Probiotics: The Forgotten Immune Organ

At our staff meeting on Friday, we had a very informative presentation by our very own Michelle Libby on the importance of Probiotics. Did you know that our body hosts about 10 trillion bacterial cells, which weigh from 2-5lbs! Many of these bacteria are actually beneficial. For example, they help break down carbohydrates, stimulate cell growth, prevent invasion of other pathogens, as well as contributing to hormone production. Probiotics is the term given to these “friendly” bacteria. Taking antibiotics can destroy the good as well as the bad bacteria. Clostridium difficile (C.diff) is the most common antibiotic-related complication. 14,000 patients die yearly from C.Diff complications. Studies have shown that taking probiotics with antibiotics helps reestablish the good bacteria. So be sure to eat plenty of yogurt with live cultures also sauerfraut, kimchi, and soy in tempah as these are all good sources of probiotics. Probiotics in pill form are available in your local supermarket. If purchasing these products, be sure to check that they contain the following: Lactobacillus, Bifidobaterium, Streptococcus thermophilus and Saccharomyces.