16 BioticBlend

The World Health Organization states that probiotics are live microorganisms, often referred to as “good” bacteria, which, when applied in adequate amounts, have beneficial effects on the health of the host.

The human microbiota can become disturbed due to illness, stress, aging, the use of antibiotics or other medications, exposure to toxins, excessive alcohol consumption, and even the use of antibacterial soaps.

Good bacteria in our intestines play a role in digestion, vitamin synthesis, protect the intestinal lining, and have a favorable impact on the immune system.

High-quality probiotics can improve the quality of life, especially for women, by helping combat fatigue and stress, enhancing digestive health, alleviating urinary infections, and bacterial vaginosis.

Prebiotics are indigestible food components whose role is to promote the growth and activity of good bacteria in the intestines. They can be taken in combination with probiotics, enhancing their effect and accelerating the process of gut flora restoration.

Probiotics can contain from 1 billion to tens of billions of bacteria per gram (often denoted as 10 to the ninth CFU/gram).

However, the quality of the bacteria is more important than the quantity, as they must survive the action of stomach acid, bile acids, and the alkaline environment in the small intestine to reach the colon alive and be effective.

The patented probiotic 16 BioticBlend delivers up to 16 different beneficial bacterial strains directly to the colon through the process of microencapsulation. This innovative process protects probiotic bacteria from degradation in the digestive tract until they reach the colon, where they perform their functions.

Antibiotics are medications used to treat diseases caused by bacteria. The use of antibiotics is often necessary to combat infections. However, while antibiotics kill harmful bacteria, they also eliminate good bacteria in our bodies. Antibiotics are not selective, so they not only destroy pathogenic bacteria but also the beneficial ones, leading to disturbances in the gut microflora, known as dysbiosis.

The use of antibiotics can cause side effects such as diarrhea, bloating, and gastrointestinal issues. Additionally, the use of antibiotics increases the risk of developing fungal infections, such as candidiasis. Probiotics, especially those containing Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains, can help reduce this risk by inhibiting the growth of pathogenic fungi.

The gut microflora plays a crucial role in the immune system, and probiotics can promote the normal functioning of the immune system and improve the absorption of certain nutrients, which can be beneficial when gut functions are compromised.

The recommendation for taking probiotics during antibiotic therapy is to take them 2 hours before or 2 hours after taking antibiotics. This spacing is necessary because if consumed simultaneously, antibiotics will destroy the good bacteria from the probiotic supplement that was intentionally introduced into the body.

16 BioticBlend is a dietary supplement, a probiotic, designed for adults and children over 6 years of age. It consists of 16 bacterial strains with the ability to multiply that are naturally present in the human intestines. It contains a minimum of 12.5 billion microencapsulated bacterial cultures. As a prebiotic and a source of food for healthy bacteria, the product contains inulin, which has a positive and stimulatory effect on the gut microbiota.

It is intended for:

• Daily support for intestinal flora
• Supports regular digestion with “good bacteria”
• Contains 12.5 billion “good bacteria”
• Probiotic + Prebiotic in 1 capsule daily
• For adults and children over 6 years
• No refrigeration required
• Product stable at room temperature

Probiotics can contain from 1 billion to tens of billions of bacteria per gram (often denoted as 10 to the ninth CFU/gram).

However, the quality of the bacteria is more important than the quantity, as they must survive the action of stomach acid, bile acids, and the alkaline environment in the small intestine to reach the colon alive and be effective.

The patented probiotic 16 BioticBlend delivers up to 16 different beneficial bacterial strains directly to the colon through the process of microencapsulation. This innovative process protects probiotic bacteria from degradation in the digestive tract until they reach the colon, where they perform their functions.

Microencapsulation is a technological process for immobilizing probiotic bacteria within a confined space to protect them during production and application. Microencapsulated probiotic cells better survive simulated conditions in the gastrointestinal tract than non-microencapsulated cells. Materials used for microencapsulation in the food industry must have GRAS status, be biodegradable, and form a barrier between the encapsulated ingredient and its environment.

Thanks to the specific method of microencapsulation, good bacteria have a longer shelf life and less degradation over time and changes in temperature.

Bifidobacteria are gram-positive anaerobic, non-motile, and non-sporulating rods. They represent one of the most common bacterial populations in the gastrointestinal tract, especially in breastfed infants.

Bifidobacteria are a common population of microorganisms in the mouth, vagina, cervix, small intestine, and human colon. They protect the body from intestinal infections caused by bacteria such as Salmonella and Shigella species, as well as enteropathogenic Escherichia coli.

Bifidobacteria are known to produce L (+) lactic acid and acetic acid, which provide a lower pH in the digestive tract, inhibiting the growth of unwanted and even pathogenic bacteria. Acetic acid more strongly inhibits the growth of Gram-negative bacteria than lactic acid, and bifidobacteria produce it in larger quantities than some other lactic acid bacteria. The importance of bifidobacteria is highlighted in restoring health-promoting microorganisms in the intestines of patients treated with antibiotics or in patients with an unfavorable composition of microorganisms in the gut.

Lactobacillus is a gram-positive, facultatively anaerobic, non-motile bacterium that does not form spores and ferments glucose into lactose, from which it got its name.

Lactobacillus acidophilus is found in the human intestines, mouth, and vagina. It is commonly used for diarrhea associated with antibiotic use, as well as for irritable bowel syndrome, bacterial overgrowth in the vagina, and infections caused by the H. pylori bacterium.

Lactobacillus plantarum is a widely distributed and versatile lactic acid bacterium. It is a natural inhabitant of human and animal mucous membranes (oral cavity, gastrointestinal tract, vagina, etc.). It is used for the prevention and treatment of irritable bowel disease (IBD), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and gastrointestinal symptoms.

Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG (LGG) was discovered by Sherwood Gorbach and Barry Goldin (the strain was named after the initial letters of their last names – GG). Initially, the strain was called L. acidophilus GG, but it was later determined to be an L. rhamnosus strain. The strain is acid and bile-resistant, adheres well to the intestinal epithelium, and produces lactic acid.

It is recommended for the prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhea and the treatment of viral diarrhea in children. The immunomodulatory properties of LGG can be observed in its potential use as a treatment and protective agent against inflammation.

Lactobacillus reuteri is found in various parts of the human body, including the gastrointestinal tract, urinary system, skin, and breast milk. It has anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial properties, can be beneficial to the host’s immune system, and has the ability to strengthen the intestinal barrier.

Lactobacillus salivarius is used for the prevention and treatment of various chronic diseases, including asthma, atopic dermatitis, and halitosis, and to a limited extent for preventing or treating infections.

Lactobacillus casei is used for regulating the digestive system (chronic constipation and diarrhea), Crohn’s disease, irritable bowel syndrome, and ulcerative colitis.

Lactobacillus rhamnosus helps reduce the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome, prevents and treats diarrhea, and is highly beneficial for gastrointestinal health, preventing bladder inflammation.

Despite the name, which may initially sound negative, Streptococcus thermophilus is not a pathogenic streptococcus. Streptococcus thermophilus strains are gram-positive bacteria, typically having a spherical or circular (cocci) shape, and a tendency to live in pairs or chains. It is a beneficial microbe that resides in the gastrointestinal tract and the reproductive system.

Streptococcus thermophilus can digest the protein casein, producing amino peptides from this protein. It is used to prevent and alleviate diarrhea, constipation, colic, and many other gut-related issues. One of the primary health benefits of S. thermophilus is the improvement of gastrointestinal tract function.

Because it can survive the harsh conditions of the intestines without being destroyed by bile and stomach acid, S. thermophilus is an excellent probiotic for promoting the growth of healthy bacteria in the gut.

Streptococcus thermophilus has also been found to improve symptoms of lactose intolerance. Those who suffer from low lactase levels (the enzyme necessary for breaking down milk sugar) can find relief with S. thermophilus. This strain aids in milk digestion through its production of lactic acid, reducing symptoms caused by intolerance.

It has also been shown that a weak immune system significantly benefits from S. thermophilus. This beneficial strain fights against viruses, fungi, and parasites that attack the gastrointestinal and urogenital systems. S. thermophilus also helps reduce gut inflammation, decrease pathogen activity, and improve overall health.

In the composition of 16 BioticBlend, a prebiotic called inulin is included to ensure that probiotics have the necessary food to stimulate the growth of healthy bacteria and realize all the intended benefits.

Inulin is a fructan (a polymer of fructose molecules). Significant amounts of inulin are found in many plant species, such as chicory, Jerusalem artichoke, dandelion, onion, and garlic.

The fructose molecules in inulin are linked by bonds that digestive enzymes cannot break down. Instead, undigested inulin passes through the digestive system and reaches the colon, where the bacteria present in the colon ferment it. Inulin is broken down into gases (hydrogen and carbon dioxide), lactate, and short-chain fatty acids, such as acetate, propionate, and butyrate. These complex metabolic pathways make the colon environment more acidic, which is favorable for bifidobacteria and lactobacilli that thrive in such conditions.

The product consists of live microorganism cultures and inulin in daily doses permitted by the Ministry of Health’s Regulation on Dietary Supplements. In case of hypersensitivity, discontinue use and consult a doctor.

16 BioticBlend is produced in accordance with the HACCP system to ensure the safety of the product, as well as in compliance with the ISO 9001:2015 quality control system for dietary supplements business.

Each product batch undergoes manufacturer controls and receives a certificate of analysis accordingly.

Regular health safety checks of the product are conducted at the Croatian Institute of Public Health.

All the ingredients in 16 BioticBlend are permitted by the Ministry of Health’s Regulation on Dietary Supplements, and there are no warnings against pregnant and breastfeeding women using the product. However, it is recommended that pregnant and breastfeeding women consult with a physician before use.

Pay attention to bacterial species: The majority of probiotic bacteria found in the digestive system belong to the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium genera. Lactobacilli inhabit the small intestine, while bifidobacteria predominate in the colon.

Pay attention to the number of good bacteria. The most critical factor is the total number of bacteria contained in each capsule, and most experts agree that a preparation should contain at least 10 billion bacterial cultures in a daily dose.

Does your probiotic also contain a prebiotic? A prebiotic is non-digestible fiber that promotes the growth of good bacteria.