Questions and Answers About Wakunaga Probiotics

Why Human Strains?
How Were the Human Strains Derived?

Why Take A Probiotic?

How Should I Take My Probiotic?
By What Mechanisms Do Probiotics Function?

Any Clinical Studies for Safety or Effectiveness?

What are the Features of Wakunaga Probiotics?

References

Why Human Strains?

It is important to be aware that the human intestinal tract may be more sensitive to strains introduced to it than those introduced to the intestinal tracts of animals. What this means is that bacterial strains that are effective in one species of animal are not necessarily effective in another species. This is because the digestive tract varies from species to species and bacteria have to have certain characteristics in order to survive in the intestinal tract in which they are dwelling. Specifically, bacterial strains indigenous to humans are more likely to survive in the intestinal tracts of humans than are non-human strains since they are specifically adapted to grow in the intestinal tracts of humans.^1,2 

Further, they must be able to withstand stomach acid, in order to make it to the intestinal tract. They must be able to withstand intestinal fluids and they must be able to adhere to the lining of the intestinal tract to exert their greatest benefits. Bacteria derived from dairy or other sources are less likely to remain in the intestinal tract of humans. They may afford only temporary, if any, benefits. On the other hand, human strains show better colonization and effectiveness. For this reason, each of our probiotic formulas is formulated with human strains.
Top

How Were the Human Strains Derived?

The bacteria strains used in WAKUNAGA'S PROBIOTICS were derived from single strains of bacteria donated by Microbiology Professors from the University of Tokyo and the Dokkyo Medical University of Japan. Each strain was obtained from a healthy, living subject in a one time collection. The bacteria of choice were then isolated, identified, purified and mass produced after this single collection. 

Bacteria were obtained about three decades ago and have been naturally replicating in the laboratory every since. Additionally, the bacterial strains undergo numerous tests to assure that the bacteria are healthy and maintain their positive characteristics. Consuming bacteria is safer than eating produce from the grocery store, because consistent microscopic investigation would be impossible for produce, but is commonplace where bacteria products are concerned.
Top

Why Take A Probiotic?

By providing large numbers of these friendly bacteria to the intestinal tract they may increase the population of these bacteria compared to other, less desirable, strains. These strains may then competitively inhibit the growth of undesirable strains by competing for space and nutrients, while also inhibiting the production of toxic substances produced by some less desirable strains.³ Further, studies suggest that they may stimulate our immune system to suppress the growth of pathogenic or undesired bacteria.^4-6
Top

How Should I Take My Probiotic?

It is recommended that Wakunaga Probiotics be taken with food.  The reason for this being that when the stomach is empty it is very acidic (~pH 1 or 2).  While it is true that HCL, etc. is excreted once food is consumed, food tends to buffer the stomach acids, raising the pH to about a 3 or 4.  Based on this, our products are able to withstand the stomach acids when consumed with food.

By What Mechanism Do Probiotics Function?

Any Clinical Studies for Safety or Effectiveness?

A clinical study of 180 patients from eight different medical facilities in Japan noted significant improvement in patients with soft stools or diarrhea from taking a probiotic product containing Wakunaga's probiotics.⁷ Regarding constipation, a clinical study of 39 patients showed improvement in 95% of the subjects after taking a multistrain product including Wakunaga's friendly bacteria.⁴ Another clinical study using the same product showed improvement in 58 of 64 subjects with constipation.⁷ Moreover, abdominal distension improved in 63 of 66 subjects, and stool characteristics of frequency, hardness and odor improved. Clinical studies conducted on nearly 300 subjects revealed no side effects in subjects taking Wakunaga Probiotics.^8,9

The probiotic strains used by Wakunaga have no toxicity based on basic toxicological and preclinical studies.
Top

What Are the Features of Wakunaga Probiotics?

Wakunaga's Probiotics boast many key features including:

• Viability
• Stability in acid & bile
• Heat stable
• Capable of attaching to GI mucosa with sufficient numbers present for implantation l
• Able to antagonize bad guys to sustain homeostasis
• Clinical and Other Beneficial Effects
• Do Not Require Refrigeration
• Glass packaging
  
  

References

Salminen, S. and Wright, A. V. (1993) ed. Lactic Acid Bacteria. Marcel Dekker Inc., New York, pp. 200-201. 

Golden, B.R. and Gorbach, S.L. Ch. 13. Probiotics. The Scientific Basis (Fuller, R., ed.), Chapman & Hall, London, 1992, pp. 367-368. 

Yamashita, M., Fujisaki, M., Ohkushi, E., Kaihatsu, K. and Uchida, S. (1987) Ecological study of effects of administration of three kinds of lactic acid bacteria on suppression of intestinal decomposed substance. Clinics and Microorganisms 13(b): 87. 

Honma, N., Ohtani, K. and Kikuchi, H. (1987) On effects of lactic acid bacteria. Part II. Clinical effects. New Medicines and Clinics 36(1): 75. 

Honma, N. (1986) On effects of lactic acid bacteria. Part I. Biological significance New Medicines and Clinics 35(12): 2687-2695. 

Honma, N. (1974) Intestinal bacteria flora of infants and infection protection. Pediatric Clinics 27(11): 20. 

In-House Clinical Study Conducted on 180 Patients from 8 Different Medical Facilities (Kobe University and associated hospitals.) 

Willard, T. (1989) Occurrence of diarrhea with the use of Kyo-Dophilus. Chiron Consultants Inc. Calgary, Canada. 

Willard, T. 1989. Kyo-Dophilus use in the reduction of Candida albicans symptoms. Chiron Consultants Inc. Calgary, Canada. 

Top