NATURAL MEDICINE & WELLNESS CENTER

Michael Armentano, N.D.

PROBIOTICS AND PREBIOTICS

Optimal health starts in the gut.  If the gut is not healthy and balanced, the remainder of the body can not be optimally healthy.   The colon is a microcosm with billions of bacteria populating it.   A properly balanced gut supports immune, absorptive, and barrier functions while preventing excessive colonization of harmful microbes.  Probiotics are beneficial bacteria which promote proper gut ecology.  Two very important probiotic species are Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum. 

Daily supplementation with probiotics can be used to maintain the integrity of the colon or to re-colonize the gut after the a round of antibiotics which kills off healthy bacteria populations.  This is important because as beneficial bacteria decreases in the large intestine, pathogenic bacteria and yeast have an opportunity to increase their populations in the colon.  Yeast such as Candida albicans easily overgrow in the gut during antibiotic use as the drugs only kills bacteria and not the yeast.  Candida causes gut permeability (leaky gut) which opens the door for toxins and microbes to pass through the intestinal barrier and have access to the rest of our body.  Probiotics such as Lactobacillus strengthen our immune system and directly inhibit harmful bacteria growth. 

Prebiotics are factors that increase or maintain healthy populations of beneficial bacteria.  Think of prebiotics as optimal food or food precursors for healthy bacteria (probiotics).  Prebiotics are converted by intestinal gut flora to short chain fatty acids (eg: butyrate) which are optimal fuel for beneficial bacteria.  Fructooligosaccharides, also known as FOS, are excellent prebiotics.  FOS is a type of dietary fiber which is naturally occurring in asparagus, garlic, Jerusalem artichoke, and onions.  Other soluble dietary fibers which have prebiotic action include psyllium husk powder and arabinogalactan powder.

Dr. Armentano uses safe and effective natural therapies without the use of drugs and surgery.  Patients can expect to have an evaluation of their health blocks and stresses, including allergy and hypersensitivity testing.  Some examples of modalities used are herbal medicine, nutritional advice, homeopathy, and other bioenergetic therapies.   This approach allows the body to heal itself naturally from  disease, illness, pain, and stress resulting in a higher state of health and wellness.  Dr. Armentano treats all health conditions in all age groups.  If you would like to arrange for an office consultation to discuss your specific health concerns, please call Dr. Armentano at 203-637-8464 or email him at drarmentano@att.net.

Contact Information

Dr. Michael Armentano, ND

296 Sound Beach Avenue

Old Greenwich, CT  06870

Phone: 203-637-8464

Fax: 203-635-4825

Email: drarmentano@att.net