Probiotics Can Survive In An Acidic Environment
If you read my post on the acid/alkaline balance in your gut, you already know that your intestines need to be slightly acidic for optimal digestion and a strong immune system. The good bacteria in your intestines play a large part in this.
Lactic acid bacteria, for example Lactobacillus acidophilus, are a good example. As part of their metabolism they secrete small amounts of lactic acid and acetic acid, lowering the pH of their immediate environment and making it more acidic. In fact, the word acidophilus literally means acid-loving in Latin, and they are well-suited to surviving an acidic environment.
Another factor to remember is that these bacteria usually spend very little time in your stomach. If you take your probiotics after eating, they will mix together with the liquids and saliva in your stomach. And around 50% of this liquid will pass through to your intestines within 30 minutes of your meal, taking many of the probiotics with it.
Lastly, your stomach may also be less acidic than you think. For example, immediately after eating your stomach pH typically rises to a level of around 6.0. This is only mildly acidic, and should be reasonably easy to survive for most of the bacteria in your capsule. In fact, something like 75% of probiotic bacteria will survive a short exposure to this kind of mild acidity.
You Have To Keep This In Mind
Its simply thiseveryone reacts differently to probiotics.
I know, big shocker.
But youd be surprised how many people try out one supplement, dont get the results they want, get angry and give up!
The fact of the matter is, every person on Earth has a unique digestive tract composition.
Even the organisms within each persons body can be vastly different.
All that means is a particular probiotic may work great for me, but not do anything for you.
And what works well for you, might give me uncomfortable side effects.
Its just the way things work.
So if you try a particular brand we recommend, and it doesnt work for you, dont freak out! It could be a crappy product, or it may just not work for your unique situation and body.
Either way, just pick out another one from our list until you find one that works.
Keep in mind youll also want to confer with your doctor or medical provider about all this as well.
Ok so now that we got that out of the way, lets move on to what exactly makes a good probiotic supplement.
Enhanced Survival Of L Rhamnosus Gg Occurs Only In The Presence Of Metabolizable Sugars
In order to determine if there was a link between glycolysis and the enhanced survival in the presence of glucose, we established the relationship between the survival of L. rhamnosus GG in the presence of metabolizable and nonmetabolizable sugars. Growth over 16 h was found to occur in MRS medium containing glucose and fructose, while low levels of growth occurred in MRS medium containing lactose .3). In addition, growth was also confirmed by the decrease in pH of the cultures containing glucose and fructose, while there were only small decreases in cultures growing in lactose .3). Further analysis showed that glucose and fructose enhanced survival of L. rhamnosus GG in simulated gastric juice at pH 2.0, while lactose and sucrose, which L. rhamnosus GG could not metabolize, did not enhance survival .
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Why Your Gut Will Love A Probiotic Supplement
If youre struggling with abdominal discomfort, a probiotic supplement can markedly improve how you feel. Even if youre blessed with no digestive problems, a probiotic can upgrade your health in other ways. With so many supplement brands available, shopping can be a daunting task. Heres why your body will love a probiotic, and how to choose the best product.
How The Best Probiotics Were Rated
All probiotic companies boast of their products having the same beneficial properties, but the following factors were considered when ranking these probiotics.
Number of CFUs: Some probiotics contained only 1 billion CFUs, while others had up to 50 billion CFUs. CFUs do not determine the quality of a probiotic. Still, from their use, the higher the number of CFUs a probiotic has, the longer its shelf life, quality, and effectiveness.
Quality of Strains: Strain quality differs from one probiotic to another as some probiotics use one bacterial strain. In contrast, others use more than one to increase the efficiency of the strains on the products. Some brands use cheaper bacterial strains, which lower the probiotic quality as good quality probiotics are always more expensive.
Diversity of strains: Some probiotics use at most two strains that do not lower the product’s quality, but different strains have different properties. Incorporating more strains in a probiotic will improve its quality and uses. Some strains may have specific functions, while others have generalized functions, which may work better when the strains are put together.
Transparency & Reputation: More probiotic companies are formulated daily, and some of these companies praise their products for earning quick money. They do this for their business growth and not to promote good health. We considered the reputation of these companies and their reputations to determine which probiotics were legit.
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Complete Protection Of Probiotics From Destruction By Stomach Acid Using Bac
Austrianova announced today that a key publication on the ability of its patented technology, Bac-in-a-Box, to completely protect probiotics from acidic conditions found in the stomach has been published in the well respected journal Microbial Cell Factories.
Stomach acid is natures way of ensuring that any microbes in food are killed before they reach the intestines. In the same way, stomach acid is also a formidable barrier to the delivery of beneficial bacteria and yeast such as probiotics to the gut, necessitating the current million times overdosing of such bacteria. Even then, only a tiny fraction of probiotics survive transit through the stomach. The currently available protections and coatings are only partially effective and still result in the loss of millions of bacteria and the search is still on for novel protective agents and technologies to improve on this.
Brian Salmons, CEO of Austrianova, said We are pleased that our publication on acid protection of encapsulated microbes has been published in Microbial Cell Factories, an open access, peer-reviewed journal, published by Springer Nature, that is the world leading, primary research journal fully focusing on Applied Microbiology.
About Austrianova
Preparation Of Simulated Gastric Juice
Simulated gastric juice was prepared as previously described , with modifications. Proteose peptone was omitted from the formulation as it may be a source of free amino acids, such as l-glutamate, which may have been used to extrude protons from the cell, thus potentially enhancing bacterial survival . Simulated gastric juice was formulated using glucose , NaCl , KH2PO4 , CaCl2 , and KCl , adjusted to pH 2.0 using 1 M HCl, and autoclaved at 121°C for 15 min. Porcine bile , lysozyme , and pepsin were added as stock solutions prior to analysis. Components were obtained from Sigma, AnalaR , and Orthana .
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Elm & Rye Probiotic Is The #1 Choice
Elm & Rye is an up-and-coming entrant on the probiotics scene whose mission is to improve the lives of humanity by making high-quality supplements accessible and convenient. Their products are made from the highest quality ingredients and are tested by a third party to ensure purity and consistency. No additives or fillers are ever used.
In addition, the company has made a commitment to sustainable sourcing in all aspects of production, from farming to packaging to transportation. They aim to build long-term relationships with their customers by providing superior customer service and education that allows consumers to take charge of their health.
Elm & Ryes Probiotic serves up a double whammy of supplement benefits, as it contains ingredients that both boost the functioning of the bodys immune system and promote healthy gut bacteria and ease digestion.
If transparency and social responsibility top your list of requirements for your probiotic supplier, Elm & Rye Probiotic should be at the top of your shopping list. At $50 for 30 tablets, they are not the cheapest option on this list, but orders always ship free.
Do Probiotics Survive Stomach Acid
If you are reading this, then the chances are that you have some concerns about whether or not the probiotics you are taking, or thinking of taking, survive to reach the gut alive. You may be confused as to whether spending money on probiotics is indeed an investment in your own good health, or if it is a waste of money. I’d say that this common concern about survival through stomach acidity is a very valid one, but if you read on, I hope to put your mind at rest that there are some effective, well tested and researched probiotic supplements available on the market. Learn more about how to identify high quality probiotic supplements by reading the article: Researching probiotics online – how to identify quality content.
In part, the concern over the survival of probiotics through the stomach has been perpetuated by one small study1 performed at University College London back in 2014, which tested 8 probiotic products and found that only one of the probiotics tested survived gut acidity and then flourished in the intestines. We reported on this study at the time, and our response to this study on probiotics can be read on the Probiotic Professionals site. It is important to state that no Optibac Probiotics products were included in this study, and we are very confident that if they had been, the results would have shown that our strains show excellent survivability in most acid conditions.
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How To Tell The Good From Bad
PH testing during the development phase of probiotics by the manufacturer should reveal which bacteria strains can survive the harsh acidity of the stomach. Proper testing beforehand should reveal which strains will fare in the stomach, and then on exposure to the bile acids in the upper portion of the GI tract.
However, the exact stomach pH changes constantly, dependent on the time and whether you have food in your stomach. This is why some probiotics manufacturers recommend taking probiotics with breakfast each day, as stomach acid is at its weakest in the mornings. Your breakfast also further dilutes the food in your stomach.
Taking your probiotic supplements in the morning then gives the probiotics the best chance of survival and the ability to do its job.
Align Probiotics Digestive Probiotic
Last but not least, Align is designed to support digestive health. Its main feature is its inclusion of Bifidobacterium longum 35624, which the manufacturers claim will deliver 24/7 support to the gut.
This particular strain isnt often seen in other products. If youre suffering from IBS, this could be a good choice.
Check out Align Probiotics Digestive Probiotic here.
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How Much Fiber Do I Need
The last 15 years have seen an incredible amount of research demonstrating the importance of fiber to overall health. Fiber-rich foods arent hard to find, either green vegetables, whole grains, nuts, fruit, beans, and supplements all provide excellent sources of prebiotics. Unfortunately, most Americans dont eat nearly enough fiber-rich foods, according to WebMD. On average, adults consume about 15 grams of dietary fiber every day sound like a lot? It isnt, considering women and men should consume between 25 and 38 grams per day, respectively. And people who have an aversion or allergy to certain foods, such as wheat, have an even more difficult time ingesting their daily requirement.
To put these numbers into perspective, consider how much fiber is contained in the average serving size of common foods such as bananas, cereal, and almonds. Eat a whole-grain bran cereal for breakfast and consume only 5 grams of fiber. Add a banana to your bowl and reap another 3 grams. Ready for a mid-morning snack of 24 almonds? You just added 3.3 grams of fiber, according to WebMD. The point is, eating enough fiber cant be left to chance making it a habit requires consciously eating fiber at every meal because getting to a minimum of 25 grams takes a lot of careful planning.
What To Know About Oligofructose
Oligofructose is a short, small molecule. When it enters the colon in the right lower side of the abdomen down by the appendix, it is immediately fermented in the large intestine and used up by the bacteria that reside in this part of the colon, where it helps healthy bacteria multiply. There is no problem with this situation, except that there is little left to get across to the rest of the colon on the left side. That makes oligofructose on its own not nearly as effective as when it is combined with another prebiotic fiber, such as inulin.
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Digestive Enzymes For Acid Reflux
One area that deserves attention for acid reflux is the use of digestive enzymes.
We need enzymes to digest foods well. Simply put, enzymes help us break down our foods so we can digest them.
We have many places in our digestive tract that make enzymes: in our mouth, stomach, small intestines, and pancreas.
Our small intestines actually produce more digestive enzymes than our pancreas does.
What does this mean for us?
Lack of digestive enzymes due to an imbalanced gut lining could be a silent problem that makes your stomach digestion way off. Adding digestive enzymes are safe and can be beneficial in relieving occasional acid reflux and indigestion.
What can make your digestive enzyme production low? Inflammation, food intolerance, and anything that can throw off the gut bacteria .
Enzymes are a safe and emerging treatment option for many digestive issues, including Celiac disease. They can be combined with ox bile as well when needed.
How Many Live Active Cultures And Strains Does It Contain
Culturelle® probiotics in Canada contain between 5 billion and 10 billion colony forming units of Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG. The amount of active cultures of the strain provided are clinically determined based on the benefits that are sought.
The Culturelle® Probiotic Advantage:
Culturelle® guarantees the stated number of live, naturally sourced Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG cultures through the expiration date on the package.** Culturelle® probiotic formulations are based on science, with just the right amount of live active cultures to support the unique benefits of each product.
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Comparative Survival Of Probiotic Lactobacilli In A Simulated Gastric Environment
Cultures of L. rhamnosus E800, L. rhamnosus GG, L. salivarius UCC 500, L. paracasei NFBC 338, and L. gasseri ATCC 33323 were grown overnight in 25 ml MRS medium and subcultured by using 1% inocula. The cultures were subsequently centrifuged at 7,000 ×g at 4°C for 15 min, washed once in an equal volume of cold 0.25× Ringer’s solution, and subsequently centrifuged . Pellets were then resuspended in an equal volume of simulated gastric juice at 37°C and incubated for 90 min with constant stirring. Samples were taken at 0, 10, 30, 60, and 90 min, serially diluted in maximum-recovery diluent, plated on MRS medium, and incubated at 37°C for 72 h.
The Health Benefits Of Fructooligosaccharides
Consuming high fiber foods and supplements provides your body with a diverse range of health benefits, but not every high fiber food or supplement is created equal. To get the best possible benefit from a high fiber diet, you must eat both complex and simple soluble fibers that fertilize the healthy bacteria that live in the entire length of the colon. At Prebiotin, our fructooligosaccharide supplement Oligofructose-Enriched Inulin gives the beneficial bacteria in your body the nutrition it needs to flourish. Unlike most fructooligosaccharide supplements, Prebiotin prebiotics is 100% natural and the only true full-spectrum solution available today.
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Growth Of L Rhamnosus Gg In Metabolizable And Nonmetabolizable Carbohydrates
Fresh overnight cultures of L. rhamnosus GG were inoculated into MRS medium prepared from first principles using glucose, lactose, or fructose as a carbohydrate source. Growth was assessed by determining the optical density at 600 nm with a Genesys 5 Thermo Spectronic spectrophotometer . The acidification of cultures was analyzed with a pH meter with a calibrated electrode .
Factors That Affect The Activity Of Endogenous Probiotics
Bifidobacteria and lactobacilii are normal components of the intestinal flora throughout the life cycle. The fecal microbial flora of breast-fed infants consist largely of bifidobacteria, whereas other organisms predominate in bottle-fed infants . The prevalence of bifidobacteria and the resultant decrease in fecal pH are associated with lower rates of morbidity and mortality in breast-fed infants , which has resulted, not without good reason, in the perception that a probiotic-rich intestine and low fecal pH are beneficial in adults as well .
Are the various complex biologic materials , which were shown to be good bifidobacterial growth promoters in vitro, useful in stimulating the growth and metabolic activity of endogenous or exogenously administered bifidobacteria and possibly lactobacilli? Perhaps this is true in the small intestine but most likely not in the colon because such materials would have been digested and absorbed in the small intestine and would not have reached the cecum. Nevertheless, it is possible that bifidobacterial growth-promoting factors may be generated endogenously through the intestinal exfoliation process and the availability of mucin. Pig gastric mucin is known to be an excellent bifidobacterial growth promoter .
Chemical structures of the prebiotics lactulose, inulin, and fructooligosaccharide.
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Probiotics 60 Billion Cfu
Probiotics 60 billion CFU contains 60 CFUs per serving, unlike other probiotic supplements that might exaggerate their serving CFU. These CFUs work to give the body maximum energy and stamina. The supplement is made of 10 probiotic strains and premium grade non-GMO ingredients. Probiotics and organic prebiotic components are clinically approved as effective and safe for consumption for improved digestive functionality. Benefits of Probiotics 60CFU are improved intestinal health, gas, and bloating relief after eating, reduced constipation without needing fiber foods, repairs a leaky intestinal tract, improved digestion, enhanced immune function against infections and promotes weight loss.
The once-daily Probiotic for women has 50 CFUs per serving that help with digestion, improve the immune system and general feminine health. It is made of prebiotics and six organic strains with D-Mannose and a cranberry extract called Procan, rich in antioxidants that protect the body from free radicals and oxidative stress. Women’s prebiotic and probiotics with patented cranberry extract help fight Urinary Tract Infections and Vaginosis.
