Although my focus is on composting, the microbial liquid I use to make bokashi is also a probiotic beverage imported into Canada as a food item. There are many good things to say about the use of probiotics and a member of my delicious network has over 87 links to scientific studies about their benefit to human health.
Earlier this week I felt a cold coming on. I was sneezing and achy and had this I-know-I’m-getting-cold feeling. And a cold was the last thing I needed. So, I drank 250ml 125ml of Vita Biosa, bundled up and went to bed. In the morning, my symptoms had not worsened and I made it through the day feeling pretty good. That night, I drank another 250mls 125mls of Vita Biosa and in the morning my cold symptoms were gone.
I know that anecdotal evidence can’t be relied on to prove effectiveness but then I found this:
A study by the Australian Institute of Sport found endurance runners given a probiotic supplement suffered less severe flu and cold symptoms than other athletes.
Their illness also generally lasted only half the time of those not taking the supplement, lead researcher Dr David Pyne said.
…
The volunteers were given the probiotic for four weeks and then later given a placebo capsule containing harmless starch for a further four weeks.
The supplement did not affect the athletes’ performance but it significantly shortened and softened the symptoms of the illness.
While taking placebo capsules, seven runners reported respiratory illness such as sore throat, coughs, runny nose, chest congestion and sneezing, lasting a total of 72 days.
But while on probiotics, only three runners reported illness lasting a total of 30 days. Source
I had nothing to lose and everything to gain by doing this. It looks like I came out ahead. I’ll start taking the liquid in smaller doses on a regular basis.
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Hey Al, I got sucked into meme (mainly because I’m brain dead from ulpan and can’t think up an interesting post on my own brain power. :sigh:), so I’m sucking you in too.
I tagged you. No pressure, though, of course!
Alissa — December 10th, 2008 at 10:38 amHi Al,
I can see why this worked. It put good bacteria in your system to fight the bad bacteria. I always take probiotics with me when I travel to 3rd world countries to keep the bugs at bay. At home I rely on Oil of Oregano to boost the immune system and kill any flu/cold bugs. Seems to work for me as I haven’t had a cold in 3 years. Most friends that I tell will try it once, but won’t stick with it cause they can’t stand the taste.
Charlene — February 13th, 2009 at 5:25 pmFirst of all, scientific studies are not always trustworthy but I have no reason to mistrust this one in particular. I would like to read the original study though, your link directed me to another website but they didn’t give the source.
Probiotics are indeed beneficial for your health. It’s a wise thing to keep your body in good shape and be healthy rather than treat your body with all sorts of medications (antibiotics etc) after picked up an illness.
Nathan — March 6th, 2009 at 11:38 pmTaking probiotic supplements or foods could shorten the duration of colds and reduce the severity of symptoms, shows new research from Germany.
stainless kitchen sink — April 7th, 2009 at 12:21 amWhy We Need Probiotic Supplements
Our bodies are designed to function best with millions of friendly probiotic bacteria living in our intestinal tract. In the past, we replaced the probiotics in our system by constantly through eating organic vegetables grown in dirt that was rich with soil-based organisms or drinking raw milk straight from the cow. I myself remember walking into the garden, pulling up young carrots, brushing as much dirt off them as possible and eating them on the spot. Think of the probiotics that were going into my system before I could wash them down the kitchen drain or boil them for 15 to 20 minutes.
Today we need probiotic supplements because there are so many influences that prevent us from getting the probiotics our bodies need.
* Today, at least in the United States, many people eat a horrible diet composed of highly processed foods that are filled with chemicals and simple sugars and carbohydrates. Potato chips and Oreo’s are utterly devoid of anything living as are most of the boxed and prepared foods sold in the grocery stores.
* Because of the modern agricultural practices, such as the heavy use of pesticides and fertilizers, the soil-based microorganisms are no longer living in the dirt of most farms. We need probiotic supplements to replace what is missing in our food.
* The use of antibiotics (remember the “anti” means “against” biotics) directly kills the all bacteria in our intestinal tract.
* Drinking chlorinated water destroys our intestinal flora. The reason we put chlorine in the water is because it is able to kill bacteria and, unfortunately, it gets the good ones along with the bad when we drink it.
* The medical treatment of radiation and chemotherapy also destroys our intestinal flora as well as damaging our immune systems. Any course of chemotherapy absolutely must be followed with heavy doses of probiotic supplements.
* Farm animals are continuously fed antibiotics to keep diseases down. When people eat them they also are taking in these antibiotics which then harm the beneficial bacteria in their systems.
* Many people who are concerned with health use enemas and colonics for detoxification. These practices can wash some of the good bacteria out of their systems.
* Alcoholic beverages tend to harm probiotics by killing them directly, encouraging harmful bacteria and yeast overgrowth.
I’ve dedicated my life to natural healthy organic foods, supplements and helping to educate consumers on what we need in our bodies and what we should avoid at all cost. Most consumer don’t know most of the things that can keep them healthy. With the very unhealthy mass produced, genetically modified, chemically enhanced foods and supplements on the market, consumers need the proper information to start avoiding all those products. When there is enough demand for high quality foods and supplements, then we will be able to tackle America’s Health problems. Until then, it will be very hard to fight big business and stop them from adding harmful ingredients and making products by un-natural mean just to stretch them further and last longer in-order to protect their bottom line. We have the power as the consumer and it’s all about spreading small amounts of information like this article to help educate everyone. You can follow the link “My Name Above” to my store and also join my facebook fan page from the link on my store where you canpost information and take information to post in great blogs like this. I hope to write another article soon and keep posting great content in blogs like this.
Thanks and keep up the great work!!
Roger OBrian — July 21st, 2010 at 11:59 pm