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Features of Wakunaga Probiotics

Able to Withstand Stomach Acid

The acids in an empty stomach are very strong (pH of 1 to 2) and few strains can withstand this harsh condition for extended periods of time^32,37-39. Dairy strains, such as L. bulgaricus and S. thermophilus, are less resistant to acid than L. acidophilus (10³/ml Bifidobacterium are found in an empty stomach. After a meal is consumed, the stomach contents become less acidic due to their dilution by food (around pH 4), thus allowing for the survival of bacteria^39-44. For this reason, we recommend that Wakunaga Probiotics be taken with food.

The survival of L. acidophilus have been found to be much lower in fasted subjects than in non-fasted (fed) subjects.⁴¹ Further, the decreased acidity following the consumption of food has been found to allow for the population of to double in number (10⁴ to 10⁸/ml)³⁹ Independent laboratory tests have shown that Wakunaga’s Probiotics can maintain their viability at pH 3.0 for two to three hours (see Table 1 & 2 below)⁴⁴. Therefore, these bacteria can withstand the stomach acids when taken with a meal and make it to their final destination.

Table 1. Acidity Survival Test of
Wakunaga’s L. acidophilus (x 10⁹)

Time (hrs)	pH 3.5	pH 4.0
0	1.9	1.8
1	2.4	3.3
2	2.2	2.4
3	2	2.2

Kyo-Dophilus® Capsules
(Lot #031990 881006)

Table 2. Acidity Survival Test of Wakunaga’s
L. acidophilus and Bifidobacterium (x 10⁹ cfu/g)

Lactobacillus acidophilus

Time (h)	Initial	pH 1.0	pH 2.0	pH 3.0	pH 4.0
0 hr	7.8
1 hr		<0.0004	<0.0004	> 4.00	> 4.00
2 hr		<0.0004	<0.0004	> 4.00	> 4.00

Bifidobacterium (Total number of B. bifidum and B. longum)

Time (h)	Initial	pH 1.0	pH 2.0	pH 3.0	pH 4.0
0 hr	1.4
1 hr		0.00026	0.0004	0.14	> 4.00
2 hr		<0.0004	0.0004	0.034	0.37

Kyo-Dophilus® Capsules (Lot# 7A01)