Dear Friends,
When we discuss probiotics and gut health, it’s worth reminding ourselves the human gut contains about 100 trillion bacteria. That’s an astounding number and over 10 times the number of human cells in the entire body.
As you can picture, to maintain a heathy balance of the 100 trillion bacteria in the gut requires numerous types of probiotics – along with prebiotics, and now postbiotics can help too.
When it comes to supplements, my two favorite probiotic types are the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium organisms. These species are abundant in human intestines, and several of the probiotic strains have been found to be beneficial as supplements.
The challenge with live Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium organisms is that a lot of extra care and handling is needed to keep them alive, so they can be most effective.
We feature these bacteria in our TrueLife PB supplement and use special packaging and careful formulation to ensure they stay alive in the bottle and reach your intestines alive.
Another probiotic type for supplements is spore-forming or soil-based organisms.
They aren’t as prominent in the human gut as the lactobacillus and bifidobacterium probiotics, but the have a major advantage:
Spore- forming probiotics are much more resilient and can be used in many more supplement applications.
Are they a replacement for Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium probiotics?
In my opinion, no, but they can make significant contribution to a healthy gut and intestinal microbiome as supplements, especially those strains with scientific evidence.
One of our favorite spore-forming probiotics for supplements is called DE111®, which is a Bacillus subtilis strain.
DE111 is backed by 30 scientific studies that have helped validate its efficacy, stability and safety.
What separates DE111 and other spore-forming organisms from more fragile probiotic strains is the ability to form protective spores that help it withstand harsh conditions that can destroy other friendly bacteria.
You can think of these spores as a natural shell that helps it survive exposure to elements like moisture and oxygen while in the supplement bottle. This protection continues during the journey to your intestines after you take DE111, with spores shielding the organism from stomach acid and other digestive conditions.
This means it arrives alive in your intestines, where it can do the job that you expect from a probiotic.
Why Aren’t They Found in Greater Numbers in the Gut?
Since we wash and sanitize food before we eat it, we don’t consume much of these soil-based organisms.
It’s also suggested that some modern farming techniques and pesticides have resulted in less of these beneficial organisms in the soil too.
Once it reaches your gut, DE111 germinates — meaning it 'wakes up' and begins producing enzymes, signaling molecules, and other beneficial compounds.
It works to outcompete bad bacteria and help maintain a healthy microbial balance.
DE111® has been studied in both children and adults — and the research shows it can make a meaningful difference in ways you might expect from a probiotic and some that may surprise you.
How DE111 May Help You
DE111 has been shown to help promote regular bowel movements and normal stool forms (and sizes).
It also can support healthy digestion and nutrient absorption.
For immune health, DE111 interacts with your gut lining to help modulate both fast-acting responses and longer-term immune support — helping your body stay balanced, not overactive.
As with any good probiotic, DE111 also promotes a more diverse and balanced gut microbiome.
Interestingly, a study with DE111 found it may help maintain already-healthy cholesterol and triglyceride levels, which suggests that DE111 may be involved in the normal breakdown of complex carbohydrates, sugars and fats.
And other research with DE111 indicates it may support exercise recovery and body composition in active individuals like college athletes.
That’s why we feature DE111 in our TrueDYB™ drink powder supplement — the DYB is short for ‘Digest Your Best.”
This supplement is formulated to provide comprehensive top to bottom digestive support, from “gut to butt” if you will, which makes DE111 a perfect addition.
Each scoop of TrueDYB provides 1 billion CFUs of the powerhouse DE111 strain — delivering daily support for digestion, regularity, immune health, and microbiome balance.
And here’s something a lot of customers appreciate: TrueDYB pairs beautifully with our TrueLife PB probiotic.
As I mentioned at the outset, your gut is estimated to contain about 100 trillion bacteria.
Combining the spore-forming organisms like DE111 with the 6 strains of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium in TrueLife PB is a more complete way to support the health of your gut microbiome.
Yours for Good Health,
Carl Pradelli
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