Health benefits of taking probiotics What are the benefits of taking probiotics? Bacteria have a reputation for causing disease, so the idea of tossing down a few billion a day for your health might seem — literally and figuratively — hard to swallow. But a growing body of scientific evidence suggests that you can treat and even prevent some illnesses with foods and supplements containing certain kinds of live bacteria. Northern Europeans consume a lot of these beneficial microorganisms, called probiotics (from pro and biota, meaning "for life"), because of their tradition of eating foods fermented with bacteria, such as yogurt. Probiotic-laced beverages are also big business in Japan. Some digestive disease specialists are recommending probiotic supplements for disorders that frustrate conventional medicine, such as irritable bowel syndrome. Since the mid-1990s, clinical studies suggest that probiotic therapy can help treat several gastrointestinal ills, delay the development of allergies in children, and treat and prevent vaginal and urinary infections in women. Self-dosing with bacteria isn't as outlandish as it might seem. An estimated 100 trillion microorganisms representing more than 500 different species inhabit every normal, healthy bowel. These microorganisms (or microflora) generally don't make us sick; most are helpful. Gut-dwelling bacteria keep pathogens (harmful microorganisms) in check, aid digestion and nutrient absorption, and contribute to immune function. Not all probiotics are the same. Different strains of the bacteria have different effects. For example, one strain may fight against cavity-causing organisms in our mouths and don't need to survive a trip through our guts. Uses of Lactobacillus Powder: It is used to keep the normal balance of bacteria in the gastrointestinal (GI) tract. What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take Lactobacillus Powder? If you have an allergy to Lactobacillus or any other part of lactobacillus powder. If you are allergic to lactobacillus powder; any part of lactobacillus powder; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had. This medicine may interact with other drugs or health problems. Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take lactobacillus powder with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor. What are some things I need to know or do while I take Lactobacillus Powder? Tell all of your health care providers that you take lactobacillus powder. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists. If you are on a lactose-free diet, talk with your doctor. Some products have lactose. If you have high blood sugar (diabetes), check labels closely. Some products have sugar. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan on getting pregnant, or are breast-feeding. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks to you and the baby. How is this medicine (Lactobacillus Powder) best taken? Use lactobacillus powder as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely. Mix with water as you have been told before drinking. You may also mix the powder with applesauce or yogurt. Do not mix lactobacillus powder in warm or hot drinks. What do I do if I miss a dose? Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it. If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time. Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses. The Difference Between Animal Protein and Plant Protein Animal proteins are complete proteins. That means they contain all the essential amino acids that you need in your diet. Plant proteins are often, but not always, incomplete sources of protein, There are benefits and concerns with both types of protein. But diets that rely mostly on plants for protein have been linked to a lower risk of stroke, heart disease, and early death. Amino Acids in Protein What you actually need from protein are the amino acids. You need 20 different ones. Your body makes some of them, but you must get nine from your diet. These are called essential amino acids. Complete proteins provide all nine essential amino acids. Sources of complete protein include: Dairy products Poultry Beef Pork Eggs Quinoa Whole sources of soy such as tofu, edamame, and tempeh Most plant sources of protein are incomplete. However, you can get all the essential amino acids you need from plant foods, as long as you eat a variety of them. Sources of plant protein are: Nuts Seeds Whole grains Legumes such as beans, peas, and lentils Vegetables Benefits of Plant Protein The type of protein you eat may be more important than the amount. Plant-based protein provides plenty of nutrients, fiber, and antioxidants that can improve your overall health. The benefits of plant-based diet may include: Protection against heart disease. A review of eight studies found that people who followed a vegan or vegetarian diet were 30% less likely to die from ischemic heart disease than people who ate meat. Plant-based diets are lower in saturated fats, iron, and hormones. Protection against cancer. Eating a diet rich in plant foods decreases your risk of cancer. Phytochemicals are substances found in plants that may help prevent cancer. Diets high in fiber can also help you control your weight and protect your gut health. Obesity is a risk factor for many diseases. Collagen powder can also give you the same protect. Health Benefits of Collagen Collagen is a protein responsible for healthy joints and skin elasticity, or stretchiness. It’s in your bones, muscles, and blood, comprising three quarters of your skin and a third of the protein in your body. As you age, your existing collagen breaks down, and it gets harder for your body to produce more. As a result, many people turn to collagen supplements. These supplements are usually powders, though there are also capsules and liquid supplements available. Collagen is also produced naturally in the body by combining amino acids, the building blocks of proteins found in food. To produce collagen, your body needs: Proline: found in egg whites, dairy, cabbage, mushrooms, and asparagus Glycine: found in pork skin, chicken skin, and gelatin, and a variety of other protein-rich foods Vitamin C: found in citrus fruits and bell peppers Zinc: found in beef, lamb, pork, shellfish, chickpeas, lentils, beans, milk, cheese, and various nuts and seeds Copper: found in organ meats, cocoa powder, cashews, sesame seeds, and lentils Nutrition Information Fourteen grams of collagen peptide (supplement) contains: Calories: 50 Protein: 12 grams Fat: 0 grams Carbohydrates: 0 grams Fiber: 0 grams Sugar: 0 grams The same amount of collagen peptide also contains 29 milligrams of calcium, 44.9 milligrams of sodium, and 0.98 milligrams of potassium. Potential Health Benefits of Collagen Supplements Because it makes up so many critical parts of our bodies, collagen is not only beneficial but essential to maintaining good health. However, the benefits of collagen supplements are still debated. While there is reasonable evidence that they help maintain hydrated skin and relieve osteoarthritis pain, more research is needed into less well-understood benefits, such as lowering blood pressure and blood sugar levels. Functional powder In Japan, vegetable-based functional foods are not uncommon, with food products such as FANCL’s kale drink, Kyusai’s (Q’sai) kale supplement, Ito En’s green juice powder, and AFC’s chlorella supplement. On the other hand, duckweed is a less widely used ingredient, but is gradually gaining attention for its ideal nutrition profile. Hinoman’s Mankai ingredient contains more than 60 nutrients including iron, magnesium, folic acid, vitamin B12, omega-3, amino acids, polyphenols and dietary fiber. Mankai has been studied in several human and animal models. In a randomised controlled human trial, people who drank a shake containing Mankai for two weeks showed lower glucose rise immediately after eating and lower morning fasting glucose levels, compared to those who drank a yoghurt shake. According to Masami Kaneko, direct marketing manager at Ajinomoto, Mankai’s amino acid composition is close to that of eggs. Combined with its higher protein digestibility compared to soy flour, pea and lentils, it makes Mankai a good substitute for animal protein and an ideal plant-based source. Each sachet of Ajinomoto’s functional powder is said to contribute one-third of the daily recommended vegetable intake which is equivalent to about 117g of the 350g target recommended by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare of Japan. Ajinomoto recommends taking one to three sachets a day, which can be dissolved in water or milk. According to Kaneko, this product is targeted at vegetarian or vegans, consumers who are conscious of the environmental impact of their foods, and those who are concerned about the lack of vegetables and protein in their diet. Shell Powder Shell powder is finely ground oyster shell powder that is used for painting designs on a ground material. It is used in some forms of Japanese embroidery. Mother of pearl: The power of pearl powder Pearl powder has been used for thousands of years in traditional Chinese medicine, as well as in cosmetics and as health food supplements in China and Taiwan. Because of its dense protein and mineral composition, it has been used to treat several skin and bone disorders, as well as palpitations, insomnia, and epilepsy. The pearl-farming industry itself was established in Japan and has existed for more than a century; today, pearls are cultured globally and continue to receive attention for conferring health benefits.Calcium carbonate is the primary component of mollusk shells (roughly 95%), with the remainder an organic matrix including proteins, glycoproteins, and polysaccharides. Pearl powder is known to have exhibited antiaging, antioxidant, antiradiative, and tonic activities; in recent years, it has been incorporated into health foods for such properties and used in the clinical setting to treat ulcers (aphthous, gastric, and duodenal).Consisting of multiple active proteins, pearl powder is thought to be conducive to skin cell growth and effective for wound repair. This column focuses on recent research into the dermatologic potential of the powder derived from mother of pearl.