P Learn how probiotics help to strengthen and heal your body from the inside out PLearn what to look for when purchasing a probiotic supplement PLearn how to choose the right formula for you and your family
Most people assume that gut health is a separate entity from cardiovascular, psychological and other types of health but in truth, the gut is the root and core of our total general well-being. It s the place where food is broken down into the building blocks of our cells. It is the first line of defense against invading pathogens and infectious diseases. It s our protection against environmental toxins leaking into the bloodstream. In fact, more and more research is showing that many of the diseases of civilization such as depression, high cholesterol and chronic fatigue syndrome are closely related to gut health. How does the digestive system have this much impact on your health? I have one word for you: Brenda Watson, N.D., CNC, C.T. BACTERIA. My hope is that this booklet will help you connect the dots between gut health and the multitude of other health problems people are suffering from. When you are armed with knowledge you can take back control of your health and I truly believe that if you can heal your gut, you can heal your body. Yours in health, Brenda Watson Probiotic = For Life Bacteria is not a dirty word even though we have been taught that it is something to disinfect and eradicate. In fact, inside each of us is about 100 trillion bacteria, most of which reside in the gut. This is 10 TIMES the number of cells in our body! The bacteria that grow naturally in the intestinal tract aid in the nourishment and defense not only of the digestive tract but of the whole body. These beneficial bacteria are known as PROBIOTICS which actually means for life. Probiotics help our bodies recognize and defeat any harmful bacteria or pathogens we may ingest. They protect us. For this reason, we are going to refer to this balance of bacteria in your gut as your GPS, your very own Gut Protection System! Just like a GPS in a car, when it is not working you can go off course. The same thing happens in your body. When there is an imbalance in your good bacteria, your GPS becomes compromised and your health veers off course. Fortunately there are many things you can do to make sure your GPS is working well and probiotics are the key. Did You Know??? Approximately 4 pounds of bacteria reside within the gut. That is about the weight of a brick!
Your body s GPS The intestinal system of a newborn is sterile with no bacteria present. Vaginally born infants will collect bacteria as they pass through the birth canal and it will colonize both the small and large intestine. Within a month they will have well established intestinal bacteria. Because they are not exposed to maternal flora during birth, infants born via caesarean section may have poorly established intestinal flora even after 6 months. Dietary factors such as breastfeeding can also affect the variety and amounts of bacteria present in the body s GPS. Just like we all have a unique set of fingerprints, we all have a unique bacterial make up in our body. The bacterium that is established in your intestinal tract within the first two years of life is what you will have into adulthood. This microbial fingerprint may dictate the difference between someone who has strong digestive health and someone who does not. What do these bacteria do? Synthesize vitamins such as thiamine (B1), folic acid (B9), pyridoxine (B6) and vitamin K. Produce digestive enzymes and aid in the absorption of calcium, magnesium and iron. Improve the strength and function of the lining of our colon. This mucosal barrier helps to prevent harmful organisms and toxins in the intestinal tract from passing into the bloodstream. Help to control inflammation in the body. Stimulate and support the immune system. Maintain regularity and health of the bowel. Did You Know??? 80% of your immune system is found in your gut which means that the gut is the body s primary defense. This is why your Gut Protection System, GPS, is the secret to good health. Let s look at how this process works. Take a virus, for example. Your friendly bacteria will fight off that virus on three different levels. Level 1 - While the virus is still in your intestinal tract, good bacteria surround and neutralize the virus. Level 2 - The good bacteria form a barrier along your intestinal lining to prevent the virus from passing through into the bloodstream. Level 3 - Friendly bacteria actually communicate with your body to produce substances that neutralize the virus before it causes damage.
Imbalance in the GPS Pathogenic organisms are always present to some extent in the GI Tract but are normally outnumbered and neutralized by the beneficial bacteria. When the beneficial and harmful bacteria levels become imbalanced you have what is called DYSBIOSIS. This can lead to digestive upsets in the short term and sets the stage for the development of disease in the longterm. So what can cause dysbiosis? Did You Know??? Antibiotics One of the most potent factors that can derail your GPS is antibiotics. While probiotics mean for life, antibiotics mean against life. When prescribed appropriately for bacterial infections, antibiotics do their job by killing off the bad guys, the problem is that antibiotics also kill off the good guys (PROBIOTICS) in the process. The result is that you may have cured the infection however you have seriously compromised your GPS. The Center for Disease Control has said that almost 50% of antibiotics are unnecessary and inappropriately prescribed! Lifestyle Factors Both diet and environmental exposure can have a large effect on the balance of bacteria in the gut. The typical Canadian diet is high in sugar, starches, processed foods and animal proteins and low in fresh vegetables and fermented foods. Pathogenic bacteria, including yeast and parasites, feed off of sugar. So a diet high in refined carbohydrates and sweets feeds the bad guys allowing them to grow and crowd out the probiotics in the gut. Also eating too few vegetables can leave your probiotic bacteria starved for nutrients. Vegetables are rich in soluble fibre which act as food for the good bacteria (it is called prebiotic fibre). Antacids Chances are that you or someone you know uses antacids, we have become a nation of antacid poppers. People use these, often incorrectly, to combat heartburn and indigestion. The problem is that we need stomach acid for a healthy GPS. Antacids alter the ph of the GI tract which creates an environment that is favorable to the growth of harmful bacteria and yeasts and in turn hostile toward probiotic bacteria. Everytime you pop an antacid, you re setting yourself up for a state of dysbiosis. Aging As inevitable as aging is, so is the change in the composition in your intestinal microflora. After the age of 50, the levels of probiotics (specifically bifidobacterium) begin to decline in number. Reductions in these organisms in the large bowel may be related to increased disease risk in elderly people. The long-term effects of dysbiosis can include: Intestinal inflammation leading to Leaky Gut Hormone imbalance and estrogen dominance Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) Liver dysfunction Food sensitivities Celiac disease Chronic constipation or diarrhea Candida yeast overgrowth Compromised immune system
As we have seen, you don t have to suffer a major illness to upset the balance of bacteria in your GPS. To combat this, you can make sure to eat a diet rich in organic vegetables, eat fermented foods, drink purified water and minimize your use of antibiotics/antacids. But along with these behaviors for healthy living, you d be well advised to boost the levels of good bacteria in your gut with probiotic supplements. Bottom line is that whether you are 1 or 100, if you have a colon you should be taking a probiotic! Frequently Asked Questions Q Are all probiotics the same? No. Recent research has revealed that different strains of bacteria are unique in their effects on the body and where they work in the digestive tract. Some provide a natural defence against pathogens, while others can help reduce inflammation. There are two main strains of bacteria that we are familiar with, lactobacillus for the small intestine and bifido-bacterium for the colon. A good rule of thumb is to look for a multiple strain probiotic with lots of L s for the little intestine and B s for the big intestine. Q What are the benefits I might notice from taking a probiotic supplement? Probiotics offer a host of health benefits. As they rebalance your intestinal tract, they can reduce inflammation in the body, decrease allergies and even boost mood. These areas are some of the up and coming areas of research for probiotics. More common benefits that people experience are: Improved immune system Improved elimination and reduction in constipation or diarrhea Improved digestion with a decrease in gas and bloating Reduction in vaginal yeast infections and Candida overgrowth Improvement in symptoms of IBS and other disorders of the bowel Replenishment of the good bacteria after antibiotic use Testimonial I had a tough case of Salmonella (2 bouts in 3 months), took two different antibiotics. This product helped A LOT!!! It helped my regularity and I stopped having an upset stomach. Tried other probiotics without any success. I will continue to use Ultimate Flora Critical Care in the future since I feel so much better! - Micki.
Product name Ultimate Flora Ultra Potent Beneficial Bacteria per capsule 100 billion total from 10 strains 50 billion 50 billion Lactobacillus Choose if: You have severe digestive issues You are using or have recently used antibiotics You want the strongest probiotic available Ultimate Flora Colon Care 80 billion total from 10 strains 48 billion 32 billion Lactobacillus You suffer from Inflammatory Bowel Disease such as Crohn s disease, colitis and I.B.S. You have chronic constipation and/or diarrhea Ultimate Flora Critical Care 50 billion total from 10 strains 30 billion 20 billion Lactobacillus You want a high potency daily use probiotic You have chronic digestive issues You want to boost your immune system Ultimate Flora VS 50 billion total from 9 strains 5 billion 45 billion Lactobacillus You have chronic yeast infections or candida overgrowth You are a woman who suffers from recurring infections in the urogenital tract Probiotic Solutions for the whole family
Product name Boulardii MAX *Does not require refrigeration Beneficial Bacteria per capsule 10 billion total from 1 strain 10 billion saccharomyces boulardii Choose if: You have or are at risk of developing c-difficile bacteria You have H-pylori bacteria overgrowth You suffer from diarrhea due to bacterial infection or food poisoning FloraSMART Extra Strength *Does not require refrigeration 6 billion total from 6 strains 2.4 billion 3.6 billion Lactobacillus You are travelling and want to protect yourself against parasites and travellers diarrhea You have digestive issues that are under control FloraSMART *Does not require refrigeration 2 billion total from 6 strains 800 million 1.2 billion Lactobacillus You are looking for an everyday probiotic for the maintenance of good digestive health FloraBEAR Chewable 1 billion total from 4 strains 650 million 350 million Lactobacillus You have a child 4 years or older to help boost immunity, ease mild digestive complaints and maintain good health You have a child who is using or has used antibiotics FloraBABY Powder 4 billion total from 5 strains 3 billion 1 billion Lactobacillus You have a child 1 year or older to help boost immunity, ease mild to moderate digestive complaints, ease constipation and maintain good health You have a child who is using or has used antibiotics
5 Important Things To Look For When Choosing A Probiotic Supplement CULTURE COUNT This refers to the total amount of bacteria per serving and can vary widely from product to product. If you are taking a probiotic for general health, you can take a lower potency probiotic with 2-6 Billion bacteria per serving. If you are treating a health condition, choose a therapeutic strength probiotic with a high culture count between 50 and 100 billion bacteria per capsule. NUMBER AND TYPE OF STRAINS Because we all have a different microbial make-up in our body, it is important to choose a probiotic supplement with multiple strains. Your probiotic supplement should include many different strains of bacteria including both bifidobacteria (large intestine) and lactobacilli (small intestine). It is also important to look for a formula that delivers both resident (human strain) and transient bacteria. Transient bacteria do not populate the gut but exert a positive benefit, such as protecting against harmful bacteria or reducing inflammation, while travelling through the digestive tract. TARGETTED FORMULAS Most people would benefit from a high potency, multiple strain formula. If needed, you can also choose formulas that are specific to certain areas of concern such as colon health or vaginal support. While you should choose a child-specific formula for kids, adults do not need agespecific formulas. Instead, if you are an older adult, choose a multi-strain formula with at least 30 billon bifidobacteria. After the age of 50, the levels of probiotics (specifically bifidobacteria) begin to decline in number so probiotics are an important supplement to take daily. DELIVERY SYSTEM Most bacteria cannot survive the high acid environment of the stomach. For this reason, make sure that the probiotic you are buying has a delivery system. This could be an enteric coated capsule or bio-tract tablet. Both of these protect the probiotics from harsh stomach acid and deliver them directly to the intestines where they are needed and utilized by the body. GUARANTEED POTENCY Always ensure that the product packaging states that the potency is guaranteed at expiry, not at the date of manufacture. Guaranteeing potency at expiry means that you are getting what you paid for and more importantly, the health benefits of the probiotic itself. All Renew Life probiotics are guaranteed active when you take it, not when we make it.
Renew Life Probiotics Renew Life has a range of probiotics to cater to different individual needs. Many people begin by taking a higher potency product such as Ultimate Flora Critical Care and then maintain the results with FloraSMART. Whatever your health goals are, we have a product to help. Ultimate Flora Probiotics The Ultimate Flora range of probiotics offer high potency formulas that are among the top selling probiotics in North America. They deliver results you can feel in just one capsule per day. They are enteric coated to ensure safe delivery past the stomach acid so they can get where they need to go. Many people begin by taking a high potency product such as Ultimate Flora Critical Care 50 billion or Ultimate Flora Ultra Potent 100 billion and then maintain results with a lower potency product such as FloraSMART. Ultimate Flora Ultra Potent delivers 100 billion beneficial bacteria in every capsule. It has a high amount of Lactobacillus Plantarum which is resistant to most antibiotics. This makes Ultimate Flora Ultra Potent the best probiotic to take during and after antibiotic use to protect yourself from bacterial and yeast overgrowth. It is the strongest strength available in Canada for people who require extra probiotic protection. Ultimate Flora Colon Care delivers 80 billion beneficial bacteria to the bowel where they provide extra support. It contains a high amount of which is the type of bacteria that resides in a healthy large intestine. It also contains lactobacillus strains that offer anti-inflammatory and anti-bacterial actions. It is the ideal choice for anyone with chronic constipation, diarrhea, IBS, Crohn s disease or colitis. Ultimate Flora VS (Vaginal Support) delivers 50 billion beneficial bacteria chosen to help eliminate and prevent recurring vaginal yeast infections. It also contains a large amount of lactobacillus plantarum which has been shown to be important for expecting mothers to ensure a well-populated birth canal. The bacteria present in the birth canal of the mother helps to inoculate the baby during a vaginal birth.
Ultimate Flora Critical Care delivers 50 billion beneficial bacteria in each capsule and is the number one selling probiotic in health food stores in Canada. It has an ideal blend of bifido and lactobacillus bacteria to offer support throughout the entire digestive tract. This is an ideal high potency daily probiotic for anyone but especially for those with digestive issues or wishing to boost their immune system. Ultimate Flora probiotics offer the ultimate in probiotic protection! Shelf Stable Probiotics While most probiotics require refrigeration, it is not always realistic. When travelling or at work, a fridge might not always be available. That is where shelf stable probiotics come in. FloraSMART and FloraSMART Extra Strength are true shelf stable probiotics. They have a special delivery system called Bio-Tract that not only protects the bacteria from light and heat but also protects it within your body. Most bacteria are destroyed in the stomach acid so having a delivery system is one of the most important things to look for in a probiotic supplement. FloraSMART has 2 billion bacteria in each protected capsule. Think of it like a daily multivitamin that you take to fill in the gaps. FloraSMART is a daily probiotic to maintain good health. FloraSMART Extra Strength has 6 billion bacteria per dose and is the ideal probiotic for travelling because it does not require refrigeration. Taking FloraSMART Extra Strength can help to protect against parasites and food borne illness. It can also help to maintain regularity and good digestion when becoming accustomed to new routines and foods. BoulardiiMAX should be in everyone s medicine cabinet. This product contains saccharomyces boulardii which helps to treat and prevent bacterial infections, including the very serious c-difficile bacteria found in hospitals. This shelf stable product is also very effective for treating diarrhea from all different causes (flu, food poisoning, antibiotic use etc). Taken before and during travel helps to prevent and treat traveller s diarrhea.
Children s Probiotics Children need probiotics too! The amount of children on course after course of antibiotics for things like ear infections has reached epidemic proportions. Drugs such as broad spectrum antibiotics not only kill the bad bacteria we want to get rid of, but also the good bacteria in the digestive tract. It is vitally important to replenish the bacteria balance with probiotics after antibiotic use. Children who are on steroid inhalers for asthma should also take probiotics as steroids kill off friendly bacteria. As most of us know, children tend to have less than favourable hygiene habits and supporting their immune systems with probiotics is important. They also tend to have less than ideal diets so supporting their digestive health is critical. Many children eat a lot of yogurt but the amount of probiotics in standard yogurt is not enough to have a health benefit. A supplement is a better choice. Renew Life has two probiotic products designed specifically for a child: FloraBEAR is a 1 billion culture, 4 strain probiotic specifically formulated for the intestinal tract and colon of children. FloraBEAR is a chewable tablet with a citrus flavour from real orange and orange peel for a taste that children will enjoy. These are for children aged 4 and up. FloraBABY is a 4 billion, 5 strain formula specifically formulated for the intestinal tract and colon of infants and children. Don t let the name fool you, FloraBABY is good for older children as well. It is a flavourless powder which can easily be mixed into warm or cool drinks such as infant formula, water, juice and milk, or soft foods such as yogurt and apple sauce. This allows parents to provide probiotics to children who do not like, or have a difficult time, taking supplements. It is safe to be taken from the age of 12 months. Children don t need a large amount of probiotic bacteria, the key is consistency. Start young and try to give it to them daily just as you would a multivitamin. The simple addition of a daily probiotic is one way to ensure a healthy gut and a healthy child.