| The gastrointestinal tract is actually a complex micro–ecosystem in which the mucosal lining of the host coexists with billions of microorganisms that live on or are attached to the lining. These “probiotic” bacteria are provided with shelter and support, and copious amounts of food substrates. Other, less beneficial microorganisms are also present and compete with the probiotics. Dietary supplementation with potent probiotic cultures assists the host in maintaining a healthy probiotic balance.* Allergy Research Group® probiotic products are generally well tolerated. They should be kept away from extreme heat. Potency is best maintained by storing probiotics refrigerated before and after opening, and using up the contents within 4-6 weeks. Description of SymBiotics with FOS (Hypoallergenic) from Allergy Research Group®: An optimally functioning intestinal system is crucial to the health of the whole body. The human gastrointestinal tract harbors trillions of microorganisms, some beneficial to our health and some not. The cells that line the intestines, called villi, form a single layer that regulates digestion and absorbs the digested products. Friendly (probiotic) bacteria live attached to the villi, finding food and shelter, and in turn providing benefits to their host. Probiotic bacteria naturally occur in fermented foods, such as live culture yogurt and sauerkraut. Nobel Prize laureate Elie Metchnikoff observed in the 19th century that people in the Balkans who ate yogurt and other foods cultured with lactobacilli were longer-lived. He theorized that ingestion of lactobacilli could prolong life by competitively inhibiting undesirable microbes, preventing them from taking up residence and producing toxins. * Intestinal dysbiosis occurs when unfriendly bacteria imbalance probiotic bacteria. Factors that can promote dysbiosis include antibiotics, steroids including birth control pills, alcohol, bacterial infections, stress, traveling, or a poor diet. Dysbiosis has been associated with diverse conditions, including allergies, gingivitis, acne, psoriasis, eczema, migraine, gout, arthritis, cystitis, candidiasis, constipation, diarrhea, colitis and irritable bowel. Undesirable microbes can also produce carcinogenic enzymes in the large intestine. Lactobacilli have been shown to competitively inhibit clostridia, E. coli, Streptococcus faecalis, and salmonella. * SymBiotics with FOS contains nine strains of friendly bacteria, in a base of fructooligosaccharides (FOS). It provides a broad range of support for intestinal microbial balance. The healthy intestinal micro-ecosystem harbors up to 400 strains of bacteria, in amounts greater than the number of cells in the body. These trillions of bacteria can weigh four pounds or more. Probiotic microflora are found in both the small and large intestines, where they support the structure and functional integrity of the epithelial lining by helping to metabolize vitamins, minerals, and hormones, improve intestinal motility, and assist in detoxification. They boost immune function, and have been shown to increase resistance to infection. They produce metabolites such as lactic acid, hydrogen peroxide, and acetic acid that normalize the pH of the intestine and inhibit the reproduction of many harmful bacteria. They also produce bacteriocins, which can directly kill undesirable microbes and/or inhibit their growth.* Probiotics have been used in the treatment of infantile, traveler's, and antibiotic-induced diarrhea. They can produce lactase, the enzyme that digests lactose ( milk sugar ). Lactose intolerance occurs at the rate of over 80% in Asian, Arabian, and African populations, and approximately 25% among Caucasians. Friendly bacteria are especially important following the use of antibiotics, which can strip the intestines of probiotic bacteria and open the way for detrimental organisms. When probiotics are depleted, supplemental probiotic bacteria are often needed in large amounts - in some cases, ten billion colony forming units (CFU) per day or more may be needed to restore intestinal balance. * Members of the genus Lactobacillus take up residence primarily in the wall of the small intestine, where they provide many functions including normalization of pH, promotion of digestive function, and stimulation of immune response and antimicrobial activity. They can help prevent vaginal yeast infections, and support healthy cholesterol levels. L. acidophilus produces DL-lactic acid, amylase (carbohydrate-digesting enzyme), and bacteriocins. L. acidophilus is resistant to bile and gastric acids and has moderate lactase activity. L. rhamnosus has been shown to increase the effectiveness of both white blood cells and lymphocytic natural killer cells. It also sometimes occurs in the large intestine, where it can create favorable conditions for the implantation of bifidobacteria. Compared to L. acidophilus, L. rhamnosus is less tolerant to bile and is more transient. It is a good releaser of lactase throughout the stomach and small intestine, and can stimulate the immune system. L. casei can survive in a wide pH and temperature range, and it also produces DL-lactic acid and amylase. It is smaller than L. acidophilus and complements its growth. The name casei originates from the Latin word caseus, meaning cheese. All three of the above-mentioned Lactobacilli were originally isolated from the human intestinal tract. * L. sporogenes is a particularly hardy member of the lactobacillus group. It is stably encapsulated in spores that can resist stomach acid, antibiotics and other chemicals, heat, radiation, and freezing. It is aerobic, so it is unaffected by the presence of oxygen. Typically, L. sporogenes proliferates rapidly in the small intestine, where it metabolizes a wide range of sugars, and produces the superior L (+) form of lactic acid, which is utilized better by humans. L. sporogenes works quickly to crowd out undesirable bacteria and reduce their production of potentially harmful substances. * L. bulgaricus and S. thermophilus are found in yogurt. They are transient intestinal bacteria - they benefit the gastrointestinal tract as they pass through, but do not take up residence there. They produce lactic acid, can adversely affect harmful bacteria, and readily release high levels of lactase when exposed to bile in the stomach and small intestine. They produce niacin, folic acid, pyridoxine, and biotin, and have been shown to help protect against radiation damage and deactivate toxic pollutants. * Bifidobacteria are the most plentiful probiotic bacterial group, found in the large intestine and to a lesser extent in the lower part of the small intestine. B. longum was first isolated from human adults, B. breve from human infants. In breastfed infants bifidobacteria comprise more than 95% of intestinal bacteria. They are anaerobic, and unlike other probiotic bacteria, they can ferment carbohydrates to both acetic and formic acids. They also produce lactic acid, creating a healthy pH in the colon. * Because bifidobacteria are more delicate than other common probiotics, they can easily be depleted by intestinal toxins or other stressors. They play a supportive role in conditions of gastrointestinal and vaginal infections, help remove excess cholesterol, and decompose carcinogens, reducing potential risk. They support proper digestive function, and produce vitamins B1, B6, folic acid, and enzymes such as casein phosphatase and lysozyme. They also support the absorption of vitamins, and can take up iron from the contents of the bowel, buffering against iron overload. They stimulate IgA production in the intestinal lining, bolstering the epithelial immune response, and have been used to help ease infant diarrhea. Bifidobacteria are resistant to bile and gastric acids and have moderate lactase activity. * FOS enhances a favorable intestinal balance of the beneficial probiotic microflora, as well as lowering gut pH. The bifidobacteria can utilize FOS for food. Ascorbic acid (Vitamin C) is added as a stabilizer. * The friendly bacteria in SymBiotics with FOS are tested for authenticity of strain and for potency. They are packed in glass rather than plastic, produced in small batches, and refrigerated at all times. They are produced with 20% higher potency than the labels claim at the time of manufacture to counter inevitable potency decay due to temperature abuse and shelf-life (aging). Also, freeze drying substantially increases shelf life potency. High quality strains, dairy-free formulations, a sophisticated lyophilization process and meticulous handling combine to make SymBiotics with FOS unsurpassed in quality and effectiveness. * Allergy Research Group®, Inc. |
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