Probiotics and Acidophilus Information

Probiotics refers to a category of dietary supplements consisting of beneficial microorganisms.  Probiotics compete with disease-causing microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract of humans and animals.  When helpful bacteria such as acidophilus are reintroduced into the gastrointestinal tract, the result is balance.  There is more acidophilus information below.

Acidophilus information:  Acidophilus is, technically, the strain of naturally occurring live bacteria known as Lactobacillus acidophilus bacteria.  However, products sold as acidophilus may also contain L. bulgaricus and other strains of lactic bacteria.

The Green Turtle Bay Vitamin Co. products contain 5 active probiotics: lactobacillus acidophilus bacteria, bulgaricus, rhamnosus, bifidobacterium longum, and bifido bifidum.

More acidophilus information:  Acidophilus is a lactobacillus, one of several lactobacilli (this is the plural).  So if you see lactobacillus acidophilus bacteria you will know it is the friendly probiotics flora or bacteria we all desire.

Beneficial bacteria such as acidophilus are essential to the healthy functioning of the gastrointestinal system, where they play a role in the digestion of food and the production of B vitamins.  Lactobacillus acidophilus bacteria is often recommended to replenish the population of “friendly” microorganisms that have been wiped out by a course of oral antibiotics,  Supplementation helps prevent fungi like Candida albicans (a cause of yeast infections) from spreading .  Lactobacillus acidophilus bacteria are also found in fermented milk products like yogurt and kefir, though most nutritionists agree such products are not high enough in acidophilus to replenish the intestinal flora.  Lactobacillus acidophilus bacteria products are kept refrigerated, unless specially formulated.  The Green Turtle Bay Vitamin products should not be refrigerated.  Acidophilus is nontoxic

The Green Turtle Bay Vitamin Co. incorporates five probiotics lactobacilli along with growth factors in our tablets.  By the way, “growth factors” do not make you grow or gain weight!  The lactobacilli that we use is in a dormant state.  When the swallowed tablet comes in contact with the gastric juices, it not only comes alive, it utilizes these growth factors as food to increase its presence.  With these lactobacilli, nutrients are better absorbed and utilized to give you energy.

Probiotics are responsible for several activities in the gut, including:  Manufacturing B vitamins, including biotin, niacin (B3), folic acid, and pyridoxine (B6); producing lactase; producing antibacterial substances which kill disease-causing bacteria killing harmful bacteria by changing the acid/alkaline balance and by depriving the harmful bacteria of the nutrients they need; improving digestive tract function; and combating vaginal yeast infections.

Streptococcus thermophi us is a probiotic found in yogurt and cheese, as well as heated and pasteurized milk.  It is used along with Lactobacillus bulgaricus to form a culture which is used in the preparation of yogurt.  When eaten or taken in a supplement, these bacteria enhance digestion of lactose by producing the enzyme lactase.