What’s Bugging You? (The One Supplement You Can’t Do Without)

I have just been cornered at a dinner party. “We heard you’re a naturopathic doctor. What supplements should we take?” There it is: the most-asked question. The answer to the question comes easily to me. “Bugs,” I say. I see strange looks on all their faces. “Seriously, you should take bugs.”

The bugs I am referring to are the healthy bacteria which live in our gastrointestinal system. We call them gut flora or probiotics. Our intestinal tracts are home to hundreds of species of bacteria, and they are crucial to our health and longevity. Probiotics are among the most common treatment recommendations I make to my patients. People from many other cultures (excuse the pun) eat fermented foods rich in healthy flora as part of their normal diets. However, in the United States we eat less of these foods, and therefore, we need to work a little harder to get the “bugs” we need. Some of the most commonly supplemented probiotics are Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. They are easy to find as they are readily available in most health food stores. Even major food companies are catching on and are developing probiotic products. I have listed a few of the benefits of probiotics below:

• Probiotics act as a first line of defense in protecting the body from unfriendly microorganisms that enter through the intestinal tract. These “bad bugs” can contribute to conditions such as traveler’s diarrhea, irritable bowel syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease, chronic bladder and vaginal infections, tooth decay and periodontal disease.
• Healthy flora supports the immune system and helps in the production of substances which are protective for the wall of the intestines. Studies show reductions in stomach, skin and respiratory infections in people who supplement them.
• Probiotics improve digestion and the absorption of nutrients. In addition, they make some of the vitamins we need. (Vitamins B12, K, folate, biotin and riboflavin.) They also go to work on the fats we eat and make them more available to the body for energy.
• Good gut bacteria liberate phytoestrogens and lignans from the plants we eat. Phytoestrogens and lignans help to balance hormones and can be especially helpful for menopausal symptoms.
• Probiotics release anti-inflammatory substances from fruit and vegetables called bioflavonoids. These compounds can decrease the allergenic response by the body, and improve symptoms associated with many health concerns, including hay fever and asthma.
• Friendly flora helps to detoxify and remove heavy metals from the body. The Lactobacillus family of bacteria produces lactase, an enzyme which helps the body to digest lactose from milk products.

These are just some of the reasons to supplement your diet with probiotics. Researchers are currently exploring more benefits of these bugs, including decreasing antibiotic resistance, lowering cholesterol levels and reducing cancer risk. Be on the lookout for more information about probiotics as it becomes available. In the meantime, I hope I have inspired you to go out and get some bugs!

Take care of your (whole) self—

Amy Bader, ND

Want more expert tips for leading a natural healthier life? Visit Tips for Healthy Living.

Posted in Healing Through Diet, Naturopathic Medicine, Naturopathic Medicine, Nutrition, Tips for Healthy Living