Exploring the Inner Ecosystem: A PolyDophilus Primer (Part 3 of 3)

DO YOU NEED PROBIOTICS?

It is questionable whether the level of friendly flora levels in the intestines (and thus the feces) and in the vaginal tract of most people are optimal. Several factors negatively impact flora levels:

1) POOR DIET — Diets low in calcium, fiber, lactose and other carbohydrates, yet high in meats, coffee, tea and alcohol will result in the predominance of coliforms and other non-lactic acid bacteria. The diet has a major influence on the profile of the flora: A high intake of vegetarian and fermented foods optimize the flora. However, few people consume such foods adequately. Also, a higher protein diet, especially meats, increases coliforms and pathogens.

2) ANTIBIOTIC TREATMENT — Certain antibiotics kill off the friendly flora that would otherwise control coliforms such as E. coli and other pathogens. Prolonged antibiotic treatment enhances proliferation of genetically adapted pathogens that have become resistant. Such resistance in E. coli can be passed on to other entero-bacteria species belonging to Shigella, Salmonella, Klebsiella, and Proteus. Certain antibiotics suppress the helpful flora, leaving the digestive system more open to Clostridium or Staphylococcus, or other pathogens that often cause diarrhea. Antibiotic treatment also often results in vaginitis by disturbing the balance of vaginal flora. Reimplantation of lactic acid bacteria during and after antibiotic treatment is essential and is a concept supported by numerous human studies. (Fernandes et. al. “Control of Diarrhea by Lactobacilli.” J Appl Nutr 40 (1): 32–43, 1988.)

3) FAILURE TO SUPPLEMENT — Paradoxically, even though certain strains of some species implant in the intestines after birth, supplementing with “implanting” strains later in life does not permanently alter microflora. Intestinal bacteria invariably return to their pre supplementation profile. That is, the ratio of probiotic organisms to non-lactic acid bacteria and intestinal pathogens reverts to its original status. This is due to many complex factors, including the little understood adaptation of the intestinal mucosa to the original, resident bacteria; complex interlaying of mucin (a mucus-like secretion); constant peristalsis (the smooth muscle contraction of the intestines); secretion of mucous and enzymes; and ongoing sloughing of the intestine’s own mucosal cells. Nevertheless, bacteria from the “implanting” strains can take up residence in the intestines longer than bacteria not typically resident. Thus, only regular supplementation will maintain high levels of friendly bacteria in the gut and vaginal tract (Fuller 374).

4) CONSTIPATION — Irregular bowel movements (less than one per day) favors the replication of putrefactive and pathogenic bacteria. Probiotics can displace and suppress these pathogens while softening the stool, increasing peristalsis and often improving regularity.

Combining Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) with PolyDophilus

Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) are polymers (linked molecules) of fructose, but they do not have any blood sugar effects because they are indigestible except to the gut bacteria. The NutraFlora FOS contained in PolyDophilus is made by fermenting single sugar and water with the organism Aspergillus niger. An enzyme, fructosyltransferase, links additional fructose units into the ends of the fructose molecules. The result is fructose based saccharides of different lengths which can only be used by the friendly flora. No glycemic (blood sugar) effect is possible because there is only 1% glucose and 4% sucrose remaining. Out of one gram of FOS per day, the non-FOS sugars are insignificant. FOS cannot be used by harmful bacteria (E. coli and Clostridium), but FOS nourishes probiotics, especially Bifidobacteria, powerfully promoting their replication. Unlike soy oligosaccharides, the NutraFlora FOS contained in PolyDophilus is 95% FOS.

PolyDophilus with NutraFlora FOS is the perfect combination for increasing the intestinal probiotic population and enhancing health and well-being. Daily intake of this combination will result in reduced production of putrefactive substances such as ammonia, indole, skatol, cresol, phenol and amines. Combining FOS and PolyDophilus strongly promotes an increase in the beneficial flora while reducing the opportunity for pathogens and their toxic metabolites. FOS has been shown to enhance the growth of bifidobacteria and production of short chain fatty acids, lower pH, shorten transit time and slightly increase fecal bulk. (Tomomatsu H. “Health effects of oligosaccharides.” Food Tech: 61-65, Oct. 1994; Hidaka H. et al. “FOS enzymatic preparation and biofunctions.” Journal of Carbohydrate Chemistry 10 (4): 509-522, 1991.)

My company, Health Products Distributors, Inc. sells a highly effective probiotic supplement. POLYDOPHILUS with NutraFlora FOS is formulated with Institut Rosell’s own taxonomically defined strains from its culture collection developed over sixty years. After strain selection, quality control in production is critically important. Quality is assured at the Institut’s microbiology lab where species identification and production potency can be assured. The Institut is over 60 years old and is the most experienced producer of lactic-acid producing bacteria for food fermentation and probiotic supplementation in the world.

The type and potency of each organism contained in PolyDophilus is analyzed and certified upon production by advanced laboratory techniques used at Institut Rosell:

At the time of manufacture, 12–15 billion organisms per gram is guaranteed. One 280 mg capsule contains in excess of 3.36 billion organisms at time of manufacture. Manufacturer’s shelf-life data:

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