Friday, September 13, 2024

How Do Probiotics Survive Stomach Acid

Comparative Survival Of Probiotic Lactobacilli In A Simulated Gastric Environment

Do Probiotics Really Need to Survive the Stomach Acid?

Cultures of L. rhamnosus E800, L. rhamnosus GG, L. salivarius UCC 500, L. paracasei NFBC 338, and L. gasseri ATCC 33323 were grown overnight in 25 ml MRS medium and subcultured by using 1% inocula. The cultures were subsequently centrifuged at 7,000 ×g at 4°C for 15 min, washed once in an equal volume of cold 0.25× Ringer’s solution, and subsequently centrifuged . Pellets were then resuspended in an equal volume of simulated gastric juice at 37°C and incubated for 90 min with constant stirring. Samples were taken at 0, 10, 30, 60, and 90 min, serially diluted in maximum-recovery diluent, plated on MRS medium, and incubated at 37°C for 72 h.

Intestinal Mucosa And Mucus Layer

The intestinal mucosa is composed of epithelial layer, lamina propria, and muscularis mucosa. Small intestinal villi, which are formed by the epithelium and lamina propria protruding into the intestinal cavity, cover the surface of the mucosa and are responsible for the absorption of nutrients in the intestine. The epithelial cells are composed of absorptive cells, goblet cells and endocrine cells. Goblet cells are scattered between absorptive cells, secreting mucus which covers the entire small intestinal cavity, composed of carbohydrates, lipids, salts, protein, bacteria, and cellular debris . The thickness of mucus varies from approximately 30 to 300 m the thickness increases from the intestine to the rectum . The main proteins are glycoproteins called mucins which polymerize to form a continuous gel matrix, providing a structural basis for the mucosal layer, protecting the intestine from pathogens, enzymes, toxins, dehydration, and abrasion. At the same time, exogenous nutrients such as vitamins and minerals are present in the intestinal mucus, which provide a huge ecologic growth advantage for bacteria colonized in the intestinal mucus . It can be said that the mucus is an excellent niche for both of probiotics and pathogen.

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You Have To Keep This In Mind

Its simply thiseveryone reacts differently to probiotics.

I know, big shocker.

But youd be surprised how many people try out one supplement, dont get the results they want, get angry and give up!

The fact of the matter is, every person on Earth has a unique digestive tract composition.

Even the organisms within each persons body can be vastly different.

All that means is a particular probiotic may work great for me, but not do anything for you.

And what works well for you, might give me uncomfortable side effects.

Its just the way things work.

So if you try a particular brand we recommend, and it doesnt work for you, dont freak out! It could be a crappy product, or it may just not work for your unique situation and body.

Either way, just pick out another one from our list until you find one that works.

Keep in mind youll also want to confer with your doctor or medical provider about all this as well.

Ok so now that we got that out of the way, lets move on to what exactly makes a good probiotic supplement.

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Composition Of The Gut Microbiota

The composition of the gut microbiota is not static. Instead, it is highly variable and its normal variation in diversity is affected by factors including age, genetics, environment, and diet . In the early years of life, especially during the first three years, the composition and function of microbes colonized in the intestine are continuously changed until a relatively stable microbial community is established. Previous studies have shown that the microbiota composition of twins and mother-daughter pairs is more similar than unrelated individuals, suggesting that genetics may play a role in the microbiota composition . In contrast, a recent study further showed that the microbiota composition of people living together without kinship had many significant similarities, demonstrating that host genetics had a minor role in determining microbiota composition in this case . The microbial composition is considerably different between people in different geographic locations and with different diets, indicating that the gut microbiome is significantly associated with diet and environment .

Can Probiotics Survive Stomach Acid And The Gi Tract

Do Probiotic Supplements Survive Stomach Acid?

Before any probiotic, whether a food or a supplement can have a benefit to your gut microbiome, it must be able to survive the acidity of your stomach, the temperature and the lack of oxygen in the GI tract, and lastly the availability and competition for chemicals and nutrients required for it to exist and colonise.

Immediately after swallowing, any bacteria will encounter the enzymes in your saliva before being swallowed and reaching the stomach. Once in the stomach the bacteria is then exposed to a strong acid bath with a pH less than 3 as well as destructive digestive enzymes, such as pepsin, which break down proteins into smaller amino acids. Most bacteria we consume is not able to survive this.

However the bacteria that do survive then move to the small intestine where the acidity decreases, but they are exposed to more digestive enzymes such as amylase, lipase and protease as well as bile. Bacteria must be able to survive this process of digestion and recover in order to colonise and grow either in the small intestine or the colon.

According to Bethlehem University, probiotics contained or consumed in milk and other dairy products have a greater chance of survival as the dairy can reduce the effect of the stomach acid, and increase the chances that the probiotic bacteria will reach the small intestines unharmed.

In all cases the probiotic bacteria are more likely to survive when consumed in sufficient quantities.

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Probiotic Colonization Of The Intestinal Mucosa

Successful colonization of the gastrointestinal tract is a key factor for probiotics to be able to exert a sufficient host-interaction to confer health benefits . Mucosal adhesion is considered a critical step in probiotic colonization however, the mechanisms of adhesion still require exploring. In this section, we discuss the composition of the intestinal mucus layer and specific proteins related to probiotic adhesion.

Enhanced Survival Of L Rhamnosus Gg Occurs Only In The Presence Of Metabolizable Sugars

In order to determine if there was a link between glycolysis and the enhanced survival in the presence of glucose, we established the relationship between the survival of L. rhamnosus GG in the presence of metabolizable and nonmetabolizable sugars. Growth over 16 h was found to occur in MRS medium containing glucose and fructose, while low levels of growth occurred in MRS medium containing lactose .3). In addition, growth was also confirmed by the decrease in pH of the cultures containing glucose and fructose, while there were only small decreases in cultures growing in lactose .3). Further analysis showed that glucose and fructose enhanced survival of L. rhamnosus GG in simulated gastric juice at pH 2.0, while lactose and sucrose, which L. rhamnosus GG could not metabolize, did not enhance survival .

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Are Refrigerated Probiotics Better

There is some evidence that suggests that refrigerated probiotics are more effective than those that are not. This is because the live bacteria in probiotics can become damaged when exposed to heat or light.

However, more research is needed to confirm this. If youre buying a probiotic supplement, its a good idea to check whether it needs to be refrigerated.

While Using Other Drugs Or Supplements

Episode 47 – How to Make Your own Powerful Probiotic at Home

Keep in mind that probiotics may interfere with how your other supplements or drugs affect you. They are safe for the most part but may intensify the effects of whatever drugs you use. That is why to be on the safe side, you should consult your doctor before using probiotics if you are already using other drugs.

You should do the same if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Also, if you want to get probiotics for your child but are not sure whether you should or which strain to buy, consult your doctor.

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Digestive Enzymes For Acid Reflux

One area that deserves attention for acid reflux is the use of digestive enzymes.

We need enzymes to digest foods well. Simply put, enzymes help us break down our foods so we can digest them.

We have many places in our digestive tract that make enzymes: in our mouth, stomach, small intestines, and pancreas.

Our small intestines actually produce more digestive enzymes than our pancreas does.

What does this mean for us?

Lack of digestive enzymes due to an imbalanced gut lining could be a silent problem that makes your stomach digestion way off. Adding digestive enzymes are safe and can be beneficial in relieving occasional acid reflux and indigestion.

What can make your digestive enzyme production low? Inflammation, food intolerance, and anything that can throw off the gut bacteria .

Enzymes are a safe and emerging treatment option for many digestive issues, including Celiac disease. They can be combined with ox bile as well when needed.

Enteric Coating And Timed

Some probiotic manufacturers use a type of technology such as Bio-tract®, which is a time-release technology thought to protect their bacteria from the low pH in the stomach. Whilst this may well be of benefit for some strains of probiotic bacteria, it is really not necessary if the strains themselves display excellent natural survivability in acid conditions, as ours do.

Enteric coating, can also help probiotics to survive transit through the harsh stomach environment. Enteric coating is a special coating for capsules, which is intended to remain intact in the stomach but to dissolve in the small intestine, and provides another option for ensuring probiotics survive to reach the gut alive. However, critics of enteric coating have pointed out that it can involve the use of synthetic chemicals, as well as highlighting some doubts over whether the capsules eventually break down in the lower GI tract to release the probiotics, or if they pass through the intestines intact with their beneficial probiotic cargo still on board.

Therefore, it may be better to simply use hardy strains of bacteria that do not require other types of ‘manufactured’ protection to survive transit through the stomach.

For more about this subject, you may enjoy reading a page from our information section, Probiotic Myths – BUSTED!‘ – see ‘The Survival Myth’.

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Side Effects Of Using Probiotics At The Wrong Time

As mentioned earlier, probiotics are good bacteria, and the body tolerates them well because they are found in the body naturally. When people consider the timing of their probiotics, it is more to ensure that the probiotics survive, not to avoid side effects.

That said, probiotics may have some side effects on people. However, these side effects are unrelated to the time you take them. Some include:

What Causes Stomach Acid

How do probiotics survive stomach acid exposure?

So, what causes gastric acid reflux? There are a few things that can contribute to this condition, such as eating spicy or fatty foods, lying down after eating, and wearing tight clothing.

If you have GERD, you may experience heartburn, chest pain, difficulty swallowing, and a sour taste in your mouth. These symptoms can be aggravated by lying down or bending over.

Stomach acid can be a sign of GERD, but it can also occur for other reasons such as consuming too much spicy food, drinking alcohol in excess, or smoking cigarettes. Another reason why someone may be suffering from stomach acid issues is stress from their lifestyle.

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Is Kombucha Good For Acidic Stomach

Kombucha is a fermented tea that has become increasingly popular in recent years. Many people believe that it has health benefits, such as aiding digestion and boosting immunity.

Some people also claim that kombucha can help reduce stomach acid. However, there is limited scientific evidence to support this claim. If you’re interested in trying kombucha, it’s important to speak to your doctor first.

Isolation Of L Rhamnosus Gg Mutants With Reduced F0f1

Isolation of spontaneous neomycin-resistant mutants of L. rhamnosus GG was performed as described by Yokota et al. , with some modifications. Bacteria were grown in 40 ml of MRS medium until the exponential phase was reached . Cells were harvested by centrifugation , concentrated in 2 ml of fresh MRS medium, and then spread onto MRS agar plates containing 300 g ml1 of neomycin sulfate and incubated anaerobically at 37°C for 72 h. Neomycin-resistant colonies were selected and inoculated into 5 ml of MRS medium containing 300 g ml1 neomycin sulfate. Forty isolates were selected on the basis of their growth characteristics under optimal growth conditions. Four neomycin-resistant mutants designated m5, m8, m14, and m18, whose growth profiles were most affected at pH 4.5, were selected for studies in simulated gastric juice containing glucose.

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Should You Start Eating Probiotics

Russian microbiologist Elie Metchnikoff was the first to associate the large amounts of fermented dairy products with the good health and longevity of Bulgarians back in 1907. He proposed that the acid-producing organisms in fermented dairy products could prevent what he called âfoulingâ in the large intestine. He believed if eaten regularly, these foods could lead to a longer, healthier life. One version of the Old Testament even attributes Abrahamâs long life 175 years to the âconsumption of sour milk.â Fermented milk products may have also been used to treat illnesses of the digestive tract during Roman times.

The scientific community agrees that there are potential health benefits to eating foods with probiotics. However, more research is needed to solidify the claims. The best we can say right now is they wonât hurt and may help.

Remember that dietary supplements are not tested by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration like medications. And the probiotic strains in the supplements may not be specific for the condition youâre looking to treat. You may want to consult with a practitioner, like a registered dietitian, who is familiar with probiotics. Always tell your physician what you are doing that may affect your health.

Does Stomach Acidity Kill Probiotics

PROBIOTICS IN WHOLE FOODS: WHY MOST PROBIOTICS ARE CRAP AND WHT I LOOK FOR TRUST

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Probiotic Gastrointestinal Transit And Colonization After Oral Administration: A Long Journey

  • 1State Key Laboratory for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, National Clinical Research Center for Infectious Diseases, Collaborative Innovation Center for Diagnosis and Treatment of Infectious Diseases, The First Affiliated Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine, Hangzhou, China
  • 2China-Canada Joint Lab of Food Nutrition and Health , Beijing Technology & Business University , Beijing, China
  • 3Department of Biomedical and Clinical Sciences, Linköping University, Linköping, Sweden

Orally administered probiotics encounter various challenges on their journey through the mouth, stomach, intestine and colon. The health benefits of probiotics are diminished mainly due to the substantial reduction of viable probiotic bacteria under the harsh conditions in the gastrointestinal tract and the colonization resistance caused by commensal bacteria. In this review, we illustrate the factors affecting probiotic viability and their mucoadhesive properties through their journey in the gastrointestinal tract, including a discussion on various mucosadhesion-related proteins on the probiotic cell surface which facilitate colonization.

Does Kefir Survive Stomach Acid

Kefir, yogurt, Kombucha, sauerkraut all fall in the same category of fermented foods. These foods have live cultures that more often than not, dont survive the stomach acid for numerous reasons.

Say they dont have the right dosage that contains a specific amount of sugar content, CFUs, or collection of strains. This minimizes their chances of survival and ability to work effectively in the gut.

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Which Acid Reflux Symptoms Could They Ease

A 2020 systematic review investigated the effects of probiotics on GERD. The authors looked at 13 studies of varying quality, 11 of which found that probiotics had some benefit for acid reflux. The specific benefits are below:

  • One study noted improvements in reflux or heartburn.
  • Five studies noted improvements in shortness of breath.
  • Three studies noted a reduction in regurgitation.
  • Nine studies noted improvements in other gastrointestinal symptoms, such as:

2019 study investigated the effect of probiotic supplements in adults taking the PPI esomeprazole for reflux esophagitis. Over 8 weeks, one group of participants took esomeprazole with a probiotic, while a second group took esomeprazole with a placebo.

At 12 weeks, the researchers assessed the participants with cured esophagitis. The group that had received the probiotic had lower rates of SIBO and decreased diarrhea.

A 2018 study looked at the effects of probiotics on SIBO in children with GERD. The 12-week study included 128 participants with GERD and 120 without it. The researchers divided the children with GERD into two groups. One received a PPI with probiotics, and the other received the same PPI with a placebo.

At the end of the trial, the children who took probiotics had lower rates of SIBO, compared with those who took a placebo. These lower rates were similar to those of children without GERD.

and Enterococcus faecium. Any of these may help with acid reflux.

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