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What are probiotics?
The human gastrointestinal tract is home to more than 400 types
of probiotics (a.k.a. "friendly" bowel bacteria, gut
microorganisms, or intestinal flora). In fact, more probiotics
live in a person's mouth than there have ever been human beings
on this Earth.
These "friendly" microorganisms protect the GI
tract (from mouth to anus) and keep us healthy by protecting us
from "unfriendly" microorganisms such as bacteria,
yeasts, and fungi that cause disease. They also improve immune
system function, and have other health benefits (see lists
below).
Where do probiotics come from? Scientists have identified
about 4,000 species of bacteria, and estimate from 400,000 to 4
million actually exist. Good (and bad) bacteria live virtually
everywhere! No matter where we go or what we do, we come into
contact with them, but certain sources act as "primary
sources" of probiotics for us.
During birth, probiotics from the mother's birth canal colonize
the infant's gut, and thereafter are provided by mother's milk.
After infancy, probiotics are supplied to us by raw foods (grown
on uncontaminated soil); lactic acid bacteria-fermented foods
such as yogurt and cheese; and probiotic supplements.
Why do we need probiotics? Unfortunately, we also come
into contact with disease-causing bacteria which are responsible
for about half of all human disease. These include some yeasts (Candida
and others), Salmonella, Listeria, Montezuma's Revenge, Amoeba,
certain E-coli strains, Botulinum and, in places without
sanitation, the deadly Typhus and Cholera.
Probiotics protect us from diseases caused by
"unfriendly" organisms by:
- Out-populating and inhibiting the growth of
"unfriendly" microorganisms;
- Replacing "good" bacteria killed by taking
antibiotics (antibiotics kill "bad" bacteria as
well as the "good" ones) or cooking foods; and
- Manufacturing chemicals absorbed into the body that the
immune system uses to control the "bad"
microorganisms.
Any action taken to kill "bad" bacteria essentially
kills "good" bacteria as well. For example, cooking
foods, taking antibiotics, or using mouthwash will also destroy
the organisms meant to protect us. Replacing them is
accomplished easily with quality probiotic supplements.
In addition to protecting us from "unfriendly"
microorganisms, probiotics:
- Enhance the immune system's ability to fight infections
throughout our tissues;
- Provide a main source of Vitamin K;
- Lower cholesterol by metabolizing it;
- Control bowel toxicity and decrease the risk of bowel
cancer; and
- Reduce gas production by non-disease-producing
microorganisms.
How do we use probiotics? About 20 different probiotics
are grown commercially in dairy or non-dairy cultures. A
combination of one or more of these probiotics can be added to
cold or warm (up to 120°F or 50°C) foods to replace the ones
killed by cooking.
All probiotic supplements work most effectively if taken after
meals, when stomach acid is lowest. Stomach acid destroys up to
99.9% of probiotics if taken before a meal but only about
90% if taken after the meal. Thus, after-meal intake
ensures maximum delivery to the small intestine where they
reproduce rapidly, populating the colon. They do most of their
good work in the small and large intestines, but they also help
the mouth and esophagus to remain uninfected.
In order to stay alive, probiotics should be refrigerated.
We work with a blend called Udo's Choice Super 5 Probiotics.
What makes Udo's Choice Super 5 Probiotics unique? Udo's
Choice Super 5 Probiotics:
- Contain 3 of the best strains of probiotics chosen
to implant in the mouth and gums; small intestine; and
large intestine;
- Contain 2 transient yogurt-producing probiotics;
- Are formulated with Dr. Shahani, the world's most
renowned probiotic expert and researcher;
- Are embedded in a powerful growth medium (peptones,
minerals, and dried organic cane juice);
- Dissolve in the mouth for 15-30 minutes to provide
up to 3 or 4 times the original number and allow "mouth
and gum" microorganisms to implant; and
- Have a delicious raspberry taste, perfect for a
dessert substitute.
Udo's Choice Super 5 Probiotics contain the following
ingredients:
- Lactobacillus salivarius for mouth and gums;
- Lactobacillus acidophilus for small intestine;
- Bifidobacterium bifidus for large intestine
(colon);
- Streptococcus thermophilus, a transient
yogurt-producer; and
- Lactobacillus bulgaricus, a traditional yogurt
microorganism.
In addition to these gut bacteria, which are grown on a
dairy-free medium, the tablets are made of the growth medium for
these friendly bacteria.
Available in brown glass bottles of 60 tablets.
Understanding the value of bacteria in our lives.
Bacteria were the first living creatures on Earth, more than 3.5
billion years ago. They are an evolutionary success story that
has been around for 2 billion years longer than have humans and
all other animals!
Contrary to what most people understand, only a fraction of
existing bacteria actually cause disease in humans or other
living creatures. In fact, the majority of bacteria are
absolutely essential to life on planet Earth. They:
- Decompose dead matter into inorganic chemicals and return
them to the environment where they sustain plant life, which
animals consume to live;
- Form symbiotic relationships with other living creatures
and are believed to be the ancestors of all other life
forms; and
- Act as defense against foreign invaders and maintain gut
integrity in living creatures.
Humans also use bacteria to:
- Decompose sewage (methanogens);
- Decompose synthetic chemicals such as pesticides (soil
bacteria called proteobacteria);
- Make vitamins and antibiotics. Over 50% of antibiotics are
produced by soil bacteria (Streptomyces);
- Convert milk into yogurt and different types of cheese,
and make other fermented foods such as miso and tempeh, all
of which are valuable food sources for us.
60
chewable tablets per bottle.
Retail Price $14.95
Your Price: $13.49 (10%
off!)
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