I've told my readers for years to take probiotics to fight pathogenic or "bad" bacteria. I've always recommended taking various specific strains of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria because they are the most widely studied and distributed. Numerous studies have found them to be both safe and effective.
But now there's a new kid on the block — soil-based organisms (SBOs) — that claim to be superior. But not only is their superiority unproven ... they could contribute to major health problems!
The most common SBOs used in probiotic formulas are several species of Bacillus. The people who make and sell these formulas tout their virtues and list dozens of testimonials. But Dr. Hamilton-Miller, a medical microbiologist at a major London medical school is worried. Bacillus is not considered to be part of the normal flora in the intestines of people or animals, and some species are known to cause serious health problems. Anthrax, for instance, is a species of Bacillus.
There are more than 100 Bacillus species and they are notoriously difficult to identify. Because some species of Bacillus can be harmful, you need to know exactly which ones are in any formula you intend to take.
You should also know whether there have been long-term, double-blinded randomized studies on the safety and effectiveness of each species, published in peer-reviewed medical journals, before taking any product that contains them.
I read more than 50 studies, papers, and textbooks, and spoke with experts in the field of probiotics to research this article. I couldn't find sound studies to back up the claims for SBOs for human health anywhere!
I know that my stand on SBOs is likely to make me very unpopular with anyone who has read articles or ads about them. Especially since some well-known doctors have endorsed them and many people feel better after taking them. But I can't help it. If there isn't good science behind a product, I need to tell you. Then, when the science exists, I'll help you understand what it means. When I can, I'll change my opinion and give that product the green light. Unfortunately, I can't do this yet with SBOs. In fact, I'm telling my patients to avoid them completely. I'm convinced they're dangerous for some people.
Safety first
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations and the World Health Organization asks that all probiotic producers prove that any particular species they use in their products is safe. To my knowledge, this has not been done with SBOs. Often, the specific strain is not identified.
I spoke with Ted Sellers, the vice president of Life Science Products, Inc., a multi-level marketing company that sells a probiotic formula including SBOs. He's convinced they're safe. Ted is passionate about Bacillus based solely on its anecdotal use. His comfort level comes from his product's history and its reported long-term safety over 20 years.
He understands that some people would feel more comfortable with double-blinded studies, but is concerned that this might put probiotics under FDA scrutiny, complicating matters for some companies. At the same time, it would identify each species and strain and assure its safety. Personally, I vote for more information on safety.
Some problems with Bacillus
It's very possible that the people who need probiotics the most should avoid those containing SBOs. One nutrition expert I spoke with once embraced the concept and philosophy of SBOs. This expert had a change of mind after receiving numerous calls from people who complained that they became severely sick after using them.
Each expert I interviewed had a similar change of mind. They are concerned about the lack of quality control, lack of identification of the species strain on a product's label, and lack of studies on the safety and effectiveness of these particular strains of SBOs.
Two of the most commonly used SBOs in probiotic formulas are Bacillus subtilis and Bacillus licheniformis. A paper from the Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Texas Medical Branch states that both "are periodically associated with bacteremia/septicemia, endocarditis, meningitis, and infections or wounds, (in) the ears, eyes, respiratory tract, urinary tract, and gastrointestinal tract." Let's take a closer look at these two bacteria.
Bacillus subtilis: If you ever need to take an antibiotic, you don't want to take B. subtilis with it. You could cancel out any benefits from the drug. Some strains of B. subtilis are resistant to many antibiotics and can even cause an infection in the blood (septicemia) in people with a suppressed immune system. In one case, it contributed to a patients' death.
A man in his 70s with leukemia had been taking an Italian formula of SBOs until he was admitted to the hospital with a high fever from a bacterial infection. His condition deteriorated, and he was given a number of antibiotics. The antibiotics didn't work. His blood tests showed high levels of B. subtilis, and further lab tests found it was resistant to every antibiotic he had been given. Unfortunately, he died.
A group of London researchers attempted to evaluate the effectiveness of a group of SBOs. They were dismayed to find that only one-out-of-five products were correctly labeled. In most cases, the bacterium labeled B. subtilis was not that species at all. All were resistant to antibiotics including penicillin and ampicillin. Most microbial laboratories throw out B. subtilis or report it as a contaminant.
Bacillus licheniformis: Food poisoning, antibiotic resistance, and infections have all been associated with this species of Bacillus. A group of mice with low immunity were given 13 different strains of B. licheniformis. Every single one of these strains caused infections in their brains and lungs.
That's not all. A committee on animal nutrition found that one strain of B. licheniformis was unsafe in animal feed because it caused antibiotic resistance. A Finnish research team found that other strains caused food poisoning and infections. These scientists question the safety of B. licheniformis in general. A third study conducted at the University of Maryland Cancer Center on Bacillus infections in cancer patients concluded that these Bacillus species are "now being recognized as a bacterial pathogen for compromised hosts."
Clearly, we need more studies to show which species, and strains of a species, are both safe and effective in humans. This is especially important for anyone who is sick or has low immunity. I'd like to see a number of double-blinded tests over a longer period of time with each species and strain of bacteria clearly identified. That's what it takes to assure the public of safety.
The FDA agrees. It issued a warning letter to one company that sells SBOs. The company advertised that its products have "been shown to drastically reduce populations of yeast, parasites, and bad bacteria in the intestines." The FDA said, prove it. Which probiotics should you take?
There are many probiotic formulas that contain species and strains found safe and effective in hundreds of good double-blind tests published in peer-reviewed medical journals. Each species is clearly marked on its label or in its literature so you can find the studies on that particular species. And the particular strain of the species is also identified and proven to be safe.
Don't shy away from probiotics. Many are safe, although some are much more effective than others. A good probiotic formula can save your health — and your life.
Next month, I'll tell you about the best probiotic formulas I've ever found (there are three of them) and when to use each. One of them, known to stop the deadly flesh-eating bacteria, brought a friend of mine back from imminent death. You won't want to miss this incredible story in next month's issue!
Agerholm, J.S., et al. "A preliminary study on the pathogenicity of Bacillus licheniformis bacteria in immunodepressed mice," APMIS, January 1997.
Banerjee, C., et al. "Bacillus infections in patients with cancer," Arch Intern Med, 148. European Commission Health & Consumer Protection Directorate-General, "Opinion of the scientific committee on animal nutrition on the use of Bacillus licheniformis NCTC 13123 in feedstuffs for pigs," April 18, 2002.
European Commission Health & Consumer Protection Directorate-General, "Opinion on the use of certain micro-organisms as additives to feedstuffs," October 17, 2002.
"Guidelines for the evaluation of probiotics in food: Report of a joint FAO/WHO Working Group on drafting guidelines for the evaluation of probiotics in food," London Ontario, Canada, April 30 and May 1, 2002.
Hamilton-Miller, J.M.T., "Bacillus spp as probiotics," Professor of Medical Microbiology, Royal Free & University College Medical School, June 5, 2002.
Ngo, T.H., et al. "Characterization of Bacillus species used for oral bacteriotherapy and bacterioprophylaxis of gastrointestinal disorders," Applied and Environmental Microbiology, December 2000.
Oggioni, M.R., et al. "Recurrent septicemia in an immunocompromised patient due to probiotic strains of Bacillus subtilis," Journal of Clinical Microbiology, January 1998.
Salkinoja-Lalonen, M.S., et al. "Toxigenic strains of Bacillis licheniformis related to food poisoning," Applied and Environmental Microbiology, October 1999.
Tran Thu Hoa, et al. "Characterization of Bacillus species used for oral bacteriotherapy and bacterioprophylaxis of gastrointestinal disorders," Applied and Environmental Microbiology, December 2000.
Tran Thu Hoa, et al. "Fate and dissemination of Bacillus subtilis spores in a murine model." Applied and Environmental Microbiology, September 2001.
Turnbull, Peter C.B. "Bacillus," Medmicro Chapter 15, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences at the University of Texas Medical Branch.
An Answer to Your Burning Question
"I'm desperate," Ellen wrote me.
"This is the fourth summer I'm in trouble, and I don't want surgery. The technician who did my colonoscopy last summer said I have internal and external hemorrhoids. I'm not bleeding, just in constant pain. There must be an answer, and there must be others out there like me. So ... S.O.S. for all of us."
Ellen is right. She's not alone. Hemorrhoids affect about 50 percent of people over the age of 50 in this country. That translates into a lot of people with burning pain and discomfort. Hemorrhoids are not a condition that just occurs with aging. In fact, they often begin in people in their 20s and 30s.
Hemorrhoids are actually varicose veins in the anus and rectum. They occur when blood vessels that are either inside the anus or around it become swollen. The more swollen they become, the more painful they are. Hemorrhoids may cause bleeding, and their constant irritation could lead to itching. However, most often itching is a sign of pinworms or an overgrowth of Candida albicans.
The following can cause hemorrhoids: constipation, chronic diarrhea, straining when you go to the bathroom, and any pressure that contributes to congestion in veins in that area (like coughing, sneezing, or sitting or standing for long periods of time). But let's face it, if you have strong blood vessels, sneezing and sitting won't give you hemorrhoids.
Traditional treatment
The first step in most doctors' approach to treating hemorrhoids is to suggest a high- fiber diet and bulking agents, such as Metamucil. Next, they typically suggest taking laxatives for constipation. The problem is that some of the herbs used in laxative formulas, such as senna leaf, are harsh and irritating. Instead, eat a higher fiber diet and take ground flaxseed if your intestines need a little help.
Daily sitz baths can reduce inflammation. Get a large plastic basin and put it in your bathtub. Put two to three inches of hot water (110-120 degrees) in the basin and sit in it for about 20 minutes. If possible, add some hotter water in the tub so your feet are warmer than your bottom. Bring a cold washcloth with you so you don't get too warm. Afterward, take a cool shower or splash the area with cool water and gently dry well.
Topical anti-inflammatory suppositories (such as Anusol and Preparation H) may give temporary relief. But they don't address the problem like some herbal formulas.
Ligation is a more drastic therapy where your doctor ties a small rubber band tightly at the base of an external hemorrhoid. This cuts off circulation and the hemorrhoid falls off. Sometimes, it's necessary to repeat this treatment. Ouch!
Finally, surgery may be an option if your hemorrhoids are particularly large or painful, or if bleeding won't stop. If you and your doctor think you have time to try other therapies, I have some safe suggestions.
An integrative approach to healing hemorrhoids
Improve your sitz baths by adding a cup of strong anti-inflammatory chamomile or comfrey tea to the water. If you have spasms, try adding a dropperful of valerian root tincture.
Two citrus bioflavonoids, diosmin and hesperidin, accelerated healing and reduced pain in a French study of 120 people with hemorrhoids. A high amount of hesperidin is in the Hot Flash Formula I helped create (800-728-2288). If you have both hot flashes and hemorrhoids, this formula would be ideal. It won't hurt you if you don't have hot flashes. Or take 1,000 mg of mixed bioflavonoids along with 500 mg or more of vitamin C.
Horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) is an herb I've talked about before. It, and all other herbs suggested for hemorrhoids, are approved by the American Botanical Council's Expanded Commission E Monographs for safety and efficacy. The ABC suggests a standardized extract containing 20 mg escin, its active ingredient. Horse chestnut is often combined with other herbs that improve circulation, such as bilberry and gingko. Dose: Use according to label instructions.
Butcher's broom (Ruscus aculeatus) is used for fragile veins and varicose veins, as well as acute attacks of hemorrhoids. It can both reduce pain and treat the source of the problem. Butcher's broom is approved for the itching and burning from hemorrhoids. Dose: 7-11 mg of ruscogenin a day.
Witch hazel leaf (Hamamelis virginiana): This astringent herb has been approved both for inflammation and for hemorrhoids. You can use witch hazel both internally or topically. Drink an herb tea made from its bark and leaves two or three times a day between meals. Or apply an ointment or salve that contains witch hazel.
Probiotics: A doctor friend of mine said recently, "You can't have too many friendly bacteria." I agree. Any time you have any intestinal problem, reach for the probiotics.
Topical treatments include applying a little witch hazel with a cotton ball. Most health food stores sell soothing salves or ointments that contain witch hazel, calendula, comfrey, or golden seal. If you have vitamin E capsules, puncture one and apply its contents to the area.
See your doctor
Make sure your hemorrhoids are just that85.uncomfortable bulging veins85.and not covering up something more serious like rectal or colon cancer. Hemorrhoids don't cause cancer, but since both conditions can cause bleeding, you want to know what you have.
Blumenthal, Mark. Herbal Medicine: Expanded Commission E Monographs, American Botanical Council, 2000.
Lipski, Elizabeth, MS, CCN. Digestive Wellness, Keats Publishing, 1996.
MoonDragon Birthing Services, "MoonDragon's Health Therapy (sitz bath therapy)," www.moondragon.org/health/therapy/sitzbath.html.
Murray, Michael, ND and Joseph Pizzorno, ND. Encyclopedia of Natural Medicine, Prima Publishing, 1998.
This Do-It-Yourself Therapy Costs Nothing...
...and Can Relieve Headaches, Heartburn, and Back Pain
One evening, many years ago when I was a massage therapist, I was waiting in line with some friends. One of them, a young lawyer, complained. "My upper back is killing me! I can't believe how painful it has been all week. Nothing seems to help."
"I'd be happy to work on you while we wait," I offered.
"Don't touch my back!" he said. "It hurts too much already. If it got any worse, it would be unbearable."
"I don't have to go near your back," I answered. "Take your shoes off and I'll show you."
Intrigued, he took off his shoes and socks. I pressed the spot on the outside edge of his big toe. "Ouch! That really hurts!"
I kept massaging that area until the pain in his toe was gone. Then I worked on the same spot on his other foot. By the time I was finished, and the line we were in began to move, his back pain was nearly gone!
"I don't believe it!" he said. "It's magic! What in the world did you do?"
"It's not magic," I smiled, "just a little foot reflexology."
How reflexology works
Our hands, feet, and ears contain tiny invisible maps of our body. Specific points correspond to each organ, gland, and body part. When you stimulate these points, you communicate with that part of your body through the nervous system. Working on these pressure points can relieve tension and increase circulation to that area.
When I massaged my friend's foot, I knew that the neck and upper spine corresponds to the outside edge of the big toe. The tenderness was an indication of his pain. As the tenderness went away, his back pain lessened.
Just about anyone can work with reflexology. Just put your foot in your hands and start rubbing. Whether or not you know the particular areas that correspond to tender spots, massaging them can help your body heal. So if you don't have a hand or foot reflexology chart yet (and I'll tell you where to get one), dig in and get started anyway.
If you can't reach your feet comfortably, you have two options. Get someone to work on them for you — which is the more relaxing way to go — or roll your foot around on a golf ball. It's hard enough and small enough to hit those tender spots and work out the kinks. Or use a dog toy — a hard rubber ball with bumps on it. You can find one in a pet store. Use the ball daily to reduce all tenderness and watch your pain melt away.
You may be able to find an experienced reflexologist in your area to work on you. Or you may decide to exchange foot massages with a friend. While most people work on the sole of the foot, the top of your feet have reflex points as well. Make sure that your feet get massaged all over from top to bottom. Hand reflexology also works well, but Deborah Leoni, an experienced massage therapist who teaches reflexology in Northern California, finds that massaging the feet gives better results.
Begin with your back
How would you like a mini-massage to relax your neck and back? It's simple. The reflexes to your back run along the inside "edge" of both feet. Your big toe corresponds to your neck. If you have neck pain, this area is likely to be tender. Rub it until the tenderness decreases. Don't overdo it, however. Working on any area for no more than three to five minutes a day should be plenty.
The inside edge of your heel corresponds to your tailbone. Think of your spine as running between these two points and massage the entire area. I like working all the points for the back whether I have back pain or not. It's a wonderful way to relax.
Next, massage along the band at the base of your toes on the top of your feet. This area corresponds to your shoulders. We all hold so much tension in our shoulders and we can't reach them — except through reflexology! Massage across this band and feel your shoulders relax.
For more specific information...
Barbara and Kevin Kunz have written a book on hand and foot reflexology that I love. It's the most beautiful, clear book on the subject I've ever found. It's filled with dozens of photographs that take you step-by-step through a general reflexology session. Then the Kunz's show you just which points to work on for specific health concerns, such as constipation, headaches, back and neck pain, and heartburn.
The book is called Reflexology: Health at Your Fingertips (DK Publishing, 2003, $15). It includes excellent easy-to-follow foot and hand charts. But if you'd like little charts to put in your purse for your next visit to a friend who might like their feet rubbed, the Kunz's have them, as well. You can find their reflexology products at www.reflexology-research.com or write to them at RRP, P.O. Box 35820, Albuquerque, NM 87176 (phone: 505-344-9392). You may also find reflexology charts at your local health food store.
Nutrition Detective
How to Prevent Hearing Loss
Last month, I said that I didn't have any information on natural approaches to improving your hearing. I have, however, tracked down some possible ways for you to prevent hearing loss.
In the first study associating hearing loss with vitamin status, researchers at the University of Georgia found that women with lower levels of vitamin B12 and folic acid had more hearing loss than women with normal levels of these nutrients.
The reason could simply be a lack of sufficient green, leafy vegetables in their diets. As we get older, we tend to have more problems with our digestion. I've noticed a large number of older women who no longer eat raw foods, such as salads. And it takes a lot of effort to eat cooked greens every day. Yet, that's our best source for folic acid.
Vitamin B12, found most abundantly in animal protein, is absorbed in the large intestines. If your digestion isn't good, you may be eating enough foods high in B12 and still be deficient.
A simple blood test can measure folate (folic acid) and vitamin B12. If either are low, I suggest you increase greens and protein, take enzymes with your meals, and be sure to include a good, well-absorbed multivitamin to your diet.
Johnson, Mary Ann, PhD. University of Georgia (706-542-2292). Press release, March 1, 1999.
Are Your Salads Fat-Free and Nutrient-Free?
They may be. If you use a fat-free salad dressing, you may not be getting the antioxidants found in your veggies. Salads are packed with carotenoids, and carotenoids are potent antioxidants, so salads are a good source of antioxidants, right? Not necessarily.
You may get some vitamin C from your vegetables, but remember, carotenoids (parts of vitamin A) are fat-soluble. You need to eat them with some fats to break them down and utilize them. Otherwise, their nutrient value plummets to zero! My friend and mentor, Betty Kamen, PhD, author of dozens of books on nutrition, reminded me of this and suggests adding nuts, seeds, or avocado to salads. You can dip carrot sticks in full-fat salad dressing, hummus, guacamole, or eat them with a little cheese. Just don't avoid fat entirely. You'll lower your nutrient absorption from healthy foods.
For more of Betty's nutrition tips, get her book, Betty Kamen's 1,001 Health Secrets (Nutrition Encounter, 2003, call 415-883-5154 or send an e-mail to her at [email protected]).
Ask Dr. Nan
iodine. I would like to take supplements to boost my immune system and deal with any cancer cells that might remain. What do you suggest that's specific to thyroid cancer? — N.R., via e-mail
A: The most knowledgeable doctor I know who is familiar with cancer and supplements is Dr. Isaac Eliaz. He suggests beginning with PectaSol, a modified citrus pectin that not only binds to cancer cells, but also to circulating radioactive iodine. In other words, it helps remove traces of harmful iodine to leave spaces for the beneficial iodine.
To decrease inflammation and protect yourself from post radiation fibrosis, you can use Padma Basic. It also supports immunity. For more information on modified citrus pectin or Padma, read my booklets on the subject. They're well researched and easy to understand (call 800-728-2288 to order the booklets and the Padma Basic). To order PectaSol, call EcoNugenics (800-308-5518) or Longevity Science (800-933-9440).
Q: Please give me a reference for the negative effects of inhaled chlorine. I can find no reference to breathing the chlorine fumes during a shower. I am looking for information on lung damage from the fumes. Can you help? — S.C.R., RN, NP
A: In their chapter on bronchitis in the textbook Diagnosis and Management of Pneumonia and Other Respiratory Infections, medical doctors Alan Fein, Ronald Grossman, and others talk about how air pollution or the inhalation of ammonia, chlorine, ozone, and other substances can lead to acute tracheobronchitis (bronchitis of the trachea tube). If it can lead to bronchitis in some people, it is obviously an irritant to the lungs.
Not everyone exposed to chlorine fumes will get bronchitis. We have varying sensitivities to different chemicals. But chlorine has been recognized for a long time by Sherry A. Rogers, MD, who specializes in environmental allergies, as one to avoid.
In her book Wellness Against All Odds (Prestige Publishing, 1994), she details how people regress in their cancer treatment after swimming in chlorinated pools. She reminds us that chlorinated water on your skin is absorbed just like when you drink the water. Dr. Rogers notes that in some cities, the chlorine is so high that if you were to take three showers a day, you would be over the government standard for exposure.
Finally, Debra Lynn Dadd, in her book Nontoxic, Natural, & Earthwise, (Jeremy P. Tarcher, Inc., 1990) mentions that doctors have observed symptoms from inhaling chlorine fumes in their patients that include red eyes, rashes, dizziness, and fainting.
The only products I recommend for removing chlorine from shower water are available from Rainshow'r Shower Filters. Their quality is the best I've seen. This company manufactures the only product I know that will remove chlorine from bathwater. It's called the Crystal Bath Ball and is one of my favorite products. You can order these products by calling 800-243-8775. You can also visit the company's website to see a list of all its products at www.rainshowrmfg.com.
Dadd, Debra Lynn. Nontoxic, Natural, & Earthwise, Jeremy P. Tarcher, Inc, 1990.
Fein, Alan, MD, Ronald Grossman, MD, David Ost, MD, Bruce Farber, MD, and Hugh Cassiere, MD. "Bronchitis and Acute Bronchitis," Diagnosis and Management of Pneumonia and Other Respiratory Infections, PCI, 1999.
Rogers, Sherry A., MD. Healing Against All Odds, Prestige Press, 1994.