What exactly are Probiotics?

Your body contains billions of bacteria and other microorganisms. The term "probiotics" refers to dietary supplements or foods that contain beneficial bacteria that are similar to those normally found in your body. Although you don't need probiotics to be healthy, however these microorganisms may provide some of the health benefits - such as assisting with digestion and helping protect against harmful bacteria.

What are Probiotics used for?

In most circumstances, people use probiotics to prevent diarrhea caused by antibiotics. Antibiotics kill good or beneficial bacteria along with the bacteria that cause illness. A decrease in beneficial bacteria may lead to diarrhea and may also lead to development of other infections, such as vaginal yeast and urinary tract infections. Taking probiotic supplements may help replace the lost beneficial bacteria and thus help prevent diarrhea.

Product Ingredients

The probiotics in pHion Probiotic Blend include:

Lactobacillus acidophilus performs many critical functions including inhibiting pathogenic organisms and preventing them from multiplying and colonizing, when present in sufficient numbers.

Bifidobacterium bifidum is a prominent probiotic microorganism that takes up residence primarily in the mucous membrane lining of the colon. B. bifidum prevents the colonization of invading pathogenic bacteria by attaching to the intestinal wall, crowding out and taking nutrients from these unfriendly bacteria and yeasts.

Lactobacillus rhamnosus is one of the most intensely studied probiotic strains. Its advantages in the treatment of gastrointestinal disorders are well documented. In laboratory animal studies, L. rhamnosus has been shown to inhibit the growth of colon tumors, especially when supplementation with L. rhamnosus is started before tumors were induced with a carcinogenic substance.

Lactobacillus salivarius has the unique ability to eradicate the dreaded Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) bacteria which is now known to be the major cause of peptic ulcers. The H. pylori microorganism interferes with the normal defenses against stomach acid and/or produces a toxin that contributes to peptic ulcer formation.

Bifidobacterium longum is an abundant organism found in the large intestine. B. longum has been found to reduce the frequency of gastrointestinal disorders (diarrhea, nausea, etc.) during antibiotic use. Furthermore, in the Cancer Research Journal, researchers report that dietary intake of B. longum significantly inhibits the development and growth of colon, liver and breast cancers in laboratory animal models.

Lactobacillus casei is reported to have the most potent protective activity against the potentially lethal Listeria bacteria than any other beneficial bacteria. Reports in the medical journal Cancer Letters show that L. casei not only shows an inhibiting activity in tumor cells but it also has a beneficial stimulating activity in normal cells.

Lactobacillus lactis acts as a natural antibiotic, which reduces the ability of pathogenic bacteria to grow and cause infection. It is especially effective against the bacteria Listeria monorytogenes, which causes severe food poisoning.