Page 35
To place an order, go to
or call (800) 633-1106
Since 1911
•
Willner Chemists: The Nutritional Supplement Professionals
Specific Strains of Probiotics Can Support
Healthy Immunity
The intestinal epithelium is a continuous physical-functional
barrier protecting our internal environment against undesirable
external influences. Surface disruptions cause the loss of
epithelial cells, degrading our immune barriers. Disruptive
factors include reactions to dietary components,
gastrointestinal secretory substances, and microbes
(xenobiotics).
Probiotics are defined as products which contain viable non-
pathogenic microorganisms able to confer health benefits to
the host. In a healthy adult, cells of microorganisms are
estimated to outnumber human cells by a factor of 10:1.
Aging changes our gut microbiota (microbial community)
composition and alters immune system function. There are
many studies of adults linking altered gut microbiota with
health problems such as digestive, immune, and bowel issues.
Probiotics, prebiotics, and related factors may affect the health
status of seniors by modifying their G.I. environment and
improving the composition of the microbial community, which
modulates the immune system.
Bacteria form colonies and communicate both among
themselves and with intestinal cells. Communication between
Natural Killer and Dendritic (antigen-presenting) cells is
expedited via immunomodulation by certain bacterial
probiotics such as Lactobacillus acidophilus. Immune
problems may be caused by miscommunication between
bacteria and our cells, especially certain autoimmune
reactions, unless a healthy microbial community is maintained.
Each probiotic strain has specific health benefits, but doesn’t
provide every health benefit associated with general probiotic
use. A probiotic’s origin (soil, food, human feces) also doesn’t
guarantee benefits because “human strains” originate in food,
soil, or water and to be an oral probiotic a strain must be:
• An identifiable safe species
• A specific microbial strain proven to have human health
benefits
• Bile- and acid-resistant to reach the gut intact
• Viable throughout processing and in retail packaging to
deliver the benefits to consumers, with clear label potency
claims and storage requirements (preferably shelf stable for
convenience)
Research indicates that some probiotic strains promote
health-related functions, including normal host resistance to
microbes. Immune competency requires a balanced
interaction of microflora, gut epithelium (the cells lining the
G.I. tract), and our immune cells. Disruption of these
structural interactions contributes to potential immune
dysfunction and short-term inflammation. Lactobacillus
bacteria have been successful in helping address these issues.
Here are two examples of the clinical science supporting
strain-specific probiotic bacteria:
Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM®:
In a study of healthy children 3-5 years old without known
pre-existing diseases, probiotic supplementation with L.
acidophilus NCFM® (10 billion CFU/day) maintained healthy
immune system function better than the placebo group.*
Daily supplementation of L. acidophilus NCFM® for 6 months
was a safe, effective way to reduce the number of missed
school days.2*
In mouse studies, oral administration of L. acidophilus
NCFM® effectively maintained healthy cellular health in the
colon. *
Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM® has several positive
characteristics. It survives passage through the G.I. tract (is
inherently acid resistant) and positively influences the gut
microflora.* In healthy adults, consumption increases the
number of Lactobacilli in the feces, indicating survival after
oral supplementation. *
Bifidobacterium lactis Bl-04:
In a pilot study of healthy adults, B. lactis Bl-04 (20 billion
CFU/day) modulated immune responses and induced a faster
increase in serum IgG concentrations than several other
probiotic strains or a placebo. *
Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM® combined with
Bifidobacterium lactis Bl-04:
In a 4-month, double-blind, randomized study, 47 children
with birch pollen allergy received this probiotic combination (5
billion CFU/day) or placebo. The allergy changed fecal
microbiota composition. Symptoms were recorded in a diary.
The strains were selected based on their inflammatory
modulating properties and immune supporting effects.* Blood
samples were taken for analysis of cytokines and eosinophils,
and nasal swabs for eosinophils. Fecal samples were analyzed
for microbiota components, calprotectin, and IgA. This
specific combination of probiotics prevented pollen-induced
infiltration of eosinophils into nasal mucosa, with a trend for
reduced nasal symptoms. *
These examples show the power of specific strains of
probiotic bacteria to support healthy immune system
function.*
References:
Probiotics. Best Pract Res Clin Gastroenterol 2004. Review.
PMID: 15123071.
Pediatrics. 2009. PMID: 19651563.
Gut microbiota of healthy elderly NSAID users is selectively
modified with the administration of Lactobacillus acidophilus
NCFM and lactitol. Age (Dordr). 2012 PMID: 21853265.
Role of natural killer and dendritic cell crosstalk in
immunomodulation by commensal bacteria probiotics. J
Biomed Biotechnol. 2011 Review. PMID: 21660136
Sex differences in the gut microbiome drive hormone-
dependent regulation of autoimmunity. Science. 2013 PMID:
23328391.
J Ind Microbiol Biotechnol. 2011. PMID: 21626209.
NCFM® is a trademark of the North Carolina Agricultural
Foundation, Inc. and is used under license.
Br J Nutr. 2012 PMID: 21992995.
Danisco Howaru product monograph
Effects of seven potential probiotic strains on specific immune
responses in healthy adults: a double-blind, randomized,
controlled trial. FEMS Immunol Med Microbiol. 2008. PMID:
18422632.
By Neil Edward Levin, CCN, DANLA
Senior Nutrition Education Manager of NOW® Health Group
Past President of American Nutrition Association
“
Probiotics are defined as products which contain viable non-
pathogenic microorganisms able to confer health benefits to the
host. In a healthy adult, cells of microorganisms are estimated to
outnumber human cells by a factor of 10:1. Aging changes our gut
microbiota (microbial community) composition and alters immune
system function. There are many studies of adults linking altered gut
microbiota with health problems such as digestive, immune, and
bowel issues. Probiotics, prebiotics, and related factors may affect
the health status of seniors by modifying their G.I. environment and
improving the composition of the microbial community, which
modulates the immune system.”
Willner Chemists
Product Recommendation:
NOW® combines the two clinically
tested strains - Lactobacillus
acidophilus NCFM with
Bifidobacterium lactis Bl-04 - in their
Respiratory Care Probiotic formula to
help provide a robust but balanced
immune response to seasonal
respiratory challenges:
Protocol for Life
Protodophilus Respiratory Care
12 Billion - 60 Vcaps
Product Code: 67641
Note:
Information in this article is provided for informational purposes only. Any and all information is not intended as a
substitute for the advice provided by your physician or other healthcare provider. These statements have not been evaluated
by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
