Gut & Probiotics

 
According to the National Institute of Health, the microbiome or balance of organisms in the digestive tract is responsible for postnatal development. 

Our children inherit two sets of essential genetic material from their parents.  The first is the genetic information combined from mom and dad.  The second is the genetics of thousands of strains of microbes that make up the balance of the the digestive tract – MICROBIOME.  Our microbiome consists of trillions of microbes.  These microbes play a key role in promoting development.

 

Probiotics are supplements that contain healthy microorganisms that populate the digestive tract.  Good bacteria and other healthy microbes are essential for healthy digestion.  Probiotics also regulate inflammation and immune function.  Evidence is now pointing to inflammation as a causative factor in autism and AD/HD.  Probiotics and healthy digestion are very important in decreasing inflammation that can impact language, social and cognitive development.

 

When a child is in the womb, the environment is sterile.  As the mother’s body prepares for birth, healthy bacteria begin to populate the fetus.  During vaginal birth, more population occurs followed by solidification of a healthy digestive ecosystem through breastfeeding.  The high rate of C-section births and antibiotics during labour can cause disruption the natural ecosystem of an infant’s digestive tract.  Breastfeeding has been shown to decrease the incidence of AD/HD and has been suggested as a preventative strategy in autism spectrum disorders.

  

Each child needs a healthy gut to promote immune function, regulate inflammation and support development.  Many leading researchers in the autism field regard the destruction of natural flora as a causative factor in ASD and AD/HD.

 

There are thousands of strains of good bacteria that populate the intestines.  It is very important that these strains of good bacteria live in balance with one another.  If the good bacteria is out of balance or if too much “bad bacteria” is present, the condition is called DYSBIOSIS.

 

Imbalance or dysbiosis in the digestive tract has a number of negative effects on the body.  Food allergies and sensitivities are one consequence of dysbiosis.  For example, lactobacillus acidophilus is a strain of good bacteria that produces the enzyme lactase.  Lactase breaks down the sugar in milk, lactose.  Children who cannot digest lactose often have dysbiosis or a deficiency of good bacteria.  There are other strains of bacteria that help the body break down casein and gluten.  Some probiotics are good yeasts, that help to battle Candida.

 

Pharmaceutical probiotics are supplements that contain very high doses of healthy microorganisms.  The probiotic recommendation for children with autism and/or AD/HD, as well as other digestive complaints, is 15-30 billion a day.  It is important to identify which strains of healthy bacteria are needed to repair and heal the digestive tract.

 

Specific Strain Information

Bifidobacterium bifidum (lactis)*
B. bifidum is a prominent probiotic microorganism that takes up residence primarily in the mucous membrane lining of the large intestines and the vaginal tract. B. bifidum prevents the colonization of invading pathogenic bacteria by attaching to the intestinal wall, crowding out and taking nutrients from these unfriendly bacteria and yeast. B. bifidum produces lactic and acetic acids, which lower the intestinal pH and further inhibit the undesirable bacteria from growing. Research on Bifidobacteria has established that these organisms enhance the assimilation of minerals such as iron, calcium, magnesium and zinc.

Bifidobacterium infantis
Bifidobacterium infantis is an important organism shown to stimulate production of immunomodulating agents such as cytokines. Bacteriocidal activity is also observed against such pathogens as Clostridia, Salmonella, and Shigella.

Bifidobacterium longum*
Bifidobacterium longum is a very abundant organism found in the large intestine. It plays a role in preventing the colonization of invading pathogenic bacteria by attaching to the intestinal wall and crowding out unfriendly bacteria and yeast. Along with other microorganisms, it produces lactic and acetic acids that lower the intestinal pH and
further inhibit the undesirable bacteria. B. longum has, in clinical studies, been found to reduce the frequency of gastrointestinal disorders (diarrhea, nausea, etc.) during antibiotic use.

Enterococcus faecium
E. faecium has been shown to be important in the nutritional support of diarrheal diseases, especially in cases where pathogenic microbes, such as rotavirus, invade the bowel. This particular organism only transiently colonizes the GI tract. A recent study indicated that an E. faecium-containing yogurt was able to significantly lower LDL cholesterol. E. faecium is safe, and has been researched extensively by the World Health Organization. This probiotic has become so popular with health professionals over the years because of the proven therapeutic value of E. faecium. This species shows strong activity against a variety of pathogenic organisms. In several studies it has proven resistant to a wide variety of antibiotics and, in one study, proved more effective than L. acidophilus in shortening the duration of diarrheal episodes. E. faecium is a natural resident of the human intestinal tract.

Lactobacillus acidophilus*
L. acidophilus is one of the most important microorganisms found in the small intestines. It is known to implant itself on the intestinal wall, and in the lining of the wall of the vagina, cervix, and urethra. It performs many critical functions including inhibiting pathogenic organisms and preventing them from multiplying and colonizing.

It is well documented that L. acidophilus produces natural antibiotics like lactocidin, acidophilin, etc., which enhances resistance or immunity. L. acidophilus has known antimicrobial activity against Staphylococcus aureus, Salmonella, E.coli and Candida albicans.

Lactobacillus brevis
Lactobacillus brevis is a lactic acid producing organism important in the synthesis of vitamins D and K.

Lactobacillus bulgaricus
Lactobacillus bulgaricus is considered a transient microorganism that does not implant in the intestinal tract, but still provides an important protective role. This organism is used extensively in the commercial fermentation of yogurt. Production of lactic acid by the bacterium provides a favorable environment for the growth of other lactobacilli and bifidobacteria residing in the intestine. Studies indicate that certain strains of L. bulgaricus stimulate production of interferon and tumor necrosis factor, thus establishing a potential role in modulating the immune system.

Lactobacillus casei
Lactobacillus casei is closely related to the L. rhamnosus and L. acidophilus strains with some of the same immuno-modulating effects as other Lactobacilli. L. casei has several health-promoting effects provided through the production of bacteriocins, compounds that inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria in the small intestine. It has a few subspecies which may be written as just L. casei or one of the following:
Lactobacillus casei subspecies casei
Lactobacillus casei, subspecies paracasei
Lactobacillus casei, subspecies rhamnosus *

Culturelle:

Lactobacillus GG
Culturelle is the only probiotic supplement containing Lactobacillus GG.  The strain is resistant to stomach acid and bile, allowing it to survive its passage through the digestive tract and reach the large intestine intact. Once there it shows an exceptional ability to adhere to the intestinal mucosa and proliferate. There is substantial research done on this probiotic which sells under the names Culturelle and Lactobacillus GG.

Lactobacillus GG acts against yeast and clostridia.  It helps to breakdown gluten and casein.

 

Lactobacillus plantarum
Lactobacillus plantarum secretes the naturally occurring antibiotic lactolin, and is also known to have the ability to synthesize the amino acid L-lysine, which has beneficial anti-viral activities. L. plantarum also produces glycolytic enzymes shown to degrade cyanogenic glycosides and is effective in eliminating nitrate while producing nitric oxide. This probiotic can preserve key nutrients, vitamins, and antioxidants, eliminate toxic components from food, and eradicate pathogens such as S. aureus from fermented food. L. plantarum-fermented oat given to healthy volunteers significantly reduced a number of potential pathogens in the gut.

 

Lactobacillus rhamnosus (casei)*
Lactobacillus rhamnosus is primarily found in the small bowel and vaginal tract and is beneficial in inhibiting those bacteria involved in vaginal and urinary tract infections. L. rhamnosus is very prolific in growth, has a high tolerance (resistance) to bile salts, adheres to the intestinal mucosa, and protects the intestinal tract against the invasion of harmful microorganisms. Additionally, this organism favorably affects lactose intolerance. A recent double- blinded, placebo-controlled study suggests that this probiotic bacteria may down-regulate hypersensitivity reactions and intestinal inflammation in patients with atopic eczema and food allergies. L. rhamnosus has been found to have significant benefits in the nutrition and well-being of infants and in the elderly. According to research with this strain, administration of L. rhamnosus is most helpful in inhibiting early intestinal infections in infants. This species of Lactobacillus does not only colonize, acidify and protect the small intestine, but it can quickly establish itself in the large intestine, inhibit the growth of streptococci and clostridia, create anaerobic conditions which favor the implantation of bifidobacteria, and produce biologically desirable lactic acid.

 

Lactobacillus salivarius
Lactobacillus salivarius is important in normalizing the gut flora of those dealing with chronic bowel conditions and shows potential as an effective inhibitor of H. pylori, an organism associated with the occurrence of ulcers.

 

Streptococcus thermophilus
Streptococcus thermophilus, in combination with L. bulgaricus, is used commercially to produce yogurt. This organism is known to be efficient in breaking down lactose by producing the enzyme lactase. Those who are lactose-intolerant may be greatly helped by supplementation with this particular strain. Cytokine production is stimulated in tissue cultured cells by this bacterium.