Natural_Medicine_Magazine_Issue_145_July_2017

health
Bifidobacterium bifidus. These restore normal
gut flora, improve immune system function,
and assist in digestion and absorption of food.
Prebiotics
Also helpful are the prebiotics, inulin and
fructo-oligosaccharides (or FOS, found in
artichokes, onions, garlic, bananas, and
specific supplements). FOS and inulin are
non-digestible oligosaccharides that help
promote the growth and activity of friendly
bacteria in the intestinal tract. These are
called ‘prebiotics’ because they are thought
to help promote probiotic colonisation and
growth. Research has shown that both FOS
and inulin enhance the growth of lactic bacteria,
especially Bifidobacteria, and inhibit
the growth of a variety of undesirable organisms.
MAIN BENEFITS OF PROBIOTICS
The major benefits of adding probiotic organisms
to the diet:
Support of the immune system.
Improved resistance to allergies.
Reduction in yeast and other infections.
Inhibition of disease-causing organisms.
Improved digestion, increased nutrient
absorption and vitamin synthesis.
Reintroduction of healthy bacteria into
the digestive system. This is especially
helpful to restore balance where Helicobacter
pylori plays a role in peptic ulcers.
Detoxification and protection from toxins.
Prevention of diarrhoea from various
causes.
Reduction in the risk of irritable bowel
syndromes.
Cancer-protective effects.
Probiotics act in various ways to restore and
maintain gut health:
Microbial antagonism – keeping the microbiome
in balance by working against potential
disease-causing organisms or microbes.
Anti-toxigenic effect – neutralising toxins.
Increase in the activity of the intestinal disaccharidases
– enzymes promoting carbohydrate
digestion.
Support of the immune system.
Digestive enzymes are also very helpful in
restoring balance to the intestinal flora population.
These can be found in supplement
combinations containing pancreatic enzymes
(amylase, protease, sucrase, malt diastase,
lipase, cellulose, lactase), papain form pawpaw,
bromelain from pineapple stem and cultured
moulds from the Aspergillus species.
Probiotics are helpful in restoring balance
inside the digestive system. If anyone does
need an antibiotic for severe bacterial infection
(e.g. pneumonia or meningitis) or suffer
from any allergies, be sure to include probiotics
to improve gut and immune system health.
SUPPLEMENTS AND REMEDIES FOR
DIGESTIVE BALANCE
The 4 Rs
To restore the internal balance (homeostasis) of
your microbiome apply the principle of the 4 Rs:
1. Remove
Treat dysbiosis: No yeast/fermented foods
for three months; investigate food intolerances
and cut out: refined carbs, sugars, wheat
and dairy proteins for three months; no decaffeinated
or caffeinated coffee, no alcohol, no
NSAIDS, no antibiotics.
Use citrus seed extract, caprilic acid, garlic,
Echinacea, oregano, barberry, golden seal,
Calendula, berberine and bromelain.
2. Replace
Digestive enzymes and factors to lower levels
of Helicobacter pylori (pathogenic bacteria
found in those with peptic ulcers) and to manage
pancreatitis and damage to the mucosal
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