Probiotics

[raeannasun]

OK wise raw friends,
What is the importance of probiotics and good bacteria for the gut? I just ran into a lady at the mall who was selling vitamins/supplements/antioxidant readings and she was talking to me about needing yogurt or acidophillus for my probiotics. I used to take an acidophillus (I know I'm not spelling that right) supplement for my skin when I was a teenager but since I've been raw, almost all my skin problems have vanished! It just doesn't make sense to me that we need to put bacteria into our bodies. She said that raw milk was the best source but if you do that, you need to heat it up really hot first. (To kill off bad bacteria?)
Anyway, your insight is very much appreciated!!!

[JustMe]

Hey there!

Good bacteria in our gut, IMO, is very, very, very important because they aid in digesting our food and aid in fighting off the bad bacteria in our gut (like Candida) and we all know that great digestion just means overall better health!! I don't know about having to take a supplement.

I wouldn't see a problem with taking a probiotic supplement, but there are different opinions on this board and others that see different will tell you that you probably won't need them. So it's really up to you.

BUT, there are times where I think supplementation is necessary. For instance, if you take antibiotics, you need to take them during and after OR after to replenish the bacteria because antibiotics kill both good and bad. Also, if you have a Candida problem, that would be a good time to take a supplement.

Hope this helps!

[Revvell]

Just as in everything it's all about balance. Thing is, when one add supplementation, it throw the body out of balance IF the body is IN balance.

As JustMe said, IF one is taking anti-biotics or has a candida issue, acidolphilous is good yet, why spend MORE money on what's not needed? The body does bacteria. IF one is eating a good diet, there's no reason to add more STUFF! Nature made food for us to eat ~ as she did for all other animals.

Supplements are a multi-billion $ industry. Nice to have IF one needs it. If not, then, just blowing $$$ out the other end.

It's funny how folk complain (not you, just running my mouf as the idea came up) about how pricey organic produce is yet, are willing to spend untold amounts of $$ on supplements. Ah well!

Revvell

[raeannasun]

How do you know if you need a probiotic supplement? I don't think I have any problems with digestion and I've never had candida. Are there certain raw foods that are good for bacteria? I haven't taken an antibiotic in over a year.

[sachis2112]

If you might have candida or if you have miscelleneous digestion problems like indigestion, there's a good chance you need a supplement. Also, if you have taken a lot of antibiotics in your life (i.e. had a lot of surgeries or many ear infections as a child), there's a good chance you might need them.

My suggestion is, if you fit into the above, take them for a month and then quit. Like all bacteria, they can multiply on thier own.

[Revvell]

I took birth control pills (steroids) for 13 years which means I had constant kidney/bladder infections. For those, I drank cranberry juice and liquid acidolphilus. I also had problems with excessive yeast/bacteria.

After dropping the pill, it took 4 years or so, as a vegetarian, for my body to get back to "natural". Since going raw, my body has come into balance even more. During that time, I've not take any probiotics or anything else. I let food be my medicine.

This is what "I" did. You have to do what you have to do. Thing is, don't come from a fear-based idea that you are not doing enough. How are you feeling? How is it you think you might need anything more than the food you are eating?

Raw milk heated very hot? What would the point of it being raw then? It wont BE raw then. PLUS, I've never heard of raw milk being a good source of "good" bacteria.

Revvell

[Pailani]

Edit, I quoted the wrong person, sorry!

[Revvell]

Right, I know how to make yogurt. That's not what the OP posted. Thanks for the clarity.

Revvell


In the scientific article posted here just the other day (maybe even yestarday?) they described this as the way to make yogurt. You have to kill the milk and then add bacteria, which ferments it into yogurt. Bacteria won't multiply in living, raw milk, so you have to heat the milk to kill it first.

So maybe part of the equation is missing, and this was part of a recipe for yogurt?

[Pailani]

Right, I know how to make yogurt. That's not what the OP posted. Thanks for the clarity.

Sorry, I guess I should have quoted the original poster, let me see if I can do this right...

<<we need to put bacteria into our bodies. She said that raw milk was the best source but if you do that, you need to heat it up really hot first.>>

In the scientific article posted here just the other day (maybe even yestarday?) they described this as the way to make yogurt. You have to kill the milk and then add bacteria, which ferments it into yogurt. Bacteria won't multiply in living, raw milk, so you have to heat the milk to kill it first.

So maybe part of the equation is missing, and the lady was talking about making yogurt? That's the only way I can think that milk would add good bacteria into the body

[Pailani]

Sorry, I guess I should have quoted the original poster, let me see if I can do this right...

I don't think that really fixed it, now it looks like I'm accusing raeannasun of not knowing how to make yogurt. Honest, I'm not trying to accuse anyone! LOL! I was just trying to add to the community discussion, trying to figure out why someone would recommend heating milk for probiotics!

[Revvell]

Troublemaker. :p



I don't think that really fixed it, now it looks like I'm accusing raeannasun of not knowing how to make yogurt. Honest, I'm not trying to accuse anyone! LOL! I was just trying to add to the community discussion, trying to figure out why someone would recommend heating milk for probiotics!

[Texicalian]

The following is a partial synopsis of an article that appeared in:

Drisko J, Giles C, Bischoff. Probiotics in health maintenance and disease prevention. Alternative Medicine Review. 2003;8(2):143-155.

Beneficial microflora were identified in the gastrointestinal tracts of healthy persons by microbiologists in the late 19th century; these microflora were termed probiotics, literally meaning "for life." Probiotics are microorganisms that "exert health-promoting influences in humans and animals" and in 1994 were deemed by the World Health Organization to be the "next-most important immune defense system when commonly prescribed antibiotics are rendered useless by antibiotic resistance." "Microbial interference therapy" is the term given to the use of probiotics in cases of antibiotic resistance. This article reviews some of the health maintenance and disease prevention aspects of probiotics.

Probiotics maintain a delicate balance between the gastrointestinal tract and the immune system. Disease and inflammation result if this balance is disrupted. In other words, a healthy gastrointestinal system prevents the overgrowth of pathogenic bacteria. Probiotic microflora prevent the colonization of pathogenic bacteria in the gut by competing for nutrients and producing antitoxins and help the gut to function normally. Byproducts of microflora contribute to the health of the gastrointestinal tract; these byproducts include short-chain fatty acids, vitamins, antioxidants, and amino acids. The probiotics Lactobacillus plantarum, L. rhamnosus, L. reuteri, and L. agillis exhibit favorable characteristics (e.g., prevent food decay, remove toxic food components, and preserve antioxidants and vitamins) in the human gut; however, these species are rare in persons living in industrialized countries because the Western-type diet (which is often deficient in fermented food) commonly consumed by this population lacks Lactobacilli.

Supplementation with probiotics has both direct and indirect effects, including the joints, lungs, and skin. These indirect effects most likely result from an effect on immunity through changes in inflammatory mediators. Probiotics have proven beneficial in the treatment of disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis, allergies, eczema, liver disease, maldigestion, diarrhea, Helicobacter pylori infections, colon cancer, irritable bowel syndrome, and inflammatory bowel disease.


Sorry this is so long, but hopefully it will explain why probiotics are considered important.

[VeganVixen]

Have you thought of vegan sources??? What about kim-chee ,rejuvalac ,kombucha,nut -fermented yogurt, sourkraut ,or even miso or soy yogurt????

However if you go the non-veg. way go to a healthfood store ,get Whole ,organic ,animal freindly yogurt, make sure there is no sugar added as well , you might try goat yogurt or even kefir?

[VeganVixen]

here is a recipe for nut yogurt :

walnut -pine nut yogurt

2 c walnuts (soaked overnight)
1 c pine nuts (soaked overnight)
12 oz filtered water

drain/rinse nuts after soaking

blend nuts into a fine cream

pur ceam into muslin bag or large tight coth squeeze all the liquid out into jar cover with muslin or cheesecloth and let sit at room temp.

after 8 hours the solids will rise to top, and a small amount of liquid whey will sink to bottom

put the jar in the fridge and let ot solidify more ..........when ready keeps for1 week

[caramba]

My tuppence is that I do need probiotics (I can feel the difference when I increase the dosage) because there are just too many toxics creeping into our lives that kill "good bacteria" . A Raw/organic diet goes along way to ginving our bacteria a fighting chance in the gut, but I think they're still being killed off in our system (stress, pollution etc.) But I wouldn't take a dairy based probiotic in a pink fit! ;) For a start milk is not good in our body (as y'all know) - but once you heat it all the bacteria are DEAD!! (good & bad).

Since going High Raw I've cut back on my probiotic (just plain forget alot of the time), but if I get run down & I up the dosage for a few days I can tell the difference. (Just my experience)

[raeannasun]

Thank you VV!!!! I will definitely try it! Although I feel like "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" I'm much more willing to try nut yogurt or rejuvelac to create a balance in my body. My mom told me when I was a baby I had some yeast problems but I haven't had any problems since I was probably 11 or 12. Thanks for the suggestions so that I don't have to supplement! :)