What is the difference in Prebiotics and Probiotics?

Prebiotics are non digestible nutrients that are used as an energy source by certain beneficial bacteria that naturally live in your intestines. Prebiotics are sometimes known as fermentable fiber.

Probiotics, in contrast, are the beneficial, or friendly, bacteria themselves. By acting as a food source, prebiotics give the probiotic bacteria a chance to exert their influence. These friendly bacteria may have several health benefits, from aiding digesting to supporting your immunity system. But stress, a poor diet, certain medical conditions, medications and other factors may decrease the number of healthy bacteria. Eating a diet that includes prebiotics and probiotics may help restore these friendly bacteria.

How to handle and store Pro-Biotics Plus® Capsules, Stick Packs and Belly-Ease

All ProBiotics will benefit from proper storage to insure a long shelf life with full potency. Nothing in these formulas actually goes stale or bad with time. The potency will go down depending on how it is stored. If stored at room temperature we guarantee full potency through the date printed on the bottle. Since we only use fully stabilized versions of the probiotics and we formulate with more than double what we claim on the label, we can guarantee the potency that is listed on the label if left out at room temperature. When Pro-Biotics Plus® is stored in the refrigerator you can add 6 months to the life of the product. When you store Pro-Biotics Plus® in the freezer you can add one full year to the life of the product. Always keep the lid tightly closed. When you receive your product check the date and decide if you will be using the product up by that date. If not, then either refrigerate or freeze the product accordingly. I like to store Belly-Ease in the refrigerator it keep them tasting fresh and hard.

Why do some probiotics need to be refrigerated and not others?
Probiotics are live cultures and are generally unstable at temperatures over 75 degrees. HOWEVER, the temperature inside the body is well over 75 degrees, not to mention that the probiotics would have to pass through hostile stomach acid and bile to get to the intestine. So what is the answer? The answer is to buy a probiotic supplement that contains stabilized strains of bacteria. The fact is, a probiotic that requires refrigeration is a red flag that it is not stable and will die on impact within the body. Make sure you read the label of any probiotics to be sure that the probiotics are stabilized. Also be sure that your probiotic contains prebiotics such as FOS. this is food for the good guy bacteria and helps insure colonization. Ours do not need to be refrigerated.

Make a wise choice and check the labels.

Not all probiotics are alike. Many cheap probiotics are unstable and lose their beneficial properties in the stomach before the probiotics can reach the intestine. The intestine is where the probiotics need to implant in order to seed your intestinal tract with healthy flora.

Don't take any probiotic if you can not find out what strain of bacteria are in them. Many manufacturers of both yogurt and supplements claim that this information is "commercially sensitive". Why should consumers buy and take something if they don't know if it contains the particular strain or the CFU's they want?

List of Ingredients on the label.

Bifidobacterium bifidum (probiotic) is a normal inhabitant of the intestines. Found in large numbers, especially in children and adolescents, the numbers of bifidobacteria decrease with age. B. bifidum helps detoxify the intestines and promote regular bowel movements.

Lactobacillus Acidophilus (probiotic)Acidophilus is the most effective probiotic strain. Called the "sticker strain," Acidophilus has the ability to actually cling to the intestinal wall without harming it. In fact, it is best known for its ability to move un-disrupted through the stomach and into the intestines where it eats away at the bad bacteria. It is known for reducing the occurrence of constipation and diarrhea, increasing nutrient uptake (especially calcium).

L. plantarum (probiotic) can be found in naturally fermented foods. In your body it is found in the large intestine where it helps to break down protein into usable nutrients, thus normalizing inflammation.

L. casei (probiotic) Is known for its ability to support a healthy immune response that is helpful in supporting a healthy urinary tract

B. longum (probiotic) aids in the cleansing and health of the colon and liver. It is also known for supporting normal breast health.

Pre-biotics- Inulin IQ FOS (Fructooligosaccharides) - One of the best-known probiotics, FOS is a class of simple carbohydrates found naturally in certain plants, such as Jerusalem artichokes, onions and bananas. FOS is known to promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract. It has been shown to stimulate growth of Bifidobacterium in the colon facilitating good colonization.

IP-6(Inositol Hexaphosphate) - a complex carbohydrate found in virtually all mammals, most cereals, nuts and legumes and that is composed of the sugar inositol with six phosphate groups, is a natural plant antioxidant. IP6 is one of the components of fiber that has been said to support good gastrointestinal health. Increased cellular levels of IP-6 have been linked to support the immune system activity. Additionally, IP6 has been shown to have potent antioxidant properties.

Beta Glucans 1, 3-1, 6 have potent immune stimulating properties that help with the production of macrophages, the large white immune cells that attack aberrant cells in the body and remove toxic debris. Beta Glucans have also been shown to increase protection of the immune cells. Many in the medical community concede that the increase of the microbial killing activity of leukocytes and immune function, as a result of supplementing with Beta Glucans, suggests a clear effect on supporting your immune defense.

Zinc - serves many functions, including acting as a constituent to at least 25 enzymes involved in digestion and metabolism. Research indicates that the health of the body’s natural killer cells may be dependent on zinc intake for normal growth and development. Zinc is very important for proper function of the thymus gland and thymus hormones, as well as cellular immunity.

Copper - is necessary for the growth, development and maintenance of the bone, connective tissue, brain, heart and many other body organs.

Whole food Vitamin C - from Amla Fruit, also known as Indian gooseberry, is one of the richest natural sources of bioflavonoids and Vitamin C. Native to India, the plum sized fruit is revered for its anti-aging and immune enhancing properties.

Colostrum- for human use is harvested from dairy cattle, as the components are identical to that of human colostrum, except that bovine colostrum is more concentrated. Colostrum from the first lactation is highest in immune proteins and transfer factors; NWC uses whole bovine colostrum from the first lactation of New Zealand disease-free cows that have not been fed chemicals, antibiotics, pesticides or steroids. T

This product is Gluten free, Soy Free, Corn Free, Chemical Free, No Artificial Colors or Preservatives. And is in full compliance with GMP Requirements for Dietary Supplements.

1. What type of research is behind the Pro-Biotics Plus ® formula?

Pro-Biotics Plus ® combines the latest research and clinical studies on immunity into one powerful formula. Each ingredient has been independently researched by the most respected names in its field. For example, the probiotics in Pro-Biotics Plus ® were selected after consulting with Dr. Khem Shahani from the University of Nebraska. Dr. Shahani is recognized as the world’s foremost authority on beneficial bacteria supplementation. Pro-Biotics Plus ® is a formula you can trust.

2. I heard that you should not take immune boosters daily. Is this true?

This is not true for Pro-Biotics Plus®. Products that contain herbs such as Goldenseal and Echinacea should not be used over long periods of time because they are not supportive of the immune system but rather force it to react, potentially causing an imbalance and over activity. Pro-Biotics Plus ® contains none of these herbs and can safely be taken every day.

3. Can I give Pro-Biotics Plus ® to my children?

Yes, this formula is safe for most people. For children less than 8 years of age use half the recommended adult dose. Check with a pediatrician before giving to a child 3 years or younger.

4. Why should I take this formula with a meal?

Probiotics implant much better when they travel with food. It gives them more opportunity to jump off the train, so to speak, and set up camp. Also, all the other nutrients will absorb better when they go through the intestinal tract slower.

5. What should I look for in a good probiotic supplement?

It is good to look for one that is high in CFU's and more than one or two strains. What is a CFU? CFU or Colony Forming Units - A unit of measurement used in microbiology that indicates the number of microorganisms present. Think of them like seeds that you are going to use to plant a garden. It is also a measure of how many bacteria (and yeast, because there are probiotic yeasts) are able to divide and form colonies. It might be easier, to think of colony forming units as being a single bacterium. If the probiotic bacteria are capable of dividing and forming colonies then that is proof that they are alive and healthy.

6. How many cfu's do I need?

For general good health, most experts recommend between 6 to 17 billion CFU's each day. Take the dose suggested on the bottle. Our capsules have 3.6 billion live pro-biotics per capsule of the top five immune support strains per capsules. Our chewable Belly-ease have 1 Billion CFUs per Tablet. Our stick packs have 40 billion per stick.

7. Should I take a multi strain or single strain probiotic?

A multi strain duplicates the natural process of eating probiotics in your food where you take in a variety of lactic acid bacteria. So for general good health, a multi strain probiotic that has at least both Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium species is best.