Roles Of Specific Probiotic Strains, Using Your Probiotics Wisely

Many strains of good and bad fill the intestinal tract. Each has a purpose. Each can grow out of control if not kept in check with balance. 

When there is damage, rebuilding is possible. Knowing where to attack is important for most. Following studies on these most popular species can help guide you. 

Bacteroides

Current Protocols in Microbiology says, “They are the predominant indigenous bacterial species in the human intestinal tract, where they play an important role in the normal physiology of the host, but they can also be significant opportunistic pathogens.”

Toxicon says Bacteroides assists in the processes that lead to the formation of tight junctions in the intestinal tract. This is the prevention of Intestinal Permeability. 

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Bifidobacteria

The Journal of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition says bifidobacteria reduces the prevalence of neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis, a disease which primarily affects premature infants. This disease is calculated as a devastating disease where the intestinal wall is invaded with bacteria causing infections and inflammation. Left unchecked it can destroy the intestinal tract. 

Medline Plus shows Bifidobacteria, specifically from fermented milk products, assists with constipation, H. pylori, IBS, ulcerative colitis, pouchitis, eczema, yeast infections, cold, flu, reducing flu-like symptoms in children attending day-care centers, breast pain (mastitis), hepatitis, lactose intolerance, mumps, Lyme disease, cancer, boosting the immune system, lowering cholesterol and aids in the bowel infection called necrotizing enterocolitis.

Enterococcus faecium

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition says E. faecium shortened the effects and time suffered from stomach and intestinal inflammation. Their findings recommend using E. faecium from fermented milk products to treat attention deficit disorder (ADD). 

Lactobacillus

Lactobacillus is a bacteria which comes in many strains. It should dominate the intestinal tract.  Elie Metchnikoff, nobel prize winner for his work with phagocytosis, set the stage which showed, “Lactobacilli were identified as one of the dominant organisms in the human gut. Lactobacilli gained a reputation as numerically dominant intestinal inhabitants. Lactobacilli are still listed as numerically dominant organisms of the human gut in current microbiology text books (52, 70, 76 .” 

Applied and Environmental Microbiology says lactobacillus has many beneficial properties including the ability to, “Adhere to cells; exclude or reduce pathogenic adherence; persist and multiply; produce acids, hydrogen peroxide, and bacteriocins antagonistic to pathogen growth; resist vaginal microbicides, including spermicides; be safe and therefore noninvasive, noncarcinogenic, and nonpathogenic; and coaggregate and form a normal, balanced flora.”

Lactobacillus rhamnosus, L. reuteri, L. acidophilus, L. fermentum, L. rhamnosus,  L. plantarum, L. casei and L. johnsonii are amongst the most popular but certainly aren’t the only beneficial strains. 

Lactobacillus rhamnosus

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition says L. rhamnosus shortens the duration of travelers diarrhea as well as diarrhea in infants caused by rotavirus enteritis. It is thought to also shorten gastroenteritis, inflammation of the stomach and intestines resulting from bacteria or a virus. Lactobacillus rhamnosus is found in fermented milk products. 

Allergies, Asthma and Clinical Immunology reported a study using mice with induced allergies to milk products. The study showed fermented milk product containing Lactobacillus rhamnosus reduced cow’s milk allergy.

In fact, L. rhamnosus has been found to assist in eliminating multiple allergies including anaphylaxis peanut allergies. 

The Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology reported a study with peanut anaphylaxis and the use of L. rhamnosus enabling those studied to walk away from peanut anaphylaxis, peanut allergies. 

The Journal of Medical Microbiology showed L. rhamnosus decreased inflammation of the stomach and intestines in acute stages.

S. boulardii

The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reported a study saying, “Use S. boulardii to prevent further recurrence of relapsing diarrhea because of C. difficile.” Clostridium difficile diarrhea was shut down in the presence of S. boulardii.

Therapeutic Advances In Gastroenterology reported a study showing S. boulardii reduced persistent and acute diarrhea, travelers diarrhea, H. pylori, C. diff infection, fewer relapses for those with Crohn’s disease, prevented early ulcerative colitis flares, assisted with IBS and showed a beneficial effect of protozoan infections of amebiasis, giardiasis and infection with Blastocystis hominis.

*Nourishing Plot is written by Becky Plotner, ND, traditional naturopath, CGP, D.PSc. who sees clients in Rossville, Georgia. She works as a Certified GAPS Practitioner who sees clients in her office, Skype and phone. She has been published in Wise Traditions, spoken at two Weston A. Price Conferences, Certified GAPS Practitioner Trainings, has been on many radio shows, television shows and writes for Nourishing Plot. Since her son was delivered from the effects of autism (Asperger’s syndrome), ADHD, bipolar disorder/manic depression, hypoglycemia and dyslexia, through food, she continued her education specializing in Leaky Gut and parasitology through Duke University, finishing with distinction. She is a Chapter Leader for The Weston A. Price Foundation. becky.nourishingplot@hotmail.com

“GAPS™ and Gut and Psychology Syndrome™ are the trademark and copyright of Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride. The right of Dr. Natasha Campbell-McBride to be identified as the author of this work has been asserted by her in accordance with the Copyright, Patent and Designs Act 1988.