New Probiotic Research Aims at Binding Cells to the Gut
December 7, 2009 by Deb
Filed under Probiotics
Today’s probiotics, when taken normally, pass through the gastrointestinal tract in a manner similar to most other medications. Some of the main ingredients are absorbed but the rest will pass through the body’s natural elimination system.
According to The Medical News, researchers from IFR, however, believe they may have found a specialized protein that will help healthy bacteria bind itself to the inside of the gastrointestinal tract, ensuring that probiotics have the proper opportunity to interact with the bacteria inside the body while promoting healing.
The protein, which has been crystalized by the Institute of Food Research (IFR), should be able to stick to the mucous inside the intestinal tract. The natural bacteria in our intestines is able to do this naturally but most of the bacteria in probiotic supplements has trouble attaching itself and, therefore, has less time to do its job before being eliminated.
IFR, in conjunction with the Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council, will continue to research the effects of this new protein on the gastrointestinal system. Because the gastrointestinal system is one of the largest organs associated with the immune system, advances in this field of study could have a huge impact on the way bacterial and fungal diseases, like Candida, are treated in the future!
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