This week’s beneficial uses of bacteria include lowering cholesterol in food and obese children. Plus oral probiotics in chewing gum can manipulate immune responses.
Heart Smart Probiotics
Several publications in recent months have indicated that probiotics could be used to help obesity and improve metabolic function. A recent study expands these findings to include obese children. In a trial with 70 school-aged children, a synbiotic (probiotic and a prebiotic) was administered to half of the participants while the other half received a placebo. After eight weeks, changes in obesity, blood fat and cholesterol levels were measured. Those with synbiotic treatment had significant improvements in obesity along with lowered serum triglycerides and cholesterol.
Oral Probiotics via Chewing Gum
Modulating immune responses is one of the most important functions of probiotics. Swedish scientists wondered if just simply mouth exposure to probiotics could lead to measurable immune changes in the saliva. To answer their question, they performed a study where participants chewed gum with Lactobacillus reuteri, and then they measured saliva antibodies directed against the probiotic and a cavity-inducing bacteria. After several months of chewing, it was found that there was a significant increase in the percent antibodies specific for the probiotic and a relative loss of antibodies for the cavity bacteria.
Bacterial Cholesterol Filter
To lower cholesterol, some resort to restricting eggs and dairy in their diet. Now, it’s been found that two probiotics, Enterococcus faecium MDF1104 and Lactobacillus plantarum MDL1118, can lower cholesterol in food. Chinese researchers added these bacteria to skim milk and egg yolk and found that they could remove approximately half of the cholesterol. The same cholesterol-lowering effect was also found when the beneficial bacteria were given directly to mice. Total serum cholesterol was significantly lowered in the treated mice.
- Ericson D, Hamberg K, Bratthall G, Sinkiewicz-Enggren G, Ljunggren L. Salivary IgA response to probiotic bacteria and mutans streptococci after the use of chewing gum containing Lactobacillus reuteri. Pathog Dis. 2013 Aug;68(3):82-7. doi: 10.1111/2049-632X.12048. Epub 2013 Jul 2.
- Liu H, Yang C, Jing Y, Li Z, Zhong W, Li G. Ability of lactic acid bacteria isolated from mink to remove cholesterol: in vitro and in vivo studies. Can J Microbiol. 2013 Aug;59(8):563-9. doi: 10.1139/cjm-2013-0200. Epub 2013 Jun 20.
- Safavi M, Farajian S, Kelishadi R, Mirlohi M, Hashemipour M. The effects of synbiotic supplementation on some cardio-metabolic risk factors in overweight and obese children: a randomized triple-masked controlled trial. Int J Food Sci Nutr. 2013 Sep;64(6):687-93. doi: 10.3109/09637486.2013.775224. Epub 2013 Mar 12.