Probiotics

Probiotics are “friendly bacteria” that reside in the gut. They support digestion and boost energy through improved nutrient metabolism. There are many beneficial strains but favourites include strains of Lactobacilli and Bifidobacterium. They take the materials the human body cannot digest and turn them into healthy metabolites and vitamins.

Enterococci, Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria are natural residents in the gut. When we take probiotics as a supplement it should always be via the use of natural strains proven to support natural digestion and health.

Benefits of probiotics in the gut, such as treatment of bloating, irritable bowel problems and diarrhoea are proven and published. We are now discovering that probiotics have wonderful health benefits throughout the whole body, including boosting aspects of immunity, cognitive performance, cardiovascular function and, of course, benefits for the skin, hair and nails, even for people with skin problems such as dermatitis and eczema.

In the early days of Probiotic research the key objective was to deliver high numbers of bacterial species to the gut, often ≥10 billion CFU (Colony Forming Units). However, this approach repeatedly failed to deliver more benefits with higher CFU. In recent years the approach has been to combine several selective strains to work together and provide a wider range of biotics cultures to support a balanced microbiome.

Benefits:

1. Used to treat chronic digestive problems including diarrhoea and constipation.
2. Make vitamins such as vitamin B9 and B12.
3. Reported to have benefits for skin via the gut-skin axis.
4. Have anti-inflammatory benefits.

Did you know...

Probiotics refers to the bacterial species present in the gut, whereas prebiotic refers to the “foodstuffs” used by the bacteria.

Eubiosis vs Dysbiosis

Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains can be found in the stomach and the small intestine, albeit at relatively low levels compared to the large intestines wherein reside the majority of the commensal microbial strains associated with gut and host health. When bacteria are in Eubiosis (i.e., in balance and harmony with the host) the commensal strains are harmless or even beneficial to human health. The probiotic strains can decrease the growth of pathogenic (disease-causing) strains by limiting their ability to colonise the gut, limiting access to nutrients and by producing chemical signals (AntiMicrobial Peptides - AMP) that inhibit the pathogens. Microbial species increase host immune function by decreasing inflammation.

In illness (such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome) the microbiota is less stable compared to in healthy individuals and there is a shift from bacterial species considered beneficial to species considered harmful (such as clostridium or pseudomonas). This is referred to as Dysbiosis.

Scientifically and Clinically Proven Benefits

For each strain of probiotic used in our Biotix Family of products there is in vitro and clinical evidence, published in peer-review journals, supporting the mode of action by which the probiotic species work and their associated clinical benefits.

NOTE: A new system of naming has been applied to various Genus of microorganisms in the gut, however we continue to use the names as supported by research and publications to date.

Lactobacilli are gram-positive, rod-shaped bacteria. They typically use the aerobic metabolism of sugars to produce lactic acid and are thus tolerant to an acid environment. They also produce SCFA (short-chain fatty acids) and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2). Lactobacilli are most frequently found in the fermentation of plant-derived raw materials, which include several industrial and artisan food and feed fermentations, like olives and a variety of vegetable fermentations (e.g. Korean kimchi, sauerkraut)