EndoMune Probiotic

A recent article published on Yahoo! discusses a recent research finding — specific bacteria that trigger the creation of pro-inflammatory immune cells have been identified.

So what does this mean? This is further evidence that a healthy gut has a number of health implications. As each day passes, more research points to links between the presence or absence of bacteria with regard to various health deficiencies.

Clearly there are many potential positive impacts that probiotics may have on human health. The important point to remember, as stated in the article, is it’s not how MUCH bacteria, but what TYPES of bacteria. With billions upon billions of different bacterial strains, each unique combination have powerful implications for human health.

It’s clearly a VERY exciting time for probiotic research!

To read the article in its entirety, visit:
http://news.yahoo.com/s/hsn/20081024/hl_hsn/intestinalbacteriatriggerimmuneresponse

I would like to discuss a potential complication that may arise due to the use of antibiotics. I have mentioned this complication before, but lately it is receiving a lot more attention.

The concern is for the development of antibiotic-related diarrhea and colitis due to a bacterium named Clostridium difficile.

Recently, the danger of a C. difficile infection has been making news throughout a multitude of media outlets such as NBC’s 5:30 Nightly News(1), online websites like WebMD(2) and Medscape(3), in magazines like Science(4) and in medical journals(5).

The heightened interest is due to the fact that intestinal infections with C. difficile have been increasing over the last 5-7 years, especially in hospitals where a series of epidemics have been experienced.

For more information, read this month’s EndoMune Health & Wellness Monthly:
http://www.endomune.com/Newsletter/2008_10.htm

Every month there seem to be new, exciting research studies emerging about the benefits of probiotics. Scientists have been looking into the correlation between colon bacteria and obesity. It seems there may be some relationship between the types of bacteria and the incidence of obesity. Studies have also indicated that probiotics may help obese individuals to lose fat!

For more information, read the latest EndoMune Newsletter:
http://www.endomune.com/Newsletter/2008_09.htm

Last month I had the opportunity to speak with Dr. Ed Staffel, and popular dentist located in San Antonio. His weekly radio show broadcasts every Sunday on KTSA.

Our interview is now available via podcast:
http://staffeldds.podomatic.com/entry/2008-08-19T11_24_14-07_00

I want to share with you an article reporting on how the U.S. military is experimenting with the addition of probiotics to the soldiers’ diet.(1)

Infectious diarrhea has been a longstanding problem for military personnel. During the American Civil War, 44,558 Union soldiers died of diarrhea or dysentery compared to 110,070 combat related deaths.(2)

Fortunately, with improved hygiene, sanitation and antibiotics, the mortality from diarrhea has been almost eliminated. Despite improvements, diarrhea still remains a serious health issue affecting the readiness of the troops.

A survey of US military troops at the time of completion of their tour in Iraq and Afghanistan found that 70% of deployed forces were afflicted by at least one episode of diarrhea, and 56% reported having several episodes of diarrhea-related illnesses.(3) In addition, 45% of respondents reported that the illness resulted in decreased job performance, with a median loss of 3 days.

The cost of these intestinal illnesses has reached $113 million for treatment and lost productivity.

The Department of Defense Combat Feeding Directorate is investigating whether probiotics can enhance the intestinal health of the soldier. The challenge is to create probiotics-fortified food that stand up to the military’s requirements for rations. If probiotics were added to MRE (meals ready to eat) they would need to have a shelf life of three years at room temperature. Unfortunately, probiotics are live organisms that don’t survive well when exposed to heat, oxygen and sunlight.

I’m hopeful the military will be able to engineer probiotics that will be effective in the field.

One of the significant points of this article is that probiotics are being recognized in the scientific community to be very important in maintaining intestinal health. For the military to undertake the expense of research and development of probiotics indicates how important these organisms are for our health.

Fortunately, there are a number of very beneficial probiotics like EndoMune that are available for your use, especially if you plan on traveling to less developed countries.

1) Kate Radway. Live bacteria called to active duty: U.S. military doing clinical trials on probiotics. Medill Reports: July 10, 2008

2) Michael A. Franchetti Civil War Medicine: Challenges and Triumphs JAMA. 2002;287(20):2718-a-2719.

3) Sanders JW, Putnam SD, Riddle MS, Tribble DR. Military importance of diarrhea: lessons from the Middle East. Curr Opin Gastroenterol. 2005 Jan;21(1):9-14. Review