The word probiotic comes from Latin and Greek and means “for life.” Most Americans are unfamiliar with the function of probiotics. On the other hand, almost everyone knows of the opposite: Anti-Biotic, “Against Life”. Probiotics are the good, beneficial bacteria that live along your intestinal wall, called the mucosa membrane or mucosa lining. I believe so many of our health problems can be traced back to the gut. Our intestines are over 25 feet long and are responsible for digesting, breaking down and absorbing all of our food. Even those with the healthiest diets may have issues with absorption, when their intestinal tract is not running at peak efficiency.
We need this lining and protective shield of good flora to defend us. It defends us from the onslaught of bad bacteria, undigested foods and stomach acids. Did you know that your body was designed to have a few pounds of “friendly bacteria” in your intestines at all times? These “friendly bacteria,” are known as flora, good bacteria or probiotics. They help keep the harmful bacteria that bombard our body in check. It is this defense system of probiotics, that is commonly referred to as your “second immune system.”
Probiotics: Lots of Bacteria, but Only Two Sides
What does this mean “two sides”? Each person has trillions of bacteria in their gut. There are lots of different strains of probiotics and bacteria. Like it was said above, there are friendly ones and not so friendly ones that can make us sick. But that is not the “two sides” I am talking about. Even probiotics- the good guys- have two sides.
Some are living ones and some dead
- This is my belief, and not everyone agrees with it. The bacteria that comes from decay or death, like those from fermented foods such as kombucha, kimchi, sauerkraut, and kefir, thrive off death and not life. The bacteria that comes from these comes from foods that are no longer alive. They will not harm you, and research does show fermented foods can add variety to your gut, but I do not believe they bring the same life and healing as probiotics from living plants. This is more about energetics and frequency.
- The other side are those from living plants, the ones that thrive on life. These bring restoration and healing to your gut. They have a life force that the bacteria from fermented foods do not. These contain energy from God and the sun. They come from life, and thus bring life. These will rejuvenate and restore your gut more than anything else. They come from fresh, living foods. The best source for these is sprouts. Sprouts like alfalfa, broccoli, clover, lentil, kale when sprouted are living gardens where the living probiotics come from. They also live on the surface and the skin of fruits and vegetables. For produce from your own garden, a gentle rinse to get the dirt off is all you need, so you do not wash them all away.
Obviously, this all depends on where you are getting your produce from. If from the store then you need to wash them clean of chemicals and parasite eggs, but then you lose the good bacteria. Try and buy from local farmers markets and ask about spraying and chemicals. These two sides have vast differences, it does matter where you get your probiotics from.
Signs Your Gut Bacteria Are Out of Balance
- Excess gas
- Leaky gut syndrome
- Abdominal discomfort
- Allergies
- Diarrhea
- Colitis
- Lactose intolerance
- Acne
- Urinary tract infections
- Yeast
- Candida and many other problems
How Do We Get Out of Balance?
It is our diets and lifestyles that are high in fats and sugars, carbonated drinks, alcohol, emotional or physical stress, and antacids that can cause significant depletion or even completely destroy the beneficial flora or mucosa lining in our intestines. This leaves your system and body defenseless against all of the harmful bacteria in your body.
The worst thing you can do for all the good flora in your system is antibiotics. Antibiotics do not know the difference between friendly and harmful bacteria, and therefore kill them both. Anyone who uses antibiotics has depleted their flora supply, which can weaken that second immune system. You might say, “I don’t take antibiotics.” Did you know that many animals raised for meat in America are given antibiotics? That is one more reason I choose organic and grass-fed meat when I can.
Our lifestyle with all of the emotional and physical stress and amount of times we are put on antibiotics, along with our diets, makes taking probiotics or focusing on our gut balance a necessity. Do not take antibiotics unless it is necessary, and if you have a viral infection or illness they will not help anyway. When you do need them, take them as prescribed and take your probiotic a few hours apart from your antibiotic dose. Do not weaken your system out of ignorance. Focus on rebuilding the gut for at least a year after a round of antibiotics.
What to Look for in Good Probiotics
I am all about not wasting my money and time. Here are some guidelines when buying probiotics: When choosing a probiotic supplement, make sure that it is from a stabilized source. This means it can survive the stomach acid and temperature. Many of the probiotics sold today cannot withstand even room 
temperatures. They need to be refrigerated so that the live culture bacteria are not destroyed. You do not want to buy these ones. How can they survive a 98.6 degree body if they have to be kept in the refrigerator to be kept alive?
You are also looking for not just the flora to be able to withstand the heat, but also the capsule. It needs to be able to make it through the stomach acids and salts. The bacteria needs to end up in the gut where it can replenish your system. You also want each capsule to contain a minimum of 35 Billion active CFU/g or Colony Forming Units. And contain a pre-biotic which will act as food for the friendly bacteria and aid in growth, and rebuild. Miso soup, burdock root are both very gut building friendly.
SHOP
There are two companies that I have researched and know that meet these qualifications. It is the capsule that will not break in the stomach that I am looking for, as well as the stability of the flora.
Learn more about how probiotics work from the NIH, and try adding fresh sprouts and a cold pressed juice to your day. If you have a serious health condition or a weak immune system, check with your doctor before starting probiotics.
*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
