the role of probiotics in the immune system
DESCRIPTION
The Role of Probiotics in the Immune System. By Jana Jennings. For any nutrition to make a difference in our immune system, and thus our health, it must be received in an environment conducive to absorption. Probiotics help contribute to a healthy intestinal environment. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
1
The Role of Probiotics in the Immune System
By Jana Jennings
3
For Beginning Nutritional Students of All Ages.
For any nutrition to make a difference in our immune system, and thus our health, it must be received in an environment conducive to absorption. Probiotics help contribute to a healthy intestinal environment.
4
Introduction
A large portion of our immune system is in our digestive system.
5
Doctors’ opinions of the amount of our immune system residing in our digestive tract range from 40 – 80%. At any opinion, it is worth giving attention to the military based in our gut.
Series1
0% 20% 40% 60% 80%100%
Doctor Opinions of Immune System
Digestive SystemLymphatic System
6
Dr. Joseph Mercola suggests six vital functions of probiotics in the digestive tract.
Your friendly bacteria help to…
•Digest and promote absorption of some undigested starches, fiber, and sugars.• Produce K and B vitamins and promote mineral
absorption.•Metabolize and break down toxins.
Probiotic Functions
7
• Keep bad bacteria under control. Probiotics also act as anti-inflammatories for bacteria-induced types of inflammation.• Prevent allergies.• Provide vital support to your immune system.
Probiotic Functions
8
Optimal Intestinal Bacteria Ratio
Good BacteriaBad Bac-teria
Optimally, these nice guys should outnumber the bad guys by 85 to 15 percent.
Gut Bacterial Ratio
9
Many health issues can be resolved by restoring the optimal ratio between the good and the bad bacteria, helping us to heal from malnourishment and toxicity.
Gut Bacterial Ratio
10
For those exceptional people who make perfect dietary choices, probiotic supplementation is very seldom needed. But some circumstances may warrant supplementation for optimal recovery, such as overconsumption of sugar and taking antibiotics.
Dietary Choices
11
Broad spectrum antibiotics not only kill bad bacteria, but also kill your good bacteria, and can create “superbugs” when the course of treatment isn’t completed as directed.
Antibiotics
12
Bad Bacteria
Bad bacteria thrive on sugar and starch carbohydrates, but starve in the absence of carbohydrates.
13
Probiotic Strains
There are many different strains of probiotics and each target different bacteria in their anti-inflammatory functions.
Strains continued on next page
14
For example, one study found that Lactobacillus and Propionibacterium groups were more effective anti-inflammatories in the inflammatory marker, CRP, which contributes to cardiovascular problems.
Return to probiotic functions
Probiotic Strains
15
In addition to looking for various probiotic strains in your probiotic supplements, also look for those that…
• need no refrigeration, • have a long shelf life, • can survive stomach acid in order to
pass into small intestine, and •will reside long enough to colonize.
Shopping for Probiotic Supplements
16
For centuries and millennia past, we fermented foods. Only homemade and unpasteurized, lacto-fermented foods made from raw ingredients, actually offer the best probiotic treatment.
What did we do before
supplements?
17
Kefir is loaded with beneficial enzymes and bacteria, especially if made with raw milk. It is rich and creamy, and very easy to make. It is almost lactose free as well.
Kefir
18
Sauerkraut is another lacto-fermented food that has been providing superb nutrition for many centuries. It is eaten as a condiment at most meals for some people around the world.
This batch of sauerkraut has been fermented with caraway seeds.
Sauerkraut
19
For his second round-the-world voyage, Captain Cook loaded 60 barrels of sauerkraut onto his ship.
The sauerkraut had preserved sufficient quantities of vitamin C to protect the entire crew from scurvy. (Nourishing Traditions)
Captain Cook
20
An excellent resource packed with recipes for excellent nutrition and tons of nutritional information and history is Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon
Return to Captain Cook
Nourishing Traditions
21
Making dietary changes that optimize the good to bad bacteria ratio is a must in order to achieve the goals intended with the remainder of our good nutritional choices. If the intestinal walls and its environment are not healthy, nutrients cannot be adequately absorbed.
Conclusion