(04-07-10) New research: probiotic found in breast milk benefits nerves in gut, calms digestive disorders

by S. L. Baker, features writer

Probiotics are beneficial microorganisms similar to the "friendly" bacteria
found naturally in the body's digestive system. According to the National
Center for Complementary and Alternative Medicine (NCCAM), there's evidence
from a variety of studies that probiotic formulations can help treat diarrhea,
urinary tract infections, irritable bowel syndrome and dermatitis (eczema) in
children; probiotics may reduce the recurrence of bladder cancer, too.

Now Canadian researchers have published research in the Federation of American
Societies for Experimental Biology (FASEB) journal that explains why certain
strains of probiotics are particularly soothing to indigestion related
problems. It turns out the probiotic strain Lactobacillus reuteri, which occurs
in the gut of many mammals and is found in human breast milk, immediately and
directly affects nerves in the gut.

For their study, scientist Wolfgang Kunze of the McMaster Brain-Body Institute
and Department of Psychiatry at St. Joseph's Healthcare in Ontario, Canada, and
his research team took isolated pieces of small intestine removed from healthy
and previously untreated mice. Then they added Lactobacillus reuteri to a warm
salt solution which was sent flowing through the lumen, or hollow part, of the
intestine. The pressure caused by natural contractions in the intestine
sections was measured before, during and after adding the probiotic-containing
solution. The scientists tested the electrical activity of single intestinal
sensory nerve cells, as well.

The results? The researchers documented that the force of muscle contractions
in the gut tissue decreased within minutes of exposure to the probiotic
solution. This discovery explains why intake of probiotics can often alleviate
symptoms of a whole host of digestive disorders such as irritable bowel
syndrome, inflammatory bowel disease and constipation.

"Scientifically and evidence-based approaches to nutrition to correct
potential bacterial imbalance in the intestine and thereby promote better
health could possibly restore health in diseases associated with these
imbalances," Kunze said in a statement to the media.

This is the latest of a growing body of research backing up what many natural
health advocates have said for decades -- probiotics (which can be found in
supplements and in many foods including yogurt, kefir, fermented and
unfermented milk, miso and tempeh, as well as breast milk) can promote health
and protect from illness. For example, as NaturalNews previously reported,
researchers have found that taking probiotics may help people lose excess
weight (http://www.naturalnews.com/028023_i...). And a study published in the
journal Postgraduate Medicine concluded that taking probiotics regularly boosts
the immune system in a specific way which helps the body fight off flu
infections (http://www.naturalnews.com/026265_p...).

Source:NaturalNews

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In evidenza

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