The benefits of probiotics
PROBIOTICS are good bacteria that are similar to the bacteria that already exist in our bodies.
According to general, laparoscopic and bariatric surgeon Dr Alfred Dawes, they are found in yoghurt, a number of cheeses, and in capsules sold in pharmacies.
To explain how probiotics work, Dr Dawes pointed out that there are more bacteria living inside us and on our skin than there are actual cells in our body, and they help to cure infectious diseases.
“The bacteria living in our gut play a necessary part in the processing and absorption of food, and now new data is coming out that shows that obesity might be related to the type of bacteria that you have and the development of some diseases. This has led to the rapid growth of the new field of probiotics whereby good bacteria are ingested to repopulate the gut with the hope that it may help to cure diseases and generally promote good health,” Dr Dawes said.
He added: “In one extreme example, transfer of faeces from a healthy patient to a sick person has been known to treat an infectious disease of the colon. The faecal transfer is successful because of the new bacteria brought into the colon from the transfusion of faeces. In essence, the benefits of probiotics may not be seen immediately, but may actually be beneficial in preventing the development of diseases in the long term.”
Below Dr Dawes explained other conditions that may improve from having probiotics in your diet.
1. Yeast infection
“In this case, getting probiotics in your diet is best achieved by having plain yoghurt, not the sweetened one, because the sugars might affect the bacteria. There are some yoghurts enriched with probiotics; however, in general plain yoghurt is fine,” Dr Dawes said.
2. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
According to Dr Dawes, this is a condition involving the gut that is caused by disorders in the movement of food through the gut. It does not involve inflammation as in Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis, and it can improve or resolve without treatment. He said common symptoms include abdominal pain or cramping, bloating, gas, diarrhoea or constipation or alternating bouts of constipation and diarrhoea, or mucus or slimy ‘cold’ in the stool. According to Dr Dawes, IBS does not cause bloody stools or weight loss and if those symptoms are present they could be a sign of a more serious condition such as cancer. He said eliminating wheat and dairy products can provide relief in some people, and using probiotics as the bacteria in these products can help to stabilise the gut flora.
3. Constipation
Dr Dawes said that taking probiotics or including certain foods in your diet — such as sauerkraut, kimchi, and plain yoghurt — will help to provide relief for constipation and increase the bowel movements.
4. Loose stool
Dr Dawes explained that diarrhoea can throw the microbes in your gut off balance, and probiotics, which are doses of helpful bacteria or yeasts, may help get things back on track.
