Probiotics

Prebiotics are food for good bacteria. The only problem is that their effectiveness is only proven from 3 grams per day, i.e. a minimum of 7 capsules of standard size. At this level, the dosage would have been unreasonable.

In addition, probiotics need to be protected in the capsule. Or prebiotics do not do this. We have preferred to accompany our bacteria with a specially designed starch matrix to guarantee their good stability over time.

Les probiotiques influencent notre immunité de deux façons :

1/ Some strains are able to inhibit pathogenic bacteria present in the intestine by producing lactic acid.

2/ More than 70% of our immune material is produced in the intestine. By adhering to the intestinal mucosa, bacteria educate our immune system to distinguish our microbiota from possible intruders. Should we keep our probiotics in the refrigerator?

Do we need to keep our probiotics in the refrigerator?

No, recently freeze-dried probiotics have become available to free ourselves from the refrigerator. Unlike live bacteria, these strains are put in a dormant state in order to freeze their development and avoid their death. This process thus guarantees good stability at constant and even high temperatures (up to 28°).

Once ingested, these bacteria awaken to perform their beneficial roles. Studies* comparing the penetration and survival of lyophilized and live bacteria once ingested have shown no significant difference.

Research is thus conducted mainly using lyophilized* Rochet V, Rigottier-Gois L, Ledaire A, et al. strains. Survival of Bifidobacterium animalis DN-173 010 in the faecal microbiota after administration in lyophilised form or in fermented product - a randomised study in healthy adults. J Mol Microbiol Biotechnol. 2008;14(1-3):128-36.

Il existe aujourd'hui deux approches distinctes :

1/ Take probiotics on an empty stomach. Even if the acidity is then at its maximum (PH of 1.5), the capsule does not remain in this environment for more than 15 minutes before reaching the intestine.

2/ Take probiotics on a full stomach (during meals). Stomach acidity drops (PH of 4.0), but the capsule remains in this environment for 45 minutes before reaching the intestine.

In 2011, Tompkins TA, Mainville I, Arcand Y demonstrated that the survival rate of probiotics is increased when they are ingested during a 30-minute meal rather than on an empty stomach. We have therefore opted for the second approach, while protecting our bacteria with a capsule that is resistant to gastric acid.

Should we choose the highest number of CFUs ?

All the experts agree that this is not a race for the highest number. Most studies are conducted on mixes containing 3 to 20 billion CFUs. It is generally accepted that formulas containing more than 40 billion CFU's can lead to negative side effects such as bloating and flatulence, and the medical profession recommends 5 to 15 billion CFU's per day for daily maintenance and 20 to 30 billion for therapeutic cures. 

* Colony-forming unit

In the field of living organisms, only genetically modified organisms can be patented. The species present in our formula being natural, no patent protects them.

With its 200 million neurons, our intestine is now perceived by specialists as our second brain. Recently, it has even become known that our stomach also influences our emotions, so it's no surprise that a study on the subject was published in 2015. Dr. Gerard Clarke concluded that the Bifidobacterium longum strain could reduce physiological and psychological stress and that, more generally, it becomes possible to influence mental health by modifying the intestinal microbiota.