Dr Mahmood Bashir BSc (hons), PhD

29 Jan 2008 THE so-called ‘friendly’ bacteria in our digestive system have risen to fame recently following mounting research into how they benefit health.

Scientists believe it may be important to try to ‘top up’ these bacteria from time to time – when levels may dip due to stress or illness - with supplements called probiotics.

But there is now also an increasing amount of evidence that probiotic supplements could help specific health complaints such as stomach ulcers and diarrhoea. Here we examine the research to date.

WHY BACTERIA CAN BE FRIENDLY
The human digestive tract contains billions of ‘friendly’ bacteria, also known as micro flora. Scientists now know these play an important role in protecting our bodies.

Because the gut also contains ‘bad’ bacteria which can cause disease the body needs a good amount of friendly bacteria to keep these in check. The body also depends on these good bacteria to help the body process important vitamins, nutrients and enzymes and remove toxic metals and other harmful ingredients from foods.

Factors such as stress, illness and taking antibiotics can cause the healthy bacteria in the body to decline. It is now possible to ‘top up’ on these good bacteria by taking probiotic supplements available as fermented milk drinks and yoghurts or as tablets, sachets or capsules.

JUST VITAMINS' ACIDOPHILUS PLUS+
There are 400 different strains of bacteria in the gut, only a handful of which are commercially produced. Our product, Acidophilus Plus+ , contains three of the most important strains: Rhamnous, L.casei and Acidophilus.

Acidophilus Plus+ comes in tablet form and contains billions of live bacteria when first produced. Even 18 months after production it contains two billion live bacteria. Some other companies only confirm the amount of bacteria at the time the product was manufactured, but as time goes on the live bacteria decline rapidly and after a year there is unlikely to be anywhere near the claimed amount left.

To ensure that the amount of live bacteria in our product remains stable Just Vitamin’s Acidophilus Plus+ is freeze dried, stored in a cold room until dispatch and also contains a special sachet that protects it from moisture. The tablet also contains a special matrix which helps protect the bacteria from stomach acid.

FREE NUTRITION ADVICE
Call the Just Vitamins FREE Nutrition Advice line on 024 7669 5115 if you would like more information.
Our advisors are available Monday - Thursday, 9am - 4pm.

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