Product Description

Why Take Probiotics?

Most degenerative disease conditions can be linked to intestinal toxemia and our inability to properly eliminate it from the body. By allowing toxins to remain in the body for an extended period of time, they begin to affect all bodily functions. The process of autointoxication is simply one where the body is unable to rid itself of the accumulated toxins before they are absorbed back into the body.

The over use of antibiotics, coupled with the consumption of chlorinated water, alcohol, and the preservatives in food, has compromised our body’s ability to maintain proper intestinal flora equilibrium. Without these natural defenders to guard against pathogenic organisms, we can become susceptible to a wide range of health problems that affect all other bodily processes. By replenishing the healthy intestinal flora on a regular basis we can help the body fight off invading bacterial and viral organisms and improve our overall quality of life.

In a healthy intestinal tract, there reside approximately 400 different kinds of microorganisms. Due to their inability to withstand an acidic environment, not many are found in the stomach. As we move on to the small intestine, the number of bacteria increases by a factor of 10, and by the time we get to the colon, there are almost a billion times more than found in the small intestine. All of the Probiotics we offer work together to help maintain proper intestinal function. Good bacteria aid in; acidifying the colon (maintain pH between 6.7 and 6.9); normalizing bowel movement; improving immune function; producing vitamins; producing lactase (for lactose intolerance); removing toxic wastes; reducing cholesterol; and reducing or eliminating gas problems.

Establish a Healthy Intestinal Biomass

Many conditions today can cause damage to, or even the destruction of the normal healthy bacterial flora of the body. Damage to healthy microorganisms can lead to an overgrowth of harmful bacteria, yeast and viruses. This can lead to stress on the organs of elimination and the immune system.How They Function

In order for pathogenic organisms to establish themselves in the colon, they must first be able to adhere to the epithelial wall receptor sites. These sites provide a location for the growth of bad bacteria, and provide a proliferation area for increased colony growth. When there are sufficient “friendly bacteria”, these appear to bind to the same receptor sites, thereby denying a location for negative organisms.

This is important in understanding candidiasis. Candida albicans are fungi normally found within the body. As such, it lives in symbiosis with the friendly bacteria. This balance is thrown off by the use of antibiotics. Antibiotics were developed to destroy bacteria. They are indiscriminate and do exactly what they were designed to do, destroy or greatly reduce bacteria in the body. This diminishes the friendly bacteria along with the pathogenic bacteria. When this happens, it creates an opportunity for the candida to take over and gain a stronghold in the intestinal tract, often with negative side effects.

By replacing the friendly bacteria, and increasing their population, these bacteria begin to compete for the same food sources that feed the candida. In this manner, the candida population is brought back into control through the process of starvation. In addition, once the candida dies off, it becomes a potential food source for the probiotic bacteria.

Probiotic Blend

Our unique patented Probiotic Blend is a powerful combination of specially stabilized, modified microorganisms called Lactobacillus Salivarius and Lactobacillus Plantarum -OM. These friendly bacteria flourish in the small intestine and offer many benefits. Unlike other supplemental bacteria products, Lactobacilli -OM requires a very special culturing process and has been classified as a novel strain. Developed after many years of research, the OM strain of Lactobacilli truly marks a new level of achievement in bacterial supplementation.

Special Properties

The microorganisms in the Probiotic Blend are classified as novel in comparison with other Lactobacillus because they are the only strain found to be proteolytic, meaning the OM probiotics are very active on proteins as well as the by-products of protein putrefaction. This allows the bacteria to accomplish the breakdown of undigested proteins, making nutrition readily available to the body while helping to render potential toxins inert. In considering that viruses and bacteria are encased in a protein shell, our bacteria has the ability to directly attack pathogenic organisms.

This strain is also prolific in almost any environment, doubling the population of viable organisms every 20 minutes. This creates substantial savings to the cost-conscious consumer. Unlike other products that require as many as 12 capsules or several grams daily to achieve only minimal results, the recommended dosage is two to four capsules daily. Although some may prefer six or more capsules daily if they feel extremely toxic, this is only necessary for a short time, after which two to four capsules daily is plenty to maintain beneficial effects. Most consumers will realize a 30 to 50% savings by using our Probiotic Blend.

Requirements for Proper Absorption

by Dr DF Smallbone (more info)
listed in colon health, originally published in issue 13 – July/Aug 1996

Although the gastro-intestinal tract is not the only way that materials have of entering our body, it is the most usual and direct route for our nutritional requirements to be satisfied. There are many criteria that have to be satisfied in order for proper absorption to occur, regularly.

Adequate amounts of nutrients

Unless adequate amounts of the body requirements are provided, then even if the absorbability is 100%, insufficient will be available for the body needs. Failure to provide this may result from a variety of causes, such as:

a) Inadequate food intake.
b) Nutritionally deficient food.
c) Poor food balance resulting in inadequate diet (fad diets, modern junk food, etc.)

Adequate enzyme activity

Unless the food is broken down into nutritionally available units, the absorption will be inadequate. For this to be accomplished, adequate enzyme activity is necessary throughout the whole of the gastro-intestinal tract – from mouth to descending colon. Any deficiency in correct enzyme production, either specific enzymes or quality, will result in incomplete digestion and, hence, absorption.

Proper functioning bowel flora

We rely upon the symbiosis (of mutual benefit) between the bacteria and other organisms that normally inhabit our colon and ourselves. Many materials produced by these bacteria, we have come to expect to be present. Without their presence in adequate amounts we are in dire peril of not surviving. Such nutrients as Vitamin K, Vitamin B12, Vitamin D, Biotin and Folic acid are among those included. These organisms, that are so crucial to our needs, are as susceptible to antibiotics as are any pathogenic bacteria, and are often far more fragile. Antibiotics are a common enough material in our diet and as treatments, in this day and age, that it makes one wonder how many of us have a fully functioning bowel flora!

Adequate amounts of water are present

We are creatures of water. So many of our internal patrol and control mechanisms cease to function with an inadequate water supply. The intestinal tract is no exception. It is imperative that adequate amounts of water are available throughout our gastro-intestinal tract. Without a gut surplus, many biochemical activities cannot be pursued and poor digestion ensues along with poor absorption.

Minimal amounts of inorganic minerals are present at any time

Most inorganic mineral salts interfere with each other’s absorption. As there is a very small segment of the ileum for absorption of these forms of minerals, there is much competition at the available sites. Absorption of inorganic, or unbound, minerals is through very specific cells that have the appropriate ligand (bonding material) in the cell to carry that mineral. Several minerals share the same cell for absorption. For instance, calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc and molybdenum all share one gastro-intestinal transport cell. Too much excess of any of these elements will block the absorption of the other minerals in that group and produce a potential malabsorption state with consequent deficiency. Therefore, megadosing of these minerals with supplements, or high intake from any other source, is contra-indicated.

The minerals are in a true state of chelation, as they occur in nature

True chelation means the mineral is bound, in some form, in a food matrix or other base material such as protein, lipid, polysaccharide or combination. This bonding, for true chelation to occur, is happening at the molecular level. Many so-called “chelates” are not. They are merely mixes of which a small percentage will bond by proximity, but insufficient to enhance the absorption rate. True chelated minerals are absorbed through the channel of their bonded substrate (the protein, lipid or polysaccharide) and, because of this, have a much greater absorption port and, hence, have improved absorbability.

Proper, patent blood supply to the intestinal tract

The blood supply to the gastro-intestinal tract must be whole and intact to allow proper assimilation of the absorbed materials into the body. Any damage to, or paucity of, blood supply, from whatever cause, will limit the effectiveness of absorption.

No “filming” of intestinal lining is present

There must be a clear route through from the intestinal lumen to the lining of the gastro-intestinal tract wall for absorption to occur unhindered. Accretions and thickened mucous accumulates on the gut wall, such as occur in many disease states and dehydration, will adversely affect absorption.

Proper presentation of food

Food must be presented in such a way that the enzymes and other breakdown activities of the gastro-intestinal tract can come to bear upon it and work. Therefore, food presentation is all-important, from taste and smell, which stimulates and informs in advance that food is on the way, to not damaging the food beyond recognition, as can occur in some processing methods and overcooking

Absence of large amounts of substances that interfere with absorption

There are many substances in food, naturally sometimes, that can interfere with the absorption processes. Such a material is phytic acid or hexaphosphate inositol. This material interferes with zinc and calcium absorption. This material is present in unrefined flours but not in refined flours. Therefore it is important to know which foods contain these materials in any quantity that will affect absorption. Leavening and cooking destroys the phytic acid to some degree.

Adequate digestion of food

This is very much linked to enzyme activity although other factors also play a part. Mastication (chewing) must be adequate for proper exposure of the food stuffs to enzymes. A reasonable stomach acidity also is essential for proper digestion, especially of liquids. Proper intestinal agitation is also necessary.

No intestinal hurry – hence value of fibre

Intestinal hurry can be due to several things. Inflammation of the gut wall is the commonest invasive disruption. This may also arise from chemical irritation from incomplete digestion products or residues in food such as herbicides, pesticides, etc. It may also be some aspect of the food itself such as alkaloids in some plants, natural plant poisons and toxic breakdown products of meat and fish. Fibre plays a crucial role in combating the irritation of gut contents and binds very potentially dangerous materials, preventing contact with the gut wall.

Intact villal structure of intestinal wall

Any process that destroys or minimises the villus structure of the gastro-intestinal cell wall will adversely affect absorption. This may occur as the result of chronic, persistent irritation or acute degenerative events. Again, fibre and water are protective. Such diseases as Crohn’s Disease and diverticular disease are common end-results.

Absorption sites within the intestinal tract

Different materials within our food have different sites for maximal absorption. There is a whole range of normally acceptable areas for them to pass through. There is also a range of transport mechanisms that the body can use. Some of them are active, requiring energy expenditure to perform, and others are passive, occurring provided there is sufficient material present in the lumen of the tract to drive the absorption. In general, the following list is standard for most people.

a Inorganic minerals salts are absorbed in the first 6 inches or so of the jejunum/ileum
b Fats are absorbed over the mid ileal section, mainly (see below – lacteals)
c Carbohydrates are mainly absorbed through the first 1/3rd. of the ileum, although much sugar balancing occurs in the colon
d Proteins, amino acids and peptides are absorbed through most of the length of the ileum, but especially the last 2/3rds
e Vitamin B12, many antibiotics and other drugs and other vitamins are absorbed through the very low end of the ileum and the ascending part of the colon
f Nutrients produced by friendly bacteria in the gut are mostly absorbed from the ascending colon, as this is where the bacteria live.

Colon Balancing

In the ascending and transverse colon much of the water, electrolyte and sugar balancing occurs between the inside and outside world, except for, perhaps the kidneys.

It is also in this area that the symbiotic (living mutually together) bacteria live. It is reasonable, therefore, that their products should be absorbed from this area. These include: Vitamin K – Vitamin B12 – Biotin – Vitamin D – Folic acid and many of the B vitamins in small quantities.

Reference:  Dr David Smallbone M.B., CH.B., L.R.C.P., M.R.C.S., M.F.Hom., F.C.O.H. Senior Medical Advisor and Senior Lecturer in Medical Sciences to the College of Natural Nutrition.  http://www.positivehealth.com