Agbakwuru Deborah

PROBIOTICS AND VAGINAL HEALTH I vividly remember some time ago when I was involved in a research study. I was one of the “specimen” used for the research. I drank the fermented water of pap (ogi, akamu) for some weeks without missing a day. After that period of time, I was given a swab stick to swab around my vaginal surface. Microbiological tests were then carried out on the swab stick to check for the presence and quantity of Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) which is a probiotic. Of course, the probiotic was observed and in sufficient quantity. The World Health Organization (WHO) and the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO) defined probiotics as live microorganisms that have health benefits when consumed or applied to the body in adequate amounts. Probiotics are dietary supplements containing beneficial microorganisms especially bacteria and yeast. Probiotics can also be gotten from foods prepared by bacterial fermentation. Examples of such food include yoghurt, kimchi, kefir, sauerkraut, tempeh, miso, pickles and some type of cheese, not forgetting the fermented water of pap. 1 Usually, our body has the good/healthy bacteria and the bad/harmful bacteria. Probiotics are known as good, friendly or healthy bacteria. Antibiotics kill bacteria both good and bad bacteria, probiotics, therefore, help to restore the good bacteria that have been lost especially by frequent or prolonged use of anti-bacterial medication. A highly specialized army of bacteria exists in the vagina. These bacteria are always at work keeping the vaginal pH balanced, healthy and in good order, giving no place to hostile and unhealthy bacteria. However, as earlier mentioned, antibiotics use can disrupt this balance. Also, an overgrowth of some other microorganisms like bacteria and yeast can cause an imbalance and lead to infections. Hence, the need for probiotics. Yeah, some medications used to treat these infections also contain some amount of probiotics to restore the normal flora of the vagina. Lactobacillus acidophilus is the most common strain of probiotics in the series of Lactic Acid Bacteria (LAB) for maintaining a healthy vaginal balance and promoting vaginal health. There is also Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Lactobacillus reuteri. A study published in the Clinical Microbiology and Infection Journal has it that these strains stick to vaginal epithelial surfaces thereby making it more difficult for hostile bacteria to grow, thus vaginal balance is maintained. Hydrogen peroxide, lactic acid and bacteriocins are produced by the Lactobacillus spp which inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria that cause bacterial vaginosis (a bacterial infection in the vagina) 2 Capsules, vaginal suppositories or probiotic foods can help prevent and treat the distorted vaginal pH, thereby promoting vaginal health. A 2014 study carried out showed that oral consumption, as well as vaginal administration of probiotics, have helped in the prevention and treatment of bacterial vaginosis and an overall improvement in vaginal health. Experts prefer whole foods to supplement as sources of probiotics. Yoghurt containing live cultures has been proven to be one of the best sources of lactobacilli. You may want to ask, after I took the probiotic for that particular period of time, how did I feel? Consumption of probiotic-containing foods in a healthy woman, just like me, possibly has benefits, with no known risks. The good bacteria were multiplied, stuck to my vaginal epithelial surface and made it more difficult for hostile bacteria to grow. My vagina was happy and healthy, so was I! Complied and written by Agbakwuru Deborah- 3