Multi-Flora Probiotic

New product

Indications

Multi-Flora Probiotic has the following benefits:

  • Supports digestive health
  • Promotes body’s natural defenses

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$43.90

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Indications

Multi-Flora Probiotic has the following benefits:

  • Supports digestive health
  • Promotes body’s natural defenses

 

Probiotics Background and Application

Probiotics are the term used for bacteria that colonize the digestive system and may improve the balance of gut flora. Cultured food products date back to historical times, and many cultures throughout the world still consume these foods as dietary staples. Recent research shows probiotic’s potential application to human health. An area of focus is immune function, as almost 80% of the immune system lies within the GI tract. Additionally, gut bacteria contribute to micronutrient synthesis (including vitamin B12, biotin and pantothenic acid).

 

Research Summary

Documented health benefits associated with probiotics are7:

  • reduced incidence or duration of diarrhea caused by antibiotics or viruses
  • resolved occasional constipation
  • improved immunity and reduction of common infections and absences from work or day care
  • improved lactose digestion by lactose-intolerant people, thereby improving tolerance to dairy products

Mechanisms of Action

The lining of the digestive tract undergoes constant, daily remodeling. Because the lymphatic system lies closely behind the intestinal endothelium, proper maintenance of the intestinal lining directly affects immune health. Probiotics help in the “prevention of the attachment of pathogenic microorganisms and the entry of allergens”1 and reinforces intestinal mucosa. In addition, they may possess antioxidant activity.1,2

 

Digestive Health

Probiotics may exert antimicrobial activity due to their ability to prevent pathogenic bacterial attachment to the gut mucosa, as well as secrete bacteriocins.1 A meta-analysis of 34 studies found probiotics reduced the risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhea by 52% and acute diarrhea in children by 57%. The species found to be effective were L. acidophilus, among others.7 Research has also shown L. acidophilus and B. lactis improve bowl movement frequency for those with constipation. For patients with IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), the species L. plantarum was shown to reduce abdominal pain and improve overall IBS symptoms compared with placebo in one controlled trial that lasted four weeks. 7

 

Immune Health

Allergies result from an allergen’s entrance into the immune system. Theoretically, a well-maintained gut barrier via proper microfloral colonization may prevent intralumenal allergen entrance.1 Diarrhea resulting from food or water ingestion of pathogenic bacteria (often occurring in those traveling abroad) may be hampered by prophylactic consumption of certain probiotics.1 Both L. acidophilus and B. bifidum appear to enhance nonspecific immune activity by stimulating lymphocyte and macrophage activity and affecting cytokine production by mononuclear cells. They have also shown to enhance antibody production in response to microbial pathogens.4-6One study found these two strains promoted immune phagocytic activity which may lead to the production of IgA in rotavirus-infected infants.1 A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study showed those who took L. reuteri for 80 days had less sick days of work than those who took a placebo.8

 

Multiple Strain Benefit

Evidence in humans suggests that a combination of probiotic strains, rather than a single one, appears to alleviate GI symptoms.7

 

Dosage

Doses used in most clinical studies range from 1-10 billion CFUs (Colony Forming Units) per day, however higher doses were associated with greater effectiveness. Probiotics benefit the host organism best when consumed daily or at least a few times per week. Stress and aging are known factors that reduce probiotic concentrations in the body.

 

Our Product

Our Multi-Flora Probiotic provides a guaranteed 8 billion active cells per capsule, at the end of the Best By date. It contains five bacterial strains at the following potencies, per vegetarian capsule:

 

Lactobacillus acidophilus               4 billion cells  

Lactobacillus lactis                         500 million cells

Lactobacillus reuteri                       500 million cells

Lactobacillus plantarum                 2 billion cells

Bifidobacterium bifidum                 1 billion cells

Suggested Use

Take one capsule per day or as directed by a healthcare professional.

 

Specifications

Product Name:       Multi-Flora Probiotic

Label Claim:           Supports Digestive Health

How Supplied:        Vegetarian capsules

Drop Count:            60 ct

Product Code:          VL718

 

References

  1. Physician’s Desk Reference for Nutritional Supplements, 2001. Medical Economics Company, Inc. Montvale, NJ.
  2. Saide JA, et al. Antioxidative activity of lactobacilli measured by oxygen radical absorbance capacity. J Dairy Sci 2005 Apr;88(4):1352-7
  3. Perdigon G, et al. Interaction of lactic acid bacteria with the gut immune system. Eur J Clin Nutr 2002;Dec;56 Suppl4:S21-6
  4. Bourlioux P, et al. The intestine and its microflora are partners for the protection of the host: report on the Danone Symposium "The Intelligent Intestine," held in Paris, June 14, 2002. Am J Clin Nutr 2003;78(4):675-683.
  5. Smith CL, et al. Lactobacillus fermentum BR11 and fructo-oligosaccharide partially reduce jejunal inflammation in a model of intestinal mucositis in rats. Nutr Cancer 2008;60(6):757-767.
  6. Mengheri E. Health, probiotics, and inflammation. J Clin Gastroenterol 2008;42(3):S177-S178.
  7. Fitzpatrick, Amy. Gut health and immune health delivered via probiotics. June 2009 Functional Ingredients Magazine.
  8. Tubelius, P., et al. Environ Health 2005.