The HLC (Human Lactic
Commensals) range of probiotics have been developed within the Pharmax
alliance and have been proven in both human clinical trials and
by practitioner usage for over 10 years in Europe. In many countries
in Europe, they are the market leading probiotic nutriceutical used
by professional healthcarers.
The role of probiotics in human physiology is both
varied and of fundamental importance. However, part of the reason
why their full benefits are not always achieved in practice is that
the microorganisms do not reach the G.I. tract in either sufficient
numbers or with sufficient activity to be effective. Moreover, many
bacterial isolates used as probiotic organisms are poor colonizers
of the G.I. tract, quickly passing straight through and thereby
eliciting only a transitory effect.
Hence, for a probiotic to be effective, there are four criteria
of primary importance that must be delivered:
 |
Proven product shelf stability,
ensuring that the probiotic organisms reach the user at the
"correct" potency |
|
Ability of the selected cultures to survive
gastric juices/acidity |
|
Ability of the cultures to attach to human
epithelial tissue |
|
Proven in clinical trials |
HLC – Delivering a quality product
with shelf stability and quality assurance
The organisms, Lactobacillus acidophilus
and Bifidobacterium bifidum, as used in the HLC range are fragile
organisms, sensitive to both temperature and moisture. As temperature
increases from 40°F, there is an almost exponential drop in
viable numbers with time and this is exacerbated by the presence
of moisture.
It is for this reason that many probiotic products containing L.
acidophilus and Bifidobacteria have failed in independent surveys
to deliver label specifications of viable bacterial numbers to the
end user. By addition of microbial overage at the time of manufacture
combined with appropriate packaging and storage conditions, Pharmax
ensures that all products reach the customer at above-label specification.
Independent analysis of each batch (available to customers) proves
the point.
The HLC probiotics have:
|
Virtually indefinite shelf life
if kept frozen |
|
Full 12 - 18 months shelf life if kept refrigerated |
|
Over 3 months shelf life at room temperature...............
................. and still remain above the label specification! |
This quality assurance promise has resulted
in the HLC range being given top placing of all products analysed
for meeting specification and value for money in two recent independent
European probiotic surveys.
HLC – Highest survival through the
stomach
The pH of the empty stomach is between 1.5
and 1.9 whereas, due to the buffering
capacity of food, the pH is raised to between 3.8 and 4.3 in the
full stomach. The aggressive nature of the stomach acts as an excellent
barrier to invasion by potentially pathogenic microbes. So, for
probiotics to be effective, they must survive in high numbers under
the same environmental stresses as would severely inhibit or eradicate
other bacteria.
The HLC organisms were compared with other probiotic strains for
their ability to survive passage.
With over 90% survival
in the full stomach and over 50% survival in the harshest environment
of the empty stomach, the HLC organisms proved particularly robust
and well adapted to the human stomach. This was in contrast to other
probiotic organisms, which showed great sensitivity to gastric conditions
and poor adaptation to the human host.
This study also demonstrated that probiotics should be taken in
association with a meal to ensure maximum survival.
HLC - Proven attachment to human epithelial
cells and antagonism to Candida albicans
In the small intestine (duodenum, jejunum, ileum) the transit time
is rapid relative to the "doubling time" of normal flora
bacteria so, if they are unable to attach or otherwise become associated
with the epithelial surface, they will be washed through. Lactobacilli,
particularly Lactobacillus acidophilus are the most important colonizing
organism of the small intestine and it is therefore critical that
any Lactobacillus strains used as probiotics are capable of human
epithelial cell attachment.
HLC - Proven in clinical trials
Probiotics from the HLC range are continuously
tested and shown to be effective in independent, placebo controlled,
clinical trials. All such studies get published in peer-reviewed
scientific journals. Results from recent clinical studies are outlined
below.
Trial 1: Undertaken at
Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge, U.K.
Aim: Reduction in post-antibiotic re-growth of
potentially pathogenic facultative microorganisms
Results: HLC Intensive significantly prevented
post antibiotic increase in Staphylococci, Enterobacteriaceae and
Enterococci. These microorganisms are associated with post-antibiotic
infection and overgrowth as well as the acquisition and transfer
of antibiotic resistance.
Trial 2: Undertaken at Addenbrookes
Hospital, Cambridge, U.K.
Aim: Prevention of post-antibiotic overgrowth of
Clostridium difficile in hospitalized patients
Results: HLC Intensive lowered frequency of Clostridium
difficile infection and overgrowth to the extent that justified
its use in all hospitalized patients undertaking antibiotic therapy.
With further clinical trials already in progress,
it is clear that the HLC range of probiotics from Pharmax is leading
the way in innovative, clinical probiotic research and will pave
the way for recognition of the benefits of probiotics in many new
aspects of human health and disease.
The Functions of Lactobacilli & Bifidobacteria
in the G.I. tract
Their major beneficial physiological functions are as follows:
Well established:
|
Protect against enteric infection,
overgrowth and dysbiosis |
|
Stimulate the development and balancing of
the neonatal immune system |
|
Continuously stimulate the mucosal immune
barrier throughout life |
|
Stimulate the digestion and absorption of
nutrients such as lactose (by producing lactase) and minerals
(by action of lactic acid) |
|
Stimulate intestinal motility |
Less well established:
|
Decrease absorption of dietary
cholesterol by binding and excretion |
|
Decrease production of intestinal mutagens
and carcinogens |
However, for most people, the benefits of having
high numbers of Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria are not fully achieved.
This is because these organisms are the most adversely affected
by any disturbance of the G.I. tract, leading to dramatically reduced
populations and resultant dysbiosis. This can be overcome by supplementing
with products from the Pharmax HLC range – the benchmark
of probiotics and probiotic therapy.
HLC – Summary
|
