Probiotics are live microorganisms which provide a health benefit. Most
probiotics are bacteria similar to the type normally found the people's guts,
the "good" bacteria, which helps maintain a balance in the digestive tract and
may confer natural protection against disease. The most common probiotics taken
as supplements are Lactobacillus and
Bifidobacterium. Humans normally carry
several pounds of bacteria in their intestines and they are key to digestion,
immune system function and possibly play other beneficial roles. They can also
out-compete "bad" bacteria that cause disease.
A probiotic
supplement can have many health benefits. Once you buy a probiotic
supplement, you should refrigerate it to prolong the shelf life.
Probiotics and Prebiotics
Probiotics and prebiotics are two food ingredients that have physiologic
effects through the gastrointestinal tract.
Probiotics have been defined as live
microorganisms that (when ingested) have a beneficial effect in the prevention and
treatment of specific medical conditions. These microorganisms are believed to exert
biological effects through a phenomenon known as colonization resistance, whereby the
indigenous anaerobic flora limits the concentration of potentially harmful (mostly
aerobic) germs in the digestive tract. Other modes of action, such as supplying enzymes or
influencing enzyme activity in the gastrointestinal tract, may also account for some of
the other functions that have been attributed to probiotics.
Enhanced Probiotic System,
Jarrow Formulas
Higher Potency 4.4 Billion Organisms per capsules
Species with Documented strain morinaga Bifidobacteria longum BB536
Dairy Free
Vegetarian
Enteric Coated!
Room Temperature Stable! No Refrigeration Required!
For Intestinal and Immune Health
Probiotic Supplement
Individually Blister Sealed
Click here to buy this Probiotic supplement or to sign up to a FREE
newsletter
Subscribe to a FREE Supplement Research Update
newsletter. Twice a month you will receive a brief
abstract of 4 to 6 studies on various supplements and natural medicine topics
- including probiotic supplement benefit - and their practical interpretation by Ray Sahelian, M.D.
Jarro-Dophilus enhanced probiotic system is room temperature stable, but preferably refrigerate
to safeguard product from heat. Blister packaging each capsule provides
extra protection to the bacteria against moister and oxygen.
At time of manufacture, each capsule contains approximately 4.4 Billion
organisms. Jarro-Dophilus enhanced probiotic system is room temperature stable and
enteric-coated, delivering directly into the intestines 8 different
species of probiotics representing 4 genera of bacteria: Lactobacilllus,
Bifidobacteria, Lactococcus and Pediococcus Bifodobacteria longum BB536 (moringa
strain) has been shown to colonize, stimulate immune response and suppress
intestinal pathogens. L. rhamnosus R0011 is a unique, high producer of
polysaccharides, which facilitate colonization and stimulate intestinal
immune response. Lactococcus and Pediococcus help reduce spoilage caused
by undesirable bacteria in cultured dairy products.
Probiotic
Supplement Facts:
Probiotic Bacteria 4.4 Billion *
Organisms
Lactobacillus casei rhamnosus
R0011 (15.4%) 680 Million
L. casei R0256 (15.4%) 680 Million
Lactobacillus plantarum R0202 (7.7%) 340 Million
L. acidophilus R0052 (15.4%) 680 Million
Bifidobacterium longum BB536 (morinaga strain)(15.4%) 680 Million
Bifidobacterium breve R0070 (7.7%) 340 Million
Pediococcus (15.3%) 670 Million
acidilactici R1001
Lactococcus
lactis (7.6%) 330 Million
diacetylactis R0100
Benefit of Probiotics
Probiotic have been defined as live
microorganisms that (when ingested) have a beneficial effect in the prevention and
treatment of specific medical conditions. These microorganisms are believed to exert
biological effects through a phenomenon known as colonization resistance, whereby the
indigenous anaerobic flora limits the concentration of potentially harmful (mostly
aerobic) germs in the digestive tract. Other modes of action, such as supplying enzymes or
influencing enzyme activity in the gastrointestinal tract, may also account for some of
the other functions that have been attributed to probiotic.
Synbiotic therapy, combining
probiotics and prebiotics
Synbiotic therapy could prove more effective in the treatment of certain
medical conditions than therapies limited to probiotics or prebiotics.
Additional Probiotic products
available online
Source Naturals
Bifidyn contains
two complementary forms of bifidus. Bifidobacterium longum is an acid-stable and
viable strain of bifidus for successful implantation into the digestive tract.
Bifiidobacterium bifidum is the form that is naturally found at high levels in
mothers' breast milk, and is predominant in healthy infants' colons.
Source Naturals
Life Flora, 5 Billion Cells, 90
Capsules
Different strains of probiotic
bifidobacteria include:
Bifidobacterium adolescentis
Bifidobacterium animalis
bifidobacterium bifidum
Bifidobacterium breve
Bifidobacterium dentium
bifidobacterium infantis
bifidobacterium lactis
bifidobacterium longum
Bifidobacterium pseudocatenulatum
Bifidobacterium pseudolongum
Different strains of probiotic
lactobacilli include:
Lactobacillus fermentum
Lactobacillus paracasei
Lactobacillus plantarum
Lactobacillus
reuteri has various health benefits.
Probiotics for allergic
rhinitis and asthma
Probiotics for the treatment of allergic rhinitis and asthma: systematic review
of randomized controlled trials.
Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2008 December. Vliagoftis H, Kouranos VD,
Betsi GI, Falagas ME. Vliagoftis H, Kouranos VD, Betsi GI, Falagas ME.
Department of Medicine, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada.
To evaluate the clinical evidence for the use of probiotics as a therapeutic
modality for allergic rhinitis and asthma. Randomized controlled trials that
studied the effects of probiotics administration on the treatment but not the
prevention of allergic rhinitis and asthma were selected for inclusion in this
review. Nine of the 12 RCTs that evaluated clinical outcomes in allergic
rhinitis showed an improvement due to the use of probiotics. All the RCTs that
studied perennial allergic rhinitis showed lower symptom scoring and medication
use with the use of probiotics compared with placebo. Also, 5 of the 8 RCTs that
referred to seasonal allergic rhinitis suggested an improvement in clinical
outcomes. Nine RCTs that reported various immunologic measurements of allergy
found no significant probiotic effects. The RCTs that studied the effect of
probiotic administration on the treatment of asthma showed no positive effects.
Probiotics may have a beneficial effect in allergic rhinitis by reducing symptom
severity and medication use.
Probiotics for atomic
dermatitis
Efficacy of probiotics in the treatment of pediatric atopic dermatitis: a
meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Ann Allergy Asthma Immunol. 2008 November. Michail SK, Stolfi A,
Johnson T, Onady GM. Department of Pediatrics, Wright State University Boonshoft
School of Medicine, Dayton, Ohio 45404, USA.
Several articles describing the efficacy of probiotics in atopic dermatitis have
been published. However, not all studies support a similar outcome. To determine
whether probiotics are efficacious in treating atopic dermatitis and to explore
whether type of probiotic used, duration of therapy, patient age, severity of
disease, and IgE sensitization are factors in determining efficacy. For this
meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials describing the efficacy of
probiotics in atopic dermatitis, a comprehensive search was performed of
databases through January 2008. Eleven studies were identified, and data from 10
studies were available to analyze. There was an overall statistically
significant difference favoring probiotics compared with placebo in reducing the
Scoring of Atopic Dermatitis Severity Index score. Children with moderately
severe disease were more likely to benefit. Duration of probiotic
administration, age, and type of probiotic used did not affect outcome. Data
from this meta-analysis suggest a modestrole for probiotics in pediatric atopic
dermatitis. The effect is seen in moderately severe rather than mild disease.
Probiotic supplement for
athletes
Endurance runners or other athletes have strenuous training regimens which can
erode their immunity and make them more vulnerable to catching colds or other
viruses. A daily dose of probiotic bacteria enhances their immune system and
help reduce the risk for infections.
Probiotic supplements for children with diarrhea
Many infants and children may be
lacking beneficial bacteria, and supplements could potentially help them
get fewer infections. Compared with standard formulas, those containing
beneficial "probiotic" organisms seem to reduce the number and duration of
diarrhea episodes in infants attending childcare centers. Of two types of
probiotics tested -- Lactobacillus reuteri and Bifidobacterium lactis --
Lactobacillus may be the better supplement, according to the report in the
medical journal Pediatrics. Probiotic supplements
affect the immune response by improving the
intestinal microbial balance leading to enhanced antibody production.
Another study indicates that children who take probiotic supplements
suffer fewer respiratory infections.
Probiotic formulation for
diarrhea
Dr. Alfredo Guarino, from the University of Naples in Italy, enrolled 571
children, between 3 and 36 months of age, who presented to a pediatrician with
acute diarrhea. The children were randomized to an oral rehydration control
group or to one of five probiotic groups (all formulations were given twice
daily plus oral rehydration): Lactobacillus rhamnosus strain GG; Saccharomyces
boulardii; Bacillus clausii; Enterococcus faecium SF68; or a mixture of L.
delbrueckii var bulgaricus, Streptococcus thermophilus, L. acidophilus, and
Bifidobacterium bifidum. Compared with oral rehydration alone, treatment with
the L. rhamnosus strain GG or the mixture of four probiotic strains
significantly reduced the median duration of diarrhea from 115.0 hours to 78.5
and 70.0 hours, respectively. By contrast, the other probiotic treatments had no
significant effect on the duration or frequency of diarrhea.
Probiotics and prebiotics for
food allergy
Prebiotics and probiotics in the prevention and treatment of food
allergy.
Curr Opin Allergy Clin Immunol. 2008 June. Savilahti E, Kuitunen M,
Vaarala O. Hospital for Children and Adolescents, University of Helsinki,
Helsinki, Finland.
The interest in modulating commensal bacterial flora with prebiotics and
probiotics to prevent and treat food allergy has multiplied in recent years.
Studies on prevention suggest that probiotic supplementation reduces IgE-associated
eczema. It seems that prenatal administration is of importance. Colonization
seems to be readily achieved, so there is proof of concept. However, after
cessation of the administration, a rapid decline in colonization is evident. IgE
sensitization in atopic eczema is a risk factor for allergic airways disease,
and the reduced IgE-associated atopic eczema demonstrated may be an indication
of less respiratory allergic disease later. Administration of probiotics to
children with allergy or at risk of allergy seems to stimulate a low-grade
inflammation by activating the innate immune system and further production of
IL-10. Modulation of commensal bacteria of the gut with probiotics has been
shown to modulate the immune system and to have an effect on both the prevention
and treatment of food allergy. The effects have been highly variable depending
on the mode of treatment and the optimal treatment remains unsettled at present.
Probiotic supplements for hay
fever
A probiotic drink can change the immune system's response to grass
pollen, a common cause of allergies, and balance antibodies in a way that may
provide relief to people with the hay fever. Claudio Nicoletti and colleagues at
the Institute of Food Research in Norwich, Britain asked volunteers with a
history of seasonal allergies to consume a daily milk drink with or without
Lactobacillus casei over a five-month period. People who consumed the probiotic
drink had lower levels of an antibody that help produce allergy symptoms and had
higher levels of a different antibody, called IgG that may play a protective
role against allergic reactions.
Probiotic benefit for immune system
A
probiotic supplement enhances systemic cellular immune responses
and may be useful as a dietary supplement to boost natural immunity in
otherwise healthy adults.
Probiotic bacteria such as Lactobacillus acidophilus or Bifidobacteria are believed to positively affect the
immune response by improving the intestinal microbial balance leading
to enhanced antibody production and phagocytic (devouring or killing)
activity of white blood cells.
Bifidobacterium lactis could be an effective probiotic dietary supplement
for enhancing some aspects of cellular immunity in the elderly.
Irritable
bowel syndrome
Probiotic supplements may be helpful in Irritable Bowel
Syndrome.
Benefit for
respiratory infections
Children who take probiotic containing milk may suffer fewer respiratory
infections.
Probiotic supplements after
surgery
Obese patients who take probiotics after undergoing
gastric bypass surgery lose more weight than patients who have the surgery but
do not take the supplements.
Enteric coated
Q. I am confused about conflicting information
I've read about storage of probiotics. Some say you must take
enteric-coated capsules so that the probiotics will bypass the stomach
and stomach acid (which they say destroys the probiotics) and be
released in the intestines. Other sources say that stomach acid does not
destroy the probiotics and that enteric-coated capsules are an
unnecessarily expensive method of getting your probiotics.
A. We asked Dr. S.K. Dash, President of
UAS
Laboratories, Inc. He is an expert on
this topic and the author of "The Consumer's Guide to Probiotics." He
said, "Probiotics made by reliable companies are acid and bile
resistant (97%). Probiotics do not need enteric
coating.
International Probiotics
Association Holds First meeting
April 2008 - The International Probiotics Association concluded its
first World Congress at the Beverly Hills Hilton in Los Angeles, CA. It brought
individuals from industry, academia and healthcare together under one roof to
discuss the most recent developments in probiotic production technologies,
clinical benefits, and safety. The program was very well-rounded, covering such
topics as the healthcare setting and the discovery of potential clinical
applications , regulatory approaches from around the globe, identifying and
producing probiotics and stabilization & incorporation technologies, commented
Ioannis Misopoulos, the Executive Director of International Probiotics
Association. The International Probiotics Association World Congress is a
probiotic focused meeting which will be held every two years in different parts
of the world with the goal of bridging the gap between industry, academia, and
healthcare professionals who are involved or interested in learning more about
the many benefits of clinically-documented probiotic organisms.
International Probiotics Association is an international non-profit
trade organization established in 2001 and is composed of 41 global probiotic
related companies. The goal of International Probiotics Association is to
educate consumers on the proven health benefits of probiotics for humans and
animals, promote scientific progress and development of high quality probiotic
products across the globe as well as establish standards on probiotic testing
protocols. For more information about International Probiotics Association ,
please visit www.internationalprobiotics.org
Probiotic supplements and
immune system.
Effects of probiotic therapy in critically ill patients: a randomized,
double-blind, placebo-controlled trial
American Journal of Clinical Nutrition, Vol. 85, No. 3, 816-823, March
2007. From the Royal Alexandra Hospital, Edmonton, Canada; the Department of
Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology, and the Department of Agricultural,
Food, and Nutritional Science, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
Multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) is a major cause of mortality in
intensive care units. A breakdown in gut barrier function and immune dysfunction
are associated with the onset of MODS. Probiotic bacteria have been shown to
modulate intestinal barrier and immune function. This study assessed the
efficacy of a probiotic compound in a viable and nonviable formulation in
modulating intestinal permeability and immune function and preventing the onset
of MODS in patients in the intensive care unit. A double-blind, randomized
controlled trial was conducted in the intensive care unit of a tertiary care
teaching hospital. Twenty-eight critically ill patients admitted to the
intensive care unit were randomly assigned to receive 1 of 3 treatments daily
for 7 d: 1) placebo, 2) viable probiotics, or 3) equivalent probiotic sonicates.
MODS scores and systemic concentrations of immunoglobulin (Ig) A and IgG were
measured on days 1, 4, and 7, and intestinal permeability measurements were
taken daily. The patients responded to viable probiotics with a significantly
larger increase in systemic IgA and IgG concentrations than in the patients who
received placebo or sonicates. MODS scores were not significantly affected by
probiotic treatment. Over the study period, intestinal permeability decreased in
most patients. Patients receiving viable probiotics show a greater enhancement
in immune activity than do patients receiving either placebo or probiotic
bacterial sonicates.
Probiotic supplement emails
Q. Is there any such thing as a probiotic suppository available for women to use
to fight yeast infections. If so where can I get them and what are the
ingredients?
A. There are some products that are sold as being probiotic
suppositories for women. However, we don't have any knowledge on how well they
work. If you do a google search for " probiotic suppository " you will find
them.
There is increasing awareness that the human gut microflora plays a
critical role in maintaining host health, both within the gastrointestinal
tract and, through the absorption of metabolites, systemically. The
prebiotics concept, which was launched in 1995, concerns nondigested and
selectively fermented carbohydrate food ingredients. It is thought that
their effect in the colon could reduce risk for disease.
One can increase the number of good bacteria in the body in two
main ways: By taking probiotic supplements or eating yoghurt which
directly supply good bacteria to the colon, or by ingesting prebiotics
which help stimulate the growth of good bacteria.
What are Prebiotics?
Prebiotics are food ingredients, mostly complex carbohydrates that are not
digested, that stimulate the growth or activity of certain bacteria in the
colon. The types of bacteria most often stimulated are bifidobacteria and
lactic acid bacteria. These are considered good bacteria and can provide
various health benefits.
Prebiotics are nondigestible food
ingredients that beneficially affect host health by selectively stimulating the growth
and/or activity of bacteria in the colon. The prebiotic, fructooligosaccharide (FOS), is found naturally in many foods, such as wheat, onions,
bananas, honey, garlic, or leeks. They can also be isolated from chicory root or
synthesized enzymatically from sucrose. Fermentation of FOS in the colon results in a
large number of physiologic effects including increasing the numbers of bifidobacteria in
the colon, increasing calcium absorption, increasing fecal weight, shortening of
gastrointestinal transit time, and possibly lowering blood lipid levels. The increase in
bifidobacteria has been assumed to benefit human health by producing compounds to inhibit
potential pathogens, by reducing blood ammonia levels, and by producing vitamins and
digestive enzymes.
See also
galactooligosaccharide prebiotic information.
Benefit of prebiotics
In addition to colon health, prebiotics can improve the immune system and
reduce the incidence of allergies.
Prebiotics for infants
Structural and functional aspects of prebiotics used in infant nutrition.
J Nutr. 2008 Sepember. Numico Research, D-61381 Friedrichsdorf, Germany.
Breast-feeding is associated with several benefits. Among them, the balanced
postnatal development of the immune system is 1 of the key functions of
breast-feeding. Although this effect is of multifactorial origin, it is widely
accepted that the entire intestinal microbiota of breast-fed infants represents
an important stimulating factor of the postnatal development of the immune
system. The effect of breast-feeding on the intestinal microbiota can not be
attributed to a single compound, but there is accumulating evidence that human
milk oligosaccharides play a crucial role. Because there is a broad consensus
that the intestinal microbiota plays an important physiological role for the
host, many attempts have been made to influence the intestinal flora by dietary
interventions. This article summarizes results of intervention studies in which
nonmilk oligosaccharides have been used to mimic the prebiotic effect of
breast-feeding. A second focus has been related to the question of whether the
prebiotic activity has beneficial effects on the postnatal development of the
immune system. The data clearly demonstrate that prebiotics of nonmilk origin
can mimic the prebiotic effect of breast-feeding, and this has positive
consequences for the postnatal development of the immune system.
Types of Prebiotics
There are various types of prebiotics. Typical sources of prebiotics are unrefined wheat, oat, barley, soybeans, and Jerusalem artichokes (which contain inulin). Other prebiotics include fructo-oligosaccharides used as an artificial or alternative sweetener.
Fructo-oligosaccharide prebiotics
Fructo-oligosaccharides (FOS) are extracted from fruits, grains,
vegetables, and herbs such as bananas, barley, wheat, asparagus, garlic,
onions, tomatoes, burdock, and chicory root. Fructo-oligosaccharides can
also be produced by degradation of inulin. The Jerusalem artichoke and its
relative, yacσn have very high concentrations of fructo-oligosaccharides.
Fructo-oligosaccharides can also be produced by degradation of inulin.
Fructo oligosaccharides (FOS) are dietary fibers that help keep the
stomach and bowels healthy. They do this by nourishing and promoting the
naturally present, "friendly" bacteria (Bifidobacteria and Lactobacilli in
particular) capable of warding off infection in the digestive system. Because of
these properties FOS is considered a "prebiotic."
Inulin prebiotic
Inulin fiber is a
prebiotic.
Inulin is available as a supplement for sale. You can find inulin
prebiotic in a diet pill called Diet Rx.
Eczema and Prebiotics
Infant formulas containing a mixture of prebiotic oligosaccharides may protect against the development of eczema or dermatitis in babies at high risk for allergic skin conditions. The research was conducted by Dr. Guenther Boehm from Numico Research Germany, Friedrichsdorf. Human breast milk contains natural prebiotics that promote the development of a healthy immune system, which can help prevent allergies. Boehm's team developed an infant formula based on the prebiotic content of human breast milk and tested its ability to reduce the incidence of skin allergy in a group of newborns whose mothers were unable to start or continue breastfeeding. These infants were at high risk for skin allergy because they had a parent with the condition. A total of 102 infants were fed a prebiotic -enriched infant formula and 104 were fed a normal formula. The children were seen on a monthly basis until the age of 6 months. Only 10 infants fed the prebiotic formula had signs of atopic dermatitis after six months, compared with 24 infants fed the normal formula. Tests on stool samples from 98 infants showed that the prebiotic group had significantly higher levels of the beneficial gut microbes bifidobacteria compared to the other group. Prebiotics can favorably affect development of the immune system of infants by altering the bacteria in the bowel and in so doing reduce the chances of skin allergy developing in at-risk infants. Archives of Disease in Childhood July 2006.
Prebiotics and Probiotics in
Disease
Probiotics (usually lactobacilli and bifidobacteria) and prebiotics
(non-digestible oligosaccharides) have been shown to be useful in preventing
certain disease conditions as well as possibly promoting specific aspects of
health. Both probiotics and prebiotics may be helpful in malnutrition,
particularly in lactose intolerance and calcium absorption, and in constipation.
An "optimal" gut microflora establishes an efficient barrier to the invasion and colonisation of the gut by pathogenic bacteria, produces a range of metabolic substrates which in turn are utilized by the host (e.g. vitamins and short chain fatty acids) and stimulates the immune system in a non-inflammatory manner. Although little is known about the individual species of bacteria responsible for these beneficial activities, it is generally accepted that the bifidobacteria and lactobacilli constitute important components of the beneficial gut microflora. A number of diet-based microflora management tools have been developed and refined over recent decades including probiotic, prebiotic and synbiotic approaches. Each aims to stimulate numbers and/or activities of the bifidobacteria and lactobacilli within the gut microflora.
The Science of Prebiotics
The application of probiotics and prebiotics to the manipulation of the microbial ecology of the human colon has recently seen many scientific advances. An alternative means to the use of probiotics of modulating the colonic microbial community is by the use of prebiotic oligosaccharides. Increasing knowledge of the metabolism of prebiotics by probiotics is allowing scientists to consider specifically targeting such dietary intervention tools at specific population groups and specific disease states.
Human Milk Oligosaccharides as
Prebiotics
Human milk contains prebiotic oligosaccharides which stimulate the growth of
intestinal bifidobacteria and lactobacilli.
The development of intestinal microflora in newborns is strictly related to the
kind of feeding. Breast-fed infants, unlike the bottle-fed ones, have an
intestinal ecosystem characterized by a strong prevalence of bifidobacteria and
lactobacilli. Data available so far in the literature show that, among the
numerous substances present in human milk, oligosaccharides have a clear
prebiotic effect. They are quantitatively one of the main components of human
milk and are only partially digested in the small intestine, so they reach the
colon, where they stimulate selectively the development of bifidogenic flora.
Such results have been recently proved both by characterization of
oligosaccharides in breast-fed infant feces and by the study of intestinal
microflora using new techniques of molecular analysis, confirming that human
milk oligosaccharides represent the first prebiotics in humans.
Probiotic prebiotic supplements questions
Q. I have gastroparesis and currently taking probiotics, can I take prebiotics
as well. Actually I would also like to know what foods have prebiotics, I
understand vegetables, fiber etc. but if you have gastroparesis, I am told I
can't eat those ever again. Do you have further information about gastroparesis,
that I might be able to get. I do take other supplements as well, which ones
might benefit me also!! The people that have this condition, get very little
help, except to say, a feeding tube, or a pump, or drugs that have serious side
effects....not interested, in any of that.
A. Sorry but we are not familiar with the treatment of
gastroparesis from a nutritional viewpoint. Most people can use probiotics and
prebiotics supplements together. It is up to you and your physician to decide
whether this combination is appropriate in your case. We wish you well.
The fruit of
Phyllanthus
umblica is called Indian gooseberry, also known as amla or amalaki.
Quercus
infectoria is an herb tested for methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus
infections.