Gut Check!

Athletes and sportspeople, training on a regular basis, often experience gastrointestinal (GI) disturbances, particularly before a race or event.  According to Lanham-New et al., (2011) the frequency of GI symptoms may be twice as high in endurance athletes, such as runners, compared with cyclists and up to three times higher in elite compared to recreational athletes; this not only causes distress & embarrassment, but can also compromise overall health and performance due to dehydration or lack of energy.  Episodes are often related to stress and nerves, but various intestinal conditions, which can also seriously compromise the immune system and lower the amount of healthy intestinal microflora, may also be responsible.  Furthermore, several scientific studies suggest that disturbances in levels of beneficial bacteria may also be responsible for a large proportion of urinary tract infections (UTI’s); however, when potent probiotic supplements are ingested regularly, the number of beneficial intestinal micro-organisms increases and once established, a normal, intestinal microflora, rich in Lactobacilli, creates acidic conditions which are unfavourable to the settlement of pathogenic micro-organisms. 

Healthy Gut = Healthy Person

Oral supplements of live, beneficial intestinal micro-organisms for nutritional health and well-being are known as probiotics.  The composition of the intestinal microflora is dynamic and constantly changing; if harmful micro-organisms proliferate, the equilibrium is disturbed and it becomes difficult for even indigenous bacteria to maintain their beneficial role.  Long-term use of antibiotics can have an adverse effect upon gut flora, in that they tend to kill off both the beneficial and harmful bacteria, thus disturbing the healthy balance of microflora, possibly leading to malabsorption and nutrient deficiency.

 

The ability of probiotic cultures to survive stomach acidity and pH is no longer a concern; the live cultures in Klean Probiotic have been studied and revealed to be extremely resistant to low stomach pH and bile acids in the duodenum and results reveal increased binding to human intestinal walls and protective effects of intestinal  colonisation.  Prebiotics (fructooligosaccharides) are carbohydrates that have short molecular chains; they function as non-digestible ingredients that can positively affect selected groups of beneficial intestinal microflora, such as Lactobacillus.  While probiotics merely add beneficial microflora, prebiotics affect the intestinal environment so that beneficial colonies of microflora can flourish.

Klean Probiotic balances bacteria in your gut so that the nutrients you need to perform can be optimally absorbed into your bloodstream.  Furthermore, since strenuous exercise can suppress the immune system, Klean Probiotic is also formulated to help support your body’s immune response.  Klean Probiotic supplies 15 billion beneficial live organisms to support a healthy intestinal tract and immune system; containing 8 strains of probiotic plus a prebiotic to create a synergistic balance and assist in nutrient absorption.

 

Serving size = 1 capsule

Servings per container = 60
Each Capsule Contains:
Multi-Strain Probiotic Blend 15 Billion CFU*
Containing:
Lactobacillus acidophilus (DDS-1) 4.3 Billion CFU
Lactobacillus rhamnosus  4.3 Billion CFU
Bifido lactis  1.9 Billion CFU
Lactobacillus lactis 1.0 Billion CFU
Bifido longum  1.0 Billion CFU
Bifido bifidum  1.0 Billion CFU
Lactobacillus gasseri 1.0 Billion CFU
Streptococcus thermophilus 0.5 Billion CFU
Proprietary Blend 210 mg
FOS (fructooligosaccharides) and Ulmus fulva (bark)
Other ingredients: Gelatin (capsule), cellulose, vegetable stearate and silica.

*CFU = Colony Forming Units – the measure of viable microbes in a probiotic.

Lanham-New, S.A., Stear, S.J., Shirreffs, S.M., Collins, A.L. (2011) Sport & Exercise Nutrition – The Nutrition Society Textbook Series, West Sussex, John Wiley & Sons Ltd