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Gut Bacteria Play Key Role in Immune System/ Probiotics 101 10-16-08
Note: Article is very complex, key items are highlighted!
The development of key immune cells
is triggered by specific types of bacteria in the gut, a finding that could lead
to new therapies for diseases of inflammation, researchers here said.
In the absence of bacteria from the cytophaga-flavobacter-bacteroidetes phylum
-- or CFB, for short -- the immune cells are also not present, at least in mice,
according to Dan Littman, M.D., Ph.D., of New York University, and colleagues.
On the other hand, when bacteria from that phylum are introduced into animals
lacking them, the result is a restoration of Th17 immune cells, Dr. Littman and
colleagues said in the Oct. 16 issue of Cell Host & Microbe.
Th17 cells -- CD4-positive cells that
have a potent pro-inflammatory effect-- are normally in a balance with another
population of CD4-positive cells, dubbed Foxp3-positive cells, which play
a regulatory role in the immune system.
The finding that different populations
of gut bacteria influence the development of the Th17 cells could open the door
to new treatments for inflammatory bowel disease and other illnesses of the
immune system, Dr. Littman said.
"The number of inflammatory diseases
known to involve T helper 17 cells seems to be growing every week," Dr.
Littman said. For that reason, he and colleagues have been studying the
development of the cells.
In a series of experiments in mice, he and colleagues showed that a complete
absence of so-called commensal bacteria in the small intestine leads to a lack
of Th17 cells. Commensal bacteria are the useful organisms that help in
digestion and aid in protecting against pathogens.
In commercially available germ-free mice -- which have a complete lack of
bacteria and fungi -- Th17 cells were not detectable and the presence of
interleukin-17 secreted by the cells was at the limit of detectability.
On the other hand, Foxp3-positive cells were increased, even though the total
number of CD4-positive cells was two- to three-fold lower than normal.
When the researchers used a cocktail of antibiotics to destroy the commensal
bacteria, they found that the proportion of Th17 cells fell by half after four
weeks of treatment. In mice given the cocktail from birth, the proportion of
Th17 cells was 80% lower than in control animals by six to eight weeks of age.
Dan Littman, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor of Molecular Immunology NYU School of Medicine |
Dr. Littman and colleagues then broke out individual antibiotics to see if
they influenced the number of Th17 cells. Vancomycin (Vancocin) -- which mainly
attacks Gram-positive bacteria -- had a similar effect to the whole cocktail.
On the other hand, antibiotics that attack anaerobic and Gram-negative bacteria
had little effect.
More than 90% of the commensal intestinal bacteria -- in both mice and humans --
are either members of the Gram-negative CFB phylum or the Gram-positive
Firmicutes phylum, the researchers noted.
A series of experiments showed that members of the CFB phylum are not present in
animals that lack Th17 cells, Dr. Littman and colleagues said, although those
from the Firmicutes phylum remain.
The researchers found that some strains of experimental mice have intestinal
bacteria but no Th17 cells. Comparing those animals with other strains, Dr.
Littman and colleagues discovered that CFB bacteria were associated with the
creation of Th17 cells.
Exactly which members of the CFB phylum induce the cells is currently under
study, the researchers said.
"It's not the amount of microbial flora but the kind of microbial flora that
seems to count," Dr. Littman said.
The findings point to ways of manipulating the immune system, commented Yasmine
Belkaid, Ph.D., of the National Institutes of Health, one of the sponsors of the
study.
"There is more and more evidence that
gut flora have a tremendously important influence on human health," Dr.
Belkaid
said in a statement. "This new study is the first report that has associated a
defined set of gut flora with the induction of specific immune cells."
Comment: There are so many "probiotics" available on the market today, and even medical experts can't properly choose between them. Let's break them down with the pro's and con's.
Yogurt/ Drinkable Yogurt, Activia, DanActive etc: Just about weekly a new yogurt appears in your grocer's refrigerator; What is the difference? Well, first you need to know about regular yogurt. Most brands these days have at least added acidophilus and bifidum bacterias, the two that have been known the longest. These two bacterias (like most probiotics) are extremely susceptible to acid and only about 1% of the total amount actually make it into the small intestine, where they are actually needed.
Activia and other designer yogurts have new designer bacterias developed specifically for that company. Which is why you don't find the same bacteria in them, unlike regular yogurt. Freezing yogurt kills all bacteria so there is really no such thing as frozen yogurt, it's ice cream. In the winter months there is always a possibility the yogurt may have frozen or partially frozen.
Doctor's routinely recommend yogurt during antibiotic therapy. This makes no medical sense and is completely useless. The antibiotics you are taking will kill any good bacteria. Start taking your probiotics as soon as your antibiotics are done and continue for 10 days. I have tested all of them and found that only DanActive really seems to do anything.
Pro's: Yogurt in all of it's forms tastes great, is high in protein and calcium, healthier snack for kids than ice cream or pudding, useful in weight loss and a meal substitute when you can't chew solids.
Con's: Very week to no probiotic activity. High is sugar, artificial colors, or full of artificial sweeteners. Not shelf stable or portable for long periods of time.
Store Bought Kefir vs Real Kefir: The kefir sold in stores is not real kefir, made from kefir grains. It is just yogurt starter with more probiotic strains. It cannot be duplicated more than 7 times whereas real kefir grains will work for life. Real kefir must be stored in glass bottles as plastic would burst. Real kefir when sealed will release air like soda when opened.
Pro's: Real Kefir made from grains is about the best prebiotic and probiotic you can get. Real Kefir also contains beneficial yeasts, and beta glucans like those found in mushrooms. The financial value is unbeatable since it lasts for life and can be shared. Real Kefir can also make champagne, cheese, bread, other diary, you are only limited by your imagination. And kefir grains can hibernate if you need to take a brake for a vacation. You can also flavor and sweeten it any way you want. Kefir will start colonizing within 3 days. Real kefir grains are the best probiotics. Store bought kefir is just yogurt and will not do anymore for you but costs 200% more.
Con's: Daily milk feedings and jars all over your kitchen. Not too portable
Probiotics Supplements:
There are so many different kinds, brands, forms, benefits and even flavors but even a trained natural medicine expert would have problems matching the probiotic with the need. One thing to remember right off the bat is: Unless your pill is enteric coated (to bypass the stomach and dissolve in the intestinal tract) only about 1% will make it past the stomach acid. The 1% that does make it has very little chance of implanting and growing without prebiotic food like FOS. Basically if not enterically coated probiotic pills as well as liquid supplements are a complete waste of money. I should also mention some companies (like YL) have immunity blends that contain probiotics in the same capsule as oregano oil or some other very strong natural antibiotic. Do you really think the antibiotic wont kill the probiotics in the same capsule?
Nature's Way has enterically coated probiotics at very affordable prices.
Pro: Readily available, portable, affordable, and no side effects
Con: Just about useless and a complete waste of money. If you have a strong candida population it will kill most probiotics and not allow them to colonize.
HSO's Haemostatic Soil Organisms/ Primal Defense:
HSO's have been in the mainstream for about 10 years. Most consumers have either not taken notice because health food store employees knew nothing about them; or they didn't understand the need. HSO's are much better than probiotics as they are the precious soil organisms that we lack since we played in the dirt as children (if we were allowed to at all).
Pro's: Bella Mira Perfect Flora HSO's Can:
A comparison of Perfect Flora vs Other Isolated Probiotics
|
Bella Mira PerfectFlora |
Garden of Life Primal Defense |
Isolated Probiotics |
|
| Enteric coated Micro-encapsulated to bypass stomach acid |
Y |
N |
Some |
| Contain Complementary Anti-oxidants |
Y |
N |
N |
| Certified Organic Whole Foods |
Y |
N |
N |
| Needs Refrigeration (Not Handy For Travel) |
N |
N |
Y |
| Contains multiple strains of beneficial probiotics and their food sources |
Y |
Y |
N |
| 5 Billion Guaranteed Necessary Bacteria Per Capsule |
Y |
N |
N |
Bella Mira Perfect Flora HSO's contain 16 strains, Garden of Life contain only 11. Basically besides Real Kefir Grains, HSO's are the next best thing!
Cons: Other brands are very expensive.