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Probiotics: Gut health and Eczema
The very lovely and talented Tracey Wheeler of T.A inc dipped into the subject of Probiotics for us.
Probiotics have long been associated with
gut health. Over history there have been many accounts of probiotics being used
to heal gut problems and for good reason. As humans, 80% of our immune system
is in our guts and an imbalance in our gut health can lead to many health
concerns. Not only can you feel bloated, gassy, abdominal pain and diarrhoea
but disturbances in this area has also been linked to many other health
conditions including hormonal imbalances, autoimmune diseases, chronic fatigue,
eczema and dermatitis.
The general definition of a probiotic is a
‘live microbial food supplement which beneficially affects the host animal by
improving intestinal microbial balance’ and our guts need these to retain
balance and good health. When we are born our gastrointestinal tracts are
sterile and normal gut flora takes time to develop. This development can be
influenced by many factors including, the composition of maternal gut
microflora, diet, hygiene, antibiotic use and other medications, environment
and possible genetic factors. As probiotics are essential to a good gut and
good gut health is necessary for good general health it is important to know
where we can source them from and what the benefits are.
Food sources
Food sources for probiotic health include
fermented foods eg dairy or vegetables. Examples are yoghurt, sauerkraut and
some fermented vegetables. Other sources of probiotics are through
supplementation.
Deficiency signs and symptoms
The signs and symptoms can sometimes be
difficult to establish as they can vary enormously but can generally include
bloating, flatulence, abdominal pain, diarrhoea and/or constipation and fungal
overgrowth eg candida.
Babies that are exclusively fed on infant
formula tend to have a slower colonisation of the gut compared to babies who
are breastfed as breastmilk allows the transfer of oligosaccharides to the
baby.
Main actions
Immune function
The largest action of probiotics is to
balance the immune system and prevent harmful pathogens living and breeding in
the gastrointestinal tract. They achieve this by binding to intestinal cells
and therefore inhibit the binding of pathogenic bacteria to the gut wall by the
production of inhibitory substances such as bacteriocins, lactic acid and toxic
oxygen metabolites.
Allergy
Babies that have a high level of pathogen
exposure during their first few months may expose them to more potential
allergic sensitisation and skin conditions. The microflora in our intestines plays
a major protective role against the development of allergy because it reduces
antigen transport through the intestinal mucosa.
Atopic dermatitis and eczema
Probiotics have the potential to moderate
the inflammatory and immune responses and strengthen the intestinal barrier
function. Their actions are useful in addressing the underlying pathophysiological
processes involved in atopic dermatitis and eczema. Several studies have been
conducted and demonstrated that probiotic therapy in infants and children with
established atopic dermatitis found that probiotics can support the severity of
the condition.
Contraindications and precautions
Specific strains of probiotic are
appropriate for different situations and certain strains are suitable for
children. While it is likely safe to use probiotics in pregnancy it is best to
buy from a recommended retailer and be supervised while pregnant and breast
feeding.
Tracey
Wheeler
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BHSc (Comp Med) Dip.Nat (Hons); Dip.Herb Med. (Hons)
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traceynaturally@gmail.com Facebook/T.Ainc
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