Part 1: Why the Modern Microbiome is Failing (and Why it Matters)
The Microbiome Foundation: Why Probiotics Are Essential
Probiotics fill our gut. Our intestines are about 15 feet, or the surface of about the size of a tennis court (2,700 square feet). In fact, the gut can rebuild itself every 7-14 days and is approximately 80% of our immune system, so caring for it is life or death.
We have up to 10X more bacteria than we do human cells and contain 2-5 pounds of crucial, live bacteria!
These phenomenal keepers of our health communicate with every aspect of our human body to protect us from illness. Some bacteria can lie dormant, be neutral, or extend into our human cells, which is why these fighting probiotic strains of bacteria are needed to keep them in balance.
What Do Probiotics Do For Your Gut?
Our gut lining needs to be selective in blocking heavy metals, toxins, parasites, and bad bacteria, yet be semi-permeable to allow nutrients through. Your skin is 7 layers deep, whereas your gut lining is a single layer of epithelium tissue that forms sheets of cells.
This almost transparent lining is on the top and bottom (yes, they know which is up and down). The sides are primarily dense protein layers called tight junctions.
These junctions are like zip-lock bags that are regulated by Zinc. Vitamins A & D are essential fat-soluble vitamins that regenerate all tissues, including these tight junctions that open for nutrients and block too large particles or toxins.
Stem cells are the glue holding them shut and repairing elements when they are loose. When one has a leaky gut from toxins, alcohol, etc., the stem cells are not able to keep up.
Tight Junctions and Gut Integrity: The Zinc Connection
Our gut lining needs to be selective in blocking heavy metals, toxins, parasites, and bad bacteria, yet be semi-permeable to allow nutrients through. Your skin is 7 layers deep, whereas your gut lining is a single layer of epithelium tissue that forms sheets of cells. This almost transparent lining is on the top and bottom (yes, they know which is up and down).
The sides are primarily dense protein layers called tight junctions. These junctions are like zip-lock bags that are regulated by Zinc. Vitamins A & D are essential fat-soluble vitamins that regenerate all tissues, including these tight junctions that open for nutrients and block too large particles or toxins.
Stem cells are the glue holding them shut and repairing elements when they are loose. When one has a leaky gut from toxins, alcohol, etc., the stem cells are not able to keep up.
The Gut-Brain Axis: Your Second Brain Under Attack
We all know your gut is linked to our digestive health. While many believe stress originates entirely in the brain, the scientific truth is that your gut is your “second brain.” The Gut-Brain Axis is the critical, bidirectional communication system linking your enteric nervous system (ENS) in the gut to your central nervous system (CNS) in the brain.
Part 2: The Critical Link to Mineral Absorption (The HTMA Connection)
How Probiotics Dictate Your Zinc, Magnesium, and Iron Levels
The health of your gut lining and the diversity of your microbiome directly control the absorption of every mineral you consume. Without a healthy gut environment, even the best supplement program fails. Probiotics help create the acidic, enzymatic environment necessary for essential minerals like Magnesium, Zinc, and Iron to pass through the intestinal wall and become available to the cells.
Since the Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) reveals deficiencies in these exact minerals, often linked to stress and poor diet, addressing the gut (the intake valve) is the critical first step. You cannot fix a mineral deficiency solely through supplementation if the gut cannot absorb it.
Systemic Benefits: What Types of Health Issues Do Probiotics Impact?
Probiotics’ influence extends far beyond mere digestion; they are crucial modulators of entire systemic functions. By improving nutrient absorption and calming inflammation, probiotics create a cascade of positive effects that address issues often rooted in mineral imbalance or chronic stress:
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Stress Resilience and Adrenal Support: A balanced microbiome reduces the production of stress hormones (like cortisol) and inflammation in the gut, which lessens the burden on the adrenals. This conservation of resources is vital for maintaining the Sodium-to-Potassium ratio often used in HTMA to assess adrenal function.
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Hormonal Balance: Probiotics influence the estrobolome, a collection of gut bacteria that metabolizes estrogen. When this is healthy, it helps the body properly excrete excess hormones, supporting balanced thyroid and reproductive health, all systems where mineral deficiencies are commonly found.
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Sleep Quality: By stabilizing the production of neurotransmitters like Serotonin (which is later converted to Melatonin), a healthy gut directly promotes deeper, more restorative sleep. Poor sleep is a massive drain on minerals, making the gut link a critical intervention point.
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Weight Management and Metabolism: Specific strains help regulate appetite hormones and improve insulin sensitivity, contributing to stable energy levels and weight control. This supports a balanced metabolic rate, a key factor analyzed in every HTMA report.
Understanding these systemic benefits shows that probiotics aren’t just for digestion, they are a fundamental component of achieving the total cellular health reflected in your HTMA results.
Leaky Gut, Inflammation, and Systemic Immunity
When this part of your intestinal wall, which is your body’s most critical defense system barrier, is compromised, a condition commonly known as “Leaky Gut” or increased intestinal permeability. Undigested food particles, toxins, and microbial fragments escape into the bloodstream. With nearly 80% of your immune tissue residing in the gut, you can see how important your gut health is to your entire immune system.
This triggers a massive, systemic immune alert, resulting in chronic inflammation throughout the body. This inflammatory state not only damages tissues but also aggressively depletes your vital, anti-inflammatory minerals (like Magnesium and Zinc) in an attempt to put out the “fire.” Probiotics actively help reinforce the tight junctions of the gut lining, minimizing immune overreaction and conserving the precious mineral reserves your body needs for energy and systemic health.
Safety, Overgrowth, and Targeted Supplementation
Can I Have Too Many Probiotics?
The most common side effects are a bit of bloating and gas when a probiotic is first introduced. These good bacteria produce sulfur-containing gas as a byproduct of digestion. When we eat cruciferous vegetables (cabbage, Brussels sprouts, etc.) or foods that are higher in natural sulfur, we tend to experience increased gas.
If you have these symptoms, take half the supplemental dosage or cut down on the foods so that your body can adjust before increasing them again.
Who Should Not Take Probiotics (SIBO and C-Diff Warnings)
The most common strains are Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria. They are normally safe, but in some cases, people need to avoid taking supplementation or ingesting certain foods, as they can trigger inflammation throughout the body.
SIBO, which is small intestinal bacterial overgrowth, is one illness that slows digestion, causing an imbalance that allows the bad bacteria to dominate. In this case, Lactobacilli can be harmful, and they must be avoided.
In opposition, C-Diff (Clostridium difficile), which is another overgrowth of bad bacteria, is often triggered by overuse of antibiotics. It has been treated with Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, Bacillus strains, and Saccharomyces boulardii (a form of baker’s yeast).
At times, it’s used for those treated with specific antibiotics as probiotics to restore balance. Not only can C-Diff cause the same inflammation as SIBO, but it can also be easily spread through feces when good hygiene practices are not used, and can be deadly.
If you have a digestive issue, it is always best to get help from your gastroenterologist, or you can call me for some assistance.
Part 3: Choosing the Right Probiotic Strains: A Personalized Approach
The Best Strains for Targeted Systemic Support
There are many strains of probiotics. Some are better for certain conditions or needs.
Probiotics for digestive issues:
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Bacillus Coagulans: Prevents IBS diarrhea and stomach ulcers in both children and adults by stopping the growth of bad bacteria.
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L. longum: Breaks down carbohydrates, prevents bad microbes from multiplying, and reduces seasonal allergies.
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L. rhamnosus: Helps in digesting lactose in dairy, builds the immune system, prevents UTIs (urinary tract infections), and facilitates weight loss.
For immune system functions:
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L. bulgaricus: A detoxifying bacterium within your intestinal lining, which can also produce its own natural antibiotics. It aids in neutralizing toxins and supporting cellular defense.
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B. lactis: Can help to prevent diarrhea and fight infections for a faster recovery. It is known for stimulating robust antibody production.
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B. bifidum: Stops bad bacteria from multiplying, increases immunity, and increases digestion. It helps regulate cytokine balance, which is crucial for managing inflammation.
Using probiotics for weight loss and metabolic support:
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L. gasseri: Has been shown in a number of clinical trials to reduce abdominal fat, lower cholesterol, and ease painful menstruation. It works by limiting the uptake of dietary fat and supporting healthy lipid metabolism.
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L. plantarum: Can also assist with colitis as it aids in preserving critical vitamins, nutrients, and antioxidants. This strain is excellent for fighting pathogenic bacteria and optimizing the absorption of B vitamins.
Probiotics for bowel issues:
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L. acidophilus: Can boost the treatment of digestive tract pathogens, such as the production of lactase to digest dairy, decrease yeast overgrowth, relieve IBS symptoms, and aid in recovering from respiratory infections.
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L. casei and L. Plantarum: Can help with digestive issues related to Crohn’s Disease, ulcers, digestion, and gastrointestinal issues. They can also assist with colitis as it aids in preserving critical vitamins, nutrients, and antioxidants.
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S. salavarius: Helps to make enzymes that kill bad bacteria that cause bad breath, bloating, and gas.
How to Select a High-Quality Probiotic Supplement
When trying to decide on a probiotic, get specific! Find the right one for your symptoms or diagnosis. A few things to look for would include:
- A combination of strain & sub-strain diversity of at least 8-12 types
- One that lists the exact CPUs of each strain, so that cheaper ones are added to hype the numbers
- High number of CPU (Colony Forming Units) of 40-50 billion minimum
- A prebiotic to “feed” the probiotics
- A product that can be stable enough to live at room temperature (not needing refrigeration)
- One with no soy, dairy, gluten, preservatives, or filler (rice flour)
My top picks for brands of probiotics:
1-Garden of Life Raw Probiotics Ultimate Care, 100 Billion, 34 strains
2-Floratrex, 75 Billion CFU, 25 live & active strains plus prebiotics
3- 1MD Complete Probiotics Platinum, 50 Billion CFU, 11 strains
4-Garden of Life Once Daily Ultra, 90 Billion CFU, 15 strains (potent but must be refrigerated)
5-LiveWell Pro-45, 45 Billion, 11 strains
6-Synbiotic 365 with 20 Billion CFU, 14 strains. You may need to increase the dosage when adjusted.
7-LifeVantage Probios with freeze-dried layers of 6 Billion CFU & strains to get past the gut digestion acids
8-Gutbomb 350 Billion, 18 strains. This is incredible for extreme or serious gut issues
Which Foods Are Full of Probiotics?
In addition to supplements, you can increase the ingestion of probiotic foods. Try adding garlic, onions, kombucha, kefir, and sauerkraut to meals. Good herbs or spices to add to improve digestion may be ginger, horseradish, cardamom, oregano, nutmeg, cayenne pepper, clove, turmeric with Bioperine, and pumpkin seeds.
Stop Supplementing Blindly: The HTMA Difference
The ultimate frustration is taking expensive supplements only to see them flush out, unabsorbed. The truth is, your gut is the bottleneck. The Hair Tissue Mineral Analysis (HTMA) is the only way to see if your body is chronically depleted of essential minerals. Your probiotics help you absorb these minerals (like Magnesium and Zinc).
By combining a precise HTMA protocol with a targeted probiotic strategy, we move beyond guessing games to a confirmed, measurable systemic balance. Stop wasting money on generic fixes and start building a gut environment that truly supports your cellular health.
Hair Analysis and Probiotics
When you use a Hair Analysis to look into your cells, you can see exactly where you need to improve ALL of your health through these avenues.
Instead of masking symptoms, see where your minerals are and your heavy metal toxicity. You’ll be able to optimize your gut, thyroid, adrenals, stored sugar, and cell membrane defenses. This helps to restore your microbiome health.
LET’s CHAT about your health goals! Today is THE day for you to make the needed changes.
To learn more go about how probiotics can improve your health.
Copyright Scientific Nutrition, LLC 2020
