Sometimes an episode doesn’t turn out the way you expected, and this one is full of lessons for all of us about probiotics and beyond! Firstly, we dive into the decades of work and research of the probiotic strain, Lactobacillus Acidophilus with Founder of Natren Probiotics, Natasha Trenev. Stacy then takes us through the research of spore-based probiotics! As a bonus, we get a life lesson on how to respond with a boundary when you find yourself in a conversation you no longer want to engage.
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Key Takeaways
Introductions
- Natasha Trenev has been in the health food industry for 56 years. She is the founder and President of Natren, a Lactobacillus acidophilus, NAS strain probiotic rooted in 40 years of research and science in the field of probiotics.
- Natasha’s knowledge of the industry began with her family’s 750-year history producing the most beneficial yogurt prized by the royal family of Yugoslavia.
- After graduating from UCLA in 1970, a decade of research led to Natasha’s development of the first revolutionary method of producing an effective and scientifically validated single strain probiotic bacteria product.
Lactobacillus Acidophilus vs. Spore-Based Probiotics
Lactobacillus Acidophilus
- Within each family, or genus, of bacteria, there are many species and each of those species has hundreds of strains. Lactobacillus is the family (genus), acidophilus is the species, and NAS or DDS-1 are strains. [source]
- For 40 years, Natren has stated the proper precision probiotic supplementation will have profound effects on every aspect of human health that includes physical, mental, emotional, skin, and organ health. There are, in fact, many studies touting the benefits of these probiotics:
- The 2020 study used Natren’s Life Start probiotics and demonstrated “significant improvement” for those with Celiac disease. We could then extrapolate to mean many autoimmune diseases and gut permeability improvement. [source]
- In fact, a 2nd 2023 study checked for “other gluten related disorders in wheat and strategies for mitigating them” and found “Improvement in digestive symptoms in CD patients” and “Reduction in immunogenicity”. [source]
- Another 2023 demonstrated using biopsies showed that “the administration of Bifidobacterium infantis NLS-SS resulted in a reduction in all three innate markers in patients with CD. However, the decrease in macrophage counts was more significant in patients who followed a GFD.” Meaning, even without going GF, someone with CD had improved microbiome from probiotics. [source]
- Which would make sense as to why we saw in 2020 that the benefit extended beyond alleviating GI symptoms. “The authors hypothesized that the favorable symptomatic observed effect might be related to an effect on the innate immunity. The mechanisms on innate immunity markers were tested, as well as Paneth cells and macrophage counts in biopsies in three different groups of patients… Which demonstrated that Bifidobacterium infantis NLS-SS reduces Paneth cell and HD5 expression.” [source]
- Paneth cells are secretory cells that produce antimicrobial peptides and proteins and other components that are important in host defense and immunity. [source]
Spore-Based Probiotics
- Natren’s website states that soil-based (or spore-based) probiotics can cause more bad than good and “have a dubious health record when we look at the results of human consumption. “Spore-based probiotics are bad for humans because we were not meant to consume them. These bacteria do not occur naturally in our bodies. When we introduce bacteria into our bodies that we were not meant to ingest, this brings about substantial risks.”
- However, Stacy found many studies touting the benefits of spore-based probiotics:
- In fact, there was a 2017 groundbreaking study that demonstrated, “Oral spore-based probiotic supplementation was associated with reduced incidence of post-prandial dietary endotoxin, triglycerides, and disease risk biomarkers.” [source]
- 42% reduction of endotoxins, demonstrating that the intestinal lining was able to substantially heal and seal itself; thus preventing the leakage of these gut bacteria-produced toxins into the bloodstream.
- 24% reduction in triglycerides. Liver stress increases triglycerides and decreases this fat as the toxic load goes down.
- Dramatic lowering of ghrelin, also known as the “hunger hormone” because until ghrelin levels goes down, we don’t feel satisfied and keep eating, and
- “Significant” reductions in all inflammatory cytokines associated with poor sugar response, slower recovery processes and a high bodily inflammatory load.
- Then a 2019 study that says one of the spore-based strains, Bifidobacterium longum 1714™ Strain Modulates Brain Activity of Healthy Volunteers During Social Stress [source]
- As well as one from 2021 that shows, “Improvements in sleep indices during exam stress due to consumption of a Bifidobacterium longum.” [source]
- And another from 2023 that showed “Interactions between symptoms and psychological status in irritable bowel syndrome”. It showed Bifidobacterium longum strains 1714® had an anti-inflammatory effect as indicated by a reduction in circulating levels of TNF-α. [source]
- In fact, there was a 2017 groundbreaking study that demonstrated, “Oral spore-based probiotic supplementation was associated with reduced incidence of post-prandial dietary endotoxin, triglycerides, and disease risk biomarkers.” [source]
Next Steps
- There is something that Stacy and Natasha definitely agree on! When a company sells a probiotic, they are not required to make each batch equivalent to the next or even test outcomes. Unfortunately, due to lack of regulation and oversight available to FDA, you cannot count on them to regulate the safety or efficacy of probiotics or any supplement.
- The science strongly supports what Natasha and Natren are doing and Lactobacillus Acidophilus is incredible for human health!
- However, there is also science support spore-based probitiocs and nothing came up in PubMed about the dangers of either probiotic.
- Stacy notes that she is much more likely to want to try it based on the results vs. negatively talking about something else without scientific references to back it up. Stacy believes there’s space for both types of probiotics in people’s digestive tracts. Make your own informed choice!
- Whether we are dealing with autoimmune issues or are neurodiversity, Stacy believes are all doing the best that we can! Even if you can’t afford a high-end probiotics, you didn’t do anything wrong.
Studies, References & Products
- Gut Microbiota in Celiac Disease: Is There Any Role for Probiotics?, Frontiers in Immunology
- Pathogenesis of Celiac Disease and Other Gluten Related Disorders in Wheat and Strategies for Mitigating Them, Frontiers in Nutrition
- The Role of Intestinal Microbiota in Celiac Disease and Further Therapeutic Perspectives, Life (Basel)
- Bacterial-Based Strategies to Hydrolyze Gluten Peptides and Protect Intestinal Mucosa, Frontiers in Immunology
- Paneth cells as the cornerstones of intestinal and organismal health: a primer, EMBO Molecular Medicine
- Oral spore-based probiotic supplementation was associated with reduced incidence of post-prandial dietary endotoxin, triglycerides, and disease risk biomarkers, World Journal of Gastrointestinal Pathophysiology
- Bifidobacterium longum 1714™ Strain Modulates Brain Activity of Healthy Volunteers During Social Stress, The American Journal of Gastroenterology
- Improvements in sleep indices during exam stress due to consumption of a Bifidobacterium longum, Brain, Behavior, and Immunity – Health
- Interactions between symptoms and psychological status in irritable bowel syndrome: An exploratory study of the impact of a probiotic combination, Neurogastroenterology & Motility
- The Whole View, Season 3, Episode 54: Heavy Metals in Chocolate featuring Just Thrive Probiotics
- Realeverything.com: Should I Stop Eating Dark Chocolate Because of Lead and Heavy Metals?
- Natren.com: Why Spore Based Probiotics Are Bad
- Natren.com: Myths About Probiotics
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Note: Stacy and her guests are not medical professionals. This podcast is for general educational purposes only. It is NOT intended to diagnose, advise, or treat any physical or mental illness. We always recommend you consult a licensed service provider.
