The Amazing Power of Belly Bugs

-


                Probiotics, known fondly in my household as belly bugs, are microorganisms that can have beneficial effects on the human body.  They are most notorious for their role in regulating the digestive system by creating a necessary balance between the beneficial microorganisms and the harmful microorganisms that inhabit the gastrointestinal tract.  Over the past few years, probiotics have been spotlighted for a lesser-known talent—immune system regulation.  Certain strains of probiotics have exhibited the ability to either upregulate or downregulate the immune response and, consequently, inflammation.
                As a result, studies involving autoimmune diseases, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), are attempting to replicate these immune regulating results in an effort to diminish disease activity and inflammatory biomarkers.  A recent study from Iran investigated the effect of Lactobacillus casei, a microorganism commonly found in fermented dairy products, on disease activity and inflammatory biomarkers in those with RA.  Participants were randomized into two groups, the probiotic supplement group and the placebo group, where they received either L. casei capsules or maltodextrin capsules, respectively.
At the end of the eight-week study period, the probiotic group experienced a significant decrease in the number of tender or swollen joints, the visual analogue scale scores, and all proinflammatory biomarkers except one, with a significant increase in regulatory cytokines.  The placebo group had no significant changes.  As a result, researchers identified the effectiveness of L. casei as a probiotic useful for reducing inflammation, both locally and systemically, and promoting immune system regulation.  The study suggestions the use of probiotics in combination with other autoimmune regulating medications to gently return the body’s immune system to homeostasis.

Vaghef-Mehrabany, E., Alipour, B., Homayouni-Rad, A., Sharif, S., Asghari-Jafarabadi, M., & Zavvari, S. (2014). Probiotic supplementation improves inflammatory status in patients with rheumatoid arthritis. Nutrition, 30(4), 430-435. doi:10.1016/j.nut.2013.09.007

LH

Comments

  1. ksu internsFebruary 5, 2017 at 4:35 PM

    This was an overall excellent post. The information was trendy, as well as eloquently written. I decided to respond to this post because of all of the publicity probiotics have been receiving in recent years. I had heard of all of the benefits that probiotics have on the digestive system but was unaware of the immune/inflammatory effects. I was impressed that one lactobacillus casei colony could have a systemic effect on the whole body. I hope that research continues to be funded for probiotics and inflammatory diseases.

    TR

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Do you struggle with pre and post exercise nutrition?

-
Image
What should i eat before and after a workout? First things first…carbohydrates, proteins and fats are important for the body before  and after exercise. Exercising muscle preferentially uses carbohydrates from stored glycogen, but fats are also an important fuel source for energy production during exercise. Fats and carbohydrates are the two major fuel sources during exercise. Fats must be translocated and broken down from their storage form before they are used. Typically there is enough carbohydrate stored as muscle glycogen for exercise but as muscle glycogen stores decline, the skeletal muscle will then use some amino acids (basic components of all protein). More specifically, the amino acid leucine is used for energy.              It is important to consume an adequate amount of carbohydrates exercise to delay fatigue and minimize gastrointestinal distress. It is also important to consume enough fluids to prev...
Read more

Child Malnutrition

-
New approach to childhood malnutrition may reduce relapses, deaths http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2015/02/150211124024.htm               Moderate acute malnutrition is experienced by 35 million children worldwide. A new study led by researchers from Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis has suggested that feeding children until they have met target measures of arm circumference and weight may be more important than a set 12 week feeding time. However, researchers have found that the current targets, set by the World Health Organization (WHO) may not be sufficient and raising these targets slightly could significantly reduce the risk of relapse in malnourished children; a condition that has a 37% relapse rate. The study took place in rural Malawi and was comprised of 2,349 moderately malnourished children aged 6 months to 5 years old. Children were evaluated 12 months after treatment; 1,967 rec...
Read more

Harvest of the Month

-
Image
Harvest of the Month  August – Corn Good source of  fiber Carbohydrate source for energy Antioxidants Contains vitamins and minerals ½ cup or 1 ear = 80 calories   http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=90 September – Watermelon High in vitamin A and vitamin C Antioxidants and anti-inflammatory support 1 cup cubed = 46 calories http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=31 October – Apples High in fiber Vitamin C Abundant amount of antioxidants 1 medium = 95 calories  http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=15 November – Squash and Pumpkin High in vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, vitamin B2, B3 & B6 Many minerals  High in fiber Multiple antioxidant properties  1 cup = 76 calories  http://www.whfoods.com/genpage.php?tname=foodspice&dbid=63 Decembe...
Read more