Frequently Asked Questions about Probiotics

1.What is probiotics?

Probiotics are a class of beneficial bacteria that promote health, balance and efficient functioning of the digestive system. These friendly bacteria are normal inhabitants of the intestines and help to digest foods by breaking them down into their individual component parts, such as fats, amino acids, carbohydrates, vitamins and minerals for absorption into the body. Another function of these normal bacteria is to prevent or limit the growth of unwanted bacterial pathogens including salmonella, clostridia and E.coli that can prevent proper nutrient absorption, create intestinal disturbances and eventually cause more serious illness. Prevention of illness by a well-maintained microflora balance is accomplished by a method referred to as “competitive exclusion”. That is, the good bacteria take up positions known as enteric sites therefore preventing the pathogenic bacteria from establishing itself and proliferating to become predominant bacteria.

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2. Why take probiotics?

Bacterial infections, stress, antibiotic treatment, poor diet and a number of other factors can and do disturb the balance in our intestinal tract, decreasing the number of beneficial bacteria while allowing an increase in pathogenic bacteria. This increase in pathogenic bacteria can result in gas, diarrhea, constipation, and other intestinal symptoms. A viable probiotic supplement acts to maintain and replenish the balance of microflora in the intestinal tract. A regular maintenance dose acts as a preventive against intestinal diseases, and aid in the absorption of nutrients. A healthy intestinal tract with a balanced microflora can boost the immune system, keep pathogenic diseases of the intestinal tract in check, maintain normal bowel movements, prevent indigestion and bloating. Away from home, probiotic supplements act as a barrier to the strains of unwanted bacteria encountered and prevents the intestinal disruptions often associated with travelling.

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3. Are we born with ‘good’ bacteria?

At birth, babies have a very weak immune system. That system needs to be developed for survival of the infant. Fortunately, nature has provided a very effective means to strengthen the immune system - breast milk, which contains nearly all the constituents necessary to for growth and enhancement of the immune system. Breast milk contains beneficial bacteria that attach to the baby’s intestinal wall and enable digestion. As the child grows, additional microflora is ingested from other food sources. By the age of 2 or 3 most children have developed some degree of intestinal balance and a fairly effective immune system. As we age, environmental and nutritional factors very often disturb this balance and create the need for probiotic supplementation.

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4. Can probiotics improve digestion and help eliminate Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)?

There are many aspects to food digestion. They include enzymes (which start breaking down foods in the mouth and are found in the intestines), pH conditions such as stomach acid, bile from the gall bladder, intestinal microflora and some digestive properties contained in the food that you eat. Of these, diet and supplementing your intestines with probiotics is within your control. Well-balanced intestinal microflora will have a significant positive effect on digestion. It also can control indigestion and bloating after eating. Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is an extremely difficult disorder to control. It causes distress to those who suffer from it and can effect your daily life in so many ways. While not a cure, B-imune proBiotics will reduced the number bowel movement episodes to the extent that sufferers are able to eat more diverse foods. B-imune proBiotics should also have a positive effect on their social life by giving them more confidence in social situations, situations which were previously avoided.

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5. Do probiotics effect or improve other health conditions?

Besides the healthful effects stated above, probiotic use creates an intestinal environment that can improve a user’s immune system. The intestines are the body’s largest immune organs. It’s a fairly hostile environment and a well-balanced system can relieve immunological stress associated with an unhealthy system. This gives the immune system a chance to enhance its capabilities in other parts of the body. Many who use probiotics such as B-imune proBiotics on a regular basis report increased energy and an overall feeling of good health.

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6. Why do I need to take B-imune proBiotics?

If you are eating a perfectly balanced diet without a lot of processed products and have a stress-free life, you may not need probiotics aid to maintain your health. However, unfortunately in the modern world, we have a lot of stress. We consume products such as antacids, antibiotics, food additives, alcohol and other foods and drugs that can cause reduction of healthy bacteria. B-imune proBiotics can help restore the lost healthy bacteria to fight against illness.

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7. Does B-imune proBiotics help people with lactose intolerance?

Probiotics restore intestinal balance and repopulate the intestinal walls with beneficial bacteria that help us break down and digest foods including lactose. B-imune proBiotics is prescribed with confidence to those who are lactose intolerant, with many people reporting reduced symptoms of lactose intolerance.

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8. Can B-imune proBiotics help treat Colitis and Crohn’s Disease?

Crohn’s Disease and Colitis are Inflammatory Bowel Diseases that among other things disrupt the bacterial balance in the intestinal tract. Infusing the gut with beneficial bacteria and eliminating pathogenic bacteria, which can aggravate these conditions, is an essential component of the effective treatment of these diseases. Because of its excellent properties and exceptional absorption B-imune proBiotics is an excellent probiotic supplement for sufferers of Colitis and Crohn’s Disease.

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9. For how long should I take B-imune proBiotics before I will notice a difference?

It will vary for each individual. In some cases, changes can be found within a few days. In others, it may take up to two weeks. In the short-term cases, these individuals seem to already have some type of malady that involves an intestinal or digestion problem. In particular, individuals on antibiotic therapy. Those where the effects have taken longer are usually in fairly good health but take a probiotic for preventive reasons. We recommend taking B-imune proBiotics consecutively for 6-8 weeks initially to feel the difference.

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10. How often and at what time of day should I take B-imune proBiotics?

We suggest a beginning dose of three capsules twice per day. In case of excessive gas or discomfort, reduce the dose and take one capsule three times per day. The best time to take a probiotic supplement is when the stomach is empty (an hour before a meal). You can, however, take B-imune proBiotics at anytime. Studies have however indicated that little difference exists if taken before a meal, after a meal, before going to bed or upon rising in the morning.

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11. Are there any side effects to taking B-imune proBiotics?

Less than 1% of test groups report any side affects. Of those that may report any side effect, such is usually limited to excess gas, and the problem is remedied when the user discontinues use for a few weeks and then resumes taking B-imune proBiotics as a lesser dose (50% of recommended dose). B-imune proBiotics are all natural and fall into the category the FDA recognises as “GRAS” (Generally Recognised as Safe).

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12. Can I take B-imune proBiotics with prescription drugs?

Yes, there are no reactions between B-imune proBiotics and medications since B-imune proBiotics is all-natural and the probiotic strains are naturally found in the human body.

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13. Can I take probiotics during pregnancy?

Yes, probiotics are all-natural and work with your body’s natural systems to optimise your immune system and improve overall health.

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14. Are probiotics safe for children?

Yes, B-imune probiotics strains are all ‘friendly’ and found normally and naturally in the human body. It is therefore safe and effective for even the youngest kids. B-imune probiotics have been formulated and manufactured to suite the varying needs of children and both B-imune proBiotics and B-imune little B are appropriate to these needs. Both capsules and tablets are available, but we find that the pleasant tasting, chewable tablets are easier and more fun for children.

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15. Are probiotics medically approved (FDA etc.)?

Probiotics are considered to be “GRAS” or “generally accepted as safe”. This classification is given to products that are composed of ingredients that are natural or have been safely used for many years. In the case of the B-imune probiotics range, the active ingredient is a bacteria strain that occurs naturally in humans.

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16. Is it possible to overdose on probiotics?

No, even if you have a relatively healthy intestinal tract with balanced good bacteria, you can still safely take probiotics for preventive purposes.

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17. Are probiotics helpful in treating vaginitis?

Yes, bacterial infection is the most common cause of vaginitis and oral use of probiotics has been shown to decrease the recurrence of vaginitis.

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18. Do B-imune proBiotics contain wheat, dairy, sodium or animal based ingredients?

B-imune does NOT contain wheat, gluten, dairy or animal products and can be used by vegetarians and vegans.

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19. Why should I take B-imune proBiotics probiotics when I am taking antibiotics?

Antibiotics kill off the bacteria in you intestinal system - the good as well as the pathogenic. This causes intestinal upset as the system now has trouble breaking down and digesting food and absorbing gases. In addition, once the antibiotic is discontinued, the void is often filled by the repopulation of the intestinal sites by the undesirable (pathogenic) bacteria that survived. Indeed, often the strains that survived and repopulate are less desirable and stronger (natural selection) than the original problem bacteria. Taking an effective probiotic supplement like B-imune all through and after the antibiotic treatment insures both repopulation with a beneficial strain and the exclusion of the pathogenic bacteria. Probiotics have been shown to be exceptionally effective in killing off pathogenic bacteria including E.coli.

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20. As a bodybuilder; will probiotics help me absorb protein?

Yes! Probiotics improve the functioning of the intestines and increase our ability to break down and absorb nutrients including protein, vitamins and minerals. B-imune is an effective and appropriate probiotic supplement to help bodybuilders and other athletes digest and Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium absorb higher percentages of protein.

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