AGELESS ENTEROPHILUS

Symbiotic essential microflora for the proper functioning of the immune system and prevention of constipation, colorectal disorders, premature aging, hair loss, neurological disorders, bleeding and bruising, and vitamin B-12 dependent anemia.

Ageless Enterophilus supplement (from the enteron, pertaining to the intestines, and philous—liking) provides bacteria essential for the normal functioning of the large intestine affected by disbacteriosis, or by the deficiency of essential intestinal bacteria.

OTHER INGREDIENTS: Gelatin (capsules), inert  cellulose (enteric coating), silica (excipient).

SUGGESTED USE: Adults take 1 capsule daily or as directed by health care professional.

STORAGE: Store in a cool, dry place, away from direct light. Keep out of reach of children

Eliminating disbacteriosis literally means “infecting,” or, as a microbiologist might say, reinoculating the large intestine with synergistic bacterial strains. In practical terms, it means that you need to take a quality bacterial supplement, such as Enterophilus, which was specifically designed for this purpose.

Unlike most probiotic dietary supplements provided in liquid, powder, or gelatin capsules, Enterophilus capsules are coated with inert cellulose (“enteric”). This coating prevents dissolution in the stomach, protects the microorganisms from stomach‘s acidity, and assures effective release in the large intestine to assure bacteria survival and colonization.

The probiotic cultures in Enterophilus are grown on a neutral maltodextrin base. The microorganisms are harvested and freeze-dried when they are at their maximum concentration. Low moisture content provides for long shelf life even at room temperatures and inhibits the settlement of pathogenic microorganisms.

Enterophilus is free of preservatives and common allergens, including dairy, wheat, soya, bovine colostrum (particularly dangerous, may cause anaphylaxis [allergic shock] in humans), etc.

The unusual-sounding names in the Supplement Facts table above refer to Tyrannosaurus Rex-era bacterial strains (monocultures), which were isolated and bred in biolabs, harvested in biofarms, freeze-dried in very expensive vacuum sublimators, and packaged into capsules and bottles in clean, cold rooms using dedicated packaging equipment—something akin to microprocessor's fab.

The numbers of bacteria per dose appear impressive, but, in fact, are quite meaningless. That‘s because tens of billions of sublimated (freeze-dried) bacteria will fit into the tiniest capsule or on the tip of a teaspoon. Don't bother counting them as a measure of a supplement's effectiveness. They don't work by count, but by quality.

FOS and ulmus fulva are prebiotics, or substances that provide starter feed for these bacteria—just like fertilizer for plants. Other supplements may include inulin, pectin, or psyllium. In their tiny amounts per capsule, these soluble fibers are harmless.

There are no known side effects associated with high-quality intestinal flora. Lesser brands may be allergenic, and not necessarily from bacteria, but additives, such as colostrum, inulin, preservatives, and others.

Remember, neither antibiotics nor chemotherapy agents nor radiation can distinguish between bad bacteria or cancer cells and good bacteria, all single-cell organisms. So the good bacteria get wiped out along with the intended target. And they won't be coming back any time soon unless you ingest some of these bacterial supplements!

The supplemental bacteria come from commercial suppliers of bacterial cultures—mainly European—whose primary focus is not human supplements, but livestock-feed additives to treat disbacteriosis in farm animals. Because of overcrowding, these animals routinely receive antibiotics to fight respiratory infections. Hence the need to get treated with bacteria.

It‘s ironic that profit-wise farmers take better care of livestock than most people take of themselves or their kids. Doubly ironic is that veterinarians routinely prescribe probiotics to pigs, goats, and cows, while the majority of medical doctors steadfastly deny their role in human health and disease.

Because bacterial supplements contain limited numbers of strains, it‘s a good idea to rotate them with other quality brands from reputable manufacturers.

Finally, take a remedial course of intestinal flora after a bout with diarrhea, major food poisoning, antibiotics, chemotherapy, radiation, and similar factors, which damage living cells.

(An in-depth overview of disbacteriosis is available here.)

How to take Enterophilus

The rules are reasonable, based on the “nature of the beasts” and common sense:

• Take probiotic formulas in the morning, on an empty stomach, so they are exposed to the least amount of acidity and enzymes in the stomach and upper intestines. (This recommendation doesn't apply to Enterophilus because its capsules pass the stomach intact.)

• Don't take bacterial supplements while taking antibiotics because the latter will kill them anyway, and they may render antibiotics somewhat less efficient against its intended target.

• If you are experiencing significant flatulence while consuming little or no fiber, it‘s time to stop taking additional flora, because you already have plenty.

• Supplemental bacteria require minor quantities of prebiotics  to survive the trip and procreate inside the large intestine. If you are on a very low-carb diet for medical or weight loss reasons, take several recommended doses of FOS or apple pectin daily. Many supplements already have minor amounts added in. A formula such as GI Recovery is even better because it not only "feeds" bacteria, but also stimulates the buildup of the intestinal mucosa that bacteria call their home as well as the source of nourishment (i.e. mucin).

• To prevent choking, don‘t give capsules to children. Use a powder formula instead, or just open the capsule and pour its contents into a lukewarm beverage (not hot, heat will kill bacteria). Shake well, and serve it to your child, who should have an empty stomach.

  Supplemental probiotics are the most accessible, inexpensive, and easiest form of oral bacterial therapy. You can take these supplements continuously, periodically, or on an as-needed basis, relying on your observations of stools and other symptoms of disbacteriosis as described here and in my book.

  If you are healthy, taking quality probiotics may counteract the impact of environmental pollution on your digestive organs and immune system. This is the next best option to living and working on a small organic farm, surrounded by pristine meadows, virgin springs, and free-range livestock.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How long do I have to take intestinal flora?

The content of your toilet bowl will tell you. If your stools are light, fluffy, small, and moist without fiber in your diet, you‘re okay flora-wise. I also recommend rotating various brands of probiotics for optimal effect.

You should always take probiotics after any treatment that may damage the intestinal flora, such as a course of antibiotics, laxatives, chemo-, radio-, and retroviral therapy, severe food poisoning, diarrhea, and similar circumstances.

Some brands of probiotics (not Enterophilus), especially liquid formulas, may cause severe bloating. You should always exercise caution when trying out a new brand. Keep in mind that it takes from a few days to a few weeks for intestinal flora to take hold.

Q. I take intestinal flora regularly, but still struggle with constipation.

If you are taking certain common medicines, or if you already have some form of colorectal damage, such as hemorrhoids or nerve damage, then bacterial supplements aren‘t going to eliminate those underlying causes of chronic constipation—even if your stools become picture-perfect in all other respects.

You may also suffer from delayed stomach emptying (gastroparesis), so your bacteria never reach the large intestine alive. That‘s because they can't bypass the stomach's acidity and enzymes, even when taken in the morning on presumably an empty stomach.

In this case you‘ll need to use the safest possible method (such as Hydro-C) to stimulate regular defecation. Whatever you decide to do, it still would be better for you than going back to fiber, because the next round of recovery may be even more complicated. Plus, keep in mind all those other essential health properties of intestinal flora, as described above.

In some respects, bacterial supplements are very much like prescription eyeglasses—you don‘t expect them to magically fix bad eyesight, but are still darn grateful for being able to see.

Q. Do you recommend liquid probiotic formulas that can be found in health stores?

To find an answer to this question, I have experimented with several brands in the past. Some left me bloated and flatulent for considerable stretches of time, even on a fiber-free diet. Perhaps they‘d been just too effective. Or, it‘s possible that live bacteria from liquid formulas took hold in the upper sections of the small intestine, where they shouldn‘t be. You may require a course of antibiotics to wipe them out if the discomfort becomes unbearable.

It‘s less likely to happen with capsules, such as Enterophilus, because the bacteria in these preparations are sublimated (dried out) into hibernation. They remain ?asleep‘ while ?commuting‘ through the folds of the small intestine. This trip—from the stomach to large intestine—takes around 24 hours. Once these bacteria reach the relative safety of the blind gut (it has the proper pH and no enzymes to devour them), they finally wake up and get into action.

This information has not been evaluated by the FDA (Food and Drug Administration). This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.