DOCTORS’ LOUNGE
glycemic index (apple cider vinegar and the
anti-starch-absorption/anti-adiposity effects of better gut microbiomes) can reduce
the incidence of atherosclerotic dementia,
which is deeply tied to habits of sedentary
obesity.
Even cancer research is involved. Dr
Catherine Stanton at Teagasc in association with the University College, Cork has
shown (in the lab, not in people) that using
engineered probiotic strains to quadruple
the gut-microbial production of conjugated
linoleic acid – which has been shown also
to reduce fatty liver injury – resulted in reducing the viability of colon cancer cells
by 92 percent.
Probiotic adjustment of gut flora has been
hailed as treatment for various gut diseases.
Initially we thought that regular dosing of
any probiotic given in conjunction with
antibiotic use would prevent Clostridium
Difficile diarrhea/colitis; it turns out that
Saccharomyces boulardii is the active agent,
that more than 10 billion colony-forming
units per dose are needed, and that it is useful in prevention more than for treatment.
However, its use in the immune-suppressed
patient can be associated with fungemia.
Other preparations including the very
popular multi-lactobacillus probiotics have
failed to prevent C diff.
Probiotic use is confusing because of the
paucity of provable outcomes – aside from
C diff prevention – based on the formulae
of the various products; the need or not for
refrigeration; the (sigh) vegan part (raging
internet debate about whether certain commercial products actually do contain gluten
or gelatin); and the packaging, as in, does
it still keep active on the shelf if in a plastic
bottle instead of glass or individual blister
packs. Therefore it is possible to pay $60
for thirty doses of a fancy liquid, or $50 for
various products designed for “Mood” or
“Prostate” or of course, “Ultra,” since this
is America and we must always have the 90
billion CFUs, not just 10.
How can you eat what’s good for your
gut germs? Buy no-antibiotic meat at the
farmers’ markets – the one on Bardstown
Rd at Speed is open year-rou