Yogurt and the Stomach

[tummyfix]

I read somewhere that it is preferable to take probiotic capsules because the probiotics are protected, thus allowing more of them to reach the intestines. What I read said that when consuming yogurt, etc. less of the probiotics make it to the intestines than from the capsules. They said the stomach acid destroys the great majority of the probiotics in food form. Is this true? Please elaborate. Thanks.

[Tim Hall]

I've heard this too. Some things to think about: how long has the word "probiotics" existed, and how long have people been consuming them as supplement pills? How long have people been consuming yogurt, kefir, etc., and getting health benefits from them?

Research and statistics always have an aim, and are funded or conducted with a certain agenda. I wouldn't be surprised if more bugs get to your gut through pills than yogurt, but what does that really mean?

[Christopher Weeks]

You only need to get enough there to colonize, right?

Which makes me wonder -- wouldn't you need, under most circumstances, just to recolonize your gut once in a while -- after a course of antibiotics or when you have evidence that things have gotten out of whack?

[Tim Hall]

Well here's my perspective: If you feel good taking probiotic supplements, by all means take them. But there's a few things about this approach that don't spur much interest in it for me.

Charles Eisenstein starts his chapter on supplements in The Yoga of Eating with this great quote from Masanobu Fukuoka -

"Those who break off a piece of nature lay hold of something that is dead, and unaware that what they are examining is no longer what they think it to be, claim to understand nature."

To me there's a disparity of nature in supplements (even those claiming to be natural) that's not much unlike allopathic pharmaceuticals. That's not to say there isn't a time and place for these things, but it's simply not a natural course ultimately.

I think a more natural course is directly participating in your health and nourishment by fermenting foods, and the very act of fermenting something may serve to put things in balance (as Christopher mentions) almost as well as consuming the end product. This doesn't happen when you simply swallow a pill.

And the bugs cultured in a laboratory, are not the bugs you co-habitate with. I think there's something to consuming what's in your immediate environment.

[joannaelizabeth]

I think some pills may work but often they seem to do nothing..

I used to have a very weak digestion and I remember trying lots of health store digestive aids and none of them seemed to do anything. A few days ago I ate too much too fast and got a painful bellyache.... then I drank some whey, ate a tad of yogurt, and could not believe how much better my belly felt within 30 mins. Almost 100% better.

Also, yogurt used to feel like empty, deadening crap in my system until I started making my own. This isn't scientific, but I thought I'd share. : )

[Tim Hall]

Also, yogurt used to feel like empty, deadening crap in my system until I started making my own. This isn't scientific, but I thought I'd share. : )

I bet if it were possible, a scientific study would indicate that simply the act of doing for yourself is healthy in and of itself. Homegrown vegetables taste better and have more nutrients, so why shouldn't ferments? The 'metaphysics' of doing things like this is totally ignored by accepted scientific standards...but that doesn't mean it doesn't have value.

[GreenLady]

Being a trained intestinal-flora-therapist (and herbalist), maybe I can share some thoughts. As far as I know the probiotic bacteria will mostly survive the stomach when they're in a 'budding' state, meaning just starting to develop.

This occurs in supplements with freezedried bacteria when you dissolve them in water for a couple of minutes; it will also be present in live yoghurt because all forms (budding, fully grown, died) logically are.

As someone else said above; supplements are just what they are: supplements. It would be better to have everybody eat fermented foods *way* more often, but most often, that sadly just isn't the case.

I mainly use them in my patients for 3 reasons:
- their intestinal flora has often been destroyed or outbalanced beyond the reach of normal healing through fermented food
- I mainly treat children, who are not always keen on eating ferments (as are the parents not always keen on putting the time and effort into making them)
- not all bacteria that may be necessary, are usually present in a healthy ferment. Bacteria such as Enterococcus sp. and E. coli sp., may be necessary to enhance the immune system and the intestinal environment. This is necessary, because the probiotic bacteria first need a 'friendly environment' to be able to colonize properly. A *lot* of people have a not-so-friendly intestinal environment, causing their floras to decline.

Apart from that, the living bacteria are not the only benefit from ferments. Their 'poop' (metabolites) is also very beneficial, as it helpes to create forementioned friendly environment. This is probably why people are still experiencing benefit from pasturized / heated yoghurt: doesn't contain any alive bacteria anymore, but it still contains the metabolites (lactic acid).

[Denise]

This is from GI ProHealth about their yogurt culture starter:

FORMULATION
"Three lactic acid bacteria strains were chosen for their individual characteristics, which when combined offer a unique balance of cultures that produce high activity levels of health promoting lactic acid bacteria, producing a yogurt culture that is supportive of intestinal and immune health."

And this from an e-mail I sent to them (quoted and bolded):

"Hi Denise,

Yes GI ProStart does reach the small intestine very active.

Thank You
Joe Ferro
GI ProHealth"

Link for the starter that gives a thick, beautifully tart culture:
http://www.giprohealth.com/giprostart.aspx

This yogurt culture starter can be used to make a lactose free yogurt that is thick and not overly tart.