LIFE STAPLES -- The Facts About Acidophilus:
The Birth of Probiotics
Most people are familiar with antibiotics, which physicians prescribe to combat strains of bacteria which cause disease. In contrast, other strains of bacteria promote health and are called "probiotics", from the Greek meaning "for life". Probiotics are live microbial supplements which beneficially affect the host by improving its intestinal balance. Although anecdotal health claims for the regular consumption of cultured dairy products have circulated for centuries, only in this century have scientists begun to understand how these foods support health.
In 1908, Nobel Prize-winning scientist Elie Metchnikoff of the Pasteur Institute in Paris provided the first evidence that microorganisms may be responsible for the health-promoting effects of fermented milks. After observing that Bulgarian peasants lived to ripe, old ages, Metchnikoff became convinced that their health and longevity were linked to microbes in the soured milk they copiously drank. In his book, "The Prolongation of Life", he suggested that disease-causing (bad) bacteria could be eliminated by ingesting large amounts of Bulgarian sour milk, which contained a beneficial (good) baterium later identified as Lactobacillus Bulgaricus. These organisms were part of a group called Lactobacilli, or bacteria, that produce lactic acid as an end product of milk fermentation.
How Beneficial Bacteria Promote Health
Lactobacillus Acidophilus, the most well-known baterial hero, first gained attention as a dietary supplement in the 1920's. In 1935 the first results of clinical trials were published that showed that acidophilus normalized bowel function in patients with chronic constipation.
Since then, scientists have identified many other health benefits to lactic acid producing bacteria, presumably resulting indirectly from their ability to:
- Decrease the production of a variety of toxic or carcinogenic metabolites. For instance, Acidophilus can supress the formation of cancer causing amines and cancer promoting enzymes in the intestines of humans and animals.
- Aid absorption of minerals, especially calcium, due to increased intestinal acidity.
- Produce a wide range of antibiotic substances which help control the level of pathogenic bacteria and fungi such a Candida.
- Helps the body produce its own vitamins, especially B-Vitamins and Vitamin K.
- Act as barriers to prevent pathogenic bacteria from colonizing the intestines.
The Probiotic Gap
The following factors can deplete good bacteria and upset their balance in the intestines:
- Antibiotics, which can kill good, as well as bad, bacteria
- OTC drugs
- Alcoholic beverages
- Infections
- Diet (highly processed, low fiber foods)
- Chronic diarrhea
- Stress
The intestinal balance between good and bad bacteria in turn can affect:
- nutritional status
- efficacy of medications
- physiological function
- aging
- cancer
- immune response
- infection
It is often difficult to obtain beneficial bacteria in foods alone. And even if live bacteria are present, you would have to eat a LOT of yogurt to consume enough bacteria to achieve an effect, epecially considering the following:
- Due to pasteurization, most popular brands of yogurt do not contain LIVE cultures.
- Laboratory tests of various cultured milk products have shown that the bacterial strains that are supposed to be there often are not present or are present in very low levels.
- Cooked foods do not conatin LIVE organisms. All cultured dairy products should be eaten raw to take advantage of any probiotic benefits.
- Beneficial baceria cannot survive the acidic environment of the stomach. The body confuses them with protein and begins to digest them. Therefore few LIVE organisms make it to the intestines to exert their beneficial effects.
GNLD's Acidophilus Plus Supports a Healthful Balance!
Whereas dairy products are limited to their shelf-life, GNLD's Acidophilus Plus has an extended shelf-life if stored as recommended (in a cool, dry place and refrigerated after opening). And while cultured dairy products can be inconvenient to transport, store, and sometimes even locate, Acidophilus Plus is easy to take anywhere your busy lifestyle takes you! Taking just one capsule of Acidophilus Plus each day is a convenient way to help maintain a constant, healthful balance of intestinal flora. Each GNLD Acidophilus Plus capsule delivers 5 billion LIVE lactobacilli to the intestines!
Targeted Delivery Technology
FACT: Stomach acid destroys many enzymes essential to proper digestion in the intestines. Unprotected, the body confuses them with protein and begins to digest them.
FACT: Without protection, many enzyme supplements never survive the stomach to reach the intestines, where they are needed for proper digestion.
FACT: GNLD scientists developed our exclusive Targeted Delivery Technology to protect capsule contents. A special "enteric coating" guarantees that active, live enzymes survive the harsh stomach environment and arrive safely in the intestines! Using GNLD's special method of production, a tableted packet of active, live enzymes is carefully wrapped in multiple coatings of a natural, acid-resistant, alkali-sensitive material. When the tablet is in the ACIDIC stomach (about 2 hours) the coating protects the enzymes. When the tablet has passed safely into the ALKALINE environment of the intestines, the coating breaks down and delivers its active, live enzyme "cargo" safely, where it is needed most.
GNLD invented Targeted Delivery Technology in 1985! Other companies have followed their lead and have come up with their own versions which are referred to as "Timed Release", but "Targeted Delivery Technology" is a GNLD exclusive! Read more about the scientific breakthroughs that GNLD is responsible for introducing into the health community!
***As set down by the Food and Drug Administration, vitamin supplement products cannot be advertised as intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.***



