OptiBiotic 45™

21 vegetable capsules
AUST L 158488

Snapshot

OptiBiotic 45™ is a high dose, multistrain probiotic blend providing 45 billion good bacteria from three different species to support the health of the digestive and immune systems. The patented formulation, also known as LAB4, has been clinically demonstrated to improve the quality of life of people with medically diagnosed irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

At a Glance

Key Features and Benefits
Product Formula
Directions for Use
Safety Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Did You Know?

Introduction

At the turn of the century, certain intestinal micro-organisms were found to have health promoting properties. Since then research into the benefits of these organisms, or probiotics, has been ongoing. Research into a specific combination of probiotics known as LAB4 (Lactobacillus acidophilus CUL21 & CUL60, Bifidobacterium bifidum CUL20, B. lactis CUL34), yielded impressive results for digestive symptoms.

LAB4 is available in Australia and New Zealand as OptiBiotic 45™. When taken daily, OptiBiotic 45™ may provide temporary relief of symptoms associated with medically diagnosed irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) within 2-6 weeks. OptiBiotic 45™ may assist with the maintenance of normal healthy intestinal flora during and following antibiotic use, and may also provide nutritional support for normal healthy immune function.

Key Features and Benefits

  • An evidence-based blend of Lactobacillus acidophilus (CUL21 & CUL60 strains), Bifidobacterium bifidum (CUL20 strain) and B. lactis (CUL34 strain), known as LAB4, which may help promote the restoration and maintenance of healthy intestinal flora.
  • May provide temporary symptom relief of medically diagnosed irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
  • May assist with the maintenance of normal healthy intestinal flora during and following antibiotic use.
  • May provide nutritional support for normal healthy immune function.
  • Vegetarian friendly capsules.
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Product Formula

Each Capsule Contains:

Lactobacillus acidophilus (CUL21 + CUL60) 30 billion CFU*
Bifidobacterium bifidum (CUL20) 750 million CFU
Bifidobacterium lactis (CUL34) 14.25 billion CFU

*CFU: Colony Forming Units, measurement for bacterial probiotics.

Directions for Use

Adults: Take 1-2 capsules daily or as directed by your healthcare professional.

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Safety Information

  • Probiotics are generally regarded as safe and well-tolerated.1
  • Probiotics are likely to be safe in pregnancy and lactation; however, use should be monitored by a healthcare professional.1
  • If symptoms persist, consult your healthcare professional.
  • This product contains a small amount of casein and is not recommended for those with a known allergy to casein.
  • Always read the label. Use only as directed.
  • Consult your pharmacist when taking supplements with pharmaceutical medications. Certain nutrients enhance the way some medicines work, and help make other medicines safer. Please ask your pharmacist for further information.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I take probiotics even if I am feeling well?

Although our digestive tract is generally good at maintaining our unique healthy balance of intestinal bacteria, there appears to be no harm in giving it some help in the form of a well-formulated probiotic supplement such as OptiBiotic 45™. In fact, in health, probiotics provide nutritional support for the normal functions of the digestive tract and in this way also assist with immune system function. Did you know, for example, that apart from digesting our foods, the small intestine also produces approximately 80% of a specific type of immune cell.6,7

Allergies, genetics, and the intestinal microflora of our mothers at the time of our birth, may all impact on our ability to maintain a healthy intestinal microflora balance. Additionally, normal features of our modern lifestyle can present ongoing threats to the healthy balance of our intestinal bacteria, for example:

  • modern-day dietary patterns
  • hygiene
  • environment
  • stress
  • medications.

Even aging is associated with diminished intestinal immunity, requiring additional support to ward off infections.1,7,8

It is apparent that compared to our ancestors at the time probiotics were discovered (early 20th century), we have reduced environmental exposure and consumption of beneficial bacteria. This may be one of the reasons for the rise in inflammatory and allergic disorders that we have seen in recent times.9

Why does OptiBiotic 45™ require refrigeration?

Probiotics are live organisms that survive better at lower temperatures. All probiotics die over time but this process is slowed down when kept refrigerated. Manufacturers allow for this and guarantee a total bacterial count at the time of expiry. If OptiBiotic 45™ is not refrigerated there will be less live organisms per capsule at expiry. Short periods without refrigeration, especially if kept away from heat, will not adversely affect the product’s benefits.

Is it best to take probiotics with food or on an empty stomach?

Live bacteria that pass through our digestive tract will be damaged by stomach acid as part of the body’s defence against potentially harmful bacteria. Certainly, this defence mechanism is not always effective, but is the reason why some probiotics are recommended to be taken with food (when the stomach is less acidic). The strains in OptiBiotic 45™ have shown to be resilient in bile and gastric acid. Therefore, OptiBiotic 45™ may be taken at any time of the day, with or without food.

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Did You Know?

  1. In the early 20th century, a Russian scientist, Elie Metchnikoff, hypothesised that the consumption of fermented milks containing probiotics was the reason for the long life and health of Bulgarian peasants.14 To this day scientific research is still uncovering the many benefits of probiotics.
  2. There are over 400 known microbial species working together within the digestive tract to maintain health; the small intestine is the ‘largest’ immune organ in the body.6,15 The probiotics in OptiBiotic 45™ provide nutritional support for a healthy digestive tract and immune system.
  3. The bacteria count in the intestine is around ten times that of all the cells in the body.
  4. The word ‘probiotic’ literally means ‘for life’. The generally accepted definition for probiotics is ‘live micro-organisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host’.14

References

1 Braun L, Cohen M. Herbs and natural supplements: an evidence-based guide, 2nd ed. Sydney: Churchill Livingstone Elsevier, 2007.
6Parkes GC. An overview of probiotics and prebiotics. Nurs Stand 2007 Jan 24-30;21(20):43-47.
7Sanders ME. Probiotics. Food Technol 1999;53(11):67-77.
8Huis JH, Bosschaert MA, Shortt C. Health aspects of probiotics. Food Sci and Tech Today 1998;12:46-50.
9Douglas LC, Sanders ME. Probiotics and prebiotics in dietetics practice. J Am Diet Assoc.2008 Mar;108(3):510-521.
14Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations, World Health Organization (WHO). Guidelines for the evaluation of probiotics in foods. London, Ontario: FAO/WHO, 2002.
15Holzapfel WH, Haberer P, Snel J, Schillinger U, Huis in't Veld JH. Overview of gut flora and probiotics. Int J Food Microbiol 1998 May 26;41(2):85-101.

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