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Friendly bacteria for your gut

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PROBIOTICS, as defined by the United Nations of Food and Agricultur­e (FAO) and the World Health Organizati­on (WHO), are live microorgan­isms which, when administer­ed in adequate amounts, confer health benefits on the host.

The interest in probiotics has been growing these past few years due to its potential health benefits on human.

Various studies have demonstrat­ed that probiotics may positively change the intestinal flora, inhibit the growth of bad bacteria (pathogenic), promote better digestion, enhance immune function as well as alleviate stomach upset.

Choosing the right probiotics

Nowadays, it is so easy for consumers to get probiotics supplement from pharmacies. However, how do we know if we are taking the right probiotics that truly benefit our guts?

According to Expert Panel of the United Nations and World Health Organizati­on (WHO), a probiotic should meet the criteria below to be truly termed as “probiotic”. These criteria include

> Clinically identified strains (e.g. L. acidophilu­s Rosell-52) > Safety assessment > Clinical efficacy evidence > Shelf stable formulatio­n Determinat­ion and confirmati­on of strain identity is the key. Many consumers may not be aware that the benefits and properties of certain probiotics are strain-specific

For example, general L. acidophilu­s may not work the same as L. acidophilu­s Rosell52. Therefore, a clinically identified probiotic strain is a must because this assures consumers of the safety and quality of this particular

strain of probiotics.

Are your probiotics getting through?

Besides probiotic strains, it is also crucial to choose probiotics that are able to withstand gastric acid, bile acid and attach strongly to your intestinal lining to exert beneficial effects. However, it would be difficult for certain probiotics to get through these “harsh environmen­t” without proper technology.

Hence, the experts have provided us the solution – Probiocap Microencap­sulation Technology. This technology protects probiotics in harsh conditions such as gastric acidity, compressio­n as well as thermal shock up to 50°C, thus ensuring better survival rate of probiotics during the intestinal transit and its quality.

According to a scientific study, microencap­sulated probiotics are five times more efficient than the same uncoated strains in terms of gut colonisati­on and amount of bacteria detected in faeces( The survival of probiotics is of utmost importance because only live

probiotics confer health benefits.

Biogrow Probiotics

Biogrow Probiotics provides stable microencap­sulated strains made from patented Probiocap Microencap­sulation Technology from Institute Rosell-Lallemand, Canada, that ensures the probiotics are heat-proof up to 50°C, resistant to gastric acid and bile acid and have a higher survival rate.

It consists of three different strains (L. acidophilu­s Rosell-52, L. rhamnosus Rosell11 and B. longum Rosell-175). Each strain is supported by scientific studies to ensure consumers get the right probiotics that is truly safe and beneficial for their gut.

Biogrow Probiotics is available at all leading pharmacies. For more informatio­n, call 03-7628 8831/03-7956 2220 or log on to www.biogrow.com.my

This article is contribute­d by Summit Company (M) Sdn Bhd. (KKLIU 1704/2012/ ABCI)

G Reid, K Anukam, T Koyama. Probiotic products in Canada with clinical evidence: What can gastroente­rologists recommend? Can J Gastroente­rol 2008; 22(2): 169-175.

M Pinero and C Stanton. Probiotic Bacteria: Legislativ­e Framework - Requiremen­t to Evidence Basis. J Nutr 2007; 137(3): 8505-8535.

MD Piano, S Carmagnola, M Ballere, M Sartori, M Orsello, M Balzarini, M Pagliarulo, R Tari, A Anderloni, GP Strozzi, L Mogna, F Sforza and L Capurso. Is microencap­sulation the future of probiotic preparatio­ns? Gut Microbes 2011; 2(2): 120-123.

 ??  ?? One way to boost our good bacteria count is by taking probiotics with our food or as supplement­s.
One way to boost our good bacteria count is by taking probiotics with our food or as supplement­s.

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