Did you know that Health Canada (the Canadian version of the FDA that also monitors natural foods supplements in Canada) will not allow “probiotic” products containing Enterrococus faecium and Enterrococus faecalis into the country because “certain [so-called] probiotic bacteria have been associated with human illness and have a high-risk of developing antibiotic resistance and are not suited for use as probiotics, and the products containing these two species are rejected without further consideration.” This effectively means that Health Canada has deemed any probiotic product that has these species (E. faecalis and E. faceium) in its blend to be unsafe for human consumption. They go so far as to prohibit the sales of these products throughout Canada.
Furthermore, the US Food and Drug Administration has a bad “bug” book, where E. faecalis and E. faecium are listed as organisms that are detrimental to human health (listed as Streptococcus Group D, which is an old taxonomic ID of Enterococcus). Yet, the US government allows so-called “probiotic” marketers, who import their blends or products from Japan, to sell these dangerous bacteria, without considering the safety of consumers.
I have checked with all of my colleagues who represent American probiotic manufacturing concerns, and they have repeatedly stated that they do not sell probiotic products containing any of the above species for human consumption. Some marketers in the US who import their products from Japan proclaim that they are selling non-toxic strains of E. faecalis or E. faecium; however, they have never provided any independent validation of their claims. It is frightening to me how these products are imported into the country without more vigilant government scrutiny. Is it perhaps due to the enormous amount of imports coming in from China and other pacific-rim regions that overwhelms our inadequate system and thereby allows 95% of the imported goods not to be inspected? I guess this is the ultimate lesson in the age-old adage of “Buyer Beware”.
Make sure to read the label carefully the next time you are considering purchasing a probiotic supplement, and always look for “Made in the USA” on the label.
As always, I recommend products that contain probiotics from the Lactobacillus genus or the Bifidobacteria genus. All species from these two genera are safe at any level. Be wary of labels claiming to contain species from the Bacillus genus, such as Bacillus coagulans, as they are spore-forming organisms and give cause for serious safety concerns.
In Health,
Natasha
Interesting, I`ll quote it on my site later.
Thanks
Jinny
Hi Natasha,
I’ve tried literally dozens of Probiotic supplements and still haven’t found one that truly delivers as it promises. So a few weeks ago I decided to do a little more research on this topic… (not knowing that i’d end up even more confused and skeptical in the end). I’ve spent literally hundreds of dollars on various Probiotics that promise to be “the one” and I always end up disappointed by the results. During my research i stumbled upon your product and countless others and quite honestly I don’t know who to believe anymore! Most of the information that I’ve came across seems to coincide for the most part…(in terms of what a consumer should “look for” in a “good” probiotic supplement…) ,but after reading this article… I’m not so sure anymore! PLEASE HELP!!! Out of all the probiotic supplements that I’ve tried in the past, Enzymatic Therapy’s Acidophilis Pearls IC (which seem to contain strains similar to those found in your product) have provided the best results… but I wanted something better… as I know these are manufactured in Japan and I’ve encountered several sources now that suggest that you look for Probiotic products that are Made in the U.S. The only other two that seemed “Promising” were Super Shield Probiotics found at bluerockholistics.com and LateroFlora found at ghchealth.com both of which contain the one or both of the two strains mentioned in this article. Both sites seem pretty honest but after reading this article I’m not so sure anymore… who can I trust???
-Joe
Hi Joe–
First of all, there is no similarity between any of the above-mentioned products especially the Acidophilus Pearls to the Healthy Trinity because the acidophilus pearls are sold by a marketing company and the actual manufacturer has no independent certification of quality and potency. Natren is the only probiotic manufacturer in the world that has government certification validating that our probiotic products are safe and efficacious AND meet the label declaration regarding strains present and potency guarantee.
I do not know what your particular health concern is, but Natren is the only company that has true probiotic health consultants that have been with the company for more than 10 years and have counseled many people on how to obtain optimal health through the use of our probiotic products. To speak with one for free, you can call 866-4-NATREN.
Good luck to you in your quest to find the optimal probiotic, but as you can see from my explanation above, I only believe in and endorse the Natren brand probiotics, as I have not seen any internationally-certified competition yet.
Sincerely,
Natasha
I can understand now why you only recommend Natren. You own the company.
Response to Jackie from Natasha:
Dear Jackie–
It is true that I am the Founder and President of Natren Inc. and the Chairwoman of the National Institute of Probiotics, a non-profit foundation. It is also true that Natren Probiotics have been the only products to conform to the standards voted on and adopted by the entire membership of the national nutritional foods association in July of 1989. No other probiotic company has either complied with these standards that were eventually read into Congressional record in 1994 as part of our promise to Congress to self-regulate, and no other company has had any third-party validation of its claims like Natren has. And I’m not referring to Consumer Labs, which is a questionable certification. Natren Probiotics have been validated by an international government agency to contain what is printed on the label and to validate our potency guarantee. I would be happy to list other products that comply to the standards as well; however, right now there are none to the best of my knowledge. Furthermore, I have been asked to write an article on the standardization of probiotics for an acclaimed medical journal in the United States. Therefore, unless you have any proof that my recommendation of Natren product is solely bias, I would ask that you retract that statement.
In Health,
Natasha Trenev
If you’re so unbiased and accredited, how come these kinds of disclaimers are all over any website you own?
The symbols ™ or ® denote trademarks or registered trademarks of Yortren Inc. © 2005-2006 by Yortren Inc. All rights reserved. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
Dear Natsha, I am very glad I found this blog, and yet I am very upset. I just read your article Don’t buy these so called Probiotics. I e-mailed you earlier today and by reading this article I got an answer to one of my questions. I have been trying to use Dr. Ohhiras probiotics and every time I try them it totaly irritates my intestinal track. It takes me 2-3 days of using your life start and drinking lots of kefir for it to settle down. Ohhiras has a super strain of one of the bad bugs. What bothers me is that this is not a cheap product. I will never again take it. It is in the garbage as I write this. Thank-you so much for your work and persistance. Elizabeth a devoted customer.
Dear Elizabeth–
Thank you for your patronage of Natren Probiotics, and all of us here are so glad that my information was of help to you! Please keep us posted if you have any other questions, and may we please have your permission to use your comment as a testimonial on the Natren site at http://www.natren.com ? Please let us know. To help you achieve a customized Natren probiotics health plan, may I recommend that you call one of our devoted probiotic health consultants at 866-4-NATREN.
Thanks again!
In Health,
Natasha
Dear Natasha,
I would like to know your opinion on digestive enzymes. Specifically I would like you explain how they interact with the natural flora already present in the intestines as well as how they work when taken with probiotics? In my experience I have noticed that digestive enzymes cancel out the benefits of probiotic supplements, even the ones like “Candex” which don’t contain proteases and are supposed to “leave alone” the probiotics?
Thanks,
Regards, Kris
Kris–
First of all, if they are real digestive enzymes, they are very expensive and they must be activated to work once they hit the body. I am not familiar with this brand, but before I discuss digestive enzymes in specifics, it depends on the quality of the brand and how they formulate, their sourcing of raw material and how they actually control their production.
Second, if you add enzymes with a probiotic supplement, it can be antagonistic. There are multiple areas you have to check out to make sure there is no damage to the probiotic organism you are using.
Third, there are different parameters to maintain the stability of the enzymes vs. the probiotics– all of the above criteria would have to be met before we even go to the next evaluation.
In general, I don’t recommend digestive enzymes because a high-quality probiotic will do their job. A good enzyme is only necessary if you want quicker action from your probiotic supplement. However, if you purchased a high-quality supplement, like Natren, your digestive issues should be resolved with the probiotic alone.
In closing, my opinion is that the Natren probiotics release enough metabolites to help with digestion; let the probiotic do the job. One strain that is particularly effective in this area is our Lactobacillus bulgaricus LB-51 strain, which is found in our powdered Digesta-Lac product, or in the Gastro-pH chewable wafers. This organism is also found in our Healthy Tummy chewable, which helps with digestion and satiation.
Let us know if you have any further questions,
Thanks,
Natasha
Kris–
First of all, if they are real digestive enzymes, they are very expensive and they must be activated to work once they hit the body. I am not familiar with this brand, but before I discuss digestive enzymes in specifics, it depends on the quality of the brand and how they formulate, their sourcing of raw material and how they actually control their production.
Second, if you add enzymes with a probiotic supplement, it can be antagonistic. There are multiple areas you have to check out to make sure there is no damage to the probiotic organism you are using.
Third, there are different parameters to maintain the stability of the enzymes vs. the probiotics– all of the above criteria would have to be met before we even go to the next evaluation.
In general, I don’t recommend digestive enzymes because a high-quality probiotic will do their job. A good enzyme is only necessary if you want quicker action from your probiotic supplement. However, if you purchased a high-quality supplement, like Natren, your digestive issues should be resolved with the probiotic alone.
In closing, my opinion is that the Natren probiotics release enough metabolites to help with digestion; let the probiotic do the job. One strain that is particularly effective in this area is our Lactobacillus bulgaricus LB-51 strain, which is found in our powdered Digesta-Lac product, or in the Gastro-pH chewable wafers. This organism is also found in our Healthy Tummy chewable, which helps with digestion and satiation.
Let us know if you have any further questions,
Thanks,
Natasha
Dear Natasha,
I’ve been taking your probiotic supplements for over a month now with great results. Thank you so much! I just had one quick question. Before coming accross your excellent line of products I took some probiotic supplements in the past that contained the Bacillus coagulans strain, which you mention in your article ” are spore-forming organisms and give cause for serious safety concerns.” My question is: Should I be worried now that i stopped taking them? and Why are they a cause for serious safety concerns? Could you please explain?
Thank You,
Joe
Hi Jon–
My problem with your statements is that all Bacillus species are pleomorphic. As such, they may be safe in one or two of their naturally occurring forms, but it is when they are in their cell-wall-free form that concerns me. When it is in a cell-wall-free form, it can interact with the mammalian cellular structure of the body for better or for worse. You’re basically playing a game of Russian roulette. You never know what shape the bacteria can take once it is inside you. Most American manufacturers are not producing this product for human consumption. I have been in the industry for 40 years, and I am considered a preeminent probiotic expert. For years, there has been criticism by Mary Ellen Sanders of ISAPP (who I don’t always agree with) of people trying to call this organism a Lactobacillus bacteria when in fact it was a Bacillus, which are generally considered not safe for human consumption. By the way, the study mentioned in your press release refers to a study done on animals, not humans, and animals have an entirely different digestive tract than humans. They respond in a different way to the same strains that would be considered unsafe for humans. Good luck to you.
Sincerely,
Natasha
Hi Joe–
I can’t answer what happens to you once you start taking a spore former– that’s why I avoid selling them. However, it is in your best interest to continue on the Natren Probiotics– they will certainly only help you. All of the strains found in the Natren’s Healthy Trinity and any of my other probiotic products are completely safe at any level evidenced by a 600-citations submitted to the FDA to prove the safety of bacteria from the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacteria genera.
In regards to your other question, please see my response to Jon below:
My problem with your statements is that all Bacillus species are pleomorphic. As such, they may be safe in one or two of their naturally occurring forms, but it is when they are in their cell-wall-free form that concerns me. When it is in a cell-wall-free form, it can interact with the mammalian cellular structure of the body for better or for worse. You’re basically playing a game of Russian roulette. You never know what shape the bacteria can take once it is inside you. Most American manufacturers are not producing this product for human consumption. I have been in the industry for 40 years, and I am considered a preeminent probiotic expert. For years, there has been criticism by Mary Ellen Sanders of ISAPP (who I don’t always agree with) of people trying to call this organism a Lactobacillus bacteria when in fact it was a Bacillus, which are generally considered not safe for human consumption. By the way, the study mentioned in your press release refers to a study done on animals, not humans, and animals have an entirely different digestive tract than humans. They respond in a different way to the same strains that would be considered unsafe for humans. Good luck to you.
Sincerely,
Natasha
Dear Natasha,
Roma from WLS prompted me to reach out for your help.
Which of Natren product would you recommend for our 14 yr old son who two month ago was diagnosed with Transverse Colitis and currently taking Asacol? Pediatric GI Doctor recommended following up with steroids if strict diet and medication alone will not help. For obvious reasons we are hesitant to proceed with steroids not to create a life-long dependency and potentially damaging effects on his developing body.
Please help.
Sincerely,
Mike & Bonnie I.
Dear Mike and Bonnie–
I am so sorry to hear about your son’s condition, and I am so glad that you heard about Natren on Roma’s Radio Show. I would recommend for your son one healthy trinity capsule three times a day, and it can be taken with food, but should be at least an hour apart from his medication. I would also recommend Lifestart 2 capsules, and make sure to give him 2 capsules 3 times a day. This regimen should be followed for at least 30-90 days and then let us know how he is doing. The longer the better in terms of the program because we don’t know what we are dealing with. Please feel free to reply back if you have any further questions.
In health,
Natasha
Hi Jon–
No scientific journal accepts solely testimonial evidence, as you have presented here. Furthermore, you keep linking to press releases issued by the very company you support so much, but where is their independent third party validation? In case you were wondering, press releases are written by the company that makes the product and they pay a fee to disseminate this information. Therefore, you cannot trust that it is not slanted in their favor.
Second, the company has self-affirmed GRAS status, which means that the company has not submitted their evidence to a neutral independent third party for evaluation, nor have they submitted it to the FDA for review. Therefore, self-affirmed GRAS status can be challenged anytime the government determines it is time to do so.
Third, strain specificity is important in getting results, but it does not assure a non-toxic reaction. Bacillus coagulans, the species, is noted as a food-spoilage organism. And claiming that a strain is non-toxic needs to be peer-reviewed by people who understand the science.
Finally, you ask, “Who considers that I am an expert?” Most professionals and scientists that study at major universities such as Georgetown, Yale, and North Carolina to name a few, consider me an expert, and they have asked me to write an article on the standardization of probiotics, which will be published in a major medical journal. I have a long CV, but just for your edification, I have given testimony to the Government of Australia on the standardization of probiotics in the 1980s, I set the liquid yogurt standard in CA in 1969, and I gave testimony to NY state regulators to set the standard for Kiefer and Sweet Acidophilus Milk for the state of NY. I have just given you highlights here of my CV, but the entire probiotic category and the word probiotic itself was introduced by me to the health food industry and the alternative health care practitioner market in the early 1980s in America, Canada, Mexico, England, and Australia.
Please let me know if you have any further questions.
In Health,
Natasha Trenev
Hi Natasha,
I hope you can help me.
I’m looking into probiotics to take for a condition I was diagnosed with, NTM or MAC. I have to take 3 heavy antibiotics for up to two years. I’m wondering if you can tell me how to choose which species and how much to take for this illness and antibiotic therapy? I understand that the antibiotics cause many side effects. I’m hoping the probiotics will help to eliminate them.
Thank you,
Angel
Hi Angel–
First, let me say that we are sorry to hear about your condition, and we do hope that you recover soon. Second, please understand that I cannot dispense any medical advice here, but I can recommend some probiotic products for you if you are looking for a probiotic to take with your antibiotic therapy. For people who are on continuous and very high doses of antibiotics, which it sounds like you are, we recommend our Healthy Trinity product, which is the highest-quality and most potent probiotic that we make. I would recommend 2 pills, three times a day, for a total of 6 pills a day until your antibiotic therapy is complete. It is very important to remember to take the probiotics at least 2 hours apart from any antibiotic– this is because the antibiotic can kill the good bacteria in the probiotic if they are taken too closely together. Once you reach maintenance (after your antibiotic therapy is complete), you should increase your dosage for the next 6 months to one year to three pills, three times a day. If you find that the Healthy Trinity is too expensive, you can also try our Healthy Start system and our other powdered probiotics. Please keep us posted on what your results are when you try the product and best of luck to you. Get well soon.
Sincerely,
Natasha
hello do you know if a probiotic would help with a condition know as tmau or fishy odor. Thanks
Hi Shalon–
We have never set up a probiotic protocol for this condition or had a blogger ask us this question before. From what we have read and researched about the condition online, we see that it can be caused by an imbalance of bad bacteria in the gut and that many times doctors try to help by prescribing several series of long-term antibiotics. If you are looking for something that may help, we would recommend trying Natren’s Healthy Trinity (a powerhouse probiotic), at least one capsule, three times a day, which will help to counteract the bad bacteria in your gut. Of course, do not take this as medical advice and make sure to check with your doctor before you begin taking any supplement including probiotics. For more information, you can also call a friendly probiotic consultant at 866-4-NATREN. Good luck to you and please let us know how you do on the probiotics.
Sincerely,
The Team at TAP
i had cancer 2 times in 6 mos. of course i had lots of treatments–most with adverse problems. 3 ys later i woke up to a morning of what i thought was a stomach virus since everyone i worked with had been having it. but as the day wore on it was obvious that this was not your tipical virus. went to er, found i had 2 blockages caused from cancer treatments—my rad-ono. confirmed this and even felt he might have caused it and apoligised but said i needed surgery. i had 2 blockages–one in intestines –1 in colon. 6 hrs surgery minus 18 ins of intestine and 6 ins of colon later. this was worse than the cancer and treatments. my son is a manager of a large chain drugstore so we tried all probiotics , starting with yougart–nothing worked for2 years. finally PEARLS took them for 2 mos starting to feel human again. all the others desolve in stomach i needed them to desolve in intestines. tis was a GOSEND. i’m not 100% but i feel like i’m getting there. i don’t feel like i should feel as good as i did when i was in my 20′s but i’m beginning to feel better about reaching 70 and having some good days.
Connie–
We are glad that you have had a good experience with the Pearls. However, we cannot in good faith recommend this brand to other people because there is no potency guarantee at the time of consumption, and even after they leave the warehouse, there is no guarantee on how many probiotic organisms there are viable at the time of an expiry date. In contrast, we only recommend Natren. Natren’s Healthy Trinity features 3 exclusive beneficial bacteria strains that are suspended in a sunflower-oil matrix that is meant to bypass the stomach and is broken down by bile produced by the bile duct. Therefore, the Healthy Trinity definitely survives exposure to the stomach acids. Finally, Natren is the only company that will offer a potency at the time of consumption guarantee through a clearly printed expiry date. You need to make sure any probiotic product that you take is continuously refrigerated throughout its shipping, shelf life, and distribution. We recommend looking for probiotics at higher end health-food stores like Whole Foods or Vitamin Shoppe or possibly an independent store in your area as well. Good luck to you!
Thanks,
The Team at TAP
Hello, I have similar issues to Connie. Was diagnosed with Uterine cancer about 5 years ago. After radical hysterectomy, radiation and chemo, I developed blockages in my small bowel. Tried everything for almost 2 years and finally had a section of my small bowel removed. I also had 1/2 my colon removed as a preventative measure as my family has a history of colon cancer and a genetic deletion that predisposes us to colon cancer. The uterine is a secondary cancer to that genetic factor.
So, almost 2 years later after my bowel resection, I still have issues with very loose stool, lots of gas and urgency control. I do not have cramping, but the gas can be very smelly and in large quantity, which can be stressful and embarrassing in public situations. I rarely eat raw veggies, fruit or items high in fiber – foods I should eat for cancer prevention. I take lomotil 3x a day to slow down my system. A friend suggested Healthy Trinity. I just started last week. I understand it can take up to a month to see results.
Can you tell me, is this the product I should be taking? I take one capsule a day and take it at least 2 hours after the lomotil. I do take it with food. Does it matter if I take in the morning or in the evening? Also, what sort of results can I expect? With radiation damage and scar tissue, I am hoping the addition of this product to my system will help. Any other suggestions you can provide would be greatly appreciated.
Thank you.
Hello Dolly–
We would like to refer you to a pharmacist, Dr. Gene Steiner. You can reach him at 805-371-4737 x2143. He should be able to answer your questions regarding probiotics. Good luck!
Connie–
We are glad that you have had a good experience with the Pearls. However, we cannot in good faith recommend this brand to other people because there is no potency guarantee at the time of consumption, and even after they leave the warehouse, there is no guarantee on how many probiotic organisms there are viable at the time of an expiry date. In contrast, we only recommend Natren. Natren’s Healthy Trinity features 3 exclusive beneficial bacteria strains that are suspended in a sunflower-oil matrix that is meant to bypass the stomach and is broken down by bile produced by the bile duct. Therefore, the Healthy Trinity definitely survives exposure to the stomach acids. Finally, Natren is the only company that will offer a potency at the time of consumption guarantee through a clearly printed expiry date. You need to make sure any probiotic product that you take is continuously refrigerated throughout its shipping, shelf life, and distribution. We recommend looking for probiotics at higher end health-food stores like Whole Foods or Vitamin Shoppe or possibly an independent store in your area as well. Good luck to you!
Thanks,
The Team at TAP
Hi Natasha,
Both my son(5 year old) and I have been diagnosed with Celiac Desease and i also have joint paint. Can you recommend anything to help us.
Thanks
Hi Elinor–
Thanks for your great questions. Unfortunately, since we are not medical doctors, we can’t answer any questions about diseases. However, we can say that probiotics in general may help with regulating some of the inflammation that is common in people with celiac disease. Also, all of our probiotic products do not contain gluten and are not formulated with any gluten. If you want to give Natren a try, we would recommend either the Healthy Trinity daily for both of you, or the Healthy Start System in powder form. In addition, we would recommend Life Start 2 for your son. If you have more questions, feel free to reply back or call 866-4-NATREN at anytime.
Sincerely,
The Team at TAP
Hello, I was just browsing, I’ve bad constipation for the past year, some of it was due to medicine I was taking. also I had a total hysterectomy and my colon shrunk making bowel movements hard. I was told I have IBS. I also have diverticulitis. I take fiber (have tried all kinds) some will cause excessive gas and discomfort. I was looking into the Super Shield and Flora Source but they are very expensive. You seem to be very informed, can you recommend something that would work for me on a long term. Thanks
Hi Beatriz– Natasha says that you cannot buy a probiotic based on price, you need to look at the science. If the product is not formulated well, then you are wasting your time and money. We cannot comment on your medical conditions as we are not doctors or medical professionals. We can only make recommendations to you if you would like to help improve your intestinal flora. Best of Luck to You!
I am in my eighties, and have been researching the
study of probiotics for a long time, and I’m interested in your products. Please send my all
information about your probiotic products, and the prices also. Thank you!
I haven’t had time to do a lot of research, but have been taking Blue Rock Holistics Super Shield (Supreme Multi-Strain Adult Probiotic Formula) for some time now and find them satisfactory (especially when following Sherry Brescia’s Pain-Free eating program)! But now I am becoming leary of all the negative publicity over the air waves and web sites like yours!
Whom am I to believe??? Help please!
Hi Lorraine–
Please see our response below to Maria. Thank you!
Hi Lorraine– Don’t be confused. Natasha says to use current and valid science in the field of probiotics, not marketing hype, to determine which probiotic to take and most important, which strains are safe and effective for human consumption. For more information, you can email us at asknatasha@natren.com Thanks!
Hello Natasha:
I got to your page looking for some information about Super Shield Probiotic. Meanwhile, I see that you sell a different probiotic named “Healthy Trinity”.
Please advise me which is the difference so I could make the correct decision on my purchase .
Hello Maria–
We cannot discuss or speak about other probiotic brands, since our web site is openly run by Natren Inc. Natasha, herself, is the owner and founder of Natren Inc. and as such, only endorses Natren products. Natasha has specific requirements for her probiotics, and you can be assured that you are getting the highest quality and the best value for your money with the Natren Healthy Trinity product. Best of Luck to you!
Sincerely,
The Team at TAP
Hi Maria– We can get you in touch with Dr. Gene, a clinical pharmacist who is very familiar with probiotics. If you email us at asknatasha@natren.com with your phone number, we will have him call you. Also, you can check if your product matches Natasha’s standards at Probiotics: Science v. Fiction on this blog. Thank you, The Team at TAP
Hi Natasha,
You mentioned that you have concerns about the Bacillus genus. Are you aware if there are issues with Bacillus Subtilis in particular?
Thanks for this great blog,
Matt
Hello Matt–
We would recommend that you do NOT take any member of the Bacillus genus.
Thank you,
The Team at TAP
Hi Natasha,
After being sick for almost 3 years with the most bazaar symptoms, a year ago, after a CDSA test, I was finally diagnosed with depleted beneficial flora in my system and wasn’t digesting my food properly. How I got to this point I don’t know. I thought I lived a healthy lifestyle. My doctor recommended Healthy Trinity. I spoke to one of your probiotic experts and she suggested that I take 2 tablets per day. It took almost a year, but today I feel great, am healthy and have an inner feeling of wellness that I haven’t had in a long time. I want to thank you for your products. They gave me my health back.
Thank you!
Thank you for your support Kathy! Remember to join us on facebook and twitter at handle ProbioticQueen, as we are growing our social media campaigns! May we have your permission to share your testimonial at http://www.natren.com ?
Hello Natasha Trenev:
I was using Flora Source for a long time, and it was very
effective until the company was sold, and the new owners
sold a junk product that wasn’t comparable to the original owner. I have made efforts to find a Probiotic since that time,
but to tell you the truth, there are so very many products on
the market that do more harm then good. It appears to me that
Making money is the most important objective to most of the
dealers of the probiotics sold. Whats funny about this situation,
the original creator of Flora Source made his product in his garage, and it was the best product that I ever used. I simply
was lucky to buy his product, but he’s no longer in the business.
I think that I said all that could be said in the previous space for
commenting, you must have it in your files by now. However, I
do wish you much good luck with your probiotic product, even
though I have found it close to impossible to find a probiotic that
actually does what the label says. At this point in time, I’m having
recourse to a Yogurt made by Dannon, it seems to be the safest
way to go at this point in time. At this point in time, I will have
arrived onto my 81st birthday, Sept 21st. In the mean time I wish
you much good luck with your probiotic product.
Edward John Abdo
I just ran across your website. I was just thinking about ordering Probiotics from Blue Rock Holistic. I have not had a chance to read everything on your website and wondered if you can tell me your thoughts on the above probiotics. Why would yours be better?
Hello Deb–
If you would like more information on Natren probiotics, please visit http://www.natren.com
Thank you,
The Team at TAP
I was told that Dr. Ohhira’s probiotics were second best to yours. Can you comment on why his product is different from yours? I have been taking his for 6 months but want the best for me and my family. Money is an issue which is why I chose his over yours to begin with. But I would really like to know why his does not measure up. Specifics would be great!
http://Www.goodbyefungus.blogspot.com
Please disregard my previous post! I realized after writing it that Natasha would not be legally able to discuss another product. I will be ordering Natren powder for my 4 year old since she can’t swallow the capsules.
Hi Karen–
Thanks for your understanding! You may also want to check our Dr. David Holland’s web site http://www.thinkfungus.com since it relates to your blog’s name. Good luck to you!
Sincerely,
The Team at TAP
Dear Dr. Trenev,
I have few doubts about the concept of probiotic.
About Enterococcus faecium, I read on some website that E. faecium is normal microflora of cheese. Additionally also used as adjunct starter to bestow typical flavor and aroma.
Secondly, some studies says that every bacterium including probiotic has potential to gain the virulence markers such as antibiotic resistance etc., eventhough if they have GRAS status.
Thirdly,
Probiotic attributes are strain specific, so how a specific bacterium such as faecium can be labeled as bad, in general. I guess individual case based approach would be more rational.
Thanks
Hello–
The case for E. faecium or E. faecalis is much more complex than you are trying to make it. Historically, the enterococcus genus that has these species has been the leader in the microbial world for acquiring plasmids for antibiotic (antimicrobial) resistance and for the expression of toxigenic properties. The organisms that you speak of in cheese were used in Italy, and the use has been suspended because of the migraine headaches that some consumers of that particular cheese had. As a consequence, many cheese makers stopped using this strain in Italy– however, it was never used in the USA in this way. The EU, especially the German Government, takes a serious look at any species from this genus, and will only allow the use of E. faecium strains for animal use. It does NOT allow any strains for HUMAN consumption from this genus. Furthermore, the German government does task the E. faecium strains for any potential producing toxic substances. Species from the lactobacilli and bifidobacteria genera have never been shown to produce toxins under any conditions to the best of Natasha’s knowledge. The infections reported in the last forty years are so few and far between that it is not even closely comparable to the problems inherent in the organisms found in E. feacium and E. faecalis. Natasha can produce much more compelling documentation, but the comparisons you made here are not sufficient for the complexity involved in evaluating organisms for human use. Finally, to the best of Natasha’s knowledge, no US major manufacturers offer these strains for sale for human use.
Thank you,
The Team at TAP
Hello Natasha and The Team at TAP,
I have not taken probiotic supplements before but am thinking about it because I have some health issues. I saw a TV show, not too long ago, featuring the topic of probiotics. The presenter said that there are 4 things you need to look for in a bottle of the supplements.
1. A list of all the ‘friendly bacteria’ strains written on the bottle (there should be 15 different strains (the ones beginning with “L” and “B”.
2. There should be no less than 15 billion live bacteria to every capsule (50 billion would not be too much; the more the better)
3. The capsules should be time-released so that it goes to the right place and doesn’t disintegrate before it does any good
4. The potency of the capsule should be identified on the bottle. Not at time of manufacture but at expiration date.
Does Natren identify the above on their bottles too?
Thank you. I look forward to hearing from you.
Susan–
Thank you for your question. Natasha is familiar with the person you are referring to, and, in Natasha’s personal opinion, she does not qualify as a probiotic expert. First, nowhere in the peer-reviewed scientific literature is there a mention that you should have 15 strains of probiotics in a product. Usually, the amount of probiotic strains that are in a viable product are 3 or less. Each of the probiotic strains that do come from the generas Lactobacillus or Bifidobacteria are specific for either the large intestine, small intestine, or transient flora. By throwing in a large number of strains in a product, it usually does not add to the stability or the function of the product, and actually reduces the quality of the product. For instance, none of these so-called manufacturers actually know much about the final product they are selling (they are usually marketing companies that buy from another manufacturer and then sell the product as their own). Natasha has never seen this particular company give a potency-guarantee for each strain listed on the product label. There are probably a lot of filler strains included in the mix of the product. Therefore, the total potency of each capsule becomes somewhat irrelevant if you have a lot of filler strains in the product. Filler strains are cheap probiotic strains that don’t provide much benefit but are used to enhance the CFU count per capsule. Next, when she talks about a time-release capsule, according to pharmaceutical standards, the term is being misused because this term only applies to pharmaceutical products. Usually companies that sell these products use some kind of additive to protect the capsule from the harsh environment of stomach acids, but if it’s not tested by an independent, third party agency, you have no idea how effective this protection is. The only true protection for probiotic organisms is micro-enrobing in oil. According to human physiology norms, oil does not break apart in the stomach but is emulsified by bile activity. Therefore, the strains micro-enrobed must be bile resistant. You have to trust the source of the probiotic and make certain that the person speaking is truly recognized as an expert in the field and that the product that they’re recommending is audited by some agency such as the FDA or an international government body that will validate the claims made by a competent manufacturer. If you want to be a person who gets results from their supplements, make sure you buy validated probiotic products. A tip would be to look for products in a dark-glass bottle that are continuously refrigerated. On a final note, the show you are referring to is not actually a news program, but rather a paid infomercial– which is very misleading to the general public. We hope this response clears the air for you. Thank you!
Thank you for your timely answer to my question. I appreciate the thoroughness of your reply.
When I see someone who presents well , I tend to believe them. (I’m referring to the program that was aired on PBS this month.) It is very discouraging to know there are persons who shroud the truth indiscriminately. It’s not easy to trust confident salesmen, talented in deceiving. I compare them to the travelling medicine men in the frontier west in the 1800s selling tonics, salves and cure-alls that didn’t do anything except make you tipsy or drunk because of the amount of alcohol in the product. Today we have the same equivalent, the modern-day medicine man or woman, who still pull the wool over our eyes with a bogus product that promises all sorts of cure-alls and then laughs all the way to the bank.
Again, thank you, for your reply; it was most helpful. I will look further into your product.
I just bought 120 capsules of IDOFORM in Denmark containing 10 in 7th of entrococcus faecium and the same amount of bifidobacterium longum. I have been taking them in the past when my stomach was upset (loose) with very good results. Anyway after reading your warning above, I got a bit scared. Would you reccomend throwing them out and buying some other, or would it be safe consuming them and then later buying another brand? Best regards Christian
Christian–
We have shared your question with Natasha and will reply back to you shortly! Thank you,
The Team at TAP
Hi Christian–
In Natasha Trenev’s opinion, she would not ingest E. faecium for any reason. It is your decision whether you want to continue taking them or not. Hope this helps.
Thanks
Hi Natasha,
Does your concern with Bacillus Subtilus
extend to Natto – the traditionally fermented Japanese soybean “delicacy”?
Many Asian countries use various Bacillus strains to ferment legumes and they have done so for hundreds of years. The resulting product is “live” as it is often used to innocculate the next batch. Do you consider eating these traditional foods to be unsafe practise? Or is it different to ingesting Bacillus in a capsule? (If so, how is it different?)
Many thanks in advance,
Julie.
Hi Julie–
Thanks for your great question. Natasha cannot comment on traditional use. However, she feels that there is probably not a large concentration of the organism in the fermented foods. Also, since there is no government oversight of these fermented foods, we do not know if there is actually a Bacillus organism or something else in these foods and at what level it is present. As for consuming Bacillus subtilus in a dietary supplement form, it is not a practice Natasha would recommend. Other manufacturers in the US and Canada have voluntary decided not to produce any organisms from the Bacillus genus. We are concerned with the possible undesirable effects of a Bacillus organism that is a known spore former and could have deleterious effect on the individual’s effect. This is Natasha Trenev’s personal opinion on the matter. Thank you.
Sincerely,
The Team at TAP
Hello,
My name is Francisco and i am about to make 30 years old. Last year i have started to develop some kind of indigestion. Burning stomach after meals and sometimes diarrhea. Acid reflux is a big problem that come too. It burns my throat and it is very unpleasant.
After go to a loftof doctors and a lot of exams, no one finds nothing wrong, but i still have the problem. I have been on aciphex, nexium, pantoprazol, etc, etc with little to no effect. When i take them i have a lot of indigestion and gas…..
I have started to take kyo dophilus 9 from Kyolic, but only tried for one month. I don’t know if it helped or not. Some days i feel better, some days not.
My question is, what product can you recommend to me for a better digestion and to put an end to my heartburn and acid reflux problem.
thanks and best regards
Hi Francisco–
We are sorry to hear about your bouts with illness. We can only recommend a probiotic supplement for your occasional indigestion issues. The most potent probiotic we have recommended in the past is Natren’s Healthy Trinity, as it has three microorganisms for optimum digestive health. It also has a specific degree of potency that guarantees living bacteria through a printed expiry date. We hope this helps.
Thanks,
The Team at TAP
Fructooligosaccharides. (FOS) offer the following benefits to human gastrointestinal ecology: Stimulates growth of Acidophilus, Bifidus and Faecium. Causes reduction in fecal pH, toxic metabolites, serum cholesterol and triglyceride levels. Reduces blood pressure of elderly hyperlipemic people. Alters metabolism of bile acid. Modifies composition and rate of production of secondary bile acids. Reduces carbohydrate and lipid absorption, thereby normalizing blood glucose and serum lipids. Ameliorates derangements of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism in diabetics. In a Proprietary Blend of Apple Pectin, Bromelain, Parsley, Celery and Watercress.
I just discovered my probiotic has fos in it. I found this article on the web regarding FOS- yet I know Natasha does not approve the use of it in her Probiotics. Can you tell me why? Thank-you for any help. I have mild digestive issues; mild constipation and eustachian tube disfunction mild sinus pain and pressure.
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