Probiota Immune Product Label 
ProBiota Immune by Seeking Health is a novel prebiotic formulation containing galactooligosaccharides and beta-glucans. Galactooligosaccharides are digestion-resistant carbohydrates that stimulate the growth of beneficial intestinal microorganisms such as Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus. Beta-glucans are polysaccharides that favorably modulate a variety of immune parameters. Both ingredients enhance natural resistance, help balance Th1/Th2 lymphocyte responses, and promote immunotolerance to environmental allergens. ProBiota Immune is hypoallergenic, can safely be used by children or adults and may be particularly suitable for infants, the elderly, or other persons with suboptimal immune function.
ProBiota Immune is designed for persons who wish to beneficially modify their intestinal microflora so as to improve gastrointestinal function and optimize their immune responses. This formula can be used by children or adults and may be particularly suitable for infants, the elderly, or other persons with suboptimal immune function.
ProBiota Immune Supports:
- Growth of beneficial intestinal bacteria
- Decreased pathogenic bacteria
- Healthy immune response
Galactooligosaccharides
Prebiotic properties have been ascribed to a variety of substances but have been best documented for digestion-resistant oligosaccharides such as inulin-type fructans and galactooligosaccharides (GOS). GOS are galactose-containing oligosaccharides naturally found in both bovine and human milk. The GOS used in ProBiota Immune are derived from cow’s milk, but the material is highly purified and completely free of dairy allergens. GOS are composed of glucose moieties bound to b-glycosidically linked galactose oligomers of 2-5 monomers in length. Prebiotic applications of GOS are of great interest because of their natural occurrence in human milk. The colonization and growth of bifidobacteria in the infant intestinal tract may in fact be attributable in large part to the presence of GOS in maternal milk.
Adding a GOS mixture to infant formula has been shown in studies to significantly boost intestinal bifidobacteria numbers while reducing levels of potential pathogens such as Clostridium, Enterobacter, Klebsiella, Pseudomonas, and Staphylococcus. In vitro data suggest GOS may be able to inhibit adherence of enteropathogenic Escherichia coli to epithelial cell surfaces more effectively than other commonly used prebiotics. GOS intake can benefit adults as well as infants. In one clinical trial, as little as 2.5 g/day of GOS for 3 weeks significantly increased fecal bifidobacteria levels in a group of healthy adults while reducing the activity of nitroreductase, a bacterial enzyme that catalyzes production of potentially carcinogenic compounds in the intestinal tract.
Prebiotic modification of the gut microbiota can bring about significant enhancements to immune function. As noted above, the intestinal microflora has a profound effect on the development and proper functioning of GALT. Animals raised in germ-free environments have markedly lower levels of enteromucosal immune cells and serum immunoglobulins and are more susceptible to infection. When these animals are exposed to gastrointestinal luminal microbes there is an almost immediate stimulatory effect on development of immune cells and structures. GOS selectively augment the proliferation of organisms like bifidobacteria known to have a beneficial impact on immune function. In one double-blind, placebo-controlled experiment, infants were administered either a standard milk formula or one containing 0.6g/dL of a prebiotic mixture comprised of 90% GOS. After 26 weeks, infants consuming the GOS formula had significantly higher fecal levels of secretory IgA and bifidobacteria and lower levels of clostridial species. Secretory IgA is a highly protective immunochemical that prevents adherence of pathogenic microbes to mucosal surfaces and enhances the neutralization and clearance of viruses. In support of these findings, a double-blind, placebo-controlled study involving 206 term infants found that supplementation with 0.8g/dL of a 90% GOS mixture for 6 months increased fecal bifidobacteria levels and significantly reduced the incidence of all types of infection, including upper respiratory tract infections, infections requiring antibiotic treatment, and recurrent (<2 episodes) infections.
Apart from infants, a group that may particularly benefit from GOS supplementation is the elderly. Aging has been associated with a pronounced decline in bifidobacterial species, increased levels of potential pathogens and putrefactive microbes, and impairments to immune function. In a double-blind, placebocontrolled, crossover trial involving 44 elderly subjects, supplementation with 5.5 g/d GOS for 10 weeks significantly increased fecal Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus-Enterococcus populations. Analysis of blood samples also evidenced a variety of immune enhancements in the GOS group including significant increases in phagocytosis, natural killer (NK) cell cytolytic activity, and levels of the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin-10 (IL-10). Additionally, proinflammatory cytokines IL-1b, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor-a· were all significantly decreased. A bivariate correlational analysis revealed that enhancements to NK cell and phagocyte activity were positively correlated with increased Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus-Enterococcus levels demonstrating that improvements made to the intestinal flora can produce benefits that extend beyond the gastrointestinal environment.
The interaction between microfloral and intestinal mucosal cells stimulates not only defensive but tolerogenic immune responses. Evidence suggests immunochemicals derived from proallergic T helper type 2 (Th2) cells create a favorable environment for embryonic implantation and successful pregnancy leading to a Th2-skewed cytokine profile early in life. Ideally, postnatal antigenic stimulation of GALT by intestinal microbes induces production of counterbalancing cytokines from Th1, Th3, and T regulatory (Tr1) cells. Failure to acquire a healthy microflora during the neonatal period, however, may contribute to prolonged Th2 dominance and a subsequent allergic predisposition. The mounting number of research studies showing that provision of probiotics to neonates and infants reduces the incidence of atopy later in life is strong evidence that healthful microorganisms are a prerequisite to developing immunological tolerance.
In addition to balancing Th1/Th2 responses, probiotic microorganisms also contribute to the degradation of allergy-promoting dietary antigens such as casein, and limit antigen translocation by reducing intestinal permeability. By supporting the development and maintenance of a beneficial microflora, prebiotics like GOS likewise help promote immunotolerance. In vitro and animal data show oligosaccharide mixtures containing GOS enhance Th1 leukocyte responses while reducing Th2 responses. A 9:1 GOS mixture has also been shown to significantly suppress ovalbumin-induced airway inflammation and hyperresponsiveness in Th2-prone mice. In humans, a double-blind, placebo-controlled trial showed administration of 0.8g/dL of a 9:1 GOS mixture significantly reduced the incidence of atopic dermatitis in a group of infants with a parental history of atopy. In this study, GOS supplementation also increased bifidobacteria levels and significantly improved stool frequency and consistency. Interestingly, a follow-up to this study showed that infants who consumed GOS experienced significant reductions in the incidence of dermatitis, recurrent wheezing, and allergic urticaria up to 18 months after the termination of the intervention period.
Beyond favorably modulating the intestinal microflora and enhancing immune function, supplementation with GOS may also improve absorption of certain dietary nutrients such as minerals. Although the mechanism is not entirely clear, facilitated absorption may be mediated through increased production of short-chain fatty acids which lowers intestinal pH and improves mineral solubility. Alternatively, GOS may act osmotically to increase luminal fluid content and thus increase passive absorption of minerals. Whatever the mechanism, GOS feeding to rats has been shown to significantly increase the amount of calcium absorbed and retained in the body. Magnesium absorption is also increased and its experimental depletion from serum and tissues are prevented by GOS feeding. Importantly, preliminary data from studies on ovariectomized rats suggest GOS supplementation may prevent age-associated bone loss.
Beta-Glucans
Beta-Glucans are ubiquitous polysaccharides consisting of thousands of glucose molecules linked by combinations of b-(1Õ3)/b-(1Õ6) or b-(1Õ3)/b-(1Õ4) bonds. Beta-glucans function mainly as structural components of the cell walls of bacteria, algae, lichens, plants, and fungi. They can also be secreted into the extracellular milieu by certain fungal organisms. The biological activity of beta-glucans depends largely on structural features of the molecules such as degree of polymerization, branching frequency, and types of linkages. Beta-glucans from plants such as oats and barley contain mostly b-(1Õ3)/ b-(1Õ4) linkages and have been extensively studied for their lipid-lowering capacity. Beta-glucans derived from certain mushrooms, seaweed, and the brewer’s yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae consist mainly of b-(1Õ3) linkages with varying degrees of b-(1Õ6) branching. This form of beta-glucan has been found to favorably modulate immune responses primarily by binding to cellular elements of the innate immune system such as macrophages, dendritic cells, neutrophils, and NK cells. These immune cells express receptors that recognize and have a binding affinity for beta-glucans. Binding of beta-glucans to such pivotal membrane receptors as complement receptor 3 (CR3) and dectin-1 augments a number of defensive cellular responses including cytotoxicity, respiratory burst activity, neutrophil chemotaxis, phagocytosis, and cytokine production.
Beta-glucans also stimulate proliferation of various leukocyte populations including neutrophils, monocytes, and certain lymphocyte subsets. Research in living systems finds beta-glucans effectively enhance immune function, typically without increasing production of inflammatory cytokines. Animal data show that ingestion of beta-glucans, in a sulfated or unsulfated form, facilitates a healthy immune response to a wide spectrum of pathogens such as Candida albicans, Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli, Bacillus anthracis, and influenza virus. Oral administration of beta-glucan also confers significant protection against E. coli lipopolysaccharide-induced renal and hepatic injury in rats. In an interesting experiment, beta-glucans administered parenterally or orally to mice challenged with subcutaneous injection of anthrax spores (LD70) significantly increased their survival time compared to unsupplemented animals. Post mortem evaluation revealed significantly lower levels of B. anthracis organisms in the lungs and a significantly higher percentage of bacteria-free animals in the beta-glucan groups. In a similar experiment, prophylactically administered beta-glucan (2 or 20 mg/kg/d for 7 days) increased the survival rate of mice to 100%.
Beta-glucans have also demonstrated immune-potentiating properties in humans. In one study, 4 consecutive daily doses of 400 mg of beta-glucan, administered as a mouthwash for 2 minutes and then swallowed, significantly increased salivary IgA from baseline levels. In another study, laser irradiation plus supplementation with lentinan, a beta-glucan polysaccharide derived from shiitake mushroom, significantly reduced the recurrence rate of condyloma acuminatum compared to laser irradiation alone. In a double-blind, placebo-controlled study, 17 patients receiving pre- and postsurgical intravenous infusions of beta-glucan experienced significantly fewer postoperative infectious complications than control patients receiving only saline. Similar results were obtained in a larger, multicenter study in which perioperative injection of beta-glucan resulted in a 39% reduction in serious infections and death in patients undergoing non-colorectal gastrointestinal surgery.
Research in both animals and humans indicates beta-glucan ingestion may also effectively mitigate allergic symptoms. Like GOS, beta-glucans help restore a balance between Th1 and Th2 lymphocyte responses. Macrophages derived from beta-glucan-supplemented animals exhibit a distinct skewing towards production of Th1 cytokines such as IL-12 and away from proallergic Th2 cytokines such as IL-6 and IL-10. Interestingly, epidemiological data show a biphasic pattern in which low exposure to beta-glucans during childhood correlates with increased risk of allergic symptoms whereas high exposure is associated with reduced risk. Clinical data clearly show supplemental beta-glucan downregulates the allergic response. In one trial, 15 mg/d of a dispersible beta-glucan preparation administered for 8 weeks led to a significant reduction in symptoms of rhinitis and rhinoconjunctivitis in subjects with a history of seasonal and perennial allergies. Symptom improvements were correlated with a decrease in serum IgE titers. In another trial, 12 patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis were administered 10 mg of beta-glucan twice daily. After 12 weeks, levels of the Th1 cytokine IL-12 in nasal lavage fluid were significantly increased compared to baseline levels, while Th2 cytokines IL-4 and IL-5, along with eosinophils, were significantly decreased. These favorable changes were not observed in the placebo group.
Additional Details of ProBiota Immune - 150 grams - Seeking Health
Cost Per Serving: $1.50
Weight:
0.2 lbs
SKU:
023-05-002-05
Additional notes:
Free of the following common allergens: milk/casein, eggs, fish, shellfish, tree nuts, peanuts, wehat/gluten, corn, and soybeans. Contains no artificial colors, flavors, or preservatives.
Brand:
Seeking Health
Delivery type:
Powder
MPN:
023-05-002-05
UPC:
828054134355
Return Policy:
45 Day Money Back Guarantee!
Made In:
Canada
