Primal Defense Uses

Primal Defense is a whole food and probiotic supplement available in powder and caplet form. It contains "superfoods" such as spirulina, chlorella, wheat grass and alfalfa grass, along with probiotics (beneficial bacterial organisms) that manufacturer Garden of Life identifies with the trademark name Homeostatic Soil Organisms. Ray Sahelian, a physician who writes about nutrition on his website, notes that claims for the use of soil organisms for health are not based on clinical research. Other probiotics such as those found in yogurt, nevertheless, are associated with health benefits. Garden of Life lists several uses for Primal Defense.

Providing Natural Probiotics

The theory behind Homeostatic Soil Organisms is they provide probiotics people would normally obtain if they ate food produced more naturally. Because of pesticides, herbicides and other chemicals, food is disinfected and sometimes irradiated, which kills the probiotics. The Primal Defense official website states the product includes 12 species of beneficial microorganisms.

Balancing Gastrointestinal Bacteria

Garden of Life states that Primal Defense supports the proper balance of friendly and potentially harmful bacteria in the gastrointestinal system. This balance maintains a healthy gastrointestinal environment when other factors may disrupt the bacterial balance. Taking antibiotics, for instance, kills friendly bacteria as well as harmful bacteria, and fungi, parasites and an overabundance of yeast can also upset the balance, according to the U.S. National Institutes of Health (NIH).

Maintaining Bowel Function

Primal Defense maintains regular bowel function, as explained by Garden of Life. The NIH notes that probiotics may relieve gastrointestinal side effects from antibiotics as well as symptoms of lactose intolerance. Early research shows benefits for treating diarrhea, especially that caused by rotavirus; decreasing the time length of intestinal infection caused by Clostridium difficile; and treating irritable bowel syndrome.

Increasing Nutrient Absorption

The Primal Defense website states the supplement increases benefits of a healthy diet by supporting absorption of nutrients. The NIH notes that friendly bacteria are essential for the digestion and absorption of food and nutrients.

Maintaining Immune System

Primal Defense helps maintain a healthy immune system, according to the website. The NIH explains that friendly bacteria are important for immune system development and for protecting against disease-causing microorganisms. A 2005 study cited by the Mayo Clinic found that a group of employees taking the probiotic Lactobacillus reuteri missed less work because of gastrointestinal or respiratory disorders than did employees not taking the substance.

Additional Uses

Early research supports the use of probiotics for many other health conditions, according to the NIH. It has shown encouraging results in preventing and treating urinary tract and female genital tract infections; decreasing recurrence of bladder cancer; preventing and treating pouchitis, a condition that can develop after colon removal; and preventing and treating eczema in children.