Bacteria can be good for you

We may not know it, but bacteria thrive in our bodies. There are more bacteria in the digestive system -some one hundred trillion- than there are cells in the body. Many of these are friendly.

We are not always aware of the role the friendly bacteria play. They are integral in balancing and counteracting unfriendly bacteria. When friendly bacteria are not at appropriate levels, and when unfriendly bacteria dominate, health problems can result. These include gas, bloating, intestinal toxicity, constipation, and malabsorption of nutrients.

FloraFood is a special blend of two powerful friendly bacteria -Lactobacillus salivarius and Lactobacillus plantarum variant OM. This bacterial blend has been presented to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office as a prototype for antiviral, antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antitumoral characteristics. FloraFood™ has the added advantage of containing FOS fructooligosaccharides), which are food for the bacteria. With FloraFood, you can have your bacteria and feed them, too!

Digestive problems

Digestive problems comprise the number one health problem in North America. These concerns, encompassing everything from hemorrhoids to colon cancer, result in more time lost—at work, school, and play—than any other health problem. They also appear to be occurring with much more frequency—while many of them were almost unheard of in our grandparents’ times, they are cropping up more and more and at an earlier and earlier age.

One way to help maintain digestive health is to be aware of and "take care of" our intestinal flora—the trillions of bacteria that make the digestive tract their home.

Intestinal Flora

We may not know it, but bacteria thrive in our bodies. There are more bacteria in the digestive system than there are cells in the body—some one hundred trillion. Their total weight is about 4 lbs (1.8 kg)—the size of the liver.

Like many groups of living things, bacteria have both "friendly" and "unfriendly" populations. Most of us are aware of the unfriendly bacteria: we all know the pain and damage that can result when such bacteria as E. coli and Salmonella spp. are loose in our bodies.

We are not always aware of the role the friendly bacteria play. Their major role is in balancing and counteracting the unfriendly bacteria. When friendly bacteria are not at appropriate levels, and when unfriendly bacteria dominate, health problems can result. These include gas, bloating, intestinal toxicity, constipation, and malabsorption of nutrients.

What do friendly bacteria do for us?

Friendly bacteria do much more than counter the unfriendly bacteria. They also provide us with other, powerful benefits. Friendly bacteria

• manufacture vitamins B1, B2, B3, B5, B6, B12, A, and K, and essential fatty acids;

• aid in the digestive process by helping digest lactose (milk sugar) and protein;

• clean the intestinal tract, purify the colon, and promote regular bowel movements;

• produce antibiotics and antifungals that prevent the growth of harmful bacteria and fungi. In 1988, the U.S. surgeon general’s report noted that "Normal microbial flora provide a passive mechanism to prevent infection;"

• contribute to the destruction of molds, viruses, and parasites;

• increase the number of immune system cells;

• create lactic acid, which balances intestinal pH;

• protect us from environmental toxins such as pesticides and pollutants, reduce toxic waste at the cellular level, and stimulate the repair mechanism of cells;

• help maintain healthy cholesterol and triglyceride levels; and

• break down and rebuild hormones.

Lactobacilli are one of the most important types of friendly bacteria found in the digestive tract. These bacteria get their name (lacto) because they are able to turn milk sugar into lactic acid. They play a key role in producing fermented milk, yogurt, and cheeses.

The "father" of lactobacilli could well be Elie Metchnikoff, who, in 1908, noted that people in Bulgaria lived longer than those in other countries, despite the fact that Bulgaria was considered "underdeveloped." His investigation of this led him to diet, yogurt, and lactobacilli. His work was the first to prove that lactobacilli could transform milk sugar into lactic acid. Metchnikoff also hypothesized that this acidity would provide a hostile environment to unfriendly bacteria. This was later proved correct.

Lactobacilli are able to "balance" unfriendly bacteria because when they produce lactic acid, they alter the intestinal environment, making it unsuitable for unfriendly bacteria. In other words, lactobacilli don’t destroy the unfriendly bacteria; they destroy their home, forcing them to leave.

Lactobacilli have other benefits. They may help normalize cholesterol levels, and certain strains may antagonize Candida albicans. There is indirect evidence that lactobacilli may help relieve anxiety and depression. This is because the amino acid tryptophan serves as an antidepressant, and lactobacilli release this amino acid.

Food for the bacteria

As living creatures, friendly bacteria need to "eat." When they receive nourishment, via the foods we eat or supplements, they are able to maintain a stable population and continue to protect our health. A favorite food of friendly bacteria is fructooligosaccharides, or FOS.

Although FOS are new to many in North America, they are well-known to others. In Japan, FOS are routinely added to some 500 food products for health reasons.

FOS are sugars linked together in such a way that they cannot be digested. Instead, FOS pass through the stomach to the small intestine and colon where they are consumed by our friendly bacteria.

Feeding friendly bacteria is not all that FOS do for us. FOS can also

• reduce the growth of unfriendly bacteria,

• maintain regular bowel movements,

• maintain cholesterol and triglyceride levels,

• maintain healthy blood sugar levels.

FOS should not be seen as a replacement for friendly bacteria. They are meant to amplify the benefits of friendly bacteria, not replace them.

FloraFood

AIM FloraFood™ is a special blend of two powerful friendly bacteria—Lactobacillus salivarius and Lactobacillus plantarum variant OM. This bacterial blend has been presented to the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office as a prototype for antiviral, antibacterial, antimicrobial, and antitumoral characteristics. AIM FloraFood™ has the added advantage of containing FOS.

Lactobacillus salivarius
Lactobacillus salivarius is specially stabilized type of friendly bacteria that flourishes in the small intestine. L. salivarius is a new culture, requiring a special culturing process. After years of research, it is just now becoming available.

L. salivarius is classified as a facultative bacterium, which means it can survive and grow in both anaerobic (without oxygen) and aerobic (with oxygen) environments, although its main effects take place in anaerobic conditions. This is a decided advantage over the well-known Lactobacillus acidophilus, which has little or no growth in an aerobic environment.

One unique benefit of L. salivarius is its ability to help break down undigested protein and disengage the toxins produced by protein putrefactions. Another benefit is its rapid reproduction—it doubles its population every 20 minutes. Other than the obvious health advantages, this rapid growth is also an economic advantage: you do not have to take so much. While the suggested serving for most other friendly bacteria products is multiple capsules per day, the suggested use for AIM FloraFood™ is only one to two capsules per day.

Lactobacillus plantarum variant OM
Lactobacillus plantarum variant OM is another facultative bacteria, and this strain is found in the large intestine. It has the unique ability to "liquefy gelatin." Gelatin is used to determine if a product can break down protein into usable nutrients (amino acids). Thus, L. plantarum variant OM rapidly digests protein. This claim is allowed in the patent, and no other Lactobacilli can make this claim.

No refrigeration necessary
One of the most important features of AIM FloraFood™ is that it has a substantial unrefrigerated shelf life. While all other friendly bacteria products must be refrigerated and even then have a shelf life of only one to three years, AIM FloraFood™ has a shelf life of three years, sealed, unrefrigerated, and five years refrigerated. We do recommend refrigerating AIM FloraFood™.

How to use FloraFood

• Take 1 to 2 capsules per day with 8 oz (240 ml) of water for maintenance. Best taken on an empty stomach. You may take more or less depending on your needs.

• AIM FloraFood™ is resilient at room temperature and higher and can be stored in a cool, dry, dark place. However, we do recommend refrigeration. Avoid storing in extreme heat. Shelf life is 3 years, sealed.

• Diabetics using AIM FloraFood™ should be monitored carefully as blood sugar levels may fluctuate and insulin intake may need to be regulated.

• As a mouthwash, open 1 capsule in warm water, swish around mouth for 30 seconds, and swallow.

• For pets, open 1 capsule and sprinkle on food.

• To limit digestive problems while traveling or camping, take 2 to 3 capsules per day.

Q & A

Suggested Reading

Lee, William H. The Friendly Bacteria. New Canaan, CT: Keats Publishing, Inc., 1988.

Benefits & Features

• Maintains digestive health
  
  
• Supplements and feeds friendly bacteria
  
  
• Balances intestinal pH
  
  
• Unique, patent-pending blend of Lactobacillus salivarius, Lactobacillus plantarum variant OM, and FOS
  
  
• Does not need refrigeration (although refrigeration is recommended)
  
  
• 1.3 billion CFU (colony forming units) L. salivarius
  
  
• 1.3 billion CFU L. plantarum variant OM
  
  
• FOS (derived from rice bran solubles and Jerusalem artichoke powder)
  
  
• 60-count bottles
  

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