Probiotics - Facts and Fiction with a Microbiologist (#97) - a podcast by Dr. Devaki Lindsey Berkson

In this show you will hear probiotics myths explored and busted with microbiologist Kiran Krishnan. You will discover the “mucosal system” and what this has to do with protecting your health.

Kiran and Berkson discuss:

• Probiotic myths — explored and busted.
• Differences between “live” and “dead” probiotics.
• What are “spores”,
• Do you need to refrigerate probiotics?
• What are “gut model studies” and why are they critical?
• How esophageal reflux is linked to downstream intestinal gases from pathogenic overgrowth
• What you should expect from a great probiotic.

You learn that bacterial translocation (leaky gut) occurs in most of us after most meals but in a very small amount for a very short period of time. This is normal.

In contrast, in disease states or with poor dietary choices, bacterial translocation (also referred to as metabolic endotoxemia) can occur for pathologically longer times, creating inflammatory havoc throughout the body.

A human randomized trial by researchers from the University of North Texas published in World Journal of Gastrointestinal Pathophysiology demonstrated, in seventy-five healthy college students, that this dangerous “leaky gut” scenario can continue for up to two weeks after consuming only ONE junk food meal!

These researchers further demonstrated that consuming “spore” probiotics for a month, at the same time as consuming junk food meals like fast food burgers and fries (citation below), significantly reduced leaky gut. Spores also normalized triglyceride levels and reduced overall systemic inflammation.

At the show’s end, Dr. Berkson and Kiran joke that their conversation was so thrilling, perhaps they should share metaphoric cigarettes? This is an agile conversation that definitely weaves science with comedy.

Kiran Krishnan is a research microbiologist and expert on metabolic endotoxemia. He’s a frequent lecturer on the Human Microbiome at medical and nutritional conferences — https://microbiomelabs.com/webinars/ 

Kiran also conducts a monthly Microbiome Series Webinar and is on advisory positions at the following companies:

• Microbiome Labs, LLC.
• Nu Science Trading, LLC.
• DMS Natural Health, LLC. –
• HB Specialty Foods, Inc.
• SilverFern Brands, Inc.
• WR Group – Probiogen
• Sun Genomics Labs
• Body & Eden – Member
• The Human Longevity Project

Reference:

World J Gastrointest Pathophysiol 2017 August 15; 8(3): 117-126 DOI: 10.4291/wjgp.v8.i3.117 Oral spore-based probiotic supplementation was associated with reduced incidence of post-prandial dietary endotoxin,

triglycerides, and disease risk biomarkers

Further episodes of Dr. Berkson's Best Health Radio Podcast

Further podcasts by Dr. Devaki Lindsey Berkson

Website of Dr. Devaki Lindsey Berkson