Intestinal biocultures are essential agents in the human body that protect our health. Of the over 300 different varieties that live in our digestive tract, the acidophilus and other lactic bacteria are probably the most important. These one celled micro-organisms perform many functions that promote immunity and good health. Their purpose is to transform various sugars broken down from digested foods into lactic acid. Along with this, other compounds are formed including natural antibiotics. Lactic bacteria also help protect the intestinal and vaginal tissues against harmful bacteria and fungus yeasts that could otherwise invade the rest of the body and seriously affect our immune system. Considered the most important are L. Rhamnosus, L. Acidophilus, S. thermophilus, and Bifidiobacterium longum and L. Plantarum. 'in vivo' studies show that these differing strains are highly compatible with each other. Quest-Dophilus by LIFE QUEST is a superior acidophilus product boosting the total immunological effect by mixing acidophilus with the most highly beneficial lactic bacteria.
L. Acidophilus is the most abundant friendly bacteria in the intestinal tract. Its presence is essential in the proper digestion of food, promoting immunity and better nutrition. Acidophilus helps protect the intestinal and vaginal tissues against harmful fungus and yeasts that produce diarrhea and vaginitis.
L.Rhamnosus is a normal inhabitant of the intestinal tract. Recent studies show that it has several advantages when used with L. Acidophilus.
- L. Acidophilus and L. Rhamnosus produce L. Lactic Acid which is a powerful deterrent against intestinal pathogens.
- L. Rhamnosus digests many more carbohydrates than L. Acidophilus.
- L. Rhamnosus has a high resistance to bile salts, thus enhancing its survival during the digestive process.
- L. Rhamnosus is 8-10 times more prolific than L. Acidophilus.
- L. Rhamnosus has a long shelf life.
L.Plantarum is a normal inhabitant of the human intestinal tract, capable of surviving aerobic and anaerobic conditions. It ferments 25 carbohydrates, survives salt, stomach acids and bile salts substantially better than any other lactic organism. L.plantarum is also capable of producing an antioxidant, catalase-type activity. Its non-toxicity is attested in its effective treatment of enteritis caused by diarrhea and its ability to facilitate weight gain in infants. L. plantarum has also been found to induce interferon and promote anti-tumor activities. While being stable at high temperatures (98 degrees), it is also an acid loving bacteria showing superior stability and reproduction in a high acid environment (pH 1.2-2.0). Other studies show that it inhibits Candida Albicans, E. coil, enteritis, shigella, salmonella, and listeria.
L. Bifidiobacterium, bifidus, longum and breve are bifidobacteria found throughout the gastro-intestinal tract including the mouth and vaginal tract, constituting a major part of the fecal flora. They are widely known to be useful in reducing candida yeast proliferation, especially after antibiotic therapy. They also reduce dangerous E.coli while balancing the pH of the large intestine, reducing oxygen depleting ammonia production from illness such as chronic liver disease.
L. casei has been shown to be effective in lowering blood levels of LDL Cholesterol. It also provides metabolites useful in nurturing other lactic bacteria especially acidophilus, together producing a number of natural antibiotics such as acidophilin, acidolin, lactocidin, and bulgarican.
FOS (Fructo Oligo Saccharides) are a mixture of three carbohydrates that resist digestion in the stomach. Instead they are digested in the colon and are specifically utilized by friendly lactobacillus as growth nutrients. This leads to a remarkable increase in beneficial bacteria and a suppression of pathological bacteria. FOS effectively normalizes diarrhea and constipation by improving the balance of intestinal micro flora.
The intestines are an important site for immune surveillance. The blood surroundingthe lower intestine is high in white blood cells to protect the body. The lactic bacteria within the intestines function as the 'white cells' for the internal intestinal environment. Some intestinal pathogens produce cancer causing enzymes. The usage of mixed lactic bacteria has shown improved intestinal production of antibodies immunoglobuin-A, thereby reducing the output of carcinogens in the intestines. Another study showed that large amounts of lactic biocultures stimulate the immunologic activity of the spleen and thymus, and increase antibody IgG production. Candida albicans has a strong amplifying effect on other virulent illnesses such as bronchitis, asthma, pneumonia, and allergies. Studies have also shown that candida synergies with mononucleosis and cytomegalovirus, lowering resistance and suppressing the immune system. By combining all 7 of the beneficial bacterias in a single capsule, Quest-Dophilus is the superior formula for maintaining balanced lactic bacteria for optimum immune protection in the gastrointestinal tract.