Probiotics update: the latest word on these friendly bacteria

Better Nutrition, April, 2004 by Sarah Gregory

Probiotics, such as the Lactobacillus acidophilus strain commonly found in yogurt, have traditionally helped people maintain healthy digestive systems. Years ago, the human body generated reserves of these friendly bacteria, but antibiotics, chlorinated water and other modern innovations can deplete natural supplies. As a result, the popularity of probiotic supplements has soared, making it vital to keep abreast of the latest research.

People considering probiotic supplements should seek advice about the quality of the product from a health professional, says S.K. Dash, PhD, former director of the South Dakota Food and Drug Administration and founder and president of UAS Laboratories in Minneapolis. Selecting a product that contains safe, quality bacteria in sufficient amounts is essential. Consumers must be especially wary' of impressive label claims. About 70-80 percent of probiotic products do not contain their claimed amount of live probiotic microorgauisms, says Dash.

Surviving the Stomach

Adding to the false-label-claim hazard is the fact that stomach acid destroys many probiotics before they reach the intestines, which is why some probiotic products must be taken in the morning when stomach acid levels are lowest. In response, some companies are developing new pill-coating methods to keep probiotics intact and alive as they pass through stomach acids.

One such coating method appears in Acidophilus Pearls, a product that Enzymatic Therapy Natural Medicines of Green Bay, Wisconsin, introduced in July 2002. Three layers surround and protect strains of Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacteria longum in Acidophilus Pearls, says Cheryl Myers, director of product development at Enzymatic Therapy. The first layer suspends the bacteria in oil, while the second shields the oil from the elements. The outermost layer is designed to dissolve in the alkaline environment of the intestines, keeping the pill intact when it comes in contact with stomach acid. As a result, Acidophilus Pearls deliver more than 90 percent of their live probiotics to the intestines, Myers says.

Similarly, BioTract pills, made by Nutraceolix in Redmond, Washington, deliver 60-80 percent of their label claim of Lactobacillus salvarius. Instead of coating the entire pill with a protective substance, cellulose surrounds each of the individual bacteria in the pill, says Brenda Watson, ND, a colon therapist and author working with BioTract. The pill doesn't activate until it hits the pit of the stomach, where it turns into a gel.

Both new pill coatings provide the convenience of being able to take the pill anytime, day or night.

A Mouthful

While Enzymatic Therapy and Nutraceutix try to protect probiotics from stomach acid, another company is developing a product whose benefits are reaped in the mouth, not the intestines. The product, a probiotic daily mouthwash, is capable of promoting oral health and is expected to hit store shelves within the next 2 years, says Jeff Hillman, DMD, a chief scientific officer of Oragenics, Inc., in Alachua, Florida.

Two of the mouthwash's probiotic strains have demonstrated an ability to eradicate gum disease-causing bacteria, while the third strain replaces an acid-producing culprit of tooth decay. Hillman says it's logical that the probiotic agents in the mouthwash will fight chronic bad breath as well, but he cannot say for sure until the product undergoes human trials.

Soil Science

Another new addition to the probiotic supplement scene is homeostatic soil organisms (HSOs), which now make up some of the fastest growing supplements in the probiotics industry, says Jordan Rubin, NMD, founder of Garden of Life in West Palm Beach, Florida. HSOs have a 3-year nonrefrigerated shelf life and survive harsh stomach conditions better than many other probiotics because they are produced through fermentation, says Rubin. This means the microorganisms are never separated from the food they were created on.

Although there is little research on HSO probiotics, one Garden of Life study tested 70 patients with chronic disorders such as diarrhea, constipation and excessive gas and bloating. Results indicated that all of the test subjects' symptoms improved, Rubin says, and 52 percent of those who took HSOs experienced a full remission of symptoms. A second study tested 17 people with problems associated with digestion and an overgrowth of the yeast Candida albicans. Only one subject experienced no change, while 16 noted an improvement of 25-75 percent.

Currently, a study is under way at the Southwest College of Naturopathic Medicine at Arizona State University,, which tests the effects of HSOs on leaky gut syndrome and bacterial imbalances in the intestines. So far, the results look hopeful, Rubin says, and the study should be published later this year. Look for more information in upcoming issues of BN.

Savvy Shopping

Tips from S.K. Dash of UAS Laboratories for choosing and storing quality probiotic products:

1. Keep probiotics refrigerated and away from oxygen, moisture or heat.