Frequently Asked Questions: Probiotics
How does EndoMune work?
Why are probiotics the best choice to treat intestinal gas?
Who should take a Probiotic?
Why is EndoMune better than Yogurt?
How long until I feel a difference from EndoMune?
How long do I need to stay on EndoMune?
Why are refrigerated probiotics, such as EndoMune, better than non-refrigerated probiotics?
What is Traveler's Diarrhea?
Can EndoMune help lessen the threat of traveler's diarrhea?
What is Irritable Bowel Syndrome?
What Causes Gas, Bloating and Abdominal Distention?
What is Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea?
Is it true that a probiotic can reduce the risk of cancer?
What is Colitis?
HOW DOES ENDOMUNE WORK?
Each EndoMune capsule contains 10 billion health-promoting bacteria. The bacteria have been freezed-dried, and are reactivated upon ingestion. Once within the intestines, the bacteria from EndoMune defend against harmful bacteria within the GI tract. Since the bacteria are living organisms, it's recommended to keep EndoMune refrigerated in order to maintain EndoMune's high potency.
WHO SHOULD TAKE A PROBIOTIC?
Probiotics are taken to enhance intestinal digestion which can lessen gas production, bloating, IBS and antibiotic-related diarrhea. Probiotics are safe, comprised of naturally-occurring bacteria. It's these bacteria that flourish within the intestinal lining, helping to keep harmful bacteria from inhabiting the intestines. While probiotics are safe for most individuals, anyone suffering from an immune deficiency disease, such as HIV/AIDS, should consult a physician prior to taking any probiotic supplement.
WHY ARE PROBIOTICS THE BEST CHOICE TO TREAT INTESTINAL GAS?
Intestinal gas is a normal byproduct of digestion. Unfortunately, many people suffer with abdominal bloating, distention and excess flatulence. For some individuals, it is due to lack of certain intestinal digestive enzymes like Lactase. For others, it is due to excess intake of gas forming foods, like fruits, vegetables, beans and indigestible fiber. The problem is that there are really limited products that can help alleviate intestinal gas and the associated symptoms.Probiotics, like EndoMune, have shown benefit in lessening gas formation and the associated symptoms. Some of the bacteria contain Lactase which can ease the gas formation due to consumption of dairy products. The bacteria in probiotics can affect the production of methane gas. Less methane gas has been shown to improve intestinal activity leading to less gas retention in the gut. In addition, the bacteria can aid some of the other nondigestible carbohydrates and ease some of the gas formation. More Info...
WHY IS ENDOMUNE BETTER THAN YOGURT?
The difference is the potency of each EndoMune capsule. One capsule contains 6 billion health-promoting bacteria. While yogurt has always contained live bacteria, most yogurts contain limited bacteria that don't survive stomach acid. Probiotic supplements, on the other hand, are a highly concentrated supplement composed of bacteria that can withstand the acids in the stomach. Gallons of yogurt would need to be consumed for the same potency as one EndoMune capsule!
HOW LONG UNTIL I FEEL A DIFFERENCE FROM ENDOMUNE?
Some individuals notice a difference in intestinal digestion within as few as 7-10 days. While everyone is different, some individuals may notice positive results sooner. For only $0.70 a day, it's important to take EndoMune consistently in order to enhance the positive bacteria colonies within your intestines.
HOW LONG DO I NEED TO STAY ON ENDOMUNE?
While enhanced digestion may be noticed within a week, those results may disappear just as quickly. Lifestyle issues, such as alcohol consumption, unhealthy dietary habits, stress and medications like antibiotics can quickly disrupt the healthy intestinal bacterial balance in favor of the harmful bacteria. The presence of these harmful bacteria can contribute to the intestinal disorders of Irritable bowel syndrome, Inflammatory bowel disease (Ulcerative colitis/Crohn's disease), and the symptoms of bloating, gas and abdominal distention. In addition, diarrhea and constipation have been linked to an imbalance of the intestinal flora.
WHY ARE REFRIGERATED PROBIOTICS, SUCH AS ENDOMUNE, BETTER THAN NON-REFRIGERATED PROBIOTICS?
Proper manufacturing standards enhance the bacteria survival, increasing the impact of the supplement upon ingestion. Three environmental factors destroy bacteria: heat, oxygen and moisture. EndoMune's brown glass bottle is more impervious to oxygen than are plastic bottles. The glass bottles have been nitrogen-flushed and the bacteria freezed dried to eliminate both oxygen and moisture. Additionally, refrigeration protects the health-promoting bacteria from heat. The standards are crucial, and should be upheld with any probiotic.
WHAT IS TRAVELER'S DIARRHEA?
Traveler's diarrhea (TD) is the most frequent illness that occurs while on trips. It affects 20-50% of international travelers going to developing countries in Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia.Individuals at particular risk are those who have inflammatory bowel disease, diabetes, are immunocompromised, or taking medication to suppress gastric acid production.
The most common source causing the diarrhea is the consumption of food or beverages contaminated with fecal bacteria. It is best to avoid tap water, ice, raw vegetables and fruits (unless they can be peeled). Don't buy food or drinks from street vendors. More Info...
Probiotics seem to be a more a more natural approach to prevent TD. EndoMune customers have seen positive results with regard to TD:
"I've taken Endomune consistently every day since last year. I'm glad I was taking it when I went on my trip to Cancun a week ago. I experienced some intestinal distress while I was there, but it only lasted a very short time. I believe that Endomune played a role in allowing me to overcome and cope with the digestive issues. They lasted only half a day compared to two to three days for my co-workers who I was traveling with. In fact, two of them didn't even come out of their rooms until the last day of the trip!" - Natalie (June 30, 2008)
CAN ENDOMUNE HELP LESSEN THE THREAT OF TRAVELER'S DIARRHEA?
Probiotics improve the intestinal barrier against harmful bacteria. The bacteria in Endomune stimulate the intestinal immune system, and adhere to the lining cells which improves the intestinal defenses against bad bacteria ingested in food and water while traveling in foreign countries.
WHAT IS IRRITABLE BOWEL SYNDROME?
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) is a disorder which has the following features: abdominal pain or discomfort, and altered stool habits (constipation and/or diarrhea). Other terms used to describe this disorder have been spastic colon and spastic colitis. The symptoms are long-term or recurrent.IBS affects approximately 25 to 45 million people in the United States or 10-15% of the general population. IBS is more common in females and can affect children as well as adults.
There have been a number of studies utilizing probiotics for IBS. The results have been generally favorable. A recent report found that a probiotic was effective in alleviating IBS symptoms and reducing inflammatory chemicals (cytokines) which suggests the probiotic bacteria had a positive effect on the intestinal immune system.
Taking Endomume on a daily basis may modify the intestinal microflora and alleviate the symptoms of IBS. Fortunately, Endomune has no drug interactions when taking with other medications and is not associated with any adverse reactions in healthy individuals. More Info...
WHAT CAUSES GAS, BLOATING AND ABDOMINAL DISTENTION?
All humans have gas in their gastrointestinal tract. Depending on how it is measured, the gas in the intestinal tract varies from 3 to 6 ounces. The average adult produces 16 to 48 ounces of intestinal gas resulting inabout 14 to 23 gas passages/day.The type of food, and beverages consumed and whether the individual smokes or chews gum will have a significant impact on the amount of gas produced and passed. Carbonated beverages will increase intestinal gas. Eating a healthy diet of fruits, vegetables and high fiber grains increases intestinal gas formation.
Having the right balance of bacteria in the intestines can be important to lessen the symptoms of bloating, distention and gas. Probiotics, containing bacterial strains
similar to those in Endomune have been studied and utilized to help lessen these symptoms. There have been positive results in many of the studies. There are no effective prescription medications to alleviate excess gas formation. One of the nice aspects of probiotics is the fact that they are safe and without significant side effects. Given the positive studies, taking Endomune may improve the digestion and absorption of the complex and simple carbohydrates. More Info...
WHAT IS ANTIBIOTIC-ASSOCIATED DIARRHEA?
Antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) is a common complication of antibiotic use. It occurs more frequently with certain antibiotics, such as, ampicillin, amoxicillin-clavulate, cefixime, and clindamycin.There are at least two forms of diarrhea related to antibiotic use. They both occur due to the destruction of the beneficial bacteria that reside in the intestines. The good intestinal bacteria aid in the breakdown of the nondigestible carbohydrates in the diet, like the fiber in whole grains and in fruits and vegetables. Through the process of bacterial fermentation, the carbohydrates are broken down to molecules that can be absorbed. As they are absorbed, so is the fluid in the colon which results in formed stools. This process is interrupted when the good bacteria are destroyed by the antibiotics.
There are ongoing trials looking at specific probiotic strains and dosages for preventing and treating AAD. The mixture of bacterial strains in Endomune can help maintain the healthy bacteria during antibiotic usage. More Info...
IS IT TRUE THAT A PROBIOTIC CAN REDUCE THE RISK OF CANCER?
Although no studies have ever proved the link between probiotics and cancer reduction, probiotics can help maintain a healthy colon. The bacteria within probiotics may help eliminate harmful carcinogens. The important point to keep in mind is that probiotics, in general, are a key to good health, and good health is a positive for the body overall.
WHAT IS COLITIS?
Colitis is a common term frequently used by the general population to explain or describe their GI symptoms. Colitis only means inflammation of the colon and does not refer to a specific disorder.There are numerous types of colitis. The two major categories are infectious, and the inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), Ulcerative colitis (UC), and Crohn’s colitis.
The cause of the UC and Crohn's disease is not known. These disorders are immune mediated, that is, the body produces immune reactions to its own tissue. The immune system of the intestines protects against the invasion of harmful bacteria, viruses, yeast, parasites, and toxins. In IBD, the immune system is activated even though no known harmful organisms have been identified. It has been theorized that the intestinal immune system is reacting inappropriately to the normal intestinal bacteria resulting in a chronic inflammatory process. Treatment of IBD is based on medications that down-regulate the immune mediated inflammatory process. In addition, there have been a large number of therapeutic studies using probiotics. It has been proposed that altering the intestinal microflora through the ingestion of beneficial bacteria, it may be possible to modify or eliminate the intestinal inflammation and prevent its recurrence. There have been a number of trials using probiotics in UC and Crohn's colitis which have shown significant benefit. Probiotics, like Endomune, are being studied to determine the exact mechanisms in which the bacteria can ameliorate the immune reaction.
Further information can be found at:
http://www.touchbriefings.com/pdf/1489/Gionchetti.pdf
http://www.gastro-pro.org
