Comments on: Probiotics and Resistance to Illness http://www.blog.sethroberts.net/2009/05/14/probiotics-and-resistance-to-illness/ Self-Experimentation, Scientific Method, the Shangri-La Diet, etc. Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:57:43 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.0.7 by: Zeke's Awesome Eat's http://www.blog.sethroberts.net/2009/05/14/probiotics-and-resistance-to-illness/#comment-305591 Thu, 21 May 2009 10:55:25 +0000 http://www.blog.sethroberts.net/2009/05/14/probiotics-and-resistance-to-illness/#comment-305591 Does it mention why L. reuteri was chosen? Why not L. bulgaricus or good old fashioned L. acidophilus? Does it mention why L. reuteri was chosen? Why not L. bulgaricus or good old fashioned L. acidophilus?

]]> by: Ted http://www.blog.sethroberts.net/2009/05/14/probiotics-and-resistance-to-illness/#comment-303354 Fri, 15 May 2009 15:48:16 +0000 http://www.blog.sethroberts.net/2009/05/14/probiotics-and-resistance-to-illness/#comment-303354 Seems like studies on Lactobacillus reuteri are pretty easy to come by... L reuteri improved colicky symptoms in breastfed infants within 1 week of treatment... http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/reprint/119/1/e124 What's missing here is a riddle for Seth to solve like he did with 'Set Points' in rat studies that were anomalies. There's no paradigm to shift. Seems like studies on Lactobacillus reuteri are pretty easy to come by…

L reuteri improved colicky symptoms in breastfed infants within 1 week of treatment…
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/cgi/reprint/119/1/e124

What’s missing here is a riddle for Seth to solve like he did with ‘Set Points’ in rat studies that were anomalies. There’s no paradigm to shift.

]]> by: Ted http://www.blog.sethroberts.net/2009/05/14/probiotics-and-resistance-to-illness/#comment-303347 Fri, 15 May 2009 15:12:49 +0000 http://www.blog.sethroberts.net/2009/05/14/probiotics-and-resistance-to-illness/#comment-303347 If the book is 90% fluff, how about a Seth Roberts book that's only 10% fluff! Are you planning a second book and immune theories? I'll pre-order right now! If the book is 90% fluff, how about a Seth Roberts book that’s only 10% fluff! Are you planning a second book and immune theories? I’ll pre-order right now!

]]> by: Aaron Blaisdell http://www.blog.sethroberts.net/2009/05/14/probiotics-and-resistance-to-illness/#comment-303345 Fri, 15 May 2009 14:58:59 +0000 http://www.blog.sethroberts.net/2009/05/14/probiotics-and-resistance-to-illness/#comment-303345 Kirk said "Why can't Dannon Activia and similar products be produced without added sugar or fructose syrup?" Well, obviously they can be, but the companies choose to add these junk ingredients because the mainstream American will not select such products to consume without the additional sweeteners. Dannon's first priority is to sell as many of their products as possible. Fortunately, there is a growing availability of pure cultured products at alternative sources such as Whole Foods, Trader Joes, and at some Farmer's Markets and other whole-food outlets. I suspect such outlets are not available equally across the US, though. Kirk said “Why can’t Dannon Activia and similar products be produced without added sugar or fructose syrup?” Well, obviously they can be, but the companies choose to add these junk ingredients because the mainstream American will not select such products to consume without the additional sweeteners. Dannon’s first priority is to sell as many of their products as possible. Fortunately, there is a growing availability of pure cultured products at alternative sources such as Whole Foods, Trader Joes, and at some Farmer’s Markets and other whole-food outlets. I suspect such outlets are not available equally across the US, though.

]]> by: Kirk http://www.blog.sethroberts.net/2009/05/14/probiotics-and-resistance-to-illness/#comment-303302 Fri, 15 May 2009 11:48:32 +0000 http://www.blog.sethroberts.net/2009/05/14/probiotics-and-resistance-to-illness/#comment-303302 'The Probiotics Revolution is 90% filler' was my impression also. Some of the useful 10% included: (a) study of probiotics is in its infancy (which is why the book is full of 'probiotics hold promise to solve . . .' statements) (b) about a dozen well-designed experiments are discussued . . . more, please, I'd like to see a book filled with discussions about hundreds of experiments (c) dead bacteria still produce benefits . . . why? there appear to be two theories: (1) dead bacteria adhere to the lining of the gastrointestinal tract thus crowding out harmful competitors or (2) the metabolic byproducts of fermentation have benefits. I'm looking forward to seeing this one resolved. Many studies are listed at the end of the book, but, unfortunately, as a layman, I have no access to many of them, since most are behind a pay wall. I suspect that much of the funding comes from the private sector looking for a magic bullet of probiotics which can be packaged and sold. I wonder if there actually is an ideal combination of specific bacteria, or is it just that the internal system needs to be challenged by a certain amount on a regular basis? Also, and this is more of a general gripe with the marketplace, why can't Dannon Activia and similar products be produced without added sugar or fructose syrup? ‘The Probiotics Revolution is 90% filler’ was my impression also. Some of the useful 10% included:
(a) study of probiotics is in its infancy (which is why the book is full of ‘probiotics hold promise to solve . . .’ statements)
(b) about a dozen well-designed experiments are discussued . . . more, please, I’d like to see a book filled with discussions about hundreds of experiments
(c) dead bacteria still produce benefits . . . why? there appear to be two theories: (1) dead bacteria adhere to the lining of the gastrointestinal tract thus crowding out harmful competitors or (2) the metabolic byproducts of fermentation have benefits. I’m looking forward to seeing this one resolved.

Many studies are listed at the end of the book, but, unfortunately, as a layman, I have no access to many of them, since most are behind a pay wall.

I suspect that much of the funding comes from the private sector looking for a magic bullet of probiotics which can be packaged and sold. I wonder if there actually is an ideal combination of specific bacteria, or is it just that the internal system needs to be challenged by a certain amount on a regular basis?

Also, and this is more of a general gripe with the marketplace, why can’t Dannon Activia and similar products be produced without added sugar or fructose syrup?

]]>