Contrary to common belief that bacteria are always harmful, some can actually help with digestion and offer protection from "bad" bacterial strains. The Mayo Clinic reports that adding probiotics, which are food supplements--primarily yogurt-containing "good" bacteria--are helpful nutritional components that can treat a variety of conditions. Treatment of diarrhea, vaginal yeast infections, irritable bowel syndrome and certain intestinal infections can benefit from probiotics. Although controversial, there are three common types of bacteria that may help you remain healthy.
Lactobacillus Delbrueckii
Lactobacillus delbrueckii is a lactic acid-producing bacteria, which is known for its presence in yogurt. According to 2005 U.S. National Institutes of Health study, L. delbrueckii, particularly the bulgaricus species, is an effective immune system modulator, while also helping individuals who are lactose intolerant. A different U.S. National Institutes of Health 2006 study found that Lactobacillus delbrueckii survived passage through the intestinal tract, which indicates its ability to aid in digestion and stimulate the gut immune system. This thereby increases nutrient absorption from the carrier food supplement.
Streptococcus Thermophilus
Streptococcus thermophilus is also a well-known yogurt production bacterium also helpful in digestion and immunity. The same U.S. National Institutes of Health 2006 study also found this bacteria's ability to sustain through the human digestive tract with a presence in fecal matter, denoting its nutritional, digestive and immunity-enhancing ability. It functions by fermenting lactose and sucrose more rapidly than constituent monosaccharides, or simple sugars, which aid in digestion.
Bifidobacterium
Bifidobacterium is helpful in colonic microbiology and fecal metabolites, according to an American Journal of Clinical Nutrition 1994 study. Yogurts containing this type of bacteria help to keep the intestinal flora balanced. In a September 2004 American Journal of Clinical Nutrition study, the intake of bifidobacterium effectively suppressed a Helicobacter pylori, infection in humans. This is the bacteria most responsible for ulcers and stomach inflammation.
References
- Mayo Clinic: Probiotics - Important for a Healthy Diet?
- "The Complete Genome Sequence of Lactobacillus bulgaricus Reveals Extensive and Ongoing Reductive Evolution;" M. van de Guchte, et al.; Procedures of the National Academy of Science; October 2005
- "Survival of Yogurt Bacteria in the Human Gut;" Marina Elli, Applied and Environmental Microbiology; July 2006
- "The Fermentation of Disacchardies by Streptococcus Thermophilus; J.M. Sherman and Pauline Stark; Laboratory of Bacteriology, College of Agriculture, Cornell University; February 1983
- "Does Yogurt Enriched with Bifidobacterium longum Affect Colonic Microbiology and Fecal Metabolites in Health Subjects;" H.P. Bartram, et al.; The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition; 1994
- "Effects of Ingesting Lactobacillus- and Bifidobacterium-containing Yogurt in Subjects with Colonized Helicobacter pylori;" Kuan-Yuan Wang, et al.; The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition; September 2004
