An irony of the late 20th century is that waste matter and fallout resulting from many of the technological advances designed to enhance our lives actually have contributed to significant changes in the planet's ecological balance. What that means, says Terri L. Saunders, a Charlottesville, VA based herbalist and certified natural health professional, is that "in reality, our ancestors enjoyed a state of health that many only dream of today."
In an article reprinted, with permission, by Eden Foods of Clinton, MI, Saunders says, "In the balanced environment of the past, hundreds of thousands of beneficial microorganisms lived in the soil and in our waters, metabolizing essential elements into vital micronutrients that provided food for plant life to thrive. Animals and humans ingested these as they ate, and in a natural process, these microorganisms would then colonize their intestinal tracts and live symbiotically with their hosts."
Saunders notes that these friendly bacteria today are called probiotics, meaning "for life" (in contrast to antibiotics, which means "against life."
"Most health professionals," she says, "recommend a blend of varying species of probiotics that include lactobacillus and bifidophilus in amounts from two billion to seven billion microorganisms."
Bifidobacteria are the only intestinal bacteria known to produce acetic acid, in addition to lactic acid (lactobacilli such as acidophilus produce primarily lactic acid). Acetic acid is thought by some sources to be the most effective for maintaining the correct pH in the colon-slightly acidic-which is the most "unfriendly" environment for harmful bacteria.
According to Anthony Cichoke, D.C., author of an article on the Nutrition Science News Website, "Two of the more predominant types of beneficial bacteria in a healthy human being are acidophilus bacteria (found in the small and, to a lesser extent, large intestines) and bifidobacterium (found primarily in the large intestine)."
Cichoke advises that "maintaining a slightly acidic pH in the colon is the key to supporting these bacteria and also is helpful in fending off harmful organisms, since many cannot survive in an acidic environment." Unfortunately, he adds, "high-meat, high-fat diets alter colonic pH and kill helpful bacteria, as do alcohol, stress and drugs such as birth control pills." Also, he points out, "Antibiotics are particularly effective at killing all kinds of bacteria, both good and bad-often leading to candida overgrowth and yeast infections. Low stomach acid levels also affect the body's overall acid balance and encourage disease-causing bacterial growth."
Natasha Trenev, author of Probiotics: Nature's Internal Healers, identifies the gastrointestinal tract as the place "where the war between the good guys and the bad guys can be won quickly, but...also where crucial battles may be lost."
Richard N. Podell, M.D., writing in Health & Nutrition Breakthroughs, cites the following example: "In one study, 28 healthy adult human volunteers took one of three fermented milk supplements: those with no friendly bacteria added, those with L. acidophilus or those with B. bifzdum. The supplementation amounted to a daily dose of 70 billion colony-forming units (cu) of L. acidophilus or 10 billion cfu of B. bifzdum."
At the end of three weeks, the subjects' blood was checked, and phagocytic activity was measured by gauging the cells' ability to attack and ingest E. coli bacteria. The percentage of white blood cells that were able to attack and "eat up" E. coli doubled among the volunteers taking either probiotic-an increase from 40% to 80%. Even better, six weeks after stopping supplementation the phagocytic activity was still much higher than at the start of the study, although it had fallen off from its peak during supplementation. Meanwhile, with fermented milk alone, there was no increase in phagocytic ability.
Not long ago, a new delivery mechanism for probiotics was introduced to the marketplace by Eden Foods. Currently celebrating its 30th year in business, this manufacturer, known primarily for its natural, organic and traditional food lines, launched Edenbalance Bifa?-15, featuring a seamless capsule that provides protection for its fragile bacterial contents until it reaches the intestines where it is intended to do its work. Eden Foods describes Bifa-15 as "enteric microencapsulated Bifidobacterium longum in a protective, easy-to-use, single-dose tube with granules of the food needed to promote B. longum growth, oligosaccharides. Natural plant and flower essence provides a pleasant flavor."
The company continues, "Each tube (there are 30 in a box), delivers a potent dose of over one billion beneficial bacteria to the large intestine. Once there, the microcapsules dissolve in three minutes." According to Eden, the seamless microcapsule is the key to what it considers "flawless delivery." Each microcapsule is a scant 2.5 millimeters in diameter, resembling a tiny pearl. Inside are the bifidobacteria suspended in vegetable oil. Because of the unique protective microcapsule, Bifa-15 does not need to be refrigerated. Bifa-15 can be taken any time day or night, Eden Foods advises, "but do not take with hot fluids and always swallow the capsules whole. Do not chew them."