Today we share with you the final extract taken from Brain Maker: The Power of Gut Microbes to Heal and Protect Your brain – For Life, by Dr David Perlmutter. We take a look at Probiotics and the five core species he recommends. Reading this article, really brings home the value of these five core species and what makes Naked Biotics probiotics unique.

The number of probiotics available today can be overwhelming. This industry didn’t exist when I was going through medical school and during the early decades of my career. Now, the number of different combinations available at health food stores and even added to various foods is growing. There are thousands of different species of bacteria that make up the human microbiome. But some major players have been identified and aggressively studied in both animals and humans, and I’ll focus on this core group.

To make the task of finding and purchasing the right formula as easy as possible, I’ve simplified my recommendation to just five core probiotic species that are widely available:

1. Lactobacillus plantarum
2. Lactobacillus acidophilus
3. Lactobacillus brevis
4. Bifidobacterium lactis (also called B.animalis)
5. Bifidobacterium longum.

Different strains provide different benefits, but these are the ones that will best support brain health in these ways:

• Fortifying the intestinal lining and reducing gut permeability
• Reducing LPS, the inflammatory molecule that can be dangerous if it reaches the bloodstream
• Increasing BDNF, the brain’s growth hormone
• Sustaining an overall balance to crowd out any potentially rogue bacterial colonies.

Let us take a closer look at each of these species and the benefits of each:

Lactobacillus plantarum:
This bug is one of the most beneficial bacteria in your body. It survives in the stomach for a long time and performs many functions that help regulate immunity and control inflammation in the gut. By virtue of its actions on pathogenic microbes, it helps prevent disease and maintains the right balance of gut bacteria to starve off the growth of rogue colonies. It also helps fortify the gut lining, fending off potential invaders that might compromise the intestinal wall and sneak into the bloodstream. In fact, L. plantarum’s beneficial impact on the gut lining is perhaps its most important attribute, for it reduced gut permeability, thereby reducing the associated risks for leaky gut – including an increased risk for virtually every brain disorder. L. plantarum has an uncanny ability to absorb and maintain levels of important nutrients, such as brain friendly omega-3 fatty acids, vitamins, and antioxidants. All of these make L. plantarum essential for fighting infection, controlling inflammation, and controlling pathogenic bacteria.
 
Lactobacillus acidophilus:
It aids the immune system by keeping the balance of good vs bad bacteria in check. In women, it helps to curb the growth of Candida albicans, a fungus that can cause yeast infections. L. acidophilus has also gained fame for its ability to help maintain cholesterol levels. It also manufactures lactase, which is needed to digest milk, and vitamin K, which promotes healthy coagulation of the blood.
 
Lactobacillus brevis:
Improves immune function by increasing cellular immunity and even enhancing killer T-cell activity. L. brevis also acts to inhibit the effects of certain gut pathogens. And perhaps best of all, it has been shown to increase levels of that all-star brain-growth hormone BDNF.
 
Bifidobacterium lactis (also called B. animalis):
Is well documented to have a powerful effect on preventing digestive ills and boosting immunity. A study published in February 2009 in the Journal of Digestive Disorders found that healthy people who consumed a product containing this type of bacteria each day for two weeks reported improvements in digestive comfort compared to control subjects who followed their usual diet. It is also known to be helpful in knocking out foodborne pathogens like salmonella, which causes diarrhea. What’s really key about this bug is that it’s been shown to boost immunity. In 2012, the British Journal of Nutrition reported a study in which people took a daily probiotic supplement containing B. lactis, another probiotic supplement or a placebo each day for six weeks. They were given the flu shot after two weeks, and their antibody levels were measured after six weeks. Those who had taken either of the probiotic supplements had greater increases in antibodies than participants who took the placebo, showing that these probiotics may help improve immune function. Other studies have confirmed this finding.
 
Bifidobacterium longum:
Just one of the 32 species that belong to the genus Bifidobacterium, this is one of the first bugs to colonize our bodies at birth. It has been associated with improving lactose tolerance and preventing diarrhoea, food allergies, and the proliferation of pathogens. It’s also known to have antioxidant properties, as well as the ability to scavenge free radicals. Like L. acidophilus, B. longum also helps maintain healthy cholesterol levels. And some studies have shown that B. longum can help reduce the incidence of cancer by suppressing cancerous growths in the colon. The theory goes that since a high pH in the colon creates an environment that can promote cancerous growth, B. Longum can help prevent colorectal cancer by effectively lowering the intestinal pH. 
 

The Content on this page was taken from the book, Brain Maker by Dr David Perlmutter.

Naked Biotics products are based on a unique combination of effective beneficial bacteria that enable your body to function to its full potential. The groups of microorganisms in Naked Biotics are lactic acid bacteria (commonly found in yogurt, cheeses), beneficial yeasts (found bread, beer), and phototrophic (light-converting) bacteria.

Species: Bacterial Strains: Bacillus subtilis, Bifidobacterium animalis, B. bifidum, B. longum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, L. casei, L. bulgaricus, L. fermentum, L. plantarum, Lactococcus lactis, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Streptococcus thermophilus)