What are probiotics?
We often think that microorganisms will cause problems for our health. And harmful bacteria can definitely get us sick.

However, there are numerous microorganisms, or gut flora, found in our body. And it turns out that some are good and helpful, we call them “probiotics”. And they are essential for our health. For every human cell, there are 10 microbes. However, because of their microscopic sizes, they only constitute 1-3% of our body mass.

They play several roles. These good bacteria assist with the fermentation of non-digestible carbohydrates and convert them into short-chain fatty acids. They can help us to convert vitamins into their active forms, including vitamin K and the B vitamins. They can synthesize amino acids from ammonia and urea. They also enhance absorption of mineral ions, including calcium, magnesium, and iron.
As a result, the dietary energy salvaged can actually constitute up to 10% of our daily energy requirements. These bacteria enable us to have healthy digestion, provide nutrients, and help in the formation of the immune system.

When bad bacteria accumulate in our body, they can result in many health problems including intestinal tract diseases, indigestion, obesity, and diabetes. The immune system can stop functioning properly which leads to allergic reaction and infections in different parts of our body.

Recent studies also suggest a large part of our emotions are likely influenced by the nerves in our gut. (1) In fact, 95 percent of the body’s serotonin is found in the bowels. Poor food choices, stress, lack of sleep and drugs (especially antibiotics) that disturb the gut flora may contribute to depression and other mood alterations.

Proper probiotics supplements can bring about the following health benefits:

Healthy digestive tracts and normal bowel movements
Stronger immunity system
Prevention of the growth of harmful bacteria
Alleviation from the damage of antibiotics or other forms of medication
Reduction in allergic reactions
Enhancement of detoxification ability
Improvement in the absorption of nutrition, vitamins, and minerals in the food we consume.

What kind or brand of probiotics should I take?
Very good question, with thousands of different probiotics on the market that all claim to be the best one, it is one of the most frequently asked questions. The quick answer is, there will not be a single best probiotic supplement for everybody.
Here are some interesting facts.

There are up to 40,000 different species of bacteria in the human gut.

Every person has a pattern of predominant and subdominant species that is unique to them.
Some bacterial strains are unique to each person.

What kinds of bacteria are able to dwell in a person’s gut depends on the internal environment in the gut, and not so much on the kinds of bacteria ingested.

For example, fecal bacteria profile in Burkina (West Africa) children is completely different from the children in Europe (2).
Today, while concerns about antibiotics focus on bacterial resistance, the permanent changes in our protective flora could have more serious consequences: “Each generation could be beginning life with a smaller endowment of ancient microbes than the last.” (3)

After laying out the basics, even there are no perfect probiotics for everyone, people who are experiencing health challenges should consider a 6-10 week gut flora restoration program including a “weeding” period, “preparing the soil” period, and a “feeding/seeding” period.

Here’s a sample protocol with some commonly used products in my office. With some additional individualized modification, patients can experience great improvement in their overall well-being.

Sat & Sun –“Weeding”
Gut Flora Complex 2 2X/day
Garlic Forte 2 2X/day
Monday-Friday-“ Preparing the soil and Feeding”
Lactic Acid Yeast Chew 3 2X/day
Prebiotic Inulin 1 ½ tsp 2X/day

References:
1. The Second Brain: A Groundbreaking New Understanding of Nervous Disorders of the Stomach and Intestine. Michael Gershon
2. Greer JB, O’Keefe SJ, Front Physio. 2011 Jan 26;1:168
3. Blaser M. Nature 2011: 476 (7361):393-394