The Biotic Breakdown - (Pro, Pre, and Antibiotics)

This was something that took me awhile to figure out when I was first figuring out natural living. The whole foodies were constantly saying to eat, drink, take, and ferment your probiotics. But it's hard to ferment it if you don't know what *it* is.

The world is made up of good bacteria and bad bacteria. If you have more good bacteria than bad, then the good is winning and you don't get sick. Probiotics are the good bacteria. But what are prebiotics and antibiotics? And why are probiotics so important.

PREBIOTICS

Prebiotics are plant fibers that probiotics eat. You need prebiotics to keep the probiotics alive and healthy. The probiotics break down the fibers that you cannot process. Handy, huh? Sources of prebiotics are:

• Asparagus
• Garlic
• Onion
• Kiwi
• Jerusalem Artichoke
• Jicama
• Chicory
• Wheat
• Leek
• Banana
• Endive
• Raw Honey
• Raw Maple Syrup
• Supplements

PROBIOTIC

Probiotics are the good bacteria. They boost your immunity to, well, everything. Probiotics can:

• Help cure allergies (including lactose intolerance - it's working for my son!)
• Prevent food poisoning
• Infections
• Skin irritations
• Diarrhea  
• Improve Digestion
• Kidney Stones
• Cholesterol
• Improves Brain Function

Probiotics are live bacteria that you eat. Sources include:

• Raw milk (one of the many, many reasons you should drink raw milk! We drink raw goat's milk in my house because of my son's allergies. But we are in the process of testing his allergies and transitioning to cow milk.)
• Kefir (similar to yogurt)
• Kombucha (fermented tea. I love it!! I like this brand, but I will be making it soon, so stay tuned!)
• Raw fermented foods like sauerkraut and kimchi (both are fermented cabbage)
• Yogurt
• Miso Soup and Tempeh (both fermented soy - although many people avoid soy because most USA soy is GMO, well that's one reason. I eat soy in moderation.)
• Sour Pickles (fermented with salt, not with vinegar)
• Supplements (I take this one and my son takes this one)

Note on probiotic supplements: Whole foods is better than the supplement, always. The instructions on my supplement say to take 3 a day. I only take 1 a day because I get probiotics from many of the other sources listed (although I don't eat a probiotic source daily, which is why I take the supplement). If your probiotic makes you sick or nauseous, check the inactive ingredients. There may be some ingredients, such as minerals, that you are not able to digest. Try another brand or, better yet, start making kefir or kombucha! If you do take a supplement, if it's not in the refrigerator section, don't get it! Probiotics are alive and the ones in the fridge are more effective.

One of the biggest things that probiotics can do is cure allergies, food intolerances, and acid reflux. Probiotics strengthens the lining of your intestines, kills the bad bacteria, and improve your immune system. When you have an allergic reaction to food, your immune system is trying to protect you.  An allergic reaction is when your body overproduces an antibody (a very detailed explanation can be found here). This overproduction causes an imbalance in your gut. Probiotics keep that balance in check and prevent & cure a lot of problems. Yes, you can inherit allergies, but you can also nurture, protect, and strengthen your gut to overcome it! For more info on how to reverse allergies with probiotics, see Ann Marie's article on Cheeseslave. She's living proof!

My adopted son was born violently allergic to everything. Even lotion with soy would make him violently sick and he couldn't breath within 15 minutes of application. When he came home at 1 month old, he was on a prescription formula that was 57% corn syrup and 4 medicines he took daily (2 otc, 2 prescription). I switched him to raw goat's milk (full of probiotics!) and he was off all meds within 1 week! I also give him these supplements that include cod liver oil and probiotics (read more about the goat milk here).

ANTIBIOTICS

Antibiotics are very effective at killing the bad bacteria. But.....they also kill the good bacteria. Antibiotics are never a good idea. My 14 month has never had antibiotics and I there are very, very, very few circumstances that I would even consider it. Antibiotics are made to use for bacteria infections, not viral infections. Unfortunately, they are prescribed for all types of infections. Common viral infections (not bacteria infections) that doctors prescribe antibiotics for (this list is from the Mayo Clinic & the CDC):

• Most ear infections
• Most sore throats
• Stomach virus
• Bronchitis
• Flu
• Upper respiratory infection

Repeated use of antibiotics results in antibiotic resistance. Yep, the antibiotics quit working. The bacteria becomes immune to them. The antibiotics also cause a lot of damage to the good bacteria in your system since it kills those, too. The good bacteria is what keeps you healthy, so if you kill those, your immune system is compromised, allowing bad bacteria to take over, resulting in you taking more antibiotics..... It's a vicious cycle. Don't start! Do you, your kids, or someone you know always seem to be on antibiotics? It's the antibiotic resistance working. See The Healthy Home Economist on how to cure strep throat without antibiotics.

Instead of reaching for the antibiotics, go for probiotics! Fight the bad bacteria by taking more good bacteria.

Sources:

• http://vivajoyhealthclub.wordpress.com/2012/05/31/antiobiotics-probiotics-and-prebiotics/
• http://www.sciencebasedmedicine.org/ive-been-prescribed-an-antibiotic-should-i-take-a-probiotic/
• http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/features/what-are-probiotics
• http://cdrf.org/home/checkoff-investments/usprobiotics/
• http://cdrf.org/home/checkoff-investments/usprobiotics/probiotics-basics/
• http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/antibiotics/FL00075
• http://www.cdc.gov/Features/GetSmart/
• http://www.medicinenet.com/allergy/page2.htm

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