Probiotic Advantage has been studied by Khem Shahani who wrote the book ‘Cultivate Your Health From Within’ – Dr Shahani’s Guide to Probiotics.
Dr Shahani is an authority on lactobacilli and gastrointestinal bacteria. His book ‘Cultivate Your Health From Within’ gives the run down on the epidemic of intestinal dysbiosis which affects so many people today. Intestinal dysbiosis is the condition which occurs when the intestines are deficient in the beneficial, health-giving microorganisms which enable the intestines to perform their work of processing our food and eliminating toxins.
The use of herbicides and pesticides, the use of medicinal anti-biotics, and those which are fed to livestock, chemical additives in our food, poor nutrition, and bad life-styles have led to this epidemic of intestinal dysbiosis.
Dr Khem Shahani’s book gives details on much of the research which he has done into the study of the effects of microorganisms on health.
Here are some of the findings of research done by Dr. Khem Shahani:
- Probiotic advantage was experienced by 95% of the 19 cases treated for non-specific infections of the vagina. They were treated with the doderlein bacillus strain of acidophilus.
- There is Probiotic advantage in that, of 444 cases, 92% of those treated for Trichomonas vaginitis were cured when treated with acidophilus. These cases remained free of the condition for up to a year following the treatment (and, probably, with sustained treatment)
- Probiotic advantage resulted when 25 people were treated for monila vaginitis – 88% were cured, and 12 % reported an improvement.
- Acidophilin, which has an effect similar to an antibiotic, was found to inhibit 27 different disease-producing bacteria. Acidophilin is produced by the Lactobacilli acidophilus DDS-1
- Probiotic advantage occured with cases of salmonella poisoning and shigella infections: 16 children were cured of these infections when treated with acidophilus.
- Bifodibacterium bifidum was found to kill or control shigella, and E. coli, Staphylococcus aureus, which causes toxic shock syndrome.
- Diarrhea and dysentery often respond well to probiotics, especially if the infection is due to organisms which have established themselves in the intestines. Escherichia coli, known as E. coli, Salmonella, Vibrio cholera and shigella are all strains of bacteria which colonise the intestines.
- Probiotic advantage also occurred with some viruses. Some success was gained with herpes.
It was found that lactobacilli do not play a specific antifungal role, which might suggest that lactobacilli, or probiotics, might not be so helpful in treating candida infection. However, it is thought that L. acidophilus aids the immune system, and does help many cases of candida, because it helps in the production of immune bodies and functions. This is why probiotics can be helpful to some people with candida infections, or yeast infections.
Note: Candida infection must first be treated with a diet which avoids all foods which feed candida; detoxifying measures must also be taken to ensure a speedy recovery. Herbal and vitamin supplements are often needed initially, to conquer the infection if it is severe. After recovery, then probiotics will help your immune system to remain healthy.
The Probiotic Enterococcus faecium has been used in Bangladesh to treat people with diarrhea. The World Health Organisation, for whom Dr Shahani has acted as an advisor, has endorsed the use of this probiotic to help treat diarrhea and dysentery in Bangladesh.
Note: Yogurt which has been fortified with probiiotics may not suit every person. Some people still remain allergic to dairy products, even when probiiotics such as lactobacilli are added. Pasteurisation of milk destroys enzymes and some nutrrients in milk. Many people cannot tolerate dairy products in any form. There again- some people who have a sensitivity to milk products often find that they can tolerate probiotic yogurt, and that this improves tolerance to other dairy products.
I have heard of people who have treated irritable bowel syndrome successfully with certain probiotics in combination with a detoxification programme.
The probiotic Lactobacillus acidophilus can be helpful in improving immune function and digestion. Lactobacillus acidophilus is found in many fermented foods: taking live acidophilus in the form of probiotic yogurt, or a nutritional supplement, aids the growth of the natural lactobacillus acidophilus flora in the small intestine.
Bifidobacterium bifidum, or L. bifidus, is another organism which helps to sustain good health. This is found in the large intestine and the colon. A probiotic which includes this bacteria will benefit the growth of this organism in your body, and thus improve the health of your gastro-intestinal tract.
Important: Toxic Bowels, or intestinal toxemia, comes from putrefying matter which fails to get eliminated propterly from the bowels. Bad bacteria, putrefying bacteria, begin to proliferate in this putrefying material. Probiotics help to restore good bowel function, but it is also important to rid the body of waste products and harmful bacteria which are poisoning your body.
Herbal cleanses, castor oil cleanses, days on raw food, colonic irrigation are all ways in which you can dramatically reduce the toxins in your body. After eliminating the things in your diet and life-style which have led to the condition of dysbiosis, then probiotics can really help you in maintaining good health.
Read more about Probiotics in Merrilyn’s post entitled The Benefits of Probiotics.
Cultivate Your Health From Within: Dr Shahani’s Guide to Probiotics, 2005, is published by Vital Health Publishing, 34 Mill Plain Road, Danbury, CT 006811
