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About OptiBac

Daily probiotic support means normalising a healthy balance of friendly bacteria throughout the entire intestinal tract. With OptiBac, the different strains (or types) of friendly bacteria along with the prebiotics have been specifically chosen for the different clinically proven health benefits they convey in the different parts of the small and large (colon) intestine.

OptiBac provides a high potency and select variety of well researched and documented probiotic strains. In addition OptiBac is free from sugars, fats, preservatives or colourings that may be found in some daily probiotic foods and drinks.

How does OptiBac work?

Lactobacilli Strains:
Lactobacillus rhamnosus Rosell-11 and Lactobacillus acidophilus Rosell-52 are among the most well researched and documented species of friendly bacteria naturally resident in the human gut. These strains have been well studied to survive the gastric acids and bile salts expected at mealtimes and to reach the intestines without damage where they colonise well, support immune cells and create a healthy lactic acid environment that limits survival of harmful bacteria (e.g. Streptococus aureus, Enterobacter cloacae, Listeria monocytogenes).

Bifidobacteria Strains:
Bifidobacterium longum Rosell-175, Bifidobacterium breve Rosell-70 and Bifidobacterium bifidum Rosell-71 colonise primarily in the large intestine (or colon). In this region they promote the production of antibodies, support the body against toxins and inhibit the development of undesirable bacteria by competitively excluding their attachment to the intestinal. In addition, a healthy balance of bifidobacteria supports the intestines in assisting transit and optimizing a healthy frequency and regularity of bowel movements.

Lactococcus lactis Rosell-1058:
This strain is obtained from the kefir culture and is renowned for the antimicrobial benefits in supporting the body against undesirable harmful bacteria and some fungi.

Prebiotics:
The non-digestible FOS (fructooligosaccharides) safely make their way to the large intestine (colon) where they act as a food source to stimulate growth of the bifidobacteria. The symbiotic relationship between bifidobacteria and prebiotics in the colon has a great impact on supporting intestinal health and wellbeing.

Background Information

Did you know that each of us has around 100,000,000,000,000 bacteria in our intestines?

That is 10 times the number of cells in our body, and can weigh around 1.5 kg! This 'microflora' consists of both friendly probiotic bacteria and bad pathogenic bacteria that co-exist in a complex ecosystem. Having a healthy balance of probiotics over pathogens plays an important role in digestion and immunity.

Friendly bacteria support digestion in several capacities. A healthy balance of friendly bacteria in the intestines provides specific enzymes needed in the digestion of particular substances, produces B complex vitamins and vitamin K, and improves the absorption and uptake of minerals and nutrients in the diet.

A healthy balance of friendly bacteria also helps maintain overall immunity as up to two-thirds of the body’s immunity is managed in the intestines. Where there is a healthy balance of friendly bacteria in the intestines, acidity is high which hinders the growth and survival of bad bacteria, and enables the growth of friendly bacteria to multiply and exclude the bad bacteria.

However, the balance of bacteria in the gut is fragile and can easily be disrupted by everyday factors such as stress, ageing, medication (e.g. antibiotics), environment and diet.

Research has shown the benefits to digestion, health and immunity for people with a healthy balance of friendly bacteria. OptiBac with 6 carefully chosen probiotic strains and prebiotics (to help the friendly bacteria flourish) is the leading multi-strain general probiotic offering daily support for a healthy lifestyle.

Clinical Information / Research

Hill, M. J. (1997) Intestinal flora and endogenous vitamin synthesis. European Journal of Cancer Prevention; Vol. 6 Suppl. 1 pp. S43 – 5

Guarner, F. & Malagelada, J. R. (2003) Gut flora in health and disease. Lancet; Vol. 8 pp. 512 – 9

Kimoto, H. et al (2004) New Lactococcus strain with immunomodulatory activity: enhancement of Th1-type immune response. Microbiology and Immunology; Vol. 48 (2) pp.75 – 82

Kumar et al. (2005) Beneficial effects of probiotics and prebiotics on human health; Pharmazie Vol. 60 (3) pp.163 - 71

Drisko, J. A., Giles C. K. & Bischoff B. J. (2003) Probiotics in health maintenance and disease prevention. Alternative Medicine Review; Vol. 8 (2) pp.143 - 55.