Selection criteria for probiotic supplements

Townsend Letter for Doctors and Patients, Feb-March, 2003 by Dr. S.K. Dash

Acetyl-L-Carnitine

COQ10 and Idebenone work best in conjunction with a host of nutrients shown to improve mitochondrial function. One such nutrient is Acetyl-L-Carnitine (ALC). Mitochondrial changes that occur with age include alteration of mitochondrial membrane potential (mitochondrial membrane potential of old rats is known to decline by about 40% compared with young animals); (20) a reduction in membrane levels of cardiolipin (an important phospholipid that serves as a cofactor for a number of critical mitochondrial transport proteins); a reduction in Coenzyme Q10 levels (an important factor in the electron transport chain); and a decrease in the concentration of carnitine (an important factor in the beta-oxidation of fatty acids). (21)

Dr. Tory Hagen, in the Molecular and Cell Biology Laboratory of Dr. Bruce Ames at the University of California, proposed that dietary supplementation might reverse some of these age-related mitochondrial changes. Dr. Hagen and his associates demonstrated that ALC restores mitochondrial membrane potential and cardiolipin levels (Fig. 4) of old mice to that of young animals, facilitates fatty acid transport into mitochondria, and increases overall cellular respiration. The researchers also noted that ALC enhances cognitive performance, increases production of neurotransmitters, and restores levels of certain hormone receptors to more youthful levels. They concluded that ALC reverses many aspects of age-related cellular dysfunction, principally through maintenance of mitochondrial function. (22)

N-Acetyl Cysteine

As previously noted, a major cause of mitochondrial dysfunction is due to changes that takeilar problems. Chewable acidophilus (bifidus does not lend itself to viable tablet manufacturing) is vegetarian (vegan). Those wishing to avoid gelatin capsules may choose tablets as a convenient alternative.

* Liquid Probiotics do not normally survive longer than just a few weeks. Another disadvantage is that microorganisms in liquid medium can mutate and change. If it is in a liquid, do not rely on it.

How, When and Why to Use Probiotic Supplements: A Quick Summary

A number of factors are responsible for the lack of friendly cultures in our intestinal tract. Beneficial microflora are reduced by excessive use of antibiotics, chlorinated water, food preservatives, junk foods, and pollution in our environment. Seventy percent of the women in America and as high as 40% of the men will suffer from yeast infections. Probiotics are almost always greatly lacking in the presence of a yeast infection and those who have sufficient quantities of beneficial microflora are not as susceptible to yeast infections. Studies at the VA Hospital of Minneapolis show that even amongst normal persons (with no obvious signs of poor health), there are virtually no probiotics in the gastrointestinal tract.

Health professionals recommend probiotic supplements for Candidiasis (yeast infection), digestive disorders (including diarrhea and constipation), gastritis, lactose intolerance, gas, heartburn, irritable bowel syndrome, (including colitis and Crohn's disease) immune dysfunctions and as a follow up to antibiotic therapy. Under these conditions higher amounts of the probiotic supplements should be used.