Prebiotics are the nurturers of the world. They feed and guide proper growth of microbial colonies in our guts and across the maps of our personal physical universes. Prebiotics work for probiotics, which are finally gaining the attention they deserve in the health sphere. But live probiotic bacteria depend on the quality and quantity of […]
Articles
Probiotics in Eczema
Some affluent countries are phobic about germs. In the United States, for instance, dispensers for hand sanitizers can be found in supermarkets, drugstores and even restaurants. While cleanliness is important, obliterating all foreign microbes is not so wise. The hygiene hypothesis suggests that reduced exposure to infections in early childhood causes poor immune responses to […]
Psychobiotics: The Next Big Thing?
Stressed or depressed? Before popping that pill, consider this: probiotics may soothe you just as well, with no bad side effects. Studies—often out of labs in Ireland— investigating the ability of probiotics to affect mood are establishing a clear connection between the gut and brain. It began when researchers observed a link between irritable bowel […]
A Role for Probiotics in Stemming Diabetes Epidemic
As obesity soars globally, diabetes is close behind. Type 1 is not connected to obesity. It results from autoimmune destruction of pancreatic beta cells which produce insulin. But microbiota may play a role in its development. Another form is glucose intolerance caused by the stresses of pregnancy—gestational diabetes. Most women will return to normal blood […]
Probiotics in Celiac disease
Wheat gliadin in rye and barley induces severe intestinal symptoms and small bowel damage in celiac disease patients. The most effective treatment to date for this autoimmune disorder is a strict gluten-free diet, a restrictive regimen. Wheat, rye and barley must be avoided as well as processed foods which use these ingredients as fillers or […]
Lentils Feed Probiotics
Lentils are wildly popular in the Middle East. The pulse or bean grows in a spectrum of colors: from yellow to red-orange to green, brown and black. Cooks in countries such as Egypt favor the red lentil, a bean that softens quickly and can be ready to eat within an hour. No waiting around for a […]