Flora Plus Probiotics - 60 Capsules

• Digestion and elimination: The microbiome (intestinal bacteria) is home to over 500 species of microorganisms. Our Flora Plus formula maximizes the function of this essential system by proliferating healthy bacteria while also maintaining the integrity of the mucosal lining. These components are  inadvertently affected by stress and environmental toxicity, poor nutrition, compromised elimination - and the fight or flight response that we are bombarded with everyday. 
  
  
• Immunity: Research validates that approximately 80% of our immunity resides in the gut.  Some of the essential tasks of gut bacteria include the elimination of toxins, optimizing  hormonal balance, decreasing the effect of cortisol, and balancing insulin, all of which help decrease the incidence of disease. 
  
  
• Mental Well Being: the gut is also responsible for the metabolism of most of our serotonin, also known as the feel good hormone. Probiotics have been proven to enhance the release as well as the bio-availability of serotonin, which in turn leads us to feel calmer, less stressed and get better zzz’s. 
• Vitality: When you sleep better, eat better, and are less stressed, you’re more likely to have the energy to exercise and feel vital. Probiotics help you get there. 

Research: 

• https://www.longdom.org/open-access/the-benefits-of-probiotics-on-human-health-1948-5948.S1-003.pdf 
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC5622781/

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

1. What are probiotics?

Probiotics are composed of live bacteria and yeasts that help maintain your body in optimum health. You always have two kinds of bacteria in and on your body, both good and bad. The good bacteria helps by fighting off the bad bacteria (germs that cause illness) so you can feel better. With an infection, for example, the bad bacteria and use of antibiotics will unbalance your gut microbiome. Probiotic supplements provide a way to replenish the good bacteria in your body.

Two ways that probiotics keep you healthy:

• Probiotics help replace good bacteria in your body when you lose them (say, after taking antibiotics)
• Probiotics can help balance the "good" and "bad" bacteria to keep your body functioning as it should

2. What happens when you take probiotics every day? 

There is no official answer to this question because every individual is different. However, it’s generally recommended that probiotics be taken every day. Studies have been done which show that taking probiotics daily is beneficial. They are safe for daily consumption because probiotics are natural. Your body needs probiotics for a balanced microbiome and overall good health.

Daily use of probiotics can help:

• Improve your complexion
• Stabilize blood sugar levels
• Boost energy and reduce fatigue
• Support healthy weight
• Increase nutrient absorption
• Enhance your mood

By taking probiotics on a daily basis, you will get the most benefits from the good bacteria entering your gut. A healthy and balanced immune system response depends on plentiful good bacteria in the gut.

3. What are probiotics suggested for? 

Other than vitamins and minerals, probiotics were the third most commonly used dietary supplement in a 2012 survey.

Probiotics contain different types of micro-organisms (flora) such as bacteria (lactobacillus, bifidobacterium) and yeast (saccharomyces boulardii). Flora is naturally found in the body. However, certain conditions like antibiotic use or travel) can alter the normal balance in your gut microbiome. Probiotics are used to restore normal flora and improve digestion.

Probiotics are used not only to treat gastrointestinal conditions like irritable bowel syndrome but also eczema, yeast infections, urinary tract infections, and periodontal disease. The strongest evidence for the use of probiotics is in the treatment or prevention of 5 disorders: antibiotic-associated diarrhea, acute infectious diarrhea, necrotizing enterocolitis, acute respiratory tract infections, and infant colic.

4. Can probiotics work immediately?

Probiotics are live bacteria that can quickly clear up minor issues. For example, probiotics may work within a few days for symptoms of minor diarrhea. To treat chronic conditions and promote overall digestive and immune health, continuing to use probiotics over time will be most beneficial on an ongoing basis.

It will take most people 2 to 3 weeks to note significant benefits after starting probiotics. This is because probiotics take time to reduce inflammation, increase the good bacteria, and decrease the bad bacteria in the stomach and intestines.

The first change people typically notice is improvement in their digestion. As the probiotic bacteria work to rebalance your gut flora, quick improvement is noted in gas and bloating, as well as in regularity.

5. Is it okay to take probiotics on an empty stomach? 

Some manufacturers of probiotics recommend taking the supplement with food, while others advise taking it on an empty stomach. Probiotics may cause some minor side effects, such as gas, bloating, and even indigestion if you take them on an empty stomach. 

The micro-organisms in probiotics are thoroughly tested to ensure that they can survive various conditions in your stomach and intestines. Nevertheless, it has been shown that a small amount of dietary fat may improve probiotic survival in your digestive tract

Studies suggest that Saccharomyces boulardii micro-organisms survive equally well with or without a meal, while Lactobacillus micro-organisms survive better with carbs and sugar, as they rely upon glucose in an acidic environment.

Ultimately, consistency is more important than timing when it comes to getting all the benefits of probiotics.

6. Approximately how many colony-forming units (CFUs) are there in each dose?

Colony-forming units (CFU) indicate the number of live and active micro-organisms per serving of a probiotic supplement. These are generally measured in CFUs per gram or per milliliter.

Probiotic supplements typically consist of good probiotic bacteria, and occasionally of yeasts. Specific doses may depend on what probiotic strain is used and the purpose for which it is given. 

Probiotics average between 1 and 10 Billion CFUs in a single serving. Some manufacturers offer extremely high counts such as over 100 Billion CFUs, as higher doses have been shown to produce good results in most studies. However, some probiotics may be effective at 1–2 billion CFU per serving, while others may require at least 20 billion CFU to achieve the same effect.