Raw Vitamins Forever
                        Healing Ulcerative Colitis

Probiotics and Bacterial Balance 

 

The most important function of probiotics is their antagonistic activity toward pathogens and other resident bacteria, which probiotics perform in a variety of complementary ways. The first activity has been called colonization resistance — the ability of normal flora to protect against the unwanted establishment of pathogen populations. Second, probiotics may produce various antimicrobial substances. For instance, Lactobacillus casei GG (LGG) has been shown to produce substances inhibitory toward a broad spectrum of gram-positive and gram-negative pathogens. Other probiotics have demonstrated antimicrobial activity as well. 

 

Competition for nutrients is a third activity. By competing for available nutrient substrate, beneficial bacteria can inhibit the growth of other, less favorable flora. 

 

Competition for bacterial adhesion sites is probiotics' fourth strategic activity. For instance, Lactobacillus acidophilus inhibits the adhesion of several enteric pathogens to human intestinal cells. A related activity is enzymatically modifying a toxin receptor. Studies using Saccharomyces boulardii, a beneficial yeast, indicate that its interactions with host cell receptors may be important in reducing the pathological effects of infections.

 

A fifth activity involves a systemic effect. Human LGG, administered orally, has been shown to increase various markers of immune response. 

 

These varied activities may also decrease the likelihood that pathogens will develop resistance against probiotic agents. Thus, probiotics may be viewed as a vehicle to neutralize or inhibit other bacteria in the gut, and increase or stimulate host immune stimulant activities as well.

 

Human studies suggest beneficial bacteria have a positive effect in IBD patients. A small trial at Tampere University Hospital in Finland measured the effect of LGG in patients with Crohn's disease. Despite the short duration of treatment (10 days) and the small number of subjects (14 children), the authors found LGG promoted a positive immune response and concluded it may have the potential to promote and fortify the gut immunological barrier. 

 

More recently, a double-blind comparison trial at the University of Cologne, Germany, tested a specific, beneficial, oral E. coli preparation and the drug mesalamine for maintaining remission in patients with ulcerative colitis. This 12-week study included 120 patients and compared the effect of 500 mg mesalamine three times/day or an oral preparation of a viable E. coli strain. Relapse rates were not statistically different in either group, and the authors concluded that probiotics offered another option for maintenance therapy in patients with ulcerative colitis in remission. In another study, at the University of Bologna, Italy, 15 patients with ulcerative colitis were treated with a combination of probiotics. After one year, 80 percent of the patients (12 of 15) were in remission. 

 

From these human trials, it is clear that gut bacteria play a major role in initiating and perpetuating chronic inflammatory bowel disease. While research is not conclusive, there appears to be enough preliminary evidence to suggest probiotics produce beneficial effects in IBD patients.

 

Beneficial bacteria are present in foods including yogurt and kefir, but supplements are also helpful and more concentrated. Frequently supplemented species include Bifidobacterium bifidus, B. longum, B. breve, Lactobacillus acidophilus, L. bulgaricus, L. thermophilus, L. sporogenes, L. casei GG and Saccharomyces boulardii.

 

Supplementing with what are referred to as prebiotics is also important. Prebiotics are generally defined as food sources that friendly bacteria preferentially choose. Prebiotics are really a subset of fiber. Some important prebiotics include fructooligosaccharides and inulin, derived from foods such as asparagus, chicory, garlic, Jerusalem artichoke and onion. All support this indirect bolstering process. 

 

Another interesting fiber source is arabinogalactan, a naturally occuring fiber found in carrots, tomatoes and other vegetables, and in particularly high concentrations in the larch tree (Larix occidentalis). Certain strains of beneficial bacteria appear to preferentially feed off of arabinogalactans.