Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that live in your intestine. Our fear of bacteria is unnecessary because we are surrounded by these microorganisms and they live all over our body.  And we need them.  Throughout the lifetime of humanity, we have developed a symbiotic relationship with these little guys.

Probiotics live inside our intestines, or at least they should.  The problem is that we live in a society that doesn’t associate bacteria with the following benefits:

• Better absorption of nutrients and removal of wastes because probiotics maintain the integrity of our gastrointestinal wall.
• Fewer colds or flus and attacks of asthma or allergies because the majority of the immune system lives in our intestine
• Better mood control and sleep because the majority of serotonin and melotonin is made in our gut
• Better cholesterol numbers and a healthier hormonal balance thanks to the decrease of recirculated waste products in the lower small intestine.

Although many of you want the above to be true for you, some of you continue the following habits that either kill probiotic bacteria or promote the growth of detrimental bacteria:

• Absence of fermented foods from the diet, as well as an abundance of sterile food
• Excessive use of sugar
• Use of antibiotics that indiscriminately kill all bacteria
• Use of stomach acid reducers that allow detrimental organisms to pass through the stomach and into the intestine
• Chronic, unmitigated stress

How do you know that you have too few probiotic bacteria?

• Do you experience intense gas after eating beans or vegetables? Beans and vegetables contain oligosaccharides that feed probiotic bacteria. The gas you experience is due to a sudden increase in their numbers and a decrease in the detrimental bacteria - its war, and it feels like it.
• Chronic constipation or loose stools? Probiotics maintain the integrity of the gastrointestinal wall which means they keep the mucous and mucosal tissue healthy. If your bacteria are out of balance then you will improperly absorb water and nutrients leading to both constipation and loose stools.ne
• Any of the system weaknesses mentioned above: immune, hormonal, neurological?

Thankfully, decreasing the above bad habits and taking a probiotic supplement can get you back on track. Unfortunately, as with all supplements, there are many companies out there who are not sticklers for quality.  Culturelle and Align, two OTC products found in most pharmacies contain just slightly over half of the claimed numbers of probiotic bacteria. Even physician-grade supplement companies are not above shoddy products: Metagenics and Sedona Labs contained 10% and 21% respectively of the claimed numbers according to Consumer Labs.

Some products contain only lactobacillus acidophilus, or even worse, they contain a multitude of questionable bacteria. A good probiotic will contain a variety of tested strains that include lactobacillus for the small intestine, bifidobacterium for the large intestine and hopefully some saccharomyces boulardii which is a beneficial yeast that has very favorable research to back it up.

In addition, I’m a stickler for only the best supplements for my clients. If you are using a product that contains magnesium stearate, finish it up and do not replace it. Magnesium stearate is a hydrogenated fat used to lubricate the machines of low-quality supplement makers so they can produce even more low-quality supplements quickly. The problem is that it prevents the absorption of the components inside to about 1/4 the dose listed on the label.

If your interested in a more comprehensive and customized protocol for your individual needs, you can contact me by phone 716-908-2693 or email drjenwilliamson@gmail.com to schedule an appointment.