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Good Bacteria Bad Bacteria

February 16, 2010 Written by JP    [Font too small?]

Life may seem rather complicated when you look at all the moving pieces. Living in today’s world means that you must constantly be aware of cultural and environment considerations, governmental regulations and political issues, interpersonal relationships, religion and spiritual practices and technological advances. Ignoring any of these elements could spell trouble or otherwise put you at a disadvantage. But if it ever seems as if all of that is too much to handle, just remember that your brain is already overseeing a vastly more complex landscape every minute of every day – the incredibly intricate and magnificent machinery that resides within the body. It requires the utmost precision and skill to coordinate all of the disparate functions and physiological components that are absolutely vital in order to keep us alive and thriving. In most instances, the mind manages this enormous task seamlessly.

One specific aspect of human health that most people don’t think about is the never-ending population shifts that occur in the digestive system. There, both good and bad bacteria cohabitate in various proportions. Generally speaking, it’s a peaceful coexistence. But if the number of pathogenic bacteria grow out of control, things could get ugly. The good news is that we humans are capable of tipping the bacterial balance back in our favor by supplementing with exogenous probiotics (good bacteria) if the bad guys get out of hand. Here are a few examples of how both harmful and healthful bacteria may impact common health conditions.

The February edition of the Nutrition Journal reports that lactic acid bacteria (LAB) may be an effective and safe means of countering constipation in a senior population. 19 nursing home residents suffering from chronic constipation were given a LAB supplement 30 minutes after breakfast and dinner meals for 2 weeks. A standardized questionnaire was used to assess bathroom habits prior to and during the treatment course. Stool samples were also taken to “investigate LAB levels and inhibition of harmful enzyme activities”. The results of this brief intervention showed that there was an increase in frequency of going to the bathroom and more complete elimination during bathroom trips. The concentration of healthy bacteria also grew and a decline in two harmful enzyme activities (tryptophanase and urease) were noted. These benefits, attributed to the probiotic intervention, clearly offer an advantage over the traditional management of constipation which often utilizes stimulant laxatives. Such medications can lead to dependence and long term bowel dysfunction. (1,2)

The role that beneficial bacteria play in the body extends far beyond the confines of the intestines. A new report in the British Journal of Nutrition provides a sterling example. 256 women were divided into two groups during the first trimester of pregnancy. Both sets of women received dietary counseling. However, one half was also given a probiotic supplement (containing Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and Bifidobacterium lactis Bb12) while the remainder was provided with a placebo. The health of the expectant mothers and soon-to-be infants were then analyzed over a 24 month period. Here are some of the key findings of this study:

  • The women receiving the probiotic blend developed gestational diabetes at a much lower rate than the placebo group (13% diet + probiotics vs. 36% in the diet + placebo).
  • No significant side effects or prenatal or postnatal growth abnormalities were detected in the probiotic group.

This trial is especially important in that it establishes the safety of these select healthy bacteria both during pregnancy and breastfeeding. The additional importance of reducing the likelihood of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) cannot be underestimated as well. This pregnancy-related form of diabetes will affect over 200,000 women in the US this year alone. GDM not only compromises maternal health, but can complicate pregnancies and result in babies that: a) are larger than normal (macrosomia) or b) suffer from low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), jaundice (yellowing of the eyes and skin) and even Respiratory Distress Syndrome. (3,4)

A recent press release from the University of Wageningen (UK) theorizes that an imbalance of gut bacteria may be playing a role in the current obesity epidemic. Microbiologists from Wageningen and the University of Amsterdam base this opinion on numerous animal studies. These experiments show that obese animals possess a greater number of bacteria that “efficiently convert indigestible food into manageable fatty acids”. In other words, they extract more calories from the food they eat. Scientists feel confident about this theory because they’ve discovered that implanting certain bacteria from obese animals into lean animals tends to increase fat storage in the non-obese test subjects. The mechanism behind this remarkable outcome may have to do with gut bacteria altering hormones which can promote fat retention. At present there is an experiment underway to determine whether this same phenomenon occurs in a human population. (5)

Proposed Mechanisms By Which Intestinal Bacteria Affect Weight
Source: Mayo Clinic Proceedings April 2008 vol. 83 no. 4 460-469 (link)

The topic of bacteria and human health recently got even more interesting. A newly published Danish trial in the journal PLos ONE discovered that adults with diabetes possess significantly different bacterial composition in their digestive system than people without blood sugar disorders. A group of 36 men took part in the investigation. Half of the participants were considered “healthy” and the rest had been clinically diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Researchers tested bacterial levels in all of the subjects and found that those with diabetes had lower levels of certain bacteria (“phylum Firmicutes and class Clostridia”) but higher concentrations of “Betaproteobacteria”. It appears that this altered ratio of bacteria manifests itself in a reduction of glucose tolerance and higher blood sugar concentrations. (6)

A recent review suggests that another blood sugar/weight-related condition, ie., nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD), could possibly be assisted by carefully balancing gut microflora. A group of Italian researchers points out that many of the same mechanisms that lead to diabetes also contribute to NAFLD and weight gain. However, it’s interesting to note that the bacterial climate present in diabetics isn’t necessarily the same as that typically found in non-diabetic, obese individuals or those with NAFLD. Therefore, scientists must first clarify the specific activity of various bacteria in order to use particular probiotics therapeutically. (7)

Another wrinkle is that many probiotic supplements are lacking in the quantity and/or variety of bacteria that is claimed on product labels. A recent Italian survey of 72 probiotic samples discovered that 87% “did not conform to Italian guidelines and the differences were both quantitative and qualitative (number determination, purity, types and viability of microorganisms)”. It’s also not safe to assume that all probiotic supplements will be equally beneficial for a given condition. An example can be found in the February issue of the journal BMC Gastroenterology. A specific probiotic with suspected health benefits, Lactobacillus plantarum, was actually found to be less effective than a placebo in the management of irritable bowel syndrome. (8,9)

The key to selecting the right probiotic is to first establish which bacterial strain or strains are best suited for your purpose. The next step is to make sure to use products upon which you can rely. One way is to opt for cultured foods or supplements that have a proven history based on published clinical studies. It’s also important to determine whether a manufacturer tests their products to verify that they actually contain the specific microorganisms that the label claims. Finally, it’s vital to establish whether a company guarantees the potency of their supplements through the expiration date. Viable, healthy bacteria are necessary to provide the desired health benefits you seek. It requires a little digging and some extra effort to find the best probiotics out there. But it’s worth it. If you simply choose a brand randomly or based on price alone, you may very well end up consuming bacteria that you don’t need or want.

Note: Please check out the β€œComments & Updates” section of this blog – at the bottom of the page. You can find the latest research about this topic there!

Be well!

JP


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Posted in Diabetes, Diet and Weight Loss, Food and Drink

11 Comments & Updates to “Good Bacteria Bad Bacteria”

  1. Nina K. Says:

    Morning JP πŸ™‚

    the gut bacteria thing is really interesting. as earlier told, hubby and i make our own homemade yogurt (and sometimes also a yummy sour cream) with varying bacteria (lact. thermophilus, bifidus, bulgaricus, acidophilus ).

    the pro-biotic products in the supermarket are so extremly loaded with sugar and glucose-fructose-sirup which destroy a healthy gut flora!

    I recently read that bananas are also have pro-biotic properties: some ingredients are broken down into short chain fatty acids which make a good environment for the healthy and “friendly” bacteria. Another food with such properties shall be miso – the japan condiment. There are a lot of foods with pro-biotic properties out there but we often forget our “good friends”.

    Stay healthy and happy!
    Nina K.

  2. JP Says:

    That’s so true, Nina. I’m currently working on a recipe that features almonds – another food with prebiotic properties.

    Eating cultured and fermented foods is an excellent way to tip the flora balance in our favor. You and your husband are doing a great job of that by making your own probiotic foods. I suspect that they’re far superior to the majority of commercially available sour creams and yogurts. Well done! πŸ™‚

    Be well!

    JP

  3. gabrielle Says:

    omg! i love food!

  4. JP Says:

    Me too, Gabrielle! πŸ™‚

    Be well!

    JP

  5. Jacek A. Haciak Says:

    Wonderful as usual. Thank you for the continued excellence in accuracy and meaningful data interpretation.

    Jacek

  6. JP Says:

    Thank you, Jacek!

    Be well!

    JP

  7. JP Says:

    Updated 01/08/17:

    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5206730/

    Sci Rep. 2017 Jan 3;7:40128.

    The effects of Lactobacillus plantarum on small intestinal barrier function and mucosal gene transcription; a randomized double-blind placebo controlled trial.

    The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of three Lactobacillus plantarum strains on in-vivo small intestinal barrier function and gut mucosal gene transcription in human subjects. The strains were selected for their differential effects on TLR signalling and tight junction protein rearrangement, which may lead to beneficial effects in a stressed human gut mucosa. Ten healthy volunteers participated in four different intervention periods: 7-day oral intake of either L. plantarum WCFS1, CIP104448, TIFN101 or placebo, proceeded by a 4 weeks wash-out period. Lactulose-rhamnose ratio (an indicator of small intestinal permeability) increased after intake of indomethacin, which was given as an artificial stressor of the gut mucosal barrier (mean ratio 0.06 ± 0.04 to 0.10 ± 0.06, p = 0.001), but was not significantly affected by the bacterial interventions. However, analysis in small intestinal biopsies, obtained by gastroduodenoscopy, demonstrated that particularly L. plantarum TIFN101 modulated gene transcription pathways related to cell-cell adhesion with high turnover of genes involved in tight- and adhesion junction protein synthesis and degradation (e.g. actinin alpha-4, metalloproteinase-2). These effects were less pronounced for L. plantarum WCFS1 and CIP104448. In conclusion, L. plantarum TIFN101 induced the most pronounced probiotic properties with specific gene transcriptional effects on repair processes in the compromised intestine of healthy subjects.

    Be well!

    JP

  8. JP Says:

    Updated 06/03/18:

    https://www.nmcd-journal.com/article/S0939-4753(18)30091-7/abstract

    Nutr Metab Cardiovasc Dis. 2018 Jun;28(6):565-574.

    The effect of daily fortified yogurt consumption on weight loss in adults with metabolic syndrome: A 10-week randomized controlled trial.

    BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Obesity is a complex and multifaceted condition. Thus, functional foods need investigation as novel adjunct treatments for obesity. The objective was to determine the effects of daily consumption of a fortified yogurt (FY) on weight loss in overweight and obese patients with metabolic syndrome on a caloric-restricted diet.

    METHODS AND RESULTS: This was a randomized, double-blind, 10-week study. Participants were randomly allocated to two groups receiving either two servings (2 Γ— 250 g)/day of FY with whey protein, calcium, vitamin D, prebiotic fibre and probiotic cultures (n = 44) or a low-fat plain yogurt (PY) (n = 43). All participants were put on a calorie-restricted diet throughout the 10-week study. Body composition and biochemical indices were assessed before and after the intervention. Body mass decreased by 4.3 Β± 1.9 kg and 5.1 Β± 3.0 kg in the PY and FY groups, respectively, following the 10-week intervention. Compared to PY, consumption of FY resulted in a significant reduction in body fat mass (FM) (p = 0.023), body fat percentage (p = 0.028), waist circumference (p = 0.002), homoeostasis model of assessment-insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (p = 0.025), triglyceride concentration (p = 0.003), and a significant increase in total 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentration (p < 0.001), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) (p = 0.009) and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) (0.022). Participants consuming the FY lost less fat-free mass (FFM) compared to the PY group (Ξ” = -0.9 Β± 3.5 kg vs. Ξ” = -2.0 Β± 2.7 kg; p = 0.025). CONCLUSIONS: Consuming FY for 10-weeks improved body composition and metabolic parameters, while on a caloric-restricted diet. Further research is needed to elucidate whether FY can be used as a preventative strategy for metabolic syndrome in obese persons. Be well! JP

  9. JP Says:

    Updated 09/26/18:

    https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/30251018

    Eur J Nutr. 2018 Sep 24.

    Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum CECT 7765 supplementation improves inflammatory status in insulin-resistant obese children.

    PURPOSE: The relationships between gut microbiota and obesity-related co-morbidities have been increasingly recognized. Low-grade inflammation may be the main factor in the pathogenesis of such disorders. We investigated the effect of the potential probiotic Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum CECT 7765 on cardiometabolic risk factors, inflammatory cytokines and gut microbiota composition in obese children with insulin resistance.

    METHODS: The study included 48 obese children (10-15 years old) with insulin resistance. They received dietary advice and were assigned to take the capsules with or without probiotic (109-10 CFU) daily for 13 weeks. Clinical, biochemical and gut microbiome measurements were made at baseline and at the end of the intervention.

    RESULTS: There was a significant improvement in body mass index in all children after the intervention, suggesting that weight changes are related to the dietary advice. A significant decrease in circulating high-sensitive C-reactive protein (P = 0.026) and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (P = 0.032) and an increase in high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (P = 0.035) and omentin-1 (P = 0.023) in children receiving probiotic supplementation were observed compared to the control group. Regarding gut microbiota, probiotic administration significantly increased the proportion of the Rikenellaceae family members, particularly of the Alistipes genus.

    CONCLUSIONS: The beneficial effects of the intervention on inflammatory markers and lipid profile suggest that B. pseudocatenulatum CECT 7765 intake together with dietary recommendations can improve inflammatory status in children with obesity and insulin resistance. These effects are parallel to increases in bacterial groups associated with a lean phenotype. The modulation of gut microbiota with probiotic supplementation can be considered an effective tool to ameliorate some obesity-related disorders in children.

    Be well!

    JP

  10. JP Says:

    Updated 12/03/18:

    https://immunityageing.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12979-018-0139-2

    Immun Ageing. 2018 Nov 20;15:29.

    Effects of chocolate containing Leuconostoc mesenteroides strain NTM048 on immune function: a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.

    Background: Previous reports showed that oral administration of Leuconostoc mesenteroides strain NTM048 increases IgA levels and CD4+ T cell population in feces and mice, respectively, as revealed by flow cytometric analysis of splenocytes. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of chocolate supplemented with L. mesenteroides strain NTM048 (> 1.00 × 109 CFU/day, NTM048) on the immune parameters of healthy subjects, using a randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blinded study design.

    Methods: Participants (mean age: 46.3 years) ingested 28 g of test food daily, at a time of their own choice, for 4 weeks. The immunological parameters of all participants were evaluated two times (pre- and post- ingestion). At the end of the study, various immunological parameters of the participants were measured and scoring of immunological vigor (SIV) was performed using a comprehensive algorithm.

    Results: Ingestion of NTM048-supplemented chocolate significantly improved SIV in the NTM048 group (18.6 ± 1.6) compared to that in the placebo group (17.8 ± 2.0) after 4 weeks (p = 0.049). Several immunological parameters (CD8+T cells, CD8+CD28+ T cells, and memory T cells) were significantly elevated in the NTM048 group as compared to the placebo group (all p < 0.05). In addition, T cell proliferation index at post-ingestion significantly increased compared with that at pre-ingestion in the NTM048 (p = 0.017) and placebo groups (p = 0.037), although no differences were observed between the two groups. Conclusion: Our results suggest that ingestion of chocolate supplemented with NTM048 is effective against the age-related decline in T cell-related immune functions. Be well! JP

  11. JP Says:

    Updated 12/12/18:

    https://link.springer.com/article/10.1007%2Fs12602-018-9490-z

    Probiotics Antimicrob Proteins. 2018 Dec 8.

    The Effects of Probiotic Supplementation on Genetic and Metabolic Profiles in Patients with Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial.

    This study was carried out to evaluate the effects of probiotic supplementation on genetic and metabolic profiles in patients with gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) who were not on oral hypoglycemic agents. This randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted in 48 patients with GDM. Participants were randomly divided into two groups to intake either probiotic capsule containing Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus casei, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Lactobacillus fermentum (2 × 109 CFU/g each) (n = 24) or placebo (n = 24) for 6 weeks. Probiotic intake upregulated peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma (P = 0.01), transforming growth factor beta (P = 0.002) and vascular endothelial growth factor (P = 0.006), and downregulated gene expression of tumor necrosis factor alpha (P = 0.03) in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of subjects with GDM. In addition, probiotic supplementation significantly decreased fasting plasma glucose (Ξ², - 3.43 mg/dL; 95% CI, - 6.48, - 0.38; P = 0.02), serum insulin levels (Ξ², - 2.29 ΞΌIU/mL; 95% CI, - 3.60, - 0.99; P = 0.001), and insulin resistance (Ξ², - 0.67; 95% CI, - 1.05, - 0.29; P = 0.001) and significantly increased insulin sensitivity (Ξ², 0.009; 95% CI, 0.004, 0.01; P = 0.001) compared with the placebo. Additionally, consuming probiotic significantly decreased triglycerides (P = 0.02), VLDL-cholesterol (P = 0.02), and total-/HDL-cholesterol ratio (P = 0.006) and significantly increased HDL-cholesterol levels (P = 0.03) compared with the placebo. Finally, probiotic administration led to a significant reduction in plasma malondialdehyde (P < 0.001), and a significant elevation in plasma nitric oxide (P = 0.01) and total antioxidant capacity (P = 0.01) was observed compared with the placebo. Overall, probiotic supplementation for 6 weeks to patients with GDM had beneficial effects on gene expression related to insulin and inflammation, glycemic control, few lipid profiles, inflammatory markers, and oxidative stress.

    Be well!

    JP

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