Paperback. The new book by Dr. S.K. Dash, The Consumer's Guide to Probiotics: How Nature's Friendly Bacteria Can Restore Your Body to Super Health, is being hailed as an authoritative, easy-to-understand resource for research information on probiotics and the roots of digestion.
Dr. Dash is a nutritionist, microbiologist and founder and President of UAS Laboratories. He is an internationally known probiotic pioneer and a leader in the field of integrative medicine.
Dr. Dash's book focuses on research on probiotics ("good bugs"), which he says can greatly benefit humans. Since the good bugs are "sticky," they are able to thoroughly coat a digestive tract by adhering "shoulder-to-shoulder," making it virtually impossible for pathogens, allergens or other inflammatory undigested food particles to enter the bloodstream.
"Here's something most people don't know: Not only do our lives depend on 'friendly' bugs, there are more bug cells in us - when we are healthy - than there are human cells!" Dr. Dash said. "In ancient times, the human diet was rich in new friendly bugs from fermented foods like kefir, yogurt, sauerkraut, wine, beer and other foods from a raw, earthy, natural diet. But now, the intake has diminished exponentially."
Dr. Dash continued, "We also kill friendly bugs with chlorination, pasteurization, antibacterial soaps, antibiotics, cortisone, hormones, pollution, stress and with our highly processed, mineral-deficient and sugary diets. Making matters worse, all these negative factors favor pathogens such as Candida albicans so much so that 70 percent of American women have a yeast condition. Candida is just one of many new 'plagues' of modernity."
"Pathogens such as E. coli create inflammation and disease by punching holes in the unprotected intestine. Good bugs work inside us day and night, breaking down our food and making vitamins, nutrients and protective substances," Dr. Dash said.
Dr. Dash's book cites research on effects of probiotics on IBD, IBS, ulcerative colitis, Crohn's disease, peptic ulcers, indigestion, leaky gut syndrome, constipation, lactose or gluten intolerance, food allergies and other digestive issues.
"One will find, at the bottom of all of these conditions, a serious break in the army of good bacteria," Dr. Dash said. "These diseases and their related inflamed states tell us that, at the core, there is a lack of probiotics in the gut."
Dr Dash's research findings say a lack of probiotics can also factor into many cases of vaginitis, UTI, high cholesterol and/or blood lipids, autism, toxic shock, chronic fatigue syndrome, acne and other infections and allergies.
In addition to using probiotics to maintain normal intestinal flora, Dr. Dash's book refers to probiotic research on such conditions as Candida, toxicity from smoking, vascular disease, travelers' diarrhea, food poisoning, chronic fatigue, autism and other emotional disorders.
'The Consumer's Guide to Probiotics' is a complete probiotic source book - which points out particularly that not all probiotics are created equal. The book can help consumers make an informed decision by helping them determine the quality and effectiveness of various products.
Dr. Dash feels "Probiotics are more important than multivitamins and should be taken daily".
Though probiotics are completely safe, one should always consult with a physician before going off drugs or changing their treatment or prevention plans.