About Live Bacteria
We share our bodies with 100,000 billion bacteria and the majority of these are contained in the digestive tract. These live bacteria break down fibre and are also involved in how our bodies use nutrients. A healthy level of good bacteria is generally agreed to be beneficial to sound health, but should the balance of good and bad be upset there can be potentially adverse effects on the body. Research has suggested that if the diet is supplemented with the same type of bacteria that is typically present in the gut, then the ‘good bacteria’ is more likely to have a positive effect in redressing the balance between good and bad. Lactobacillus acidophilus strain live bacteria supplements have been found to be very active in the human digestive tract.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is so special about our live bacteria?
Our live bacteria contain high potency, human strain organisms, shown in scientific studies to be stable, effective at populating the gut and acid resistant.
It is important that a live bacteria supplement only contains bacteria proven to work together. Products with multiple types of bacteria may contain non human origin bacteria with an unproven or even negative safety record. We only use well researched strains.
Are live bacteria proven to be safe?
We have proven safety studies including ones with pregnant women and their babies.
Will the live bacteria be effective?
Our live bacteria are held in the highest regard by professionals, typically the harshest critics.
How many organisms are needed in a live bacteria supplement?
Higher dose live bacteria supplements are more effective with less than 10 billion bacteria are few and far between. Our high potency live bacteria are at least 20-30 billion per dose. We offer proven formulations providing 29-130 billion organisms in a variety of types of product.
What is F.O.S and why it is necessary?
F.O.S (fructoolgiosaccharide) is a prebiotic that feeds beneficial bacteria and has been shown to actively inhibit the overgrowth of pathogens such as candida. Our live bacteria always contain F.O.S. as this greatly increase their effectiveness.
Are our live bacteria supplements dairy-free?
We only use G.O.S. (Galactooligosaccharieds) derived fr4om milk in Baby BioFlora. G.O.S. is a prebiotic that is naturally present in breast milk.
Can I give live bacteria to my child?
Live bacteria are beneficial for some adults and children alike. We recommend lower dose live bacteria for children such as Baby Infantis Powder or Baby BioFlora, which are suitable from birth to around one year old, or Strawberry or Banana Bioacidophilus which is for general everyday use.
Can I take live bacteria during pregnancy?
Our live bacteria are suitable for use during pregnancy. In face AnteNatal BioFlora is possibly the only live bacteria supplement with a clinical trial demonstrating its safety for mother and baby.
Can I take live bacteria whilst taking a course of antibiotics?
It is beneficial to take live bacteria during and after a course of antibiotics to support the good bacterial when it has been compromised. We do recommend that they are taken 2-3 hours away from eachother to avoid any interaction.
Should I take live bacteria whilst travelling abroad?
Topping up with live bacteria may help when you are exposed to different bacteria in food and water abroad and as long as our live bacteria are consumerd within a month or two they will maintain their high potency when not refrigerated.
What is the best time to take my live bacteria supplement?
Our live bacteria have been specially selected because of their excellent resistance to stomach acid. However we recommend they are taken with food to be at their most effective.
Are live bacteria stable?
Live bacteria are living things and sensitive to heat, light and moisture. We use a freeze drying process to preserve the bacteria which are then quickly reactivated in the body. Live bacteria which are not freeze dried like those in liquid form can be less stable and more prone to deterioration.
Why do our live bacteria need to be kept in the fridge?
Our live bacteria are high potency and guaranteed to the end of their shelf life as long as they are refrigerated. Our live bacteria can survive well for a few months out of the fridge but once opened they should be refrigerated for longer term storage.
Are live bacteria safe?
Lactobaciluus acidophilus and Bifidobacteria are found in large numbers in a healthy gastrointestinal tract. These bacteria are non-pathogenic and have never been implicated in causing any infection. In fact they are known to actively promote the health of the gastrointestinal system. The organisms in our live bacteria are human strain with a completely safe history of use.
Are there any side effects from taking live bacteria?
Those who are sensitive to dietary changes or have never taken live bacteria before may find that they suffer from a small amount of wind, bloating or loose stools during the first days of live bacteria supplementation. These symptoms will usually settle down after a few days and are actually a sign that the product is working. If the symptoms persist, we recommend reducing the dose and then gradually increasing it over time.
What Different Types of Live Bacteria are Available?
There are various different strains of live bacteria. Some of the most common strains include:
- Lactobacillus acidophilus: found in our Acidophilus powder, BioAcidophilus and BioAcidophilus Forte, amongst others
- Bifidobacterium bifidum: available in our Bifidobacterium Bifidum and BioAcidophilus supplements
- Bifidobacterium lactis: found in our Bifidobacterium Bifidum, BioAcidophilus and Baby BioFlora supplements
