Gut Flora & Probiotic 11Saira Salmon DipNN, MFNTP

Your gut….• Is teeming with microbes – up to 70% of the

body’s total number• It is an extremely complex ecosystem

harbouring more than 100 trillion micro-organisms• There are thought to be

around 30 – 40 different species of bacteria.

Many of these have a symbiotic relationship with us – and help to keep less beneficial strains at bay.

A healthy gut in an adult human has somewhere in the region of 2 kg of these bacteria in the gut.

They play a vital role in the body – without them we would not survive.

Sterilise your gut and you die, have good levels of probiotic bacteria and you thrive!

HippocratesThe Father of Modern Medicine

“All disease begins in the gut”

What Role Do They Play?Beneficial bacteria take part in our digestion and

absorption of food

They produce a number of enzymes to break down proteins, carbohydrates, fibre and fats

They produce various substances to transport vitamins, minerals and other nutrients through the

gut wall

What Role Do They Play?

They can actively synthesize nutrients such as K2, many of the B vitamins and some amino

acidsThey help chelate heavy metals from our

system.Help control parasites

What Role Do They Play

They play a crucial role in our immune system, keeping the body’s immunity active.

Around 83% of our immunity is located in the gut wall.

Beneficial flora imbalance will have an immediate impact on immune system.

How it Starts

We inherit our gut flora from our mother at birth.As the baby comes through the birth canal it

swallows its first mouthfuls of bacteria, which begin to inhabit baby’s sterile gut.

Breast feeding continues the process.It takes about 2 years for a baby’s immune system

to fully develop

DysbiosisWhen gut flora is damaged or in imbalance it is called dysbiosis.

Opportunistic gut microbes including yeast, harmful bacteria, viruses and parasites start to take hold.

They can be very difficult to eradicate once they have moved in.

When Good Guts Turn Bad…….

What Can Damage Gut FloraAntibiotics Steroids, The PillOther drugs StressPoor diet InfectionsBottle feeding Old AgePollution RadiationAlcohol Toxic chemicalsDental work

When gut flora is damaged…

• Microbes ie. ‘bad’ bacteria, multiply.• They can perforate and damage the thin layer

of epithelial cells lining the gut, which then allows unwanted microbes and toxins to inter into our bloodstream.

• This is termed ‘leaky gut’ syndrome.

Leaky gut• Causes include:– poorly digested foods alcohol– antibiotics or infection painkillers– heavy metal toxicity smoking– birth control pills antacids– chlorinated water food additives– high homocysteine levels parasites, yeasts food

allergies

• Underactive & constipated bowel will also cause problems

Leaky gutConsequences

Body has to use whatever routes it can to eliminate toxins.They initially get taken to liver. The increased flow leads to blocked detox pathwaysAll liver functions sufferToxins bypass the filtering and go into blood stream.Get taken:To lungs -asthma, and other chronic lung conditionsTo skin – eczema, rashes and other skin problemsUrine – cystitis, thrush, bedwettingThrough mucous membranes – sinusitis, post nasal drip, rhinitis, gingivitis, vaginitis, diarrhea/constipation

all this – and more – from damaged gut flora

These guys are important!

Bowel Bacteria & Health

IBSA variety of studies have found evidenceof the benefit of using probiotics in the

management of irritable bowel syndrome.

Bowel Bacteria & Health

CholesterolSome strains of bowel bacteria, including L.

Acidophilus and Bifidobacteria seem to have a direct action on lowering cholesterol levels.

Bowel Bacteria & Health

Colon CancerBowel bacteria have also been linked to

colon cancer.Many enzyme pathways are influenced eg.

Bifido longum inhibits B-glucuronidase, elevated levels of which are associated with increased

colon cancer

Bowel Bacteria & HealthAutism

People with autistic spectrum disorders have been shown to have imbalances in gut bacteria. Research in this field suggests improving bowel flora levels is an important part of managing this disorder.

Bowel Bacteria & HealthAutism

People with autistic spectrum disorders have been shown to have imbalances in gut bacteria. Research in this field suggests improving bowel flora levels is an important part of managing this disorder.

Bowel Bacteria & HealthTherapeutically

A probiotic is used within a wide range of therapeutic regimes by practitioners

How to Maintain Probiotic HealthAvoid things which damage gut flora

Eat prebiotic foods Raw chicory root, Jerusalem artichoke, garlic and leek,

asparagus, banana, raw and cooked onion.

How to Maintain Probiotic HealthEat probiotic (fermented) foods

Live yoghurt, Miso, tempeh, sauerkraut, natto

Supplement with a good probiotic

Introducing Probiotic 11!A high potency, broad spectrum probiotic.

11 different strains of friendly bacteria.

Contains almost 12 billion bacteria per serving.

Enteric coated to disperse in the intestines.

In a prebiotic blend to spread and nourish.

The Bacteria in Probiotic 117 strains of Lactobacillus:• Lactobacillus acidophilus (acid loving milk

bacteria). Grown on milk but doesn’t contain it, and helps

break down lactose.Supports immune system by stimulating

production of regulation T cellsInhibits patogenic growth in urinary tract infections

by adhering to uro-epithelial cells

The Bacteria in Probiotic 11• L rhamnosus

- may help reduce the incidence of developing childhood allergies and tooth decay in children

- Increases cell mediated immunity in Chron’s disease• L brevis• L bulgaricus• L plantarum• L casei• L salvarius

The Bacteria in Probiotic 113 strains of Bifidobacterium:

• Bifidobacterium longum – creates B vitamins.

• B.bifidum – significantly improves pain and bowel habits in irritable bowel syndrome– Prevents diarrhea that occurs with post-antibiotic overgrowths of C

difficile and Candida albicans• B.infantis

– Helped improve abdominal pain and discomfort in IBS

– see table on Wikipedia for more information.

The Bacteria in Probiotic 11Streptococcus thermophilus

Used to start fermentation process of making yoghurt.

Also some interesting research conducted on this – see Wikipedia for more info.

The Bacteria in Probiotic 11FOS (Fructo Oligo Saccharides )

Prebiotic - food for healthy bacteriaHelp to nourish and spread the bacteria

throughout the gut.

When to Use Probiotic 11

• Following a course of antibiotics, or a cleanse.• Before and after hospital treatment• During preconception & pregnancy • With confirmed dairy intolerance• During treatment for candidiasis

When to Use Probiotic 11• During and after a stomach upset• With those prone to low mood / behavioural

disturbance• With someone who has regular

colonic irrigation• Combined with Caprylic Acid for a

week before going on holiday, until returning home.

How to Use Probiotic 11

Take 1-2 capsules dailywith a meal

Each pot last 6 weeks- 2 months.

What Makes Probiotic 11 Special?One of the most potent probiotics available on the

market

Also unusual to get so many strains in one supplement – would appeal to many clinical therapists.

Built in prebiotic

Enteric coated

The End