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Do we really need probiotics? [1]

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Date: 2024-02-02  

If the microbes in our gut are destroyed, we will become sick and even die. Microbes in the lower intestinal tract help us digest food, fight harmful bacteria, and regulate the immune system. Because of an imbalance in the microorganisms living in your digestive tract and a dysfunctional intestinal barrier in our gut, we may be unable to keep harmful contents at bay while allowing digestion.

Probiotics are commonly used to reduce gastrointestinal symptoms that are not due to acute illness, such as gas, bloating, and constipation. Probiotics may improve overall symptoms, as well as bloating and flatulence in people with Irritable bowel syndrome. Harvard University says that The "good bacteria" may help healthy people but aren't formally recommended….” One of the problems is that they are not regulated by the FDA, so the quality and safety of probiotic products may vary. Some probiotics may contain bacteria that are resistant to certain antibiotics. This means that the bacteria can survive and multiply even when exposed to the drugs that are supposed to kill them. This can make it harder to treat infections caused by these bacteria, or to prevent them from spreading to others.

If you are taking antibiotics, ask your doctor if you can take probiotics at the same time, and follow the instructions carefully. Do not take probiotics that are not recommended by your doctor or pharmacist. Most people can take probiotics safely and benefit from their effects. However, it is important to be aware of the possible side effects and interactions, and to consult your doctor before taking probiotics, especially if you have a medical condition or are pregnant or breastfeeding. You should also choose a reputable brand of probiotics that has been tested for quality and safety, and follow the dosage and storage instructions on the label. Probiotics can be a helpful addition to your health regimen, but they are not a substitute for a balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle

The label of the probiotic product should provide important information, such as the name, dose, and expiration date of the product, the number and types of bacterial strains, the colony forming units listed as CFUs, and the storage instructions. You should choose a product that has a high CFU count of at least 10 billion per dose, contains multiple strains of bacteria that are relevant to your health goal, and is stored properly.Probiotics are not regulated by the FDA, so their quality and safety may vary. You should choose a reputable brand that has been tested and verified by third-party organizations, such as Consume rLab, NSF International, or USP. You should also avoid products that contain unnecessary additives, such as fillers, binders, or artificial colors or flavors.….It is important to consult your doctor before taking probiotics, especially if you have a medical condition, a weakened immune system, or are pregnant or breastfeeding.

The National Library of Medicine in an article concerning

“DISAPPEARING MICROBIOME.. The 'disappearing microbiota' hypothesis does not point the finger at any single aspect of modern life, but suggests instead that some—if not all—developments over the past century, such as clean water, modern birth practices, pollution and the increasing use of antibiotics, have all contributed to a shift in the balance between different species and types of microorganism in the gut. …the gut microbiome is responsible for about 70% of the total immune response, this could have profound consequences for the treatment of disease.”

As I write my articles on health, the one factor I seldom see is ”You are what you eat, drink…”. And that goes all the way back to the very soil where the food is grown. Modern industrialized agriculture destroys the microorganisms in the soil. Where do you think we get our microbes in the first place? The living soil that contained a billion organisms in a teaspoon numbering in millions of different strains is now barren. The foods that developed over millions of years as we developed as humans have been manipulated and now not only carry less nutrients, but those billions of microbes that our body has learned to live with and need.

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