Root Causes Of Intestinal Permeability
Our gut barrier has the important job of letting nutrients into the body while keeping bacteria, viruses, parasites, and toxins out. When the gut barrier is impaired, these harmful organisms can leak into the body. We call this intestinal permeability, or leaky gut.
A leaky gut has gaps in the gut lining that allow irritating molecules and substances to escape from the digestive system, and enter into the bloodstream. This irritation can interrupt the immune systems ability to regulate itself and put the body into a perpetual attack mode that is counterproductive to healing.
There are various reasons why a person may have intestinal permeability.
Gluten, which is the protein found in wheat products, has become a well-known cause of intestinal permeability, and many individuals with autoimmune conditions have been able to find relief in symptoms by following a gluten-free diet, the Paleo diet, or another elimination diet such as the Autoimmune Paleo diet . Some people have even seen a complete remission in their autoimmune condition after removing gluten from their diet.
Other common reasons a person may experience a leaky gut include stress, food sensitivities, nutrient deficiencies, and intestinal infections.
I started to eat fermented foods and added high doses of probiotics and began to feel better and better.
Thus, one of the very first recommendations I make for EVERYONE with Hashimotos is to be sure to get enough probiotics on board.
Does How Many Cfus A Probiotic Have Really Matter
This is a very interesting question that has a fairly simple answer.
You see, most people think that more of something is ALWAYS better.
Thats a fact that marketers have taken advantage of for centuries.
If one is good, two must be better. If five is good, ten must be better. If 1 billion is good, 100 billion must be better!
The truth of the matter, with regards to probiotics is the amount of CFUs isnt as big a deal as most brands make it out to be .
Theres still a lot of research being conducted on this very issue, but the most recent data suggests 5-10 billion CFUs if youre taking a daily, general probiotic.
And 15-45 billion seems to be ok if youre taking them for a specific ailment.
Anything more than that seems to be overkill.
But again, if low dose products dont work for you, talk to your doctor and see what he or she has to say.
If youd like to read more about this, check out our more detailed post here.
How Do Probiotics Help With Allergies
Good hygiene is the best way to get rid of harmful bacteria, but excessive hygiene can kill helpful bacteria as well. More and more studies have suggested that children who grow up in sterile environments are also more likely to develop allergies, asthma, and other immune problems later in life.
When a child lacks a robust gut flora, they lose out on a lot of essential diversity that would otherwise keep their body reacting normally to foreign but harmless substances, like pollen.
While probiotics are not a miracle cure-all for allergies, they can go a long way towards helping foster a much more comfortable lifestyle, especially when used in tandem with other treatment methods.
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Ninth Study: Probiotics & Vitamin C
DrMR:
In a similar vein, a study looked at probiotics with vitamin C for the prevention of upper respiratory tract symptoms in children from age three to 10. What they found was that after six months of supplementation with a probiotic + vitamin C, as compared to placebo, the treatment group had less coughing, less severe upper respiratory tract infections, less missed days of school, and less use of antibiotics. A great finding here. Again, give your kids probiotics and/or have them eat probiotic rich foods. Best yet, probably have them do both. Also note there was less.
DrMR:
Fourth Study: Probiotics & Necrotizing Enterocolitis
DrMR:
Another study The effect of daily probiotics on the incidence and severity of necrotizing enterocolitis in infants with very low birth weight. This was a retrospective study that essentially found those who received probiotics had similar rates of necrotizing enterocolitis and similar rates of mortality in hospital stays, but the benefit for probiotics was a reduced infection rate. Not every measure here improved, but there was a nice signal of reduced infection rate.
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Why We Start With Food
You cant out supplement a diet lacking in the first place. Food, barring food allergies and/or sensitivities, is a safe way to introduce nutrients, including probiotics .
Some people however do struggle with histamine issues, in which case fermented foods might be triggering .
However, even in my clients with histamine issues, there is a threshold so raw fermented foods like sauerkraut can be ok.
Certain probiotic supplements can increase histamine too .
I find that typically in those with histamine sensitivities, its due to gut bug imbalances because certain bacteria produce histamine, and others degrade it. When we resolve gut imbalances, histamine can become a non-issue.
How To Use This Probiotic
L. casei is naturally found in the gut. Some fermented foods contain L. casei, too. These include some yogurts, yogurt-like fermented milk, and certain cheeses.
Dietary supplements containing L. casei and other probiotics can be found in health food stores or wherever dietary supplements are sold. When shopping for probiotics, it pays to read labels carefully. Follow directions for storage and take expiration dates seriously.
Studies regarding dosage are lacking. There are no definitive guidelines. Read product labels carefully and ask your physician or pharmacist how much you should take.
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Which Probiotic Brands Are Best
I realize that listing the best species is not so practical when it comes to purchasing an actual product.
So these are the best probiotics for IBS currently available based on the current evidence and the opinion of gastrointestinal specialists. They are not listed in any particular order, and its currently not possible to recommend one over the other.
Dosage recommendations are listed on the product and none of them contain inulin , but always speak to your doctor before trying any new supplement.
Can You Resolve Histamine Intolerance
With most food intolerances, you have to first identify if you have it and then it is a matter of managing your food intolerance. This is for two reasons.
One depends on your genetic makeup as there many different genomic variances that come into play with histamine intolerance. The other depends on your gut health and being able to maintain a healthy gut and gut microbiota.
The first step to resolving histamine intolerance is to identify if you are histamine intolerant. Doing a food/symptom journal is a great place to start. By connecting what you eat to your symptoms you can begin to see if there a connection.
Due to the fact that food intolerances are dosage dependent, in other words, it depends on how much you eat not just what you eat. You will have to do a food journal for at least 1 week or so. This is how I found out I was histamine intolerant.
Foods High in Histamine
- Leftover meat, poultry, pork, and fish
- Fermented milk products like yogurt
- Seafood: shellfish, fresh, frozen, smoked, or canned
- Fish especially tuna fish
- Fermented foods sauerkraut, kombucha, fermented soy products
- Tomatoes
- Artificial food colors and preservatives
- Chocolate, cocoa, and cola drinks
- Alcoholic Beverages wine and beer
Almost all foods contain some histamine. This list does not include all foods high in histamine but includes the most commonly eaten foods high in histamine.
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The Effect Of Probiotics In Human Studies
8)9)LactobacillusBifidobacteriumClostridium10)31)BifidobacteriumBifidobacterium5)32)5)B. lactisL. paracasei11)L. rhamnosusB. animalislactisL. rhamnosus33)B. longumL. rhamnosus29)L. rhamnosusL. rhamnosus34)L. rhamnosus35)L. rhamnosus25)36)37)L. sakei27)L. rhamnosusL. reuteri38)B. lactisL. rhamnosus39)39)40)L. acidophilusL. delbrueckiiStreptococcus thermophilus40)L. paracaseiL. acidophilusB. animalislactisC. perfringens12)41)42)43)B. bifidumB. bifidumB. lactisL. acidophilus26)44)45)46)47)L. acidophilus47)L. salivarius48)24)21)L. rhamnosusL. paracaseiLactobacillus20)LactobacillusL. gasseri23)19)
I Am Taking New Probiotic Supplement Therapy
After thinking a few days of my last 7-10 years of really bad digestion, I have started to wonder if perhaps I need more bacteria in my intestines/body. It makes sense, and it does help my stomach with just the 1 supplement when I eat foods that normally hurt my stomach .
So today at Walmart I browsed through the digestion section of the supplement isle. I found a product by Phillips called Colon Health Probiotic Supplement. It was around $11 for a 30 day supply and you can also purchase this item online for about the same price. So I snatched up a box and thought, What the heck?
It contains a total blend of 3 different probiotics for a total of nearly 1.5 billion cells. I took my first one today about an hour ago. I also have the other supplements from Digestive Advantage, so I have a pretty good mixture of different probiotics.
I am going to seriously do this probiotic thing for a while & I will update everyone on my digestion, eczema, and hives. Not only that, but I am going to experiment with other potential probiotic forms over the next few months to see any impact it may have.
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Prices For Dog Probiotics
It can be hard to compare the prices of dog probiotics since they come in a range of forms, with different package sizes and serving sizes. The best way to figure out whether youre getting a good deal is to look at the price per serving.
Inexpensive dog probiotics cost less than $0.50 per serving. These probiotics usually have the bare minimum number of CFUs and come from unknown brands.
Mid-range dog probiotics cost between $0.50 and $1 per serving. While you can find some good options in this price range, with a high number of CFUs and plenty of strains, youll also find some subpar products.
High-end dog probiotics cost over $1 per serving. They usually have more than 10 billion CFUs per serving and 10 to 30 different species of bacteria.
Our Ranking And Reviews Of The 10 Best Probiotics Supplements For 2021
Everyone knows the health benefits of probiotics these days.
The hard part is figuring out exactly which probiotic supplement will work best for you
With hundreds of different brands out there in dozens of different forms such as capsules, tablets, powders, liquids, gums, shells, beads, and lozenges, how can you possibly know which one is right for you?
If thats the issue youre facing, youre going to be glad you found this site! Our probiotics experts continually rank, review and test just about every popular probiotic supplement on the market today.
Well tell you which ones we like and which ones wed avoid. Well tell you whats in them, how they work, how much they cost and what theyre best used for. In a nutshell, well tell you everything you need to know to find the best probiotic supplements for your particular situation.
So if youre looking to get all the health benefits that these provide, the following list of the best probiotics should point you in the right direction!
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How To Take Probiotics For Allergies
If youre hoping to grab a probiotic from your local drugstore instead of a traditional allergy medicine and hope for the same results, you might want to wait a while.
As of now, the most comprehensive meta-study has not been able to decisively identify any particular strain of bacteria that is specifically useful to treat seasonal allergies. Some studies contradict each other on which bacteria can treat grass pollen, and other studies will find that those strains the first two studies examined werent nearly as effective in their own trials.
The people taking the probiotics in the studies took them in a variety of methods, as well, in carefully measured and timed dosages. That means that adding some yogurt to your breakfast every morning during allergy season probably wont do much to help your sneezing and itchy eyes.
Some scientists are skeptical as to whether or not probiotics will ever work as well as our current antihistamines. If anything, theyre better suited to therapy, or treatment for those with very mild symptoms.
Others scientists are more hopeful. Finding out how exactly probiotics work in regards to allergies is an important step in that process. Some studies show that some strains of bacteria can affect how our T cells function. Others suggest that they may reduce the production of a part of the immune system called immunoglobulin E, which is produced in excess during an allergic reaction.
Best Probiotic For: Immunity
To boost the immune system, B. Lactis is a promising choice. One study had participants taking either a probiotic or a placebo for six weeks. At the end of this period, researchers measured antibody levels and found greater increases in antibodies of the B. lactis group than in placebo participants, concluding that this probiotic may help improve immune function . In addition, a 2009 study found that supplementation of the strain B. lactis DN-173 led to self-reported improvements in digestive comfort .
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Best Probiotic For: Anti
A pilot study found that B. breve was effective in increasing stool frequency in children with functional constipation. These researchers also found a positive effect in stool consistency and relief in abdominal pain, making B. breve a promising addition for easing digestive woes like constipation .
Other studies looking at the benefit of probiotics on skin ailments found a fascinating trend. B. breve B-3 could potentially be used to prevent photo-aging induced by chronic UV irradiation . This ability to mitigate the detrimental effects of UV exposure in sun damage is great news for keeping skin plump, hydrated, and youthful.
Not to be confused with streptococcal infections or the bacteria that causes strep throat, some species and strains of streptococcus have promising research on the benefits for health and well-being.
What Are The Best Probiotics For Allergies
More and more people are developing allergies, and the issue may have to do with a lack of exposure to good bacteria.
Bacteria in our digestive system have an important role in digestion, but they also help our immune systems, too: they help teach our bodies how to react to sicknesses and other foreign substances.
Probiotics can help balance your good bacteria and produce a stronger immune response to common allergens.
Allergic Rhinitis and Probiotics
Allergic rhinitis may make you feel like youre trying to fight off a common cold, especially thanks to a runny nose and sneezing. However, unlike the common cold, which is caused by a virus, allergic rhinitis is caused by allergens in the air, such as dust, pollen, mold spores, or even pet fur.
Its a relatively common condition, affecting between 15 and 30 percent of Americans, but while it can be uncomfortable, there is actually some good news: there may be some easy ways to minimize symptoms.
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The Underlying Cause Of Histamine Intolerance Is Likely Due To Imbalanced Gut Microflora
You may find in practice that most people with histamine intolerance tend to have imbalanced gut microflora. Learn more on the Probiotics Learning Lab by reading: The microbiome – all you need to know. Gut infection and overgrowth of certain gram-negative bacteria such as Escherichia coli and Salmonella typhimurium can lead to increased histamine release.9,10 Therefore, imbalanced gut microflora can contribute to histamine overload. Moreover, as the production of the DAO enzyme that breaks down histamine occurs mainly in the gut, having gastrointestinal damage may lead to reduction in the enzyme activity.11
The bottom line indicates supporting gut health is the top priority to manage histamine intolerance. Therefore, rebalancing the gut microflora and improving gut integrity is the key first step.
If you’re interested in learning more, then you may like to look at these articles in our Probiotics Learning Lab:
*Historically its been recommended that people with histamine intolerance should avoid this particular strain as it increases histamine production. However, a recent study suggests that it raises the production of a type of histamine that is actually anti-inflammatory, and therefore could be beneficial to those with histamine intolerance.13
Survivability: Does Your Supplement Survive Stomach Acid
Even ahead of the ingredients, this is probably the most important factor in whether or not a probiotic works.
Anytime you take a probiotic, it has to make a very difficult journey throughout your digestive tract o get o our intestines where they can do some good.
The biggest culprit in destroying probiotics is stomach acid.
And if your probiotics cant survive stomach acid, theyll be dead long before they can start improving your health.
Now, as for what technology companies use to increase the survivability, there are a few options out there.
Some use enteric coated pills, special capsules and even patented systems like Bio-tract .
All of these work in different ways and vary in effectiveness.
As mentioned above, one system, called Bio-tract is actually patented and has had some studies done on it.
It works by forming a protective barrier around the tablet as soon as it gets wet .
You can actually drop one of these special tablets into a glass of water and see the barrier start to form!
This technology isnt the only way to deliver probiotics successfully into the intestines, but its one of the best weve come across.
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Study Population And Subject Matching
Thirty-nine patients with CSU and 40 healthy volunteers were recruited from The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University between February 1 and October 31, 2018. The diagnosis of CSU was established according to the EAACI/GA²LEN/EDF/WAO guideline . None of the subjects had been exposed to treatment with antibiotics or probiotics during the past 3 months prior to the collection of fecal samples. Patients were excluded if they had severe systemic diseases affecting vital organs, immunodeficiency disorders, auto-inflammatory syndromes, urticarial vasculitis, severe infections, or inducible urticaria except for dermographism or if they had been treated with systemic corticosteroids, biologics, or immunosuppressants in the past 3 months. Healthy volunteers without a personal history or family history of urticaria, atopic dermatitis, allergic rhinitis, conjunctivitis, asthma, anaphylaxis, autoimmune diseases, or other severe systemic diseases were recruited into the HCs group. This study was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of The Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University. Written informed consent was obtained for each participant before sample collection.
