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Frequently Asked Questions About Theralac |
What are probiotics?
Is Theralac the same as Acidophilus?
How do I know which probiotic bacteria are best for me?
What is a CFU and why do I need so many?
Is a probiotic deficiency common?
What are the symptoms of a probiotic deficiency?
Do I need to take Theralac every day to correct a
probiotic deficiency?
What is a prebiotic?
How do Theralac's prebiotics work?
Will foods rich in FOS also benefit Theralac's
probiotics?
So, how does Theralac work in my intestinal tract?
How does Theralac benefit my immune system?
What is the most common effect I will experience when
taking Theralac?
Is it best to take Theralac with food or on an empty
stomach?
How does Theralac's acid-proof formula compare to enteric
coated probiotics?
Can I take Theralac when taking antibiotics?
How many Theralac capsules should I take when traveling?
It says on the Theralac bottle, "Best if Refrigerated";
how stable is Theralac at room temperature when traveling?
Can Theralac reduce lactose intolerance?
Can Theralac improve vitamin and mineral absorption?
Can I overdose on Theralac? What would be the effect?
Can you explain the Herxheimer Reaction in more detail?
Why are Theralac capsules made of cellulose (Vegicaps)
instead of gelatin?
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What
are probiotics?
Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that are able to colonize the intestinal
tract and help promote healthy structure and function; Lactobacillus
acidophilus is an example of a well known probiotic.
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Is
Theralac the same as Acidophilus?
Yes, but much more...Theralac capsules contain 5 billion CFU of Lactobacillus
acidophilus (LA-1 strain), a well documented, bile tolerant strain with a long
history of use in human dietary supplements. This makes Theralac five times
stronger in "Acidophilus" than most probiotic products. Additionally, Theralac
contains 15 billion CFU of four symbiotic probiotics that go beyond the
capability of Acidophilus: These are select strains of lactobacillus and
Bifidobacterium species that are backed by over 110 scientific studies. ONLY
THERALAC CONTAINS THIS BLEND OF RESEARCH PROVEN PROBIOTIC STRAINS.
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How
do I know which probiotic bacteria are best for me?
Always request scientific references for the specific bacteria listed on a
product's label. Make sure the references cite the exact strains indicated on
the label! Only thoroughly researched, well documented human strains are safe
and acceptable. Be sure each is listed by its Latin name (two words in italics)
and by a strain designation.
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What
is a CFU and why do I need so many?
CFU stands for Colony Forming Unit . It's the number of
bacterial colonies that form on a Petri dish and indicates a product's
viability or strength. Your intestinal tract contains over 1OO trillion
microorganisms from about 1,000 different species, mostly bacteria. Only high
potency probiotic products (those containing 10 billion CFU/capsule or more)
can reliably re-establish the probiotic population within this huge number.
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Is
a probiotic deficiency common?
Quite common! Many lifestyle factors favor undesirable microorganisms over
probiotics in your intestinal tract: stress, poor diet (sugar and fat),
alcohol, prescription drugs, travel, frequent colds or infections, and aging
are the big ones. It's hard for a modern person not to have a probiotic
deficiency to some degree.
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What
are the symptoms of a probiotic deficiency?
They vary from person to person but may include one or more of the following:
Constipation or diarrhea, indigestion, incomplete digestion, heartburn, excess
gas and bloating, lactose intolerance, weak immune response (frequent colds and
infections), fatigue, low energy, muscle weakness, and food allergies.
Obviously, you cannot be at peak health if you have a probiotic deficiency!
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Do
I need to take Theralac every day to correct a probiotic deficiency?
No. Theralac's advanced, high potency formulation allows you to take two
capsules per week once your intestinal tract's microflora has been balanced
(this occurs for most people after taking Theralac daily for two weeks). The
ability to take a probiotic twice a week provides convenience and cost savings.
NOTE: Taking Theralac daily for two weeks provides 280 billion CFU to your
intestinal tract, a very effective dose by probiotic standards. Once this dose
colonizes the intestinal tract it can be maintained by taking two capsules (40
billion CFU) per week.
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What
is a prebiotic?
A food grade substance that benefits probiotic bacteria by some specific
mechanism.
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How
do Theralac's prebiotics work?
Theralac contains two prebiotics that are effective at low dosages; Lactoferrin
and LactoStim (patent pending). Lactoferrin binds iron and makes it difficult
for iron dependent, gram negative bacteria (like Salmonella and E. coli) to
grow. This gives gram positive, probiotic bacteria (which require less iron) a
competitive advantage. LactoStim is a food grade emulsifier that stimulates the
growth and reproduction of Theralac's probiotic bacteria (patent pending).
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Will foods rich in FOS also benefit Theralac's probiotics?
Yes. FOS, or fructooligosaccharides, are prebiotics that you can get by eating
certain foods, and are required in larger quantities compared to Lactoferrin
and LactoStim.
The following foods contain a unique source of soluable fiber (FOS) that
stimulates probiotic bacteria. Eat some when you take Theralac!
| Food |
FOS |
| Garlic |
1.0% |
| Honey |
1.0% |
| Rye Bread |
0.6% |
| Brown Sugar |
0.4% |
| Asparagus |
0.4% |
| Bananas |
0.3% |
| Onions |
0.3% |
| Barley |
0.2% |
| Tomatoes |
0.2% |
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So,
how does Theralac work in my intestinal tract?
The probiotic bacteria in Theralac attach to the soft lining (wall) of your
intestinal tract and help keep it healthy. The lactobacillus ("lacto") strains
are most active in the small intestine while the Bifidobacterium ("Bifido")
strains work best in the large intestine (colon). A healthy intestinal wall
encourages optimum absorption of nutrients, including vitamins and minerals,
and supports healthy digestion and elimination. Theralac also benefits your
immune system...
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How
does Theralac benefit my immune system?
Theralac's five probiotic strains work together (in symbiosis) to stimulate the
mucosal immune system on the intestinal surface which then sends activation
signals to the body's systemic immune system. Because Theralac's strains are
beneficial this action is gentle and modulated. The immune system is put on
"yellow alert" so to speak, ready to act quickly when pathogenic microorganisms
appear.
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What
is the most common effect I will experience when taking Theralac?
Improved elimination and regularity: Softer and more predictable bowel
movements followed by more energy and intestinal comfort.
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Is
it best to take Theralac with food or on an empty stomach?
Either way works well due to Theralac's ACID PROOF formulation. Take Theralac
with water, fruit juice or milk.
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How
does Theralac's acid-proof formula compare to enteric coated probiotics?
Much better and safer! Most enteric coated probiotics are treated with a
polymer of acrylic acid, a synthetic chemical. The sodium alginate used to
acid-proof Theralac capsules is a natural carbohydrate found in seaweed (patent
pending). NOTE: Studies show that > 99% of unprotected probiotics are killed
when exposed to stomach acid for 1 hour, a typical time spent in the stomach.
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Can
I take Theralac when taking antibiotics?
Yes. Take the antibiotic at the prescribed time followed by Theralac two-three
hours later. Continue taking Theralac daily for at least two weeks after
finishing the antibiotics.
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How
many Theralac capsules should I take when traveling?
Take at least one per day. When traveling to developing countries take two per
day, one in the morning and one in the evening. Intestinal problems are easier
to prevent than treat so start taking Theralac daily one week before you leave.
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It
says on the Theralac bottle, "Best if Refrigerated"; how stable is Theralac at
room temperature when traveling?
Theralac can be held at room temperature (65°-75° F) for up to 30 days without
loss in viability. Keep bottle tightly closed and out of direct sunlight.
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Can
Theralac reduce lactose intolerance?
Lactose intolerance results from a lack of the enzyme lactase in the small
intestine. All five of Theralac's probiotic strains produce lactase and may
reduce the severity of lactose intolerance.
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Can
Theralac improve vitamin and mineral absorption?
Vitamins and minerals are absorbed in the small intestine. The health and
integrity of the intestinal soft lining (wall or mucosa) affects the absorption
of all nutrients including vitamins and minerals. Theralac may help improve
vitamin and mineral absorption by maintaining a healthy soft lining. In
addition, mineral absorption, especially calcium and magnesium, is improved by
a slightly acid pH at the mucosal surface. The probiotic strains in Theralac
produce lactic and acetic acids which lower pH (acidify), if this occurs on the
surface of the soft lining it may enhance Ca and Mg absorption.
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Can
I overdose on Theralac? What would be the effect?
Probiotic bacteria, including those in Theralac, have been used in dosages of
one trillion CFU/day or more without harmful effects. At very high dosages
probiotics may cause diarrhea in some people which can be eliminated by
reducing the dose. Sometimes when high potency probiotics are used for the
first time a short period of discomfort results while the intestinal tract's
microflora is being rebalanced. This is called the Herxheimer Reaction.
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Can
you explain the Herxheimer Reaction in more detail?
The Herxheimer Reaction is a period if discomfort that sometimes results when
harmful microorganisms are rapidly killed off in the intestinal tract and their
toxic byproducts accumulate prior to elimination. When the intestinal tract is
severely out of balance (has low numbers of probiotic bacteria) and one takes a
high potency probiotic, it may cause a sudden die off of harmful bacteria (or
yeast) followed by detoxification symptoms such as bloating, cramping, gas or
headaches. Usually these symptoms subside in a short time as the probiotics
gain control and the harmful microorganisms are eliminated. If this happens,
stay the course with the probiotic or lessen the dose slightly. If severe or
persistent symptoms occur see your doctor.
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Why
are Theralac capsules made of cellulose (Vegicaps) instead of gelatin?
Gelatin is derived from beef byproducts and is not acceptable to vegetarians.
Some non-vegetarians object to beef byproducts for other reasons. Vegicaps are
made from materials of plant origin. Theralac does not contain any: yeast,
eggs, corn, soy, gluten, wheat, salt, lactose or beef products.
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