Gut Protector

Lactobacillus acidophilus La-14[reg] is a probiotic of human origin, a live microorganism that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit for the host. First isolated in 1900, it is a Gram-positive, non-spore forming, homofermentative, catalase-negative rod, which was first named Bacillus acidophilus. L. acidophilus are part of the human microbiota and have been cultured from the oral, digestive and vaginal tracts. It is also found in common dairy products.

Most probiotics are either lactobacilli or bifidobacteria although some strains of other types have also reported to have probiotic properties. Ingestion of probiotics, or friendly bacteria, is beneficial to maintain the body's microbial balance, known to enhance intestinal health and the immune system.

Saccharomyces boulardii was discovered in 1923 in the tropical fruit lychee, it is a sub-species of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, commonly known as Baker's yeast. S. boulardii is a widely studied type of probiotics, is in fact a yeast found to be effective in a variety of infections from treating acute pediatric diarrhea, in prevention of antibiotic-associated diarrhea, and other intestinal infections including traveler's diarrhea.

S. boulardii can survive the human gastrointestinal tract due to its resistance to high temperature and low pH. It has been found to compete with diarrhea caused by pathogens for growth in the gut, which makes it effective for treating and preventing diarrhea.

Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) is a fat-soluble vitamin. It is a hormone that is synthesized in the human body from a cholesterol or ergosterol derivative under the action of UVB radiation from the sun. Vitamin D3 is only present in products of animal origin (calf liver, butter, eggs, sardines and herring). The human body also synthesizes vitamin D3 in the skin, under the effect of ultraviolet rays.

Vitamin B6 is a water-soluble vitamin that exists in different forms: pyridoxine, pyridoxal, and pyridoxamine. Since the body is not able to synthesize it, vitamin B6 is drawn from the diet, mainly found in fish, meat (chicken, pork) and liver. It is also found in products of plant origin, such as whole grains, wheat germ, bananas (and other fruits), green leafy vegetables and dried beans.

Vitamin B6 (pyridoxine) contributes to the proper functioning of digestion (metabolism of proteins, fats and carbohydrates), the nervous system and immunity. It is also involved in red blood cells formation and skin health.

Vitamin B12 also known as cobalamin, is a water-soluble vitamin that is involved as a cofactor in the metabolism of every cell in the human body. In particular, it is involved in the synthesis of DNA and its regulation, as well as in the synthesis of fatty acids and energy production.

Independently of the diet, there are many reasons that can lead to a vitamin B12 deficiency. This type of deficiency can go unnoticed for years because the symptoms are not always noticeable. However, care must be taken because in the long term this can lead to a major disturbance of the intestinal ecosystem and the body will no longer be able to absorb nutrients properly during digestion. People suffering from this type of symptom often rush to eat without realizing that their behavior is due to a vitamin B12 deficiency.

Biotin also called vitamin H or B8, is a water-soluble vitamin consisting of an imidazoline nucleus and a tetrahydrothiophene ring. Biotin binds with a very high affinity to avidin, a glycoprotein found in raw egg white. Biotin is entirely provided by the feed. It is present in many foods, fruits, meats, especially liver.

In the human body, different enzymes are dependent on the presence of biotin, important for the metabolism of carbohydrates, fats and proteins. It is mainly used as a substance for the construction of cells and hormones. Biotin has been shown to have an influence on the growth and preservation of the skin, mucous membranes, hair and nails.

Regarding Lactobacillus acidophilus and Saccharomyces boulardii, there is a certain amount of evidence to suggest that specific probiotic strains are able to stimulate and regulate several aspects of natural and acquired immune responses. This could be whether through stimulation of the gut immune system or modulation of immune cell production and function.|1|$Lei Y.M.K., et al. (2015).Clin Res Hepatol Gastroenterol, 39, 9-19.$ One meta-analysis on 12 clinical studies indicates that probiotics significantly prevents traveler's diarrhea. Furthermore, among the probiotics tested, L. acidophilus and S. boulardii had significant efficacy, which demonstrates it can be a safe an effective method.|2|$McFarland L.V., et al. (2007). Travel Med Infect Dis, 5, 97-105.$

Researchers from the University of California (UC), San Diego, and collaborators have recently demonstrated that the makeup of a person’s gut microbiome is linked to their levels of active vitamin D.

The vitamin D receptor is highly expressed in the gastrointestinal tract where it transacts gene expression. The researchers were surprised to find that microbiome diversity was closely associated with active vitamin D.|3|$Thomas, R.L., et al. (2020). Nat Commun, 11, 5997.$

Like humans, some intestinal bacteria are unable to synthesize B vitamins and must acquire them from the host diet or from other intestinal bacteria for their growth and survival. This suggests that the composition and function of the intestinal microbiota may affect host B vitamin usage and, by extension, host immunity.

The dietary deficiency of vitamin B6 alters the gut microbial community and microbial metabolites as assessed. It has been noted that bacteria-produced vitamin B6 is not sufficient to sustain the metabolism of the gut microbiota and can lead to severe impairments in several dependent metabolic reactions. Vitamin B6 deficiency results in a marked deterioration in arginine biosynthesis in the gut, and the impairment in these metabolic pathways may lead to the selective growth of certain gut bacteria. Vitamin B6 is important role for immunosurveillance in the intestines.

In terms of host immunity, dietary vitamin B12 deficiency decreases the number of CD8+ T cells and suppresses natural killer T-cell activity; supplementation with methylcobalamin improves these conditions, suggesting that vitamin B12 contributes to the immune response via CD8+ T cells and natural killer T cells and gut-based immune health and function.|4|$Yoshii K., et al. (2019). Front Nutr, 6:48.$

1 Lei Y.M.K., et al. (2015). The interplay between the intestinal microbiota and the immune system. Clin Res Hepatol Gastroenterol, 39, 9-19.

2 McFarland L.V., et al. (2007). Meta-analysis of probiotics for the prevention of traveler's diarrhea. Travel Med Infect Dis, 5, 97-105.

3 Thomas, R.L., et al. (2020). Vitamin D metabolites and the gut microbiome in older men. Nat Commun, 11, 5997.

4 Yoshii K., et al. (2019). Metabolism of Dietary and Microbial Vitamin B Family in the Regulation of Host Immunity. Front Nutr, 6:48.