Did you know that your yoghurt has an infection? And, it’s still allowed to be sold? Of course, you did? (Didn’t you?)
We know that our gut (our intestines) can often use help- sometimes, all the time…So, we buy yoghurt (and some other foods) that have “good” bacteria infestations. We hope these products can augment the bacteria that thrive in our gut and insure that our body properly digests food. And, the microbial flora in our intestine produce three critical vitamins that we can’t- K, biotin, and pantothenic acid, as well as some hormones and neurotransmitters. (They also product ammonia, indoles/skatoles, and hydrogen sulphide). The indigestible carbohydrates we eat are digested by the enteric bacteria (bacteria in our gut).
We call the bacteria that we leave in yoghurt (we don’t kill them, like we do milk) “probiotics”. “Probiotics” are live microbes that may confer a health benefit upon the host, should they be present in sufficient amounts. That sounds so much nicer than bacterial infection. And, many vendors have gotten into trouble “over-claiming” probiotic products, companies such as Dannon and General Mills.
There is ample evidence of the benefits afforded by probiotics. We know they can “treat” (maybe even preclude) diarrhea, for those times when we are taking antibiotics (which kill the microbes in our gut, as well as the intended infection).
But, the claims for improving our immune system? The data is a lot more qualified on that claim. For example, studies showed that when children took “probiotic milk” thrice daily, five days a week, there was little improvement in overall health. Over the seven month test, with a total of 571 children (aged 1 to 6 y) in the test (controls and test subjects), there was only 1 fewer day of sickness than for the control group. That’s not an indication of an augmented immune system. On the other hand, Dannon’s product “DanActive” which contains the strain of microbes, Lactobacillus casei, has been shown to control lymphocytes and a few other metabolism-related issues. (These were Spanish students under stress from taking exams.) Corn Products also had their “prebiotics” tested (Hughes et. al. American Journal of Clinical Nutrition) demonstrating that students under stress could avoid diarrhea and other gastrointestinal disorders. But this data does not mean one is healthier because they used the products.
On the other hand, Dannon (via scientific researchers) did demonstrate that 1072 seniors (mean age 76) who took Lactobacillus casei augmented drinks had shorter episodes of respiratory illnesses (6.5 v 8 days for the control). Then again, the number of illnesses or the severity of the illness was not affected. Moreover, the studies are based upon thrice daily ingestion of yoghurt- something most folks don’t consider.
And, there is data– which I consider a little suspect- that demonstrated providing probiotics enterally (through a feeding tube)- did cause more deaths than those who did not receive them. (I consider this suspect because this process bypasses a good portion of the digestive system and the subjects all had pancreatitis.
So, in the end- take the probiotic yoghurt if you have diarrhea or are taking antibiotics. Maybe even take it every day to insure you are not so afflicted. But, for any other claims, the jury is still out…
I’ve taken the probiotic capsules (supplements). Not sure it really helped or not. Maybe the powder form would have been better for me since I have a hard time with capsules. Getting them from yogurt is probably more effective, I’m sure. In working with an integrative physician on my own health, I discovered that it was my low levels of essential fatty acids that really did in my digestive health. Fish oil has been my godsend 🙂
Glad to hear it, Lisa.
Most of the “capsules” and “preprobiotic”, which means more processing is needed to be done by your body.
Roy
Outstanding piece Roy – it seems that there’s a lot of dietary research that’s sketchy at best. Tweeted!
Yup, Tor.
Just out of curiosity, do you salt your yoghurt?
Roy
Awesome to get the true evidence on this, Roy! As is often the case, the truth is more detailed and convoluted than the marketers care to explain. =P Thanks for sharing this in so much detail! I remain a yoghurt fan, but am less naive now. =)
Glad to oblige, Samantha.
I certainly would make sure that there’s yoghurt around for when we are sick- or on antibiotics, though.
Roy
Hi Roy, I stopped eating yoghurt because I’m lactose-intolerant. I really liked it’s taste but it didn’t work on my tummy. 😀
Lactose intolerant would mean that you would, indeed, not only get NO benefit- but would be adversely affected.
So sorry, Aurea!
Roy
Our market here has been recently flooded with the leading dairy brand now offering Probiotic products – yoghurt and milk mostly; so my lovely daddy, like the guinea pig he feels he is, tried it out to see the effects, says he “doesn’t feel any different” and his health conditions haven’t shown any drastic changes, so he switched back to normal ol’ plain simple milk and yoghurt. But all that claims in the paper has him interested. He switches back and forth and says that he is reaping the best of both worlds. Let’s see what the verdict stands at.
Hajra:
I am sure if he is “coming down with something” or on antibiotics, he will find the products MOST useful. Or, if he is subject to stress (which could affect his gut), then, that, too, will work.
Thanks for the comments- and let me know how your dad feels later…
Roy
My mom has this terrible cold nowadays, and she says she is feeling weak, maybe we could introduce her to probiotics!
Hajra:
I have heard no such claims for probiotics. Most of their capabilities- claimed and otherwise- all derive from the digestive tract.
The “cold” is one of those ailments that we really only can treat the symptoms and not the disease- as of yet.
Hope you mom feels better soon.
Roy
Hello Roy A Ackerman Phd Ea,
Very interesting, Okay so I thought of this amazing beauty product idea (not going to say what) and I searched online and it does not exist. So I really want to invent (i dont know another word that doesnt sound as weird lol) it but I have no idea how to do it 🙂 please helllp thanks!
Good Job!
It’s a pleasure to see you here, Serena!
Glad you liked the piece.
We do that sort of work all the time for our clients. If you are truly serious, drop me an eMail and we can see where we go.
Thanks, again for visiting.
Roy
G’Day! Roy A Ackerman Phd Ea,
Maybe a little off topic, however, I would like to see what words people invent to see what letter they start their words with and what meaning they give them. It’s a research project.
Thank you
Wishes
Nice to meet you, Jim.
If I read your comment correctly, you are interested in an alphabetical list of new words. Those should be available (albeit, with a mite of tweaking) from folks at the American Heritage Dictionary or Wikidictionary (the latter not “scholarly”), from their list of new words added annually.
Roy