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OAND Spring Conference & AGM | rgb.jpg){kind=logo} |
Probiotics: Emerging Data in Gastroenterology in Children & Adults
There is a long history of probiotics being used for health promotion and for therapeutic purposes in various cultures. During the past decade, a growing body of evidence suggests that bacteria can be used as part of the diet and as medicinal therapy. Most of the published data involves the use of probiotics to treat and prevent gastrointestinal (GI) conditions; the potential function of these microorganisms extends far beyond what was originally conceptualized.
Current understanding of strain specific mechanism now include luminal and anti-microbial effects, effects on intestinal barrier function, immune function and neuro-modulatory effects. Taxonomical classification defines the genus (e.g. Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium) according to characteristics that one or more types of microbes have in common. The gastrointestinal tract presents a complex ecosystem with the fine balance between the host and gut microbiota. Most of the microbiota in the human body is composed of species from various genera such as: Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, Eubacterium, Fusobacterium, Streptococcus, Staphylococcus and Bacillus.
Probiotics have been used in newborns and infants to restore and maintain the integrity of the gastrointestinal system. Positive effects have been shown for the treatment of infantile colic, prevention of acute diarrhea, treatment of antibiotic-associated diarrhea and treatment of Helicobacter pylori. Probiotics are used effectively in the adult population for the prevention and treatment of Irritable Bowel Syndrome. Similarly probiotics have been shown effective in inflammatory bowel disease such as induction of remission in mild to moderate ulcerative colitis and suggestive evidence for the maintenance of remission. The positive impact of probiotics has been demonstrated in patients presenting with pouchitis. Bio-Gaia, TuZen and VSL#3 are some probiotics discussed during this program. Since probiotics are not the same, future clinical trials need to incorporate specific strain intended to treat specific conditions in the planning and design of those trials.
Most NHP probiotics have a stellar safety record. The new regulatory environment is only permitting the sale of clinically proven and safe probiotics in Canada.
Neemez Kassam, ND
 | Neemez Kassam received his naturopathic education at the Canadian College of Naturopathic Medicine (CCNM) in Toronto, and received his Masters in Acupuncture from Bastyr University in Kenmore, Washington. Neemez is the department head and associate professor of Asian medicine at CCNM, and has been with the faculty since 2001. |
He has been the recipient of the “Teaching Award for Excellence” for the past 6 years at CCNM, as voted by the graduating class each year. Neemez is also the co-author of the point location text: “Fundamentals of Clinical Acupuncture” from CCNM Press published in 2009. He is the owner of the West Coast Wellness Centre in Toronto where he maintains a private practice treating infertility, women’s health concerns, sports/pain management, and digestive disorders. He has been featured and quoted in the Globe and Mail, Canadian Living magazine, Vitality magazine, and the Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation of Canada.
