Re: PC - What are best sources of probiotics?

Hiya Tooldeal,

Plzchuckle's link to organic probiotics looks good. In addition, the following information might help you to choose among the many formulas available.

I get my probiotics from Vitacost. They are not necessarily the best source, but delivery is fast and they have a wide range of discounted products. The faster the delivery, the more bacteria survive to help your intestinal health. Your best bet might be probiotics bought from your health store, if they are kept refrigerated.

Looking at "Lessons From the Miracle Doctors," by Jon Barron, (pp 23-26) he says (my summary) this about good probiotics:

L. acidophilus and bifidobacteria and the most important probiotics.

L. acidophilus resides mostly in the small intestines. They produce a number of antimicrobio compounds which can inhibit the growth and toxin production of 23 known disease-causing pathogens, reduce tumor growth and neutralize or inhibit carcinogenic compounds. Superstrains (which he recommends, where possible) are DDS, NAS, and BT1386; he particularly favours BT1386.

Bifidobacteria reside in the large intestines. They consume old fecal matter, can remove cancer-forming elements or the enzymes leading to their formation, protect against the formation of tumors in the liver, colon, and mammary glands, and are substantial producers of a range of important B vitamins.

Several other beneficial bacteria:

L. salivarius: Helps to digest foods in the intestinal tract and helps in the assimilation of nutrients. Helps to consume old fecal matter in the colon, helps to repair the intestinal tract by providing enzymes and essential nutrients, and protectively adheres to the mucosal lining of the intestinal wall.

L. rhamnosus: Immune stimulator.

L. plantarum: Eliminates thousands of species of pathogenic bacteria (may be especially helpful for your case), and tends to adhere to the same intestinal surfaces as E. coli, thus crowding E. coli out.

Other helpful bacteria: Streptococcus thermophilus, L. bulgaricus, and L. casei.

Be careful about these helpful bacteria: Soil-based bacteria Bacillus subtilis, L. sporogenes, and B. laterosporus. They can boost the immune system, but in some circumstances, they can become toxic.

A good probiotic formulation will contain FOS (fructo-oligosaccharides) and the supernatant in which the bacteria is originally grown. The supernatant itself contains beneficial by-products of their growth, including vitamins, enzymes, antidants and immune stimulators.

Probiotics should be kept in the fridge to minimize die-off.

When starting probiotics, it is best to start off slowly to avoid precipitating a massive die-off of bad bacteria, which can lead to excessive gas, stomach noise, and cramping. Start with one (or half) at first and build up to the recommended dosage over 10-21 days, depending on your body's reaction to the probiotics.

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