Probiotic Strategies in Lyme Disease Treatment

Probiotics Types and Functions

Probiotics are healthy germs which a person takes to improve intestinal and overall health. According to the World Health Organization definition from 2001, probiotics are "live micro-organisms which, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host."

Current probiotic products fall into three categories:

• human intestinal bacteria
• soil-based spore-forming bacteria
• human intestinal yeast.

The health benefits of probiotics may include:

• stimulating the immune system,
• removing toxins, 
• balancing inflammation caused by infections and allergies,
• controlling food and environmental allergies,
• keeping Candida Albicans intestinal yeast under control,
• fighting and controlling unhealthy intestinal bacteria like Clostridium Difficile (C. Diff),
• maintaining the good balance of normal intestinal bacteria, viruses and parasites,
• preventing intestinal bacteria, viral, and yeast (from Candida) infections, and
• aiding food digestion.

Marty Ross MD Discusses Probiotic Strategies

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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More About Probiotic Types

Bacteria found in human intestines

The most common bacteria included in probiotics from this category include strains of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. Often human strain probiotics require refrigeration. More recently, some manufacturers are making shelf-stable products using human strains that do not require refrigeration. Because they are derived from bacteria living in human intestines, many strains may repopulate and remain in the intestines over time.

Bacteria found in the soil

These are also called spore-forming probiotics. Common spore-forming probiotics include strains of Bacillus bacteria. These bacteria exist in heat stable spores outside of the intestinal tract. This means they do not require refrigeration. They are also acid stable which improves their chances of reaching the intestines. Unlike human intestinal bacteria like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, these do not appear to repopulate the intestines. They seem to work by supporting the growth of healthy bacteria in the intestines. They may also work by helping Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium probiotics live, grow, and function in the intestines.

Yeast found in human intestines

Human intestines include a healthy yeast called Saccharomyces Boulardii (Sacro B). This probiotic is especially useful for the treatment and prevention of C. Diff infections in the intestines. C. Diff is a bacteria living in the intestines that can grow too much when a person takes antibiotics. It can lead to severe diarrhea. For more information about this condition see C. Difficile Diarrhea: Prevention and Treatment

When & How to Use Probiotics in Lyme Disease

"Generally, throughout this site, I do not recommend specific products and brands. However, with probiotics, the quality of the product matters. Below I present products and brands which use high-quality strains of bacteria. While I recommend specific brands and products based on my clinical experience, none of these individual products have been specifically researched to show they work as I suggest below."  Marty Ross MD

Promote Healthy Intestines While on Herbal or Prescription Antibiotics*

Prevention. Probiotics are helpful to prevent Candida yeast overgrowth in the intestines and to keep a balance of good intestinal bacteria. Herbal and prescription antibiotics can kill healthy intestinal bacteria which can lead to

• yeast overgrowth
• immune system imbalance and
• poor digestion with loose stools.

Loose Stools. In some with loose stools on antibiotics, it may be very helpful to increase probiotics to stop this problem.

Use a combination of

• soil-based probiotics and
• human intestinal bacteria probiotics.

Option 1

Use a spore-forming soil-based probiotic product and a separate human intestinal strain product.

• Spore-Forming Probiotic. In my practice I use the following products. Corebiotic by Researched Nutritionals 2 to 4 pills 1 time a day. This product is a soil-based spore-forming probiotic that includes strains of Bacillus scientifically proven to support intestinal health. Consider using Corebiotic Sensitive, which does not include prebiotic fiber, if Corebiotic causes gassiness. Another spore-forming probiotic to consider is Proflora R by Bio-botanical Research. These products do not require refrigeration.
• Human-Strain Probiotic. In my practice I use HMF Forte Shelf Stable by Genestra 2 to 4 pills 1 time a day. This product includes human strains. This product requires refrigeration.

Option 2

Use a combination product that includes spore-forming soil-based probiotics with human intestinal strain probiotics.

• Combation Spore-Forming Probiotic and Human-Strain Probiotic. In my practice I use Multi-Biome by Researched Nutritionals 2 to 4 pills 1 time a day. This product does not require refrigeration.

Intestinal Candida Yeast Overgrowth*

Based on my experience managing Lyme disease, when someone has intestinal yeast overgrowth, it is useful to use both a soil-based probiotic and a human intestine-based probiotic at the same time to promote intestinal health. 

Use a combination of

• soil-based probiotics and
• human intestinal bacteria probiotics.

Option 1

Use a spore-forming soil-based probiotic product and a separate human intestinal strain product.

• Spore-Forming Probiotic. In my practice I use the following products. Corebiotic by Researched Nutritionals 2 to 4 pills 1 time a day. This product is a soil-based spore-forming probiotic that includes strains of Bacillus scientifically proven to support intestinal health. Consider using Corebiotic Sensitive, which does not include prebiotic fiber, if Corebiotic causes gassiness. Another spore-forming probiotic to consider is Proflora R by Bio-botanical Research. These products do not require refrigeration.
• Human-Strain Probiotic. In my practice I use HMF Forte Shelf Stable by Genestra 2 to 4 pills 1 time a day. This product includes human strains. This product requires refrigeration.

Option 2

Use a combination product that includes spore-forming soil-based probiotics with human intestinal strain probiotics.

• Combation Spore-Forming Probiotic and Human-Strain Probiotic. In my practice I use Multi-Biome by Researched Nutritionals 2 to 4 pills 1 time a day. This product does not require refrigeration.

C. Difficile

See C. Difficile Diarrhea: Prevention and Treatment on this site for information about using Sacro B as a support to both prevent and treat this problem.

Disclaimer

The ideas and recommendations on this website and in this article are for informational purposes only. For more information about this, see the sitewide Terms & Conditions.

* These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.