I agree with that. I've yet to see any research that identifies which bacteria prefers which oligosaccharide. I think there are maybe a half dozen OS varieties on the market but something like 26 have been identified (and are likely supplied by diet.)
Going off the vein a bit but tonight I experienced some pretty serious stomach pain that had me almost doubled over. I figured that it might be gas so I tried this move and that move trying to at least alleviate the pain and it was a no go. As a last resort I thought of grabbing the baking soda but I know that that only works sometimes and I needed something that definitely works, now. To make a short story shorter, I consulted with Dr. You Tube and learned something I would never have thought of on my own…and it works!! First thing, the pain went away almost immediately and then about 4 or 5 minutes of small burps later, all the symptoms were gone.
I came across this article regarding heat-killed probiotics being just as effective as live probiotics in treating irritable bowel syndrome, diarrhea, eczema, allergies, infections, and obesity. These are a form of postbiotic (bacterial byproduct) that we've touched on earlier in this thread. The article says that after probiotics have been inactivated by heat, the dead bacterial cells release components such as lipoteichoic acids, peptidoglycans, and exopolysaccharide, which can still exert beneficial effects, in particular: Modulation of the immune system Neutralization of pathogens So even if probiotics are not stored properly/exposed to heat, they still provide a benefit as a postbiotic.
I can understand using heat-killed bacteria in cases where the patient is not "normal", i.e., immunocompromised or ill for some other reason, but I have a hard time believing that canned sauerkraut/kimchi, or pasteurized yogurt is as good as the live stuff. The quote from the article :"However, to stay on the safe side and get the most out of your probiotics, taking them in a cool and neutral pH beverage like water is probably the best course of action." seems like the best way to go unless you have real health problems. Some bacteria even release toxins when they die.
Yeh, they basically said that postbiotics are as good as probiotics. But this was limited to the two benefits of modulation of the immune system and neutralization of pathogens. Regarding toxins, the end of the article said "bacteria that are deliberately heat-killed and sterilized are going to be different from those that get wiped out by spending hours in your parked car, or in a black mailbox in the height of summer." So there's some mixed-messaging going on.
I just read an article stating that good gut health can help manage atopic dermatitis (eczema.) The article is behind a paywall, so here are extracts: Studies, like the ones reviewed by this research team at the University of Sao Paulo and the Federal University de Sao Paulo, show that skin conditions like atopic dermatitis, acne, and psoriasis are often linked to imbalances in the gut, and are often triggered by gut inflammation. Atopic dermatitis patients have smaller bacteria counts of Bifidobacteria, Bacteroidetes, and Bacteroides when compared to people without atopic dermatitis. These types of bacteria are known as short-chain fatty acid producing bacteria. Short-chain fatty acid producing bacteria like environments rich in indigestible fibers. They hold a critical role in keeping a person healthy, scientists believe, by reducing inflammation and regulating immune response. Researchers believe that too little short-chain fatty acid bacteria can cause inflammation in the gut. This inflammation can reverberate throughout the body, including on the skin. The article mentions that that gut microbiome is is responsible for 70% of immune system regularization. I've read of the gut-brain axis (meaning the gut controls emotional health.) This article states that there is a gut-skin axis as well. It seems that the effects of a healthy diet go far beyond calories and nutrients.
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I just encountered directions for fermenting apples as a source of probiotics. The article is on The Lost Herds website. There are instructions for starting from scratch, although they say you can use the brine from other fermented foods (sauerkraut kombucha, ginger bug and water kefir.) The article implies that the process only takes 3-4 days, but you can go longer if you wish.
I have mixed up a pint of the apples, and have them on the back of the counter to ferment, @John Brunner . I didn’t have a cinnamon stick, so I added a little cinnamon and a little cloves, plus some kombucha. I am looking forward to seeing how they turn out !
It should actually be good, since apples are good whether sweet or tart...and the cloves are always a good addition. I hadn't thought of using mulling spices (star anise, peppercorns, etc.) The article said you can drink the brine, but only a sip a day. I wonder if it's that loaded with probiotics.
We were making applesauce one year and put the peeled apples into a basin of water to keep them from browning. I didn't toss the water. Days later, mild ACV! Didn't add anything. I think the peels have natural yeast on them. Like grapes and plums.
Round up is basically an antibiotic and it is in all processed foods, by default. If you eat enough of them, and sugar, they damage your gut. Antibiotics screws us up worse. and Merrily we roll along, the vaccines kill off bifida bacteria that they can't seem to get back. My daughter was having a heck of a time but didn't want to tell mom. Glutatione, glutamine (beef, cabbage...) and an intense pre-probiotic regimen pulled her back from the brink. She only got one shot but then with lymes she went to antibiotics. This is a weird world we are living in and it seems someone wants to keep us all sick.