While it is critical to address the environmental toxins, food additives, oxalates, and a myriad of other issues that disrupt the microbiota, it is as critical to understand how to reverse that disruption for people who are suffering right now. The probiotics listed below may not be commercially available, but they are free and effective for anyone who follows the SR™ 3/36 Gut Microbiota Remodeling Protocol.
1. Heart Disease and Stroke
Lactobacillus spp. and Bifidobacterium spp.
- Multiple clinical trials demonstrate that specific strains of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium can significantly reduce cardiovascular risk factors, including cholesterol levels, blood pressure, and inflammatory markers [1]
- Consistently shown to reduce total cholesterol, LDL-C, and improve lipid ratios, particularly in hypercholesterolemic patients [2]
- A meta-analysis revealed that probiotics can lower the risk of cardiovascular disease by improving lipid profiles and modulating inflammatory responses [3]
- Specific mechanisms of cardiovascular protection include: deconjugation of bile salts, cholesterol assimilation, production of short-chain fatty acids, inhibition of cholesterol synthesis, and improvement of gut barrier function [4]
- Bifidobacterium lactis Probio-M8 administered to patients with coronary artery disease showed synergistic benefits with conventional treatments, improving clinical efficacy, reducing inflammation, and lowering LDL-C levels [5]
Faecalibacterium prausnitzii
- Lower abundance is associated with increased cardiovascular risk factors such as hypertension, obesity, and inflammation [6]
- Produces butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid that protects vascular function and reduces inflammation [7]
Akkermansia muciniphila
- Administration is linked to reduced aortic lesions and atherosclerosis [8]
- Linked to a decline in cardiovascular risk factors such as dyslipidemia and metabolic endotoxemia [8]
- Helps maintain gut barrier integrity, preventing bacterial toxins from entering circulation and causing vascular inflammation [8]
2. Cancer
Roseburia spp.
- Acts as a protective marker for gastric cancer, particularly against peritoneal metastasis [9]
- Higher abundance is associated with a lower likelihood of gastric cancer peritoneal metastasis [9]
- Produces short-chain fatty acids, especially butyrate, which regulate inflammation and energy metabolism involved in cancer development [9]
- Lower abundance observed in breast cancer patients compared to healthy controls [10]
Ruminococcus spp.
- Higher abundance is associated with reduced risk of peritoneal metastasis in gastric cancer [9]
- Significantly more abundant in non-metastatic gastric cancer patients [9]
Faecalibacterium prausnitzii
- Reduced abundance observed in various types of cancer, including colorectal cancer [11]
- Anti-inflammatory properties may help prevent tumor-promoting inflammation [11]
Parabacteroides distasonis
- Shown to attenuate tumorigenesis in experimental colorectal cancer models [12]
- Promotes intestinal barrier integrity, which may prevent tumor development [12]
- Inverse association with intestinal tumor burden [12]
3. Diabetes
Akkermansia muciniphila
- Consistently shown to help manage type 2 diabetes by improving glucose metabolism and insulin sensitivity [13]
- Animal and human studies demonstrate that A. muciniphila controls essential regulatory systems of glucose metabolism [13]
- Negatively correlated with fasting blood glucose, insulin resistance, and HbA1c levels [13]
- Pasteurized A. muciniphila has been shown to reduce insulin resistance and dyslipidemia in mouse models [14]
- Supplementation in overweight and obese individuals improves insulin sensitivity and metabolic parameters [15]
Bifidobacterium spp. and Lactobacillus spp.
- Meta-analysis of 15 randomized controlled trials showed that probiotic supplementation significantly decreased HbA1c, fasting blood glucose, and insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) in type 2 diabetes patients [16]
- Specific strains improve glycemic control and reduce diabetes-related complications [16]
Faecalibacterium prausnitzii
- Reduced abundance observed in diabetic patients [17]
- Higher levels associated with improved insulin sensitivity and better glycemic control [17]
4. Chronic Lung Diseases (COPD)
Lactobacillus spp. and Bifidobacterium spp.
- Development of COPD is associated with a reduction of Lactobacillus species in the gut microbiome [18]
- Administration of Lactobacillus rhamnosus attenuates cigarette smoke-induced COPD in mouse models [19]
- Combined treatment of budesonide with Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli effectively improves lung function and clinical symptoms in COPD patients [20]
- Meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials showed probiotics improved %FEV1 in COPD patients (MD = 3.02, 95%CI: 1.10, 4.93) [21]
- Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Bifidobacterium breve reduce inflammation in cigarette smoke-activated human macrophages, suggesting a protective effect against COPD development [22]
Parabacteroides distasonis
- Reduced in patients with COPD, suggesting a potential protective role [23]
5. Obesity
Akkermansia muciniphila
- Consistently shown to be inversely associated with obesity and weight gain [13]
- Mechanistically reduces fat mass development, metabolic endotoxemia, adipose tissue inflammation, and improves insulin sensitivity [13]
- Pasteurized A. muciniphila enhances its capacity to reduce fat mass development in mice [14]
- Human studies demonstrate a negative correlation between A. muciniphila abundance and obesity, BMI, and waist-to-hip ratio [15]
Bifidobacterium spp. and Lactobacillus spp.
- Meta-analyses support the potential of these probiotics to reduce obesity markers and BMI [24]
- Specific strains like L. gasseri have been shown to reduce abdominal visceral and subcutaneous fat areas [24]
Faecalibacterium prausnitzii
- Reduced abundance observed in obese individuals [25]
- Administration can ameliorate obesity through the production of butyrate and immunomodulatory effects [25]
6. Alzheimer's Disease and Dementia
Bacteroides thetaiotaomicron
- Administration in Alzheimer's disease mouse models (APP/PS1 transgenic mice) decreased amyloid-beta (Aβ) levels in the hippocampus and significantly improved memory function [26]
- Acts on the gut-brain axis to modulate neuroinflammation and amyloid pathology [26]
Coprococcus spp.
- Reduced abundance observed in Alzheimer's disease patients [26]
- Identified as a short-chain fatty acid producer that may have protective effects on brain health [26]
- Depletion is associated with increased neuroinflammation and cognitive decline [26]
Bifidobacterium spp. and Lactobacillus spp.
- Multiple studies show administration helps ameliorate cognitive impairment in Alzheimer's disease models [27]
- Reduces neuroinflammation and amyloid-beta deposition in animal models [27]
7. Arthritis
Faecalibacterium prausnitzii
- Oral administration in collagen-induced arthritis mouse model reduces disease severity and joint tissue damage [28]
- Decreases abundance of systemic immune cells producing IL-17, a key pro-inflammatory cytokine in rheumatoid arthritis [28]
- Modulates short-chain fatty acid profiles, increasing butyrate and decreasing lactate and acetate [28]
- Lower abundance observed in rheumatoid arthritis patients compared to healthy controls [29]
Roseburia spp.
- Significantly lower in rheumatoid arthritis patients compared to healthy controls [30]
- Associated with reduced occurrence of seropositive rheumatoid arthritis [31]
- As a butyrate-producer, it may have anti-inflammatory effects in joint tissues [30]
Ruminococcus spp.
- Alterations in abundance observed in rheumatoid arthritis patients [32]
- May play a role in modulating immune responses in arthritis [32]
8. Chronic Kidney Disease (CKD)
Bacteroides fragilis
- Shown to ameliorate renal fibrosis in mouse models via decreasing lipopolysaccharide (LPS) levels and increasing 1,5-anhydroglucitol (1,5-AG) levels [33]
- May have protective effects against kidney disease progression [33]
Parabacteroides distasonis
- Alterations observed in CKD patients, suggesting a potential relationship with kidney function [34]
- Can modulate systemic inflammation and metabolic parameters that affect kidney health [35]
Bifidobacterium spp. and Lactobacillus spp.
- Shown to reduce uremic toxins in CKD patients, particularly p-cresol and indoxyl sulfate [36]
- May improve intestinal barrier function, reducing bacterial translocation and systemic inflammation in CKD [36]
Conclusion
The evidence from PubMed references demonstrates that these specific probiotic bacteria play significant roles in the prevention and management of various chronic diseases. Their mechanisms of action include modulating inflammation, improving gut barrier function, producing beneficial metabolites like short-chain fatty acids, and regulating immune responses. While the evidence is strongest for certain bacteria in specific conditions (like Akkermansia muciniphila in metabolic disorders and Faecalibacterium prausnitzii in inflammatory conditions), research continues to expand our understanding of these complex microbe-host interactions in chronic disease.
References
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