Intestinal Imbalances: Sibo Leaky Gut Fungus H Pylori & Infection
Certain circles on the internet claim you should not take probiotics for SIBO because in SIBO you already have too much bacteria. However, looking at the research,
we CLEARLY see probiotics help with SIBO
and may even be effective as a stand-alone treatment.
We also have evidence showing that some probiotics are as effective as antifungal drugs in treating fungi and that probiotics are as effective as antiparasitic medications in treating parasites. The antibacterial effect of probiotics can help to reduce bacterial overgrowths, correct imbalances, and clear infections.
Proof
Probiotics have been shown to be effective in treating SIBO , both in improving symptoms and in improving lab values. The clinical trials here were even summarized in a meta-analysis, concluding that probiotics are an effective therapy for SIBO. One study found probiotics to be more effective when compared directly to the antibiotic metronidazole.
Two types of probiotics have been shown effective for SIBO. One, a blend of lactobacillus & Bifidobacterium strains . Two, a probiotic containing bacillus strains, aka soil-based probiotics . More evidence supports a blend of Lactobacillus and bifidobacterium.
Data from 18 clinical trials were summarized in a meta-analysis, which concluded that probiotics are an effective treatment for SIBO. Specifically:
A wide variety of probiotic strains were used in these clinical trials, however all of them fall into Category 1 or Category 3.
Probiotics Can Lower Bad Cholesterol Blood Pressure And Improve Blood Sugar
LDL cholesterol is bad cholesterol. Its found in foods like red meat, cake, and fast foods. HDL cholesterol is known as the good cholesterol. It is found in foods like avocados, olive oil, and almonds. HDL cholesterol moves through the bloodstream and helps to remove some of the LDL cholesterol that can cause blockage. Nutrition goes a long way toward maintaining healthy cholesterol levels, but probiotics are another tool that can help to lower LDL cholesterol levels in the body.1 High LDL cholesterol leads to heart disease, heart attacks, and stroke by leading into atherosclerosis and major artery blockage. Every 1% reduction in serum cholesterol concentration is associated with an estimated 2% to 3% reduction in risk for coronary heart disease. This study shows that regular intake of L. acidophilus has the potential of reducing the risk for coronary heart disease by 6 to 10% by lowering serum cholesterol concentration.2 Other studies have shown that probiotics can help to reduce blood cholesterol levels in other ways that can help to reduce risk of heart disease.3
Probiotics can also help to reduce blood pressure levels and have been shown to improve blood sugar levels.4,5 Blood pressure is at the root of many different cardiovascular diseases. High blood sugar levels can lead to diabetes, heart attack, and stroke. By lowering blood pressure and improving blood glucose levels, probiotics reduce these associated risks.
Why Do We Need To Consume Probiotics
Most bacteria in probiotics do have similar characteristics to the beneficial microorganisms in our system. Therefore, they bring a lot of positive impact on our general health. In some cases, probiotics might interact with any types of medications in the specific ways to provide your body the best effectiveness. Lets see some following noticeable effects of probiotics.
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Homocysteine And Heart Health
Homocysteine is a molecule that naturally occurs in the body, however, when in excess it is associated with atherosclerosis and the risk of stroke. Homocysteine is considered an independent risk marker for heart health and levels can be measured with a simple blood test through your GP or Nutritional Therapist.
Some key nutrients necessary for CV health are also produced by gut bacteria, for example, B6, folate and B12. These nutrients are crucial to optimise methylation, one of our key detoxification pathways, to prevent excess homocysteine production. We rely on certain gut microbes to make these vitamins in abundance to keep multiple cellular processes occurring including methylation.
Probiotics May Lower Your Cholesterol
A number of large studies have shown that certain probiotics may be able to lower blood cholesterol, particularly in people with high cholesterol levels.
One of these, a review of 15 studies, specifically examined the effects of Lactobacilli.
There are two main types of cholesterol: high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, which is generally seen as good cholesterol, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, which is generally viewed as bad cholesterol.
This review found that, on average, Lactobacillus probiotics significantly reduced both total cholesterol and bad LDL cholesterol levels .
The review also found that two types of Lactobacillus probiotics, L. plantarum and L. reuteri, were particularly effective in reducing cholesterol levels.
In one study of 127 people with high cholesterol, taking L. reuteri for 9 weeks significantly lowered total cholesterol by 9% and bad LDL cholesterol by 12% .
A larger meta-analysis combining the results of 32 other studies also found a significant beneficial effect in reducing cholesterol .
In this study, L. plantarum, VSL#3, L. acidophilus and B. lactis were particularly effective.
Probiotics were also more effective when taken by people with higher cholesterol, when taken for a longer period of time and when taken in capsule form.
There are a number of ways that probiotics may reduce cholesterol .
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Our Comprehensive Probiotics Guide
Sections
Probiotic Supplements Might Not Be Universally
Probiotics plausibly restore gut microflora as dietary and therapeutic supplements.
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Probiotics display varying efficacies and risk factors in at-risk population groups.
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Probiotics may affect certain infections, allergies, or antibiotic gene transfer.
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Stringent regulation is required toward the therapeutic usage of probiotics.
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Probiotics May Reduce Inflammation
Inflammation occurs when your body switches on your immune system in order to fight an infection or heal a wound.
However, this can also happen as a result of a bad diet, smoking or an unhealthy lifestyle, and if it happens over a long time it can contribute to heart disease.
One study of 127 people with high cholesterol levels found that taking a Lactobacillus reuteri probiotic for 9 weeks significantly reduced the inflammatory chemicals C-reactive protein and fibrinogen .
Fibrinogen is a chemical that helps blood to clot, but it may contribute to plaques in the arteries in heart disease. CRP is a chemical made by the liver that is involved with inflammation.
Another study of 30 men with high cholesterol levels found that taking a food supplement containing fruit, fermented oatmeal and the probiotic Lactobacillus plantarum for 6 weeks also significantly reduced fibrinogen .
SummaryIf inflammation occurs for a long time it may contribute to heart disease. Certain probiotics can help reduce inflammatory chemicals in the body, which may reduce heart disease risk.
Does The Fda Regulate The Term Probiotics
In 2001, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations not the FDA — defined “probiotics” as “live microorganisms which, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host.”
So far, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved no specific health claims for probiotics. Further, the amounts of probiotics that studies have found to be beneficial vary from strain to strain and condition to condition.
In 2007, the FDA enacted regulations requiring dietary supplements to be produced in a quality manner, to be free of contaminants or impurities, and to be accurately labeled. Many probiotic researchers are hoping these regulations will improve the quality of probiotic supplements in the United States
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How Probiotics Support A Healthy Heart
More than 2000 years ago, Hippocrates said all disease begins in the gut. But only now are we beginning to understand how the gastrointestinal system mediates many functions and is therefore central to health and disease. Apart from the ever-increasing incidence of digestive disorders, an unhealthy gut and an imbalance in gut bacteria can contribute to a wide range of diseases, including heart disease.
How are our gut bacteria relevant to heart health? People with reduced microbial diversity in the gut are at a higher risk of cardiovascular disease . A recent study showed that heart failure patients who eat more fibre have healthier balance of gut bacteria, which has been linked to reduced risk of death and need for a heart transplant.
So its clear that one of the most natural ways to support heart health includes optimising our gut bacteria through diet and using the right probiotics that have been researched for their heart health-promoting properties.
Choosing A Probiotic For Heart Health
Natren offers a range of probiotics so that you can pick the one that best fit your needs.
If you are new to probiotics, we recommend starting with Healthy Trinity as the best probiotic for your heart health. Healthy Trinity is a good choice because it provides a 3 in 1 supplement that takes the guesswork out of choosing the best probiotic for you.
For those who want to customize their probiotic routine, we recommend you learn more about:
Natrens line of probiotics are appropriate for men, women, and children including those who feel like theyre at their peak health and want to stay that way, as well as those looking to take steps to improve their health. You can learn more about us, our products, and our commitment to your health at natren.com
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Modern Day Inflammatory Conditions
The above scenario creates a vicious cycle. A cycle wherein you lack the healthy bacteria to regulate your immune system, thus creating an overactive immune system that attacks when it shouldnt. Remember, that inflammation is the instrument your immune system uses to attack things it does not like.
Unhealthy Gut Bacteria = Inflammation Inflammation = Symptoms
You may be surprised to know how many common conditions are caused by inflammation. Modern-day inflammatory conditions include :
- Fatigue:
- Inflammation can cause fatigue by creating imbalances in stress hormones sometimes this is called adrenal fatigue
The Destructive Self-Feeding Cycle People Can Get Stuck In
How L Reuteri Reduces Cholesterol Levels
The key to success for L. reuteri is in its ability to produce an enzyme called bile salt hydrolase. This enzyme makescholesterol less absorbable so that instead of being absorbed into the bloodstream, it becomes trapped in the gut, then later excreted in fecal matter.21
Like all fats, cholesterol in its free state cannot dissolve in water and is not easily absorbed on its own. This creates a problem because cholesterolboth LDL and HDLis beneficial for the body and is necessary for functions such as forming cell membranes and creating hormones.
In order to make cholesterol more absorbable, liver cells produce free bile acids, which are then bonded to the amino acids glycine and taurine and secreted into the intestines.22 Conjugated bile acids are more water-soluble than free bile acids, meaning they are better able to assist with the absorption of cholesterol.15
The problem is that when too much cholesterol is available, either from excess dietary consumption or excess release from the liver into the small intestine, the reabsorption of cholesterol causes the body to maintain blood cholesterol levels higher than necessary, raising cardiovascular disease risk.23-27
Other Lactobacillus Research
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What Is A Valuable Type Of Probiotics
At present, there are many different types of microbiological bacteria each one has the separate effects. To determine the impact of microbial strains, treatment and clinical examination practically are necessary. Great probiotics need to meet the following criteria:
Firstly, the effectiveness of probiotics depends on the type of bacteria inside them. Bacterial strains that were selected and developed from useful microorganisms in the human body have been studied and tested clinically. Some bacterial groups were recommended by World Health Organization to use like yeast strains of the Saccharomycetaceae, Lactobacillus, Bacillus.
A study sponsored by Nation Center for Complementary and Integrative Health revealed that Lactobacillus strains were safe for over 65-year-old healthy inhabitants.
Secondly, the content of bacterial strain must have a minimum of 107 CFU/gr. According to WHO, to get the most efficient effects, the bacterial content must reach from 107 to 1010 CFU/gr. If the microbiological level is out of this range, their ability to survive and grow in the digestive tract will not be high, leading to lower their effects and even be ineffective.
How Probiotics Might Be Bad For You
Because these good bacteria already exist in the body, theyâre considered safe for most people. But there are some things to consider.
They can trigger an allergic reaction. They might cause mild stomach problems, especially the first few days you start taking them. You might have stomach upset, gas, diarrhea, or bloating. Those symptoms usually go away after your body gets used to them.
If you have an immune system problem or another serious health condition, you may have a greater chance of issues. Some reports have linked probiotics to serious infections and other side effects. The people most likely to have trouble are those with immune system problems, people who’ve had surgery, and others who are critically ill. Don’t take probiotics if you have any of those issues.
Always talk to your pediatrician before giving probiotic supplements to your child. If you’re pregnant or nursing, you should also talk to your doctor before you try one.
Most probiotics in the U.S. are sold as dietary supplements. That means the companies that make them don’t have to test their products and show that they work or that they are safe. More research is needed to confirm that probiotics are safe and effective.
Ask your doctor which probiotics are the right ones for you. Be sure to stop taking them if you have any problems.
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What Type And Dose Of Probiotic Is Best For Infants
Most of the infant studies used an infant formula fortified with category 1 probiotics. The exact strains varied from study to study. Dosages varied between studies as well, but 10 billion CFU per day appears a good general starting point. Talk to your pediatrician before choosing a probiotic for your child.
| Probiotic Species |
| L. paracasei and B. lactis |
Assessment Of Probiotic Effects On Ldl
Two meta-analyses have examined the effect of probiotic consumption on CHD. Guo etal. conducted a meta-analysis to evaluate the LDL-C- and total cholesterol -lowering properties of 10 different probiotic strains. The analysis included 13 randomized, controlled trials in subjects with normal and high cholesterol levels., The dose of probiotics provided to subjects in these studies ranged from 2×107 colony-forming units per day to 2×1013CFU/day. Feeding duration ranged from 4 weeks to 10 weeks, with exception of one study in which 2-week test periods per dose were used. Results from a combined 485 subjects found that, when compared with placebo, probiotic consumption significantly lowered LDL-C by 4.9mg/dL , TC by 6.4mg/dL , and TAG by 3.95mg/dL but had no effect on HDL-C . This analysis concludes that probiotics have beneficial effects on TC and LDL-C for subjects with high, borderline high and normal cholesterol levels. Thus, probiotic use holds promise as a nonpharmaceutical approach to help manage CHD risk. However, this meta-analysis is limited by the lack of investigation of the effects of specific probiotic strains on blood lipids. Because effects on blood lipids may be strain specific, a single-strain meta-analysis like the one conducted by Agerholm-Larsen etal. on Enterococcusfaecium may be a stronger approach to examine probiotic efficacy for therapeutic use. Results of this meta-analysis will be discussed later in this review.
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The Link Between Your Gut And Heart Health
The bacteria that live in your digestive system can have wide-ranging effects on your body and can impact cardiovascular health.
Canva Everyday Health
Cardiovascular disease affecting the heart and blood vessels is the leading cause of mortality worldwide and in the United States, where it accounts for about 1 in 4 deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Many factors can increase the risk of developing heart disease, including being overweight or obese, lack of physical activity, and smoking. But there’s an important factor you may not be aware of: gut health.
In recent years, theres been an increase in public awareness of the gut microbiome, the collection of bacteria and other microorganisms that live in your digestive system, and the role it plays in digestive health. By improving the health of your gut microbiome, you may be able to reduce bloating and gas and improve the regularity of bowel movements.
A growing body of research suggests that the wrong balance of gut bacteria can cause harm beyond your gut, playing a role in conditions as different as arthritis, obesity, and depression. It also appears to affect your blood vessels. In fact, chemicals or processes related to gut bacteria have been tied to a higher risk of heart failure, atherosclerosis , and major cardiovascular events like heart attack and stroke, notes a review of studies published in March 2020 in the journal Microbiome.