HealthBac
	A probiotic bacterial strain must be able to: ¢ Survive stomach acid and bile. ¢ Reach the intestine alive in adequate numbers. Intestinal flora: The human intestines contain an average of approximately 1014 microorganisms, made up of more than 1000 different species. This microflora has a symbiotic relationship with the host organism and protects the body against infections, assists digestion, produces nutrients, and plays an important role in the immune system. A good microfloral balance in the intestines is essential for those functions and for the health of the host. When the intestinal flora is in balance, both beneficial and harmful microorganisms (pathogens) are present. This balance can be disturbed by factors such as: ¢ The use of antibiotics ¢ Stress ¢ Endurance sport ¢ An unbalanced diet Disturbing the balance creates a risk that the beneficial intestinal bacteria will be suppressed and that the pathogenic bacteria will become dominant. Health benefits: Probiotics are used to redress and maintain the balance of microflora. The health benefits of probiotics are attracting a great deal of interest from scientists, as is apparent from the report of the Food and Agriculture Organization and the World Health Organization, in which the various potential health and nutritional benefits of probiotics are evaluated. This report notes the following problems associated with the disturbed flora and concludes: "The application of PROBIOTICS to prevent and treat these disorders should be more widely considered by the medical community." Problems directly linked with the intestine: ¢ Diarrhea ¢ Antibiotic-associated diarrhea ¢ Traveler's diarrhea ¢ Infantile diarrhea (Rotavirus) ¢ Caused by food pathogens ¢ Constipation ¢ IBS/IBD ¢ Helicobacter Pylori infection Diseases directly linked with the intestine: ¢ Allergies ¢ Cardiovascular disease ¢ Urinary tract infections ¢ Yeast vaginitis/Bacterial vaginosis ¢ Chiron's disease ¢ Colitis ¢ Liver Disease Survival of the gastro-intestinal tract: This study was executed at the medical microbiology department of the University of Maastricht. 50 students were administered a probiotic supplement (Ecologic 500) and 50 students a placebo (randomized placebo controlled double-blind). The students measured the amount of Lactobacilli in samples of their feces at the end of the supplementation. The results showed a significant increase in the amount of lactobacilli in the feces after Ecologic 500 consumption. This implies the survival of the bacteria in Ecologic 500 in the gastrointestinal tract.