Research & Technical Articles Facts & Fallacies About Probiotics Particularly Concerning the Beneficial Aspect of Lactobacillus acidolphilus DDS-1 by Dr. Khem Shahani, Professor, Food Science & Technology, University of Nebraska Vital Flora Support Links Vital Flora Support Probiotics – Beneficial Bacteria Facts & Fallacies About Probiotics How Much Do I Need? Other Hot Products Chitosan Vital-Zymes Vital Emerald Harvest Vital Super Antioxidant Definition How do I order? Phone 540-286-2400 Internet Secure Online Order Form Human beings eat food to derive energy and nutrition for the purpose of sustenance, growth and reproduction. In fact, this is true for all the living systems, such as plants, microorganisms and animals. In the case of animals, the food is partially digested in the alimentary canal, mouth and stomach and finally in the intestine, where the partially digested food is ultimately metabolized by millions and millions of microorganisms working simultaneously and synergistically. It has been said that there are more bacteria in and on one person at one time than there are people on this earth. Fortunately, however, less than one percent of all the known types of microorganisms are undesirable or pathogenic. A healthy intestine is one which maintains a critical balance between various groups of these bacteria such as lactobacilli, streptococci, clostridia, coliform and bacteriodes. Any sub-optimal or unhealthy conditions like stress, onset of disease, ingestion of antibiotics and/or medicines, and improper food and rest, and harmful environmental conditions may endanger this fine balance in the intestinal flora, resulting in the reduction of the friendly or beneficial bacteria like lactobacilli and bifidobacteria in the gut. For centuries the lactic acid bacteria have been used for the preservation of food for human consumption. It has been well documented that certain types of lactobacilli and bifidobacteria are essential or desirable for optimal health. Metchnikoff 1 was perhaps the first researcher, and he concluded in 1908 that the long life span of the Balkans was due to the ingestion of large quantities of lactobacilli and other lactic organisms through fermented foods, which inhibit pathogens and detoxify their system. For nearly a hundred years research has been conducted on lactobacillic cultures and many amazing facts about their "probiotic" nature have been established. Probiotic refers to those microorganisms which may prevent or reduce the effect of an infection caused by a pathogenic organism. In fact, such probiotic aspects have been consequently related closely to the beneficial nutritional and therapeutic properties of these organisms. > Facts & Fallacies continued Home | Product Line | Endorsements | FAQs | Research | Order Products VITAL PRODUX™ 44 Mine Rd. Suite 2, PMB 209 Stafford, Virginia  22554  USA 540-286-2400 – FAX: 540-752-4765 E-mail: info@VitalProdux.com Copyright © 1996-2003, VTI, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Text, graphics, and HTML code are protected by US and International Copyright Laws, and may not be copied, reprinted, published, translated, hosted, or otherwise distributed by any means without explicit permission. Vital Produx™ is a trademark of VTI, Inc. Other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.