Kefir Kommunity

Ok so we probably think about probiotics a little more often than your average Joe, but we had to share some interesting studies about our favorite microorganisms that have popped up recently.
 

 

A recent study conducted in Germany suggests that certain gut bacterias could play a role in triggering multiple sclerosis. This could eventually mean that by changing the body’s microbial community (through the cosumption of probiotic foods, among other methods) may be able to stop, or even reverse the progression of the disease.
 

According to research recently published in the medical journal Gut, probiotics like those found in kefir could protect cancer patients from intestinal damage. Radiation therapy destroys cancer cells, but it also destroys healthy cells – so many patients are not able to receive continued  abdominal radiation treatment due to the intestinal damage radiation causes.
 

This study showed that certain Lactobacillus probiotic strains protected the lining of the small intestine in mice receiving radiation. Further research is needed, of course, but it’s promising news for cancer patients.
 

 

United Press International recently reported that brain trauma patients in Sichuan, China were spending less time in intensive care when probiotics were introduced to their treatments. Patients’ immune systems are often affected by their injuries as their bodies switch from producing antibodies to producing glucocorticoids to fight inflammation.  This can leave patients suseptible to pneumonia and other infections.

In a small scale trial, certain patients’ treatments were supplimented with probiotics. The findings show that these patients had fewer infections and spent less time in the intensive care unit.