• Gut contains about 100 trillion

microbes

• Some functions of microbes:

• Support immune system

• Help make vitamins

• Influence brain behavior

Good vs Bad

• Importance of microbial variety

• Some species cause inflammation• Bacteroidetes sp.

• Meds & diet influence ratios of good:bad• processed vs plant foods

What are probiotics?

• Bacteria that positively affect health

• Most common strains• Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus sp.

• Found in fermented foods• yogurt• kefir• miso • sauerkraut • tempeh• kombucha

Tempeh

What probiotic foods do you currently eat?

What are prebiotics?• Non-digestible carbohydrates

• “food for good bacteria”

• Found in: • asparagus• onions• pistachios• barley• oats• legumes• + more

What prebiotic foods do you currently eat?

Diarrhea

• Problem: • antibiotics and chemotherapy damage

gut bacteria balance

• Result: • bad bacteria dominate, produce toxins• damaged intestinal lining, diarrhea

• Solution: consume probiotics to restore balance

What are our intestines made of?

Helping the Immune System

• Anti-inflammatory functions

• Promote healthy intestines• New cells• Prevent accumulation of bad

bacteria

Be Wary• Food = reliable

• Probiotic pills = less reliable• no requirements to demonstrate

purity, safety, potency unless marketed specifically for disease prevention

Sources

• Boyle R, Browne-Robins R, Tang M. Probiotic use in clinical practice: what are the risks? Am J Cl Nutr. 2006. 83 (6) :1256-1264

• Kekkonen RA. Probiotic intervention has strain-specific anti-inflammatory effects in healthy adults. World J Gastroenterol. 2008; 14:2029–2036

• Mayo Clinic Staff. Antibiotic Associated Diarrhea. Mayo Clinic. http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/antibiotic-associated-diarrhea/basics/causes/con-20023556. Updated July 29, 2016. Accessed May 25, 2016.

• Faculty of Medicine. High Fiber, Prebiotic Diet. Monash University. http://www.med.monash.edu.au/cecs/gastro/prebiotic/faq/#6. Updated May 11, 2016. Accessed May 25, 2016.

• National Cancer Institute. Gastrointestinal Complications Overview. National Cancer Institute. http://www.cancer.gov/about-cancer/treatment/side-effects/constipation/GI-complications-hp-pdq. Updated April 2016. Accessed May 25, 2016.