Honey And Yogurt, Or Prebiotics And Probiotics

Probiotics or prebiotics have been studied and used to improve various functions including healthy development of the immune system, prevention of infection from pathogenic or opportunistic microbes and maintenance of intestinal barrier function ~ International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics

Probiotics and Prebiotics

A huge and diverse range of bacterial species colonize the human body. The microbiota extend from mouth down. They also reside on the skin. Many lines of research have demonstrated the significant role of the microbiota in human physiology. The microbiota are involved in the healthy development of the immune system, prevention of infection from pathogenic or opportunistic microbes and maintenance of intestinal barrier function.   For a variety of reasons, normal native bacteria may not always perform these functions optimally. Probiotics or prebiotics have been studied and used to improve these functions.

What are prebiotics?

Prebiotics were first identified and named by Marcel Roberfroid in 1995. According to Roberfroid: “A prebiotic is a selectively fermented ingredient that allows specific changes, both in the composition and/or activity in the gastrointestinal microflora that confers benefits upon host well-being and health.” In a nutshell, prebiotics are nondigestible carbohydrates that act as food for probiotics. They aid in stimulating and maintaining the good bacteria in your digestive tract which in turn has a positive effect on your immune system. It has been argued that many of the health effects of prebiotics emanate from increased production of short-chain fatty acids (SCFA) by the stimulated beneficial bacteria. Thus food supplements specifically enhancing the growth of SCFA producing intestinal bacteria (such as clostridia and bacteroids species) are widely recognized to have such potential.

I’ve added the following to my son Tanner’s IQed which already contains numerous natural prebiotics like turmeric, green tea, chia, cocoa, cinnamon,  after reading about prebiotics  -not sure if the added prebiotics help with anything special needs, but from what I read they are healthy for the microbiome, are benign, and best of all can mix all of the following 3 together and they have little to no taste.  (unlike organic sulfur or MSM which I love but can’t get Tanner to add to his IQed as MSM and organic sulfur taste so bitter even at a small amount)

This is the blend I use with my family to help feed and encourage the growth of beneficial bacteria naturally present in the gut.

• Bi2Muno Prebiotic Food Supplement by Bimuno
• NOW Foods Inulin Prebiotic
• Heather’s Tummy Fiber Organic Acacia Senegal

About the Bimuno prebiotic, from their website (I buy it on Amazon, but if you are in the UK cheaper there)

Update 2018.  After a year of using the Bi2Muno Prebiotic Food Supplement by Bimuno, NOW Foods Inulin Prebiotic and Heather’s Tummy Fiber Organic Acacia Senegal neither Tanner nor I noticed any difference so we stopped it.  You can try it, but I do not recommend inulin etc. with IQed patented nutritional composition.  I do highly recommend IQed!

Natural Probiotics and Prebiotics From Foods

Prebiotics

Some food sources of prebiotics, which feed the good bacteria already living in the digestive system, include

• Bananas
• Turmeric
• Cocoa
• Chia
• Cinnamon
• Oatmeal
• Honey
• Maple syrup
• Legumes
• Inulin from various plants including chicory root, dandelion greens, Jerusalem artichoke, garlic, onions, leeks, asparagus, bananas, burdock root, yacon root, jicama root -you can eat the plants or purchase the inulin made from one of these plants.

Probiotics are organisms such as bacteria or yeast that are believed to improve health. The idea of taking live bacteria or yeast may seem strange at first. After all, we take antibiotics to fight bacteria. But our bodies naturally teem with such organisms.

The digestive system is home to more than 500 different types of bacteria. They help keep the intestines healthy and assist in digesting food. They are also believed to help the immune system.

Especially in the case of probiotics, I try to get that from food sources because my son Tanner for some reason regressed on certain strains of probiotics and there are so many out there.  Many are not aware there could be side effects from some probiotics.  For this reason, I recommend starting with food sources.

Here’s a “Smart Cookie” naturally rich in prebiotics and if you find a frozen yogurt with probiotics you can have both!

Cinnamon Bun Smart Cookie

Ingredients

• 1 Scoop Vanilla IQed
• 1 Tbs. Frozen Yogurt
• 1 Tbs. Coconut Flour
• 1/2 Tsp. Ceylon Cinnamon
• Organic Maple Syrup To Taste

Just combine ingredients, flatten into a patty on wax paper and freeze for at least 15 minutes.  Enjoy Source

Some fermented food sources of probiotics, which feed the good bacteria already living in the digestive system, include

Probiotics

• Yogurt
• Kefir
• Aged Cheese
• Sauerkraut
• Miso soup
• Pickles (fresh, not packed in jars)

The 2 main reasons food sources are best in regards to probiotics is because it’s believed that many probiotic supplements cannot survive the harsh stomach acid it would have to in order to get to your intestines.

Also, it’s not just what makes it through your harsh stomach acid.  One study found that six out of the twenty products tested had contaminants and that in four out of twenty products tested there were no living friendly bacteria present.

So, when you read about the number of CFUs (colony forming units) on a box, you’re not necessarily getting the type or combination of probiotics that would be best for humans, and you have a chance what you are getting is contaminated.  Paper

Reasons that fermented foods are superior to lab created probiotics

1. Beneficial bacteria and yeast in fermented foods and drinks are live and active
2. Fermentation pre-digests vital nutrients for you as they are whole foods full of nutritional value in their own right.
3. The microflora increases the bioavailability of the nutrients in all the foods you eat
4. Fermentation does not use heat which protects those nutrients that can be destroyed by heat.
5. With food sources, you’ll get a variety of live cultures supplied by nature, vs. a single strain of bacteria produced in the lab.
6. Fermented foods naturally feed the microflora to help promote their growth.
7. The microflora in fermented foods are hardy, acid resistant, and viable from your mouth down to your gut to start working at once.

Exception To Fermented Foods -Fermented Fish Oil

The main reason I don’t recommend fermented fish oil, or fermented cod liver oil is because it’s essentially serving rancid fish oil.  Fish oils become rancid quickly when exposed to oxygen and this is measured by the peroxide level.  I encourage you to find fish oils low in peroxide levels.  In studies, it was found that fermented fish oil “had little nutritional value, due to developing rancidity. Nutritional significance of B vitamins was judged minor.Three proposals to hasten fermentation are discussed. The author finds no reported cases of serious poisoning from product consumption”  the reference for this and other reasons why I don’t recommend fermented fish or fermented cod liver oil below.

Risks of Supplemented Probiotics (Not From Food)

Because there may be some risks with any supplementation, the American Society for Clinical Nutrition published in the American Journal for Clinical Nutrition ‘Probiotic use in clinical practice: what are the risks?’ AJCN 1, Popular Probiotic May Cause Neurotoxicity 2, 3  ‘Popular Probiotic May Cause Neurotoxicity‘ it’s best to try fermented foods such as yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, miso soup, and pickles first.  Prebiotic foods like bananas, oatmeal, honey, maple syrup, and legumes feed the good bacteria already living in the digestive system.  Read more

Research is growing that probiotics may help or have a positive effect in the following areas:

• Diarrhea treatment, especially following treatment with certain antibiotics
• Prevent and treat vaginal yeast infections and urinary tract infections
• Increases the production of short-chain fatty acids in the human colon, including the supremely beneficial butyric acid
• Reduction of colorectal cancer risk
• Increase magnesium and calcium absorption
• Hypertension
• Reduce bladder cancer recurrence
• Treat inflammatory bowel disorders (Crohn’s and Ulcerative Colitis)
• Prevent and treat eczema in children
• Immune system effectiveness
• Speed treatment of certain intestinal infections
• Prevent or reduce the severity of colds and flu.

Learn more at  ISAPP,  is the only scientific organization dedicated specifically to probiotics and prebiotics, bringing together scientists from all pertinent disciplines, including food science, microbiology, immunology, biochemistry, nutrition, and medicine.

Difference between probiotics and prebiotics

The Effect of Honey on the Growth of Bifidobacteria

Bifidobacteria are part of a group of bacteria considered important to the health of the gastrointestinal tract (GI). Clinical studies have associated other beneficial effects such as immune enhancement and anti-carcinogenicity with the presence of bifidobacteria in the GI tract.  Honey contains a variety of oligosaccharides varying in their degree of polymerization. The unique composition of honey suggests that it could enhance the growth, activity, and viability of bifidobacteria in milk and thus, fermented dairy products. To evaluate this hypothesis, the following study on growth-promoting and prebiotic activity of honey on bifidobacteria was conducted.” Read more

Prebiotic Study

May 8, 2014, Aussie honey good for gut health: new research uncovers prebiotic qualities  “A world-first study released today has discovered that Australian eucalypt honey has prebiotic qualities, meaning that regular consumption could improve gut health.  Prebiotic foods stimulate the growth of gut bacteria that contribute to human health and reduce the growth of deleterious gut bacteria. Prebiotic foods are not digested by human enzymes, but reach the large intestine intact and act as a food source for beneficial bacteria including bifidobacteria and lactobacilli.” Read more

Apple Cider Vinegar

In French, the word “vinegar” actually means “sour wine.” Organic, unfiltered apple cider vinegar (like Bragg’s) also contains “mother,” strands of proteins, enzymes and friendly bacteria that give the product a murky, cobweb-like appearance.   If serving to children may want to mix it with honey along with the water.

“Apple cider vinegar is not a probiotic, but it is made with an ingredient that is helpful to probiotics, according to research done by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Agricultural Research Service. The key ingredient in raw, unfiltered apple cider vinegar is fermented apples, which contain pectin — an essential for good digestion. The vinegar is often confused with probiotics because the pectin in the apples promotes healthy digestion by encouraging the growth of good bacteria, whereas probiotics are the good bacteria.  Pectin is a natural prebiotic carbohydrate that is responsible for slowing nutrient absorption by binding to products in your digestive tract that your body can’t use. These are waste products such as cholesterol, harmful bacteria and even toxins and pathogens. After the pectin in the apple cider vinegar binds to the “waste product,” it carries the waste from your body by way of elimination — your regular bowel movements — leaving the probiotics in your system to grow and continue to protect your gut.” source

Probiotic formula reverses cow’s milk allergies by changing gut bacteria of infants

September 22, 2015 “The ability to identify bacterial strains that could be used as novel therapeutics for treating food allergies is a fundamental advance,” said Jack Gilbert, PhD, associate professor in the Department of Ecology & Evolution at the University of Chicago, group leader for microbial ecology at Argonne National Laboratory and co-author of the study. “Translating these findings into clinical treatments is our next goal, and one that is now possible through the new FARE Clinical Network center here at the University of Chicago.” Source

Prebiotics Have Anxiolytic and Antidepressant-like Effects and Reverse the Impact of Chronic Stress in Mice

The realization that the microbiota-gut-brain axis plays a critical role in health and disease, including neuropsychiatric disorders, is rapidly advancing. Nurturing a beneficial gut microbiome with prebiotics, such as fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) and galacto-oligosaccharides (GOS), is an appealing but underinvestigated microbiota manipulation. Here we tested whether chronic prebiotic treatment modifies behavior across domains relevant to anxiety, depression, cognition, stress response, and social behavior. Source

Common Probiotics Can Reduce Stress Levels, Lessen Anxiety

Previous studies have shown a direct correlation between gut microbes and the central nervous system. Using a zebrafish model, researchers determined that a common probiotic sold in supplements and yogurt can decrease stress-related behavior and anxiety.  Source

How Bacteria Rule Over Our Body Your Body (Funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation)

Also, Read Food Changes Gut Bacteria In One Day

Studies on prebiotics and probiotics through ISAPP (International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics)

LISA GENG