Dr Ohhira's Probiotics

Dr Ohhira’s Probiotics

by Probiotic Foods

Dr Ohhiras Probiotics (also known as OMX probiotics) are a type of probiotic supplement manufactured by Essential Formulas.

There are currently two products in the Dr Ohhira range: Dr Ohhira’s Probiotics 12 Plus (Original Formula) and Dr Ohhira’s 12 Plus Professional Formula.

Both products contain identical ingredients. The difference between them lies in their fermentation times. Dr Ohhira’s Probiotics 12 Plus are fermented for three years, whilst the Professional Formula receives an additional two years, making a total fermentation period of five years.

This longer fermentation period is said to increase the potency of the organic acids and probiotic bacteria contained in the product. Thus, whilst there are fewer bacteria in the Professional Formula (600 million CFUs1) compared to the Original Formula (900 million CFUs), the bacteria are said to be more powerful. As far as we understand, however, no independent evidence exists to confirm this increased potency.

Both products are available in packs of sixty capsules, which are blister packed to protect the products’ potency. The capsules are suitable for adults, children and infants alike and can be stored at room temperature without the need for refrigeration.

Product Ingredients

Dr Ohhira’s probiotics differ from many of the probiotic supplements on the market. Rather than being chemically synthesized in a laboratory as is the case with many probiotic supplements today, the probiotics in the Dr Ohhira range are made from natural ingredients using only a modern-day version of ancient Japanese fermentation techniques.

Dr Ohhira’s products contain over 92 different plant species including wild fruits, seaweeds, herbs, vegetables and mushrooms as well as spring water. This crop mixture forms the basis of the products’ prebiotics, fructooligosaccharides (also known as FOS), which are naturally developed during the fermentation process.

Additionally, the products contain a probiotic blend totaling 900 million CFUs (Original) and 600 million CFUs (Professional) respectively and both comprising 4 bacterial species and 12 bacterial strains:

  • Bifidobacterium breve subspecies (ss) breve
  • Bifidobacterium infantis ss. infantis
  • Bifidobacterium longum
  • Enterococcus faecalis TH10
  • Lactobacillus brevis
  • Lactobacillus acidophilus
  • Lactobacillus bulgaricus
  • Lactobacillus casei ss. casei
  • Lactobacillus fermentum
  • Lactobacillus helveticus ss. jagurti
  • Lactobacillus plantarum
  • Streptcoccus thermophilus

Neither of the Dr Ohhira probiotics contain artificial additives, preservatives, colors, flavors, soil-based organisms (SBOs) or animal by-products. The product ingredients are also free from exposure to chemical fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides. Additionally, they are non-GMO2, dairy, soy and gluten free. Thus Dr Ohhiras probiotics are suitable for those who follow a dairy soy and/or gluten-free diet as well as for vegetarians.

Evidence for the Health Benefits of Dr Ohhira Probiotics

Whilst there is no specific scientific evidence relating specifically to Dr Ohhira’s probiotic supplements, research studies have proven that the specific probiotic strains included in these products are indeed beneficial to health. Lactobacillus acidophilus for example has been scientifically shown to help constipation 3, abdominal pain4 and rhinitis5, whilst Lactobacillus plantarum has been proven to help symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS)6.

Additionally, the mixture of beneficial bacteria contains the patented Th10 strain of Enterococcus faecilis, which was developed from the fermented food tempeh by Dr Lichiroh Ohhira himself. Dr Ohhira's Professional Formula ProbioticsDr Ohhira has shown that this strain of bacteria inhibits the MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus) superbug, Escherichia coli 0157 (E. Coli 0157) as well as Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), which causes peptic ulcers. He has also demonstrated that Enterococcus faecalis TH10 is 6.25 times stronger than other naturally occurring lactic acid bacteria.

Whilst Dr Ohhira has won numerous awards for his work and for his probiotics, we cannot find evidence that any independent research has been conducted to verify these results.

However, user reviews (see Amazon.com) and anecdotal evidence demonstrate that this probiotic is highly regarded by many patients and physicians alike. Indeed there are vast numbers of user reviews, which rate these products very positively. Many people report that Dr Ohhira probiotics are effective for many conditions including Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), Candida albicans, urinary tract infections, ulcerative colitis, Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori), allergies and vaginal yeast infections.

Advantages

We think there are a number of advantages to Dr Ohhira’s probiotics. These are:

  • These products do not require refrigeration and so are ideal to take with you on trips away.
  • The probiotics contain a good blend of probiotic strains and species. Taking a probiotic with a wide-range of strains and species is thought to be more beneficial than taking a single-strain product, as taking multiple strains increases the chance of at least one being effective.
  • The products contain only natural ingredients.
  • The products are free from fillers and binders, which can be an irritant to people with digestive problems.
  • Both products have an extremely long shelf life of three years, this is much longer than most other probiotic supplements on the market.
  • Adults, children and even infants can take the products, making them suitable for the entire family!
  • The products are encapsulated in an enteric coating, which is designed to withstand the stomach acid, delivering the probiotic bacteria intact to the colon.

Disadvantages

In terms of their disadvantages, Dr Ohhira probiotics have the following drawbacks:

  • They are available only in a sealed capsule form. This is likely to be problematic for those with severe dysbiosis problems, who may wish to start small and increase the dosage slowly. The sealed capsules are very difficult to split. Those with severe digestive issues may find that taking an entire capsule of these probiotics initially causes a healing crisis, which results in a flare of their symptoms.If this is you and you want to try these products, then one way to lessen this exacerbation of symptoms is to take one capsule, wait for a few days until your symptoms have subsided (either totally or to their usual level) and then to take another. As your gut flora re-balances over time, these initial flare-ups on taking the probiotic should subside.
  • They contain a mixture of many different herbs, vegetables, wild fruits, seaweeds and mushrooms, which may make them difficult to tolerate for people with allergies and food intolerance symptoms.
  • They contain fructooligosaccharides (also known as FOS), which may make them unsuitable for people with dysbiosis.
  • The bacterial count per capsule (CFUs) is much lower many other probiotic supplements.
  • The cost is very high when compared to other probiotic supplements. See our cost comparison guide for advice on how to compare fairly the cost of different probotics.

Our Evaluation

We have given these products a three-star rating on the basis that they have some excellent qualities but also some limiting ones. These products are suitable for the whole family: for adults, children and infants alike. They also contain an excellent mix of bacterial strains and species, though in much smaller quantities (Colony Forming Units or CFUs) than most other probiotic supplements. Additionally, the wide range of ingredients and capsule form mean that they are probably not suitable for those with allergy and intolerances. Also the cost is high per 10 billion CFUs of bacteria when compared to other supplements.

The reviews (see Amazon.com) though are excellent – the choice is yours!!!

Where Can I Buy Dr Ohhira’s Probiotics?

You can buy Dr Ohhira’s probiotics from our on-line store, provided in partnership with Amazon.com:

Dr Ohhira’s probiotics are also available from many natural health food stores (both actual and on-line) as well as from some pharmacies.

Align Probiotic: What Is it?

Align Probiotic: What Is it?

by Probiotic Foods

Align Ingredients

The ingredients in Align Probiotic capsules are as follows:

  • B. infantis 36524
  • Microcrystalline cellulose
  • Hypromellose (vegetarian capsule shell)
  • Sugar
  • Magnesium stearate
  • Milk protein
  • Titanium dioxide
  • Sodium citrate dihydrate
  • Propyl gallate
  • FD&C; blue #1 (colorant)
  • Riboflavin (colorant)

Advantages

In terms of advantages, Align probiotic capsules can be stored at room temperature unlike many probiotic supplements, which require refrigeration. This makes them ideal for “on the go” use and thus ideal for taking on vacation. Align probiotics also have a longer shelf-life (24 months) than many other probiotic supplements.Align Probiotic Contains Bifidobacteria Infantis 35624

The product is also free from lactose, soy and gluten and so is suitable for those allergic or sensitive to these products. Its vegetable-based capsules also makes it appropriate for vegetarians.

Children can also take Align probiotic supplements. If however you are unsure as to whether or not this product is suitable for your child, be sure to consult your child’s physician for advice.

According to its website, Align Probiotic also comes recommended by gastroenterologists (also known as gastrointestinal or GI doctors). Among those gastroenterologists who recommend probiotics, Align purports to be the favored brand. Visit https://probiotics-help.com/common-cpap-masks-you-can-find-in-australia/ to read about Common CPAP masks you can find in Australia.

This product also receives very positive customer reviews on Amazon.com. Click here to read these reviews.

Many report that it has helped with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and associated symptoms including chronic diarrhea, constipation, gas (flatulence) and bloating.

Furthermore, the specific strain of Bifidobacteria infantis used in the product (strain 35624) has been scientifically proven to help the symptoms of IBS2,3,4 specifically incomplete evacuation, abdominal pain, bowel dysfunction and gas.

Finally, the manufacturers of this product offer a money back guarantee should you not be satisfied with your purchase. See the Align website for further details.

Disadvantages

As far as the disadvantages of this product are concerned, this product contains a significant number of additional synthetic ingredients including lubricants, (magnesium stearate) stabilizers, (sodium citrate dihydrate, propyl gallate) binders and fillers (microcrystalline cellulose). Additionally, it contains the whitener titanium dixoide as well as colorants (FD&C; blue #1 and riboflavin).

This product is therefore not likely to be suitable for more sensitive people. If you have problems with food additives or colorants or are suffering from food intolerance symptoms, then you would be wise to select a purer product, such as one from the Custom Probiotics range. These are free from fillers or binders, colors, flavors and artificial additives.

This product also contains sugar so also is not appropriate for those following a strict sugar-free diet.

With only one billion colony-forming units (CFUs) of probiotic bacteria per serving, Align probiotic capsules provide a significantly lower bacterial count than many of the probiotic supplements currently on the US market.

Most of the lower strength adult probiotic supplements contain at least ten billion CFUs of viable probiotic bacteria per serving, whilst a high potency probiotic such as VSL3 (also written VSL 3 and VSL#3) can contain up to 450 billion CFUs of probiotic bacteria.

This low bacterial count per serving makes Align probiotic supplements expensive compared to other probiotic supplements. If you compare the cost of ten billion CFUs of this probiotic to other products on the market, you will find that comparatively Align Probiotic supplements are more expensive than many other products. Have a look at our cost comparison guide for more specific guidelines as to how to accurately compare the cost of different probiotic supplements.

Finally, Align probiotic supplements contain one strain of probiotic bacteria only. Many experts recommend taking a mixture of probiotic bacteria to increase the chances of at least one being effective for you.

Our Evaluation

Align probiotic supplement contains Bifidobacteria infantis 36524

This probiotic contains Bifidobacteria infantis (B.infantis) 35624, which has been shown both clinically and anecdotally to be of benefit for IBS. We feel however that the low bacterial count (CFUs) contained in this product, its high cost compared to other probiotic supplements, the significant number of additional ingredients contained in this product together with the fact that the product only contains one strain of probiotic bacteria, all limit the product. Thus we have given the product a rating of three stars.

Where Can I Buy Align Probiotics

You can buy Align probiotics from Amazon.com.

What Are Probiotic Foods?

by Probiotic Foods

Ever wondered about probiotic foods? What exactly are they? Well put very simply, probiotic foods are foodstuffs containing the health-promoting, live microorganisms, known as probiotics.

Whilst some foods that contain probiotics have simply had probiotics added to the finished product (i.e. probiotic cereal bars), most of these wonderful foods take on their probiotic properties through a process known as fermentation. This process occurs when the live probiotic organisms in the food, in their quest to obtain energy, alter the chemical properties of the original food. Fermentation not only changes the appearance of the original food, it also enhances the flavor, texture, and vitamin content, and also preserves it!

Why Eat Probiotic Foods?

These probiotic or fermented foods, as they are also known, have another very special quality. When consumed regularly and in adequate quantities as part of a food, the tiny live probiotic organisms in these foods deliver health benefits to the host.1 So just by eating these foods, you can help your health!

Indeed consuming probiotics has been shown to improve the health of the intestinal tract, maintain urogenital function and enhance the immune system. Scientific evidence also shows that ingesting foods containing probiotics can also lessen symptoms of lactose intolerance and reduce the occurrence of allergy in susceptible people.2,3

You may have already come across the most familiar and widely recognized probiotic foods, which are yogurt and fermented cabbage, known as sauerkraut. In fact it is very likely that you are already eating some fermented food. However, there are many types of foods that contain probiotics. This site will allow you to discover the wide array of probiotic foods.

You can purchase some of these foods ready-made in the grocery or health food store and you can also make many of these quite easily at home. Probiotic yogurt for example can be made very simply from milk and a yogurt starter.

If you want to make these foods at home, you may want to kit yourself out with some specialist equipment. We have teamed up with Amazon.com to provide you with a well-stocked store. Click here to browse our store.

Good sources of home-fermenting recipes can be found in the books Wild Fermentation by Sandor Ellix Katz and Nourishing Traditions by Sally Fallon. You can buy both these books at our probiotic book store. Click here to enter our store.

History of Probiotic Foods

It’s not just recently that we humans have begun eating probiotic foods. Since ancient times, man has made and eaten probiotic food. The earliest types of probiotic foods were wine, beer and leavened bread, fermented by yeasts, as well as cheeses and milks, made by bacterial and fungal fermentation. Whilst for these very early societies the fermentation process was a welcome mystery, humans learned that fermentation not only enhanced the taste of these food products but also ultimately preserved the foodstuffs.The health benefits of eating probiotic food appears not to have gone unnoticed either.

The wise Roman historian Plinius proposed using fermented milk products for treating gastroenteritis.

More recently, in the early 1900s, Nobel Prize winning microbiologist Ilya Ilyich Mechinikov attributed the health and longevity of a group of Bulgarian peoples to their consumption of probiotic foods.

He not only identified the health-giving bacteria used to ferment these foods (Lactobacillus bulgaricus), he also concluded that he believed beneficial “good” probiotic bacteria could have a far greater impact on human health than disease-causing bacteria. Indeed probiotic organisms are not thought to promote or cause disease but rather they enhance health.

Probiotic Foods around The World

Many different peoples around the world have long traditions of eating fermented foods. Each of these groups traditionally had its own specific types of food fermentation, which reflected their respective staple diets and raw food availability in the region. These probiotic foods were generally made from fruit, vegetables, meat or dairy products and later grains.Probiotic foods are popular around the world

For the Europeans for example, the traditional food fermentations were made from cabbage (known as sauerkraut to the Germans and choucroute to the French), beets, cucumber, as well as green tomatoes, peppers and lettuces (Russia and Poland)

The Asians also used sour preserved cabbages and vegetables as staples in their diets.

Koreans were famous for their

kimchi, a spiced fermented cabbage, and the Japanese for their traditional vegetable ferments known as tsukemono or pickles.

Many types of fermented milk products were also first produced and consumed in Asia, Europe, South America and Africa by nomadic herders. The Bulgarians ate yogurt, whilst further east, the central Asians drank cultured mare’s milk known as kumis as well as a cultured effervescent drink, known as kefir.

Foods that Contain Probiotics

Today foods which contain probiotics are still an important part of eating habits around the world. These foods play a significant role in Asian and European food systems and today the health-giving properties of these foods are highly valued. Click here to read about Do you find it challenging to sleep with your CPAP machine?

The Koreans continue to enjoy their daily helping of kimchi (also spelled gimchi, kimchee and kim chee), a spiced fermented vegetable mixture based upon cabbage, eaten with meals to aid digestion.

The Japanese also use fermented food as a digestive aid, eating their fermented soya bean soup, known as miso, with practically every meal – breakfast not excluded!!!

The Europeans also still enjoy many types of foods that contain probiotics including milk products as well as vegetable ferments. Fermented cabbage (sauerkraut) is eaten with main meals, again to ease digestion. Kombucha, a fermented drink, is also popular.

In America rather sadly though, people have become distanced from their fermented food traditions. Where people would once have eaten home fermented food such as cultured vegetables, they now eat canned and processed foods. They have largely come to rely on pills as opposed to food in order keep healthy and with a fear of all things microbial, with the exception of yogurt, are slow on the uptake of foods containing probiotics. This is a great oversight, given the wonderful health properties of these foods as well as the diverse, fantastic tastes of the many different probiotic foods.

Which Foods Contain Probiotics?

Let us introduce to a few of the wonderful foods that contain probiotics out there. Whether you prefer vegetables, fruit, beans, dairy or grains, there is a fermented food for you!

Dairy

  • Milk Kefir: a thick, slightly fizzy milk drink. See our dedicated page on how to make kefir if you want to learn how to make your own at home.Have a look too at our page on kefir grains and powdered kefir starter for a discussion on the pros and cons of each type of starter.
  • Yogurt: the thickened (usually) milk-based product, we know so well. Often mixed with fruit or other flavorings.
  • Buttermilk: a sour tasting thickened liquid milk.
  • Crème fraiche: rich cream with a mildly nutty, sour flavor.
  • Acidophilus milk: thickened tangy milk drink.
  • Fermented dairy milks such as Danactive, Activia and Yakult.
  • Aged cheeses such as Gouda, Emmental and Edam and Cheddar.

Fruit and Vegetables

Beans

  • Miso4 : fermented soya bean paste traditionally used in Japan for making soups, adding flavor to sauces and as a spread for crackers. There are many different types of miso and the flavor of each variety is determined by additional ingredients and exact process of fermentation.
  • Tempeh: Indonesian fermented whole soya bean product with a cake-like form. Has a nutty taste and firm texture many consider it a substitute for meat. It is very versatile and can be used in soups, spreads, salads and sandwiches.
  • Natto: Fermented soybeans, traditionally from Japan, with a strong savory nutty taste and aged cheese-like smell.

Grains

  • Traditional sourdough bread.
  • Granola and snack bars fortified with probiotics (Attune Wellness Bars).
  • Cereal with added probiotics (e.g. Kashi Vive Probiotic Digestive Wellness Cereal).
  • Rejuvelac5: a refreshing drink based on wheat and water.