Better Intestinal Health with Probiotics

We all live with our own microbiome, and for most of us, the modern lifestyle, including chronic stress, too much sugar in the diet, taking antibiotics, etc., leads to a real imbalance in the diversity of our intestinal flora. These upheavals open the door to infections and viruses. The key word is to protect our immunity. Fortunately, there are steps we can take to restore the health of our bacterial ecology.

We have a Canadian company, Genuine Health, operating for 25 years and with a corporate mission to manufacture natural supplements based on science. Gut health is one of their great concerns and for this reason, they have concocted multi-strain probiotic formulas, taken from human strains and verified by third parties and carefully selected for their diversity. 

Better gut health thanks to probiotics: 75% of our immune system lives in our intestines

Our intestine is populated with billions of good "bacteria" who protect us in many ways. These bacteria "friends" prevent the establishment of powerful microbes and form a protective barrier that prevents unwanted organisms from passing into our blood. They complete the digestion of food, ensure a good capacity for assimilation of nutrients, including B complex vitamins and minerals, and are essential for maintaining a strong immune system.

Our body, inside and out, has approximately one hundred thousand billion bacteria that are essential to our life and which do not cause disease or dysfunction under normal conditions, and are essential for maintaining our good health.

The term "probiotic", pro, element of Latin meaning "in favor of", therefore, promoter of life, for a balance of good bacteria. Probiotic supplements are products containing adequate doses of bacteria that provide gut health benefits.

Better intestinal health thanks to probiotics: plet's talk about the source of the strains

A probiotic can be human-made, that is, grown from the intestines of humans, which originally comes from native probiotics selected from healthy people. These strains are then put in vitro to produce so-called probiotics of human origin. They can be from a source of colostrum contained in breast milk, or from an animal or dairy source, obtained by the manufacture of yogurt and cheese, or even from a plant origin found in fermented vegetables such as sauerkraut or kimchi, or even sourdough bread, or even via a source from the earth which is a little rarer.

The science of probiotics owes a lot to these fermented foods called "functional foods". Each civilization has its source of probiotics in its culinary traditions. This so-called functional food supports good health and longevity, digestive and immune. The opposite, that is to say a reduction of these products in the diet led to a depletion of enzymes and nutrients which also had a notable impact over time on intestinal health.

The digestive system begins in the mouth where our food begins its long journey of transformation to transport nutrients throughout our body. It is through this long digestive process that the precious defenses for our immune balance are developed. These good bacteria which provide resistance to potential intruders.

Better gut health thanks to probiotics: the role of prebiotics

Prebiotics have an essential role since they contribute to the proliferation and maintenance of probiotics in our digestive system.

Types of prebiotics are:

• inulin
• fruto-oligosaccharides (FOS)
• galacto-oligosaccharides
• in breast milk.

Prebiotics are found in the fibers of whole foods (fruits and vegetables, oilseeds), fermented foods, in our everyday diet such as whole grains, legumes, artichokes, Jerusalem artichokes, dandelion, bitter chicory, garlic, leeks, onions and asparagus, etc.

Gut Health Defense Probiotic from Genuine Health 

Did you also know that we have a resident flora ex: Lactobacillus salivarus, that which is intrinsic to our flora and a passing flora ex: Lactobacillus casei, that which is nourished by supplementation?

The functions of the different strains

1. Rhamnosus, are part of the Lactobacillus genus of probiotic bacteria. This bacteria adheres to and colonizes your intestinal walls. They are specially adapted to survive acidic and basic conditions in your body. These active bacteria are protectors against any passing viruses or autoimmune diseases. It is one of the most studied probiotic strains currently on the market and presented in more than 200 clinical trials.
2. Plantarum is also part of Lactobacillus probiotics. Plantarum, for its part, greatly influences the brain-intestine axis, the one involved during stress. It may have the ability to counteract high levels of cortisol and inflammation. Additionally, it is clinically proven to help improve immune function and reduce the incidence of colds.
3. Paracasei is part of a subspecies of L. Casei. Its main sites of colonization are the intestine, the mouth including dental plaque and the human vagina. Strains of L. paracasei are widely used as a probiotic supplement to support various digestive diseases, chronic infectious diseases, depressive disorders, obesity. It modulates the function of the immune system.

A highly controlled process

This process includes a temperature and humidity controlled environment. The strains are triple cleansed to remove toxins and weak cells to deliver an allergen-free, stable and pure probiotic blend.

• Targeted delivery healthier and more robust strains: Unique capsules deliver up to 10x more probiotic strains to the intestine.

• Presented in blister: an advantage for longer conservation. Room temperature resistance and label declaration are guaranteed upon expiration.

In conclusion

As with other products or activities, the secret is in routine: changes or benefits are not necessarily felt overnight. Daily consumption of a probiotic is the best way to develop a healthy gut microbiome.

Our digestive system is at the heart of the proper functioning of our body. Relieving it by providing it with good bacteria, in a word “pampering” it, has beneficial effects on our general good health. 

About the author

Marie Couture, Qualified Naturopath

Specialized in:

• Digestive disorders
•  Inflammation
• Hormonal problems
• Stress management

Sources

Watson Brenda, N.D, C.T. Renew your Life, Improve Digestion and Detoxification, Renew Life Press and information services, 2002

Watson Brenda, N.D. and Smith Leonard, M.D. Gut Solutions, Renew Life Press and information services, 2003

https://blog.probaclac.ca/dou-proviennent-vos-probiotiques/

https://www.unlockfood.ca/fr/articles/aliments-probiotiques/prebiotiques/les-prebiotiques.aspx

https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0031938420303978

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/medicine-and-dentistry/lactobacillus-paracasei