1. The Power of Probiotics
By Jeanne Laird

2. Overview +To encourage frequent consumption of probiotic rich foods.
+To inform as to what foods are good sources of probiotics.
+To educate regarding the role good bacteria plays in human health.
+To discuss the signs/consequences of not having enough intestinal flora of good bacteria to create a balanced gut.
+To discuss the role intestinal bacteria play in obesity and diabetes.
+To challenge viewers to consume 1 good source of probiotics at least 4 times per week.
. +To enable viewers to identify and purchase foods that are good sources of probiotics on a weekly basis

3. What is a probiotic? Probiotics are bacteria.
Not just any bacteria, they are good
bacteria because they are beneficial
to the digestive tract and necessary for a healthy gut.
There are unhealthy bacteria that can live in our gut, as well as fungi, yeast and other microorganisms.
Probiotics are the good bacteria.

4. Did you know???
The human body has more bacterial cells in it than it does human cells.
The average adult body contains ~ 37 trillion cells.
“The human body [in total] contains about 100 trillion cells, but only maybe one in 10 of those cells is actually — human. The rest are from bacteria, viruses and other microorganisms.”
Jun 13, 2012

5. Another organ?
> Some health professionals consider the enormous amount of bacterial cells contained in the human gut to be another organ in the body because of the important role they play in human health.

6. The role of friendly flora
~Good bacteria keep the bad ones from multiplying and taking over.
~All microorganisms in the gut compete for space and nutrients.
~Good bacteria prevent the harmful bacteria from taking over the digestive terrain and producing harmful effects or disease.
When good bacteria are present in the right amounts, other microorganisms are kept at bay.

7. Up with the good, down with the bad
~By competing for nutrients the bad ones can’t multiply out of control and take over.
~This helps to prevent digestive tract infections which can produce diarrhea, cramps, gas, bloating and emesis.

8. The benefits
Good bacteria help keep the digestive tract clean, healthy and functioning optimally.
A healthy gut has plenty of good bacteria living in it.
Helps with digestion. Gut bacteria release enzymes that aid in digestion and absorption.
particularly in the large intestine
Boosts the immune system.
(70% of your immune cells are in your gut).
Bacteria in the gut keeps the immune system on their toes, on the lookout for infectious pathogens.

9. In addition
*Helps improve digestive issues like irritable bowel syndrome.
Often IBS sufferers show improvement of symptoms by introducing probiotics to their diet.
--Produces vitamins in your digestive tract such as vitamin
and biotin, as well as some amino acids.
-The body can absorb these nutrients and put them to good use.

10. Gut flora and Leaky Gut Syndrome
Dysbiosis or an off balance intestinal ecosystem can cause leaky gut syndrome which is increased intestinal permeability
leading to …endotoxemia.
Endotoxemia = toxins from the GI tract get into the blood stream. May cause hemorrhage, kidney damage, shock
Endotoxemia is 2X higher in individuals with T2DM

11. Leaky Gut Syndrome
Increased intestinal permeability is a serious situation.
AKA Leaky Gut Syndrome.
“…When tight junctions in the gut, which control what passes through the lining of the small intestine, don't work properly [this] could let substances leak into the bloodstream.”
“These “tight junctions” are the gateway between your intestines and what is allowed to pass into the blood stream.  Your tight junctions keep things out like toxins, microbes and undigested food particles.”

12. Leaky Gut implicated in…
Allergies
Asthma
Autism
Autoimmune disease
Eczema and psoriasis
Inflammatory bowel disease
Rheumatoid arthritis
Systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS)
Type 1 diabetes

13. Probiotics to the rescue
Dysbiosis or unbalanced good and bad bacteria in the digestive tract are one cause of leaky gut syndrome.
One remedy to this problem
is a diet that
includes probiotics.

14. Probiotics and obesity
Studies have found that those who are obese have less gut bacteria and less diversity of bacteria than lean individuals.
Dysbiosis or unbalanced gut bacteria can precede obesity.
Harmful bacteria such as Staphylococcus aureus and E. coli can trigger low grade inflammation which is associated with obesity.

15. Fact
When gut bacteria is out of balance and pathogenic bacteria outnumber the beneficial strains, more energy in the form of calories is absorbed from the diet.
More energy = weight gain.
Intestinal flora that are higher in certain strains of bacteria can be conducive to increased development of hepatic (liver) and adipose (fat) tissue.

16. The link between dysbiosis and obesity
~An increase in harmful bacteria can cause a release of toxins contributing to increased intestinal permeability.
~Increased permeability = inflammation which contributes to insulin resistance and is believed to be the precursor to many diseases.
~Inflammation is also a contributing factor to obesity.

17. Inflammation and Obesity
Obesity causes low grade inflammation.
Low grade inflammation contributes to obesity.
+Low grade systemic inflammation is a cause of insulin resistance.

18. Probiotics, Diet and Inflammation
{A high fat diet has been found to contribute to inflammation resulting in the releases of pro-inflammatory chemicals. Particularly saturated fat and the omega 6 fats}
{A diet high in processed and refined carbohydrates and as well as sweets, pastries, and sugary foods is also conducive to inflammation.}
+Dietary changes as well as probiotics may help to reduce inflammation, thus improving insulin resistance.

19. Foods sources of probiotics
Yogurt
Kefir
Sauerkraut
Kimchi
Tofu
Organic soy yogurt
Miso
Tempeh
Kvass
Amasai
Some cheese like Swiss, gouda, parmesan, farmers, and cottage cheese can have small amounts of probiotics.
Probiotics can be taken as a supplement.
Kombucha tea

20. How to get more probiotic rich foods into your diet.
*Have a yogurt or kefir for breakfast or lunch. These also contain calcium, potassium and vitamin D.
*Add the above to a smoothie.
*Make a creamy fruit dip out of berry yogurt and cream cheese.
*Add Greek yogurt to mashed potatoes or use it in place of sour cream.
*Add kefir to a milk shake.
*Offer sauerkraut, tempeh and kimchi at dinner a few times a week.
*Mix tofu and kimchi to soups, stews, and casseroles.
*Try miso soup.
*Take a probiotic supplement once a day.

21. The role of prebiotics
Prebiotics are essentially food for the probiotics.
Prebiotics are soluble forms of fiber such as inulin from Jerusalem artichokes, chicory root, dandelion greens, leeks, onions, garlic, asparagus, whole grains, beans, bananas, wheat, oats, soybeans, and psyllium husks.
Often probiotic supplements will include a source of prebiotic in the supplement.

22. Benefits of Prebiotics
>Improvement in intestinal permeability.
>Helps create a better barrier.
>Improved immunity
>A decrease in bad bacteria and an increase in the good bacteria.
>Increased generation of SCFA which are strengthening and nourishing to colon cells.

23. What to look for…

25. Interesting fact
Babies born vaginally have more diversity of flora than do cesarean babies.
Babies that are breastfed have a larger spectrum of good bacteria in their
GI tract than do formula fed
babies.

26. Interesting fact
One course of antibiotics can alter gut bacteria for up to 4 weeks.
Some beneficial strains may not be restored even after 6 months.
Antibiotics destroy the good bacteria along with the bad.
After antibiotics, include probiotic rich foods in the diet
Consider a probiotic supplement

27. To sum it up:
Below is a list of diseases and conditions that may be improved by balancing the ecology of the intestinal tract:
Irritable bowel syndrome
Inflammatory bowel disease
Obesity
Diabetes Mellitus type 2
Dyslipidemia (High LDL cholesterol)
Insulin resistance
Constipation
Skin conditions
Pulmonary disease
Allergies (including food sensitivities)

28. Sources
Jardine, MS.MBA,RDN,CDE. Meghan. The Role of the Microbiota in Obesity and Diabetes. On The Cutting Edge: Diabetes Care and Education. V 35, #6, Chicago, IL