Opinion
A new age: antibiotics to probiotics
Antibiotics are substances derived from a microorganism able to inhibit or kill another microorganism. In the late 1920s, Alexander Fleming, a British bacteriologist, found a blue-like mold growing on a grapefruit he had placed outside his laboratory window in order to keep it cool since he had no refrigerator. Being a scientist, he cultured the mold and found that it had the unique property of killing certain bacteria. He put it aside as a curiosity until in 1940, in the midst of bombs falling on London and people dying of wound infections, he decided to resurrect the mold he called penicillin, but found he had no way of making large dosages. He flew inconspicuously to the United States in 1940 and talked to the presidents of Chas. Pfizer & Co. and American Cyanamid, who had large chemical plants. Pfizer at that time made citric acid, a food acidulent, in deep tank fermentation which proved an ideal production method for antibiotics. Enough penicillin was made by 1944 to save thousands of lives when the Allies landed on the beaches of Normandy. This started the Age of Antibiotics because soon there was Streptomycin, Terramycin, Bacitracin, Neomycin and many others. Unfortunately, as their use spread throughout the world, so too did the bug's ability to counter the effects of the antibiotics as they were severely overused from nose sprays to animal feeds. Since the end of the 20th century the world has awaited for a replacement and the new age has finally come.
Probiotics brings us back again to "live microorganisms" which, when administered in adequate amounts, confer health benefits. Probiotic bacteria reduce the risk of certain diarrheal diseases, assist lactose intolerant people and enhance the immune function. Whereas we endured the antibiotic era and found that bacteria had built up a resistance, the world has entered an age wherein new products are being developed worldwide at an accelerating rate and resistance is no longer a problem.
Probiotics means "for life" and the name is used to refer to beneficial bacteria which promote the body's natural immunity, keep us healthy and help our digestion. For example, our gastrointestinal tract is home to more than 400 different species of "good" bacteria which promote harmony in a healthy body.
For a quick look at newly promoted products consider: Kraft's "Liv Activ" cheese to combat the discomfort of irregularity or bloating and "Promis Activ," tasty 3-ounce fruit-flavored drinks which contain natural plant sterols with chemically proven claims to help remove cholesterol from the body. On the U.S. market in the past two years, "Benecol and Promise" (formerly "Take Control") table spreads that contain sterol esters, claim to lower cholesterol. In November 2006, 59 European health ministers endorsed the World Health Organization's charter to fight obesity, calling for laws to ban advertising of less-healthy foods to kids. In South Korea, Maeil Dairy's new organic children's cheese, made from skim milk, contains iron, calcium, DHA, inositol and various nucleotides good for brain, bones, teeth and confers immunity. In Spain, Danone introduced "Danonino Petite" yogurt drink in mini-shot bottles with omega-3 DHA for young adults to improve mental and vision development, brain function and learning.
Satiety, related to a sense of fullness and loss of hunger, is the hottest and likely sustainable global weight-control trend with products carrying claims for appetite suppression, lasting satisfaction and sustained energy. Dutch Lipid Nutrition's "Pinno Thin" suppresses appetite by stimulating the release of a satiating hormone. In Norway, "Coffee Slender" is an innovation with an extract from green coffee beans that helps people lose weight by lowering peak blood levels after meals. Breakfast foods containing extra protein and fiber help provide a feeling of fullness. Examples are Quaker Oats Co.'s "Quaker Weight Control" instant oatmeal and Dannon's "Light and Fit Crave Control" yogurt.
Foods and beverages that promote "inner beauty," healthy skin, nails and hair from inside out are another opportunity. Vittel's "Contre Beaute" water promises to preserve the beauty of your skin and enjoyed sales of $100 million in 2007. Coca-Cola and Nestle are jointly planning to introduce "Lumae," a new beauty drink in 2008 which will contain: vitamins C and E, aloe vera, coenzyme Q 10, beta carotene, astaxanthin and collagen.
Functional foods and beverages that enhance brain health, mental sharpness, cognitive and enhanced learning in children are counted as the third largest functional food category after heart-healthy foods and digestive aid products.
Opportunities? Consider that by 2050, Western and Eastern Europe are projected to have 37 million fewer people than today while Africa will have as many as one billion more. India will overtake China in terms of population before 2050 to become the two largest populations in the world. Needless to say, there are opportunities ahead!
Robert D. Campbell of Newburyport has been a scientific lecturer for the Institute of Food Technologists for over six years.
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Highway sound barriers deserve closer look
With Interstates 495 and 95 converging together in our region, there's plenty of unwanted highway noise to go around.
The noise serves as the background hum across a wide corridor of Greater Newburyport. Try walking through Newburyport's Maudslay State Park on a quiet fall day, or an Amesbury neighborhood near scenic Point Shore, or through Newburyport's West End, and listen. It is noise pollution that perhaps we've all gotten a little too used to. And it will only get worse as traffic numbers grow. -
Mass. education standards dropped for federal control
As we enter the back-to-school season, it is time to realize the public school in your town could dramatically change in four years due to a federal takeover. The case for national education standards might be rationalized by the need to remedy the inferior quality of some state standards and to equalize academic standards for all students. There is no doubt that the U.S. needs higher levels of achievement than its students currently demonstrate for it to remain competitive in a global economy. The common core curriculum academic standard is the federal math and English curriculum that many states are contemplating. Massachusetts recently adopted these along with 26 other states. Massachusetts will allow the federal government to dictate our education standards in order to receive the "carrot" held out: a $250 million grant Massachusetts had applied for through Obama's race to the top competition funded partially through the stimulus program.
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Is it too loud or is it just me?
To the editor:
It's probably that I'm just getting old, of which there is little doubt. A recent hearing test indicated a small bit of hearing loss, especially at high frequencies. And my wife suspects deafness. -
What is Sarah Palin's agenda?
To the editor:
Sarah Palin walked off her job as governor of Alaska halfway through her term to go on a tour to promote her book and make a lot of money. Since then she has spent most of her time on expensive speaking engagements raking in more money. She loves to speak to Tea Party crowds, appear on Fox News and slam President Obama almost on a daily basis. Her slander, lies and put-downs are getting so aggressive that she actually said that he is missing an important part of his anatomy and is incompetent. -
Leasing the way to go with solar panels
To the editor:
I just read that West Newbury is installing solar panels on Pipestave Hill for a "low bid" of $19,400. I hope the contract hasn't been signed yet. I recently installed the same 3-kilowatt system on my house in Newburyport. Instead of buying it for $19,400, I leased it for a total of $8,000 for 18 years from a company named Alteris Renewables here in Massachusetts. At the end of 18 years I can have it removed by them or buy it then for $2,000. Aside from the reduction in cost, there is another big incentive to lease. During the next 18 years, if anything goes wrong with the system (such as the PV inverter that converts DC to AC electricity), the owners have to repair it, not me. - September 1, 2010
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Highway sound barriers deserve closer look
