Flora Udo's Choice Infants Blend Probiotics

Ingredients

Each gram of powder is guaranteed to contain not less than 2 billion total viable cells (at time of manufacture) of:

In a base of maltodextrin and ascorbic acid

1. Lactobacillus casei: a bacteria commonly used for milk fermentation which has been shown to be helpful in treating diarrhoea caused by antibiotics and viruses.
2. Streptococcus thermophilus: a transient probiotic from dairy origin. Producing large quantities of lactic acid it limits the growth of unfriendly bacteria and helps in the prevention and treatment of diarrhoea.
3. Bifidobacterium infantis: the most important micro-organism found in the large intestine of infants and is an effective adjunct therapy in the treatment of acute diarrhoea. It has been shown to stimulate the production of immunomodulating agents.
4. Lactobacillus acidophilus: one of the most prominent micro-organisms found in the small intestine. It produces lactic acid which inhibits yeast growth as well as natural antibiotics which enhance immune functions.
5. Bifidobacterium bifidum: found primarily in the large intestine. As a producer of B vitamins it helps the body in the completion of its digestive process, specifically in the absorption of calcium, iron, magnesium and other vitamins and minerals.
6. Bifidobacterium breve: colonises the large intestine and is a producer of lactic and acetic acids that inhibit the growth of undesirable bacteria. It enhances immune response against various pathogenic antigens and has been shown to supress the growth of ulcer-inducing bacteria. B.breve can colonise the immature bowel of infants effectively and is associated with better weight gain in low birthweight infants.
7. Lactobacillus bulgaricus: a transient strain from dairy origin that carries important protective functions on its way through the intestinal tract

Further information on Bifidobacterium infantis:

• Bifidobacterium infantis has a unique role in human microecology.
• At birth the gastrointestinal tract is sterile, and as such, is open to colonisation by many microorganisms present in the environment.
• In breast-fed infants up to weaning, the initial microbial flora is dominated by Bifidobacteria, most notably B.infantis, with the Lactobacilli being in lower numbers and the Streptococci and Coliforms in lower numbers still.
• In bottle-fed infants, Bifidobacteria such as B.infantis are not normally present in high numbers and the flora is instead a mixture of Lactobacilli, Coliforms and Streptococci.
• B.infantis controls gut flora balance in infants up to weaning.
• B.infantis further has a role in reducing enteric upsets in infants.

Further information on Bifidobacterium bifidum:

• Bifido bacterium bifidum (also referred to as B. bifidum) is a natural inhabitant of the human large intestine

• Also found in the lower part of small intestine

• Also found in the human vagina

• Together with other bifidobacteria species, B. bifidum are the predominant organisms in the large intestine of breast-fed infants, accounting for about 99 per cent of the microflora

• In adults and adolescents, bifidobacteria are a major component of the large intestine's microflora

• Levels of bifidobacteria decline with age

• Levels of bifidobacteria decline in various disease states

• Bifido bacteria produce acetic and lactic acids, and small amounts of formic acid, from fermentable carbohydrates

According to Leon Chaitow ND, DO and Natasha Trenev, in their book Probiotics, The revolutionary 'friendly bacteria' way to vital health and well-being, the major beneficial functions of bifidobacteria are:

• the prevention of the colonization of the intestine by invading pathogenic bacteria or yeasts with which they compete for nutrients and attachment sites

• the production of acetic and lactic acids which lower the pH (increase the acidity of the intestine thus making the region undesirable for other possibly harmful bacteria

• assisting in nitrogen retention and weight gain in infants

• the inhibition of bacteria which can alter nitrates in the intestine (derived from food or water) into potentially harmful nitrites

• the production of B vitamins

• assisting in the dietary management of liver conditions

They further state that oral antibiotic therapy, therapeutic irradiation of the abdomen, reduced gastric acidity, impaired intestinal motility, stresses or some other conditions, will all disturb the intestinal microflora and cause bifidobacteria to decline. They state that bifidobacteria in supplements or in bifido milk can help to restore the intestinal microflora.

Further information on Lactobacillus acidophilus:

• lactobacillus acidophilus is a natural inhabitant of the human small and large intestine

• Also found in the human mouth and vagina

• Lactabacillus acidophilus produces lactic acid as a main product from carbohydrates

Leon Chaitow and Natasha Trenev state in their above mentioned book that lactobacillus acidophilus

• enhances and allows digestion of milk sugar (lactose) by producing the enzyme lactase

• generally aids in the digestion of nutrients

• is able by some competitive means, e.g. creation of lactic acid and other inhibitory substances, to suppress undesirable micro-organisms in the intestine

• (some strains) act to help destroy hostile invading bacteria by producing natural antibiotic substances

• (some strains) are able to help reduce the level of cholesterol, thus lessening the dangers of cardiovascular complications

• helps lessen the proliferation of hostile yeasts such as Candida albicans

They further state that "When the intestinal microflora is disturbed (the lactobacilli can be adversely affected) under the influence of oral antibiotic therapy, or stress conditions, the use of supplemental acidophilus, in food or concentrated form, can reverse such negative processes. The regular use of acidophilus bacteria as a supplement or in food is a protective means against an imbalance of the intestinal microflora."

Further information on Lactobacillus bulgaricus:

• a transient yet important bacteria in human ecology

• found in yoghurt and cheese

• produces lactic acid as a main product from carbohydrates

• some strains produce natural antibiotic substances

• when eaten or taken as supplements these bacteria benefit humans by enhancing digestion of milk sugar by producing the enzyme lactase

• because they create lactic acid, the more acid environment they create serves to inhibit the growth of the less desirable micro-organisms

Further information on Streptococcus Thermophillus:

• a transient, i.e. non-resident bacteria of the human intestine

• found in yoghurt and cheese

• produces lactic acid as a main product from fermentable carbohydrates

• some strains produce antibiotic-like substances

• streptococcus thermophillus are the only streptococci which produce lactase

• produce more lactase than lactobacillus bulgaricus

• due to their lactic acid production, they help inhibit other pathogenic bacteria

This information is not intended to replace the advice of a qualified Healthcare Professional.