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Probiotics
Yogurt Evidence is mounting that Lactic acid and other substances produced by the cultures may prevent and treat gastrointestinal conditions such as diarrhea. They may also ease other ailments of the intestinal tract, and some researchers now advocate using these beneficial bacteria -- "probiotics" -- as medicine. Researchers believe that at least some of these native bugs crowd out invading organisms that cause illness, by using resources that the bad bugs need and producing chemicals that kill them. Eat more of the helpful bacteria, the theory goes, and you can stave off stomach problems. "It seems to work with the body's natural defenses to prevent the overgrowth of a bad bug," says Dr. Sherwood Gorbach, a professor of community health and medicine at Tufts University in Boston. Yogurt has also been touted as helping to avoid ulsers, cancer, yeast infections, and reduce aging. Some yogurt is pasteurized after fermentation which kills the bacteria. Look for the "Live and Active Cultures" seal established by the National Yogurt Association. This seal means that the product contains a significant amount of active cultures, to the tune of 100 million cultures per gram of yogurt. The "Live active culture" seal established by the National Yogurt Association requires [108] viable lactic acid bacteria per gram at the time of manufacture for refrigerated yogurt and [107] per gram for frozen yogurts. However, these counts may not accurately reflect probiotic content as they do not differentiate probiotic bacteria from starter culture bacteria such as S. thermophilus. Culture manufacturers recommend including approximately [106] probiotic bacteria per gram for yogurt and acidophilus milk at the end of shelf-life. (Source: American Dietetic Assn) In a March 2002 article Consumer Reports says: "Research suggests that the two bacteria required by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to be used in making yogurt--Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus--aren't likely to survive the passage through the gastrointestinal system .Cultures Cultures including Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus are added to milk to create what we call yogurt. Some yogurts advertise the following additional active cultures which are added: Dannon: Includes L. Acidophilus Yoplait: Includes L. Acidophilus Stonyfield Farm: Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Bifidobacteria, actobacillus casei, Lactobacillus reuteri. Mountain High: L. Acidophilus, L. Bifidus, L. Casei Gorbach discovered Lactobacillus GG, one of the most thoroughly studied probiotics. Research shows it significantly cuts the rate of many types of diarrhea, particularly the type that develops after a person has taken a course of antibiotics. If you have diarrhea, are about to take antibiotics (which can kill the good bacteria in you digestive tract), or plan to travel to a developing country, advocates say there's no harm in trying probiotics. "I wouldn't hesitate at all," says Gorbach. "There's no downside." Stonyfield Farm lists the benefits of some of the cultures they add: Lactobacillus acidophilus
Bifidobacteria (Bifidus)
Lactobacillus casei Lactobacillus reuteri Soy Yogurt or "Cultured Soy" Soy does have some advantages: It has virtually no saturated fat, it may help lower cholesterol levels, and some brands like Silk and Whole Soy are made from organic soybeans. Whether soy reduces (or raises) the risk of breast cancer and whether it can prevent or tame prostate cancer or menopausal symptoms is still unclear.
Make your Own
You can also get capsules with a variety of probiotic bacteria at healthfood stores and places like Custom Probiotics.
Probiotica, from the makers of Imodium® is a dietary supplement containing Lactobacillus Reuteri, healthful bacteria that resides in the gastrointestinal system. It is a chewable tablet in a box of 60 for around $15. Sources: "Powerful probiotics" at Medical Post. New York Times Dec. 25, 2001 FDA Article USProbiotics.org Soy Yogurt, Stonyfield Farm O'Soy Yogurt Article on Yogurt at Nutrition Action. Acidophilus - The Friendly Bacteria What health effects do live yoghurt drinks have? Oksanen PJ, Salminem S, Saxelin M, HŠmŠlŠinen P, Ihantola-Vormisto A, Muurasniemi-Isoviita L, et al, Prevention of travellers diarrhoea by Lactobacillus GG. Ann Med 1990;22:53-6. |