FLORA GARDEN
Intestinal flora building formula

Antibiotic use is on the rise, and along with it is a rise of complications stemming from their use. Antibiotics are designed to kill bacteria, though not all bacteria are bad. The intestines contain several hundred species, comprised of thousands of strains, of beneficial bacteria, which are also destroyed by antibiotic use.

Potentially harmful bacteria and fungus also inhabit the intestines. These pathogens are normally kept in balance by beneficial intestinal bacteria known as flora. When flora are destroyed by antibiotics harmful microbes, such as Candida albicans and pathogenic bacteria can overgrow in the intestines. Candida overgrowth has numerous symptoms, which can mimic over 95 different diseases. In severe cases the symptoms can become permanently disabling, or even fatal.

The flora serve many other important functions as well. The flora produce vitamins, such as B vitamins and vitamin K, and aid with mineral absorption. Flora help to control pathogens though the generation of acids, competing with them for space and food, and through the production of anti-bacterial bacteriocides. They also produce antiseptic and immune stimulating hydrogen peroxide and stimulate the production of immune supporting cytokines. Peroxides and cytokines stimulate immune responses, destroy pathogens, and provide protection from cancer in the body. Hormone metabolites are further broken down by the flora providing further protection from cancer and aiding with hormonal disorders. The vast majority of the body's serotonin, which serves a number of purposes, is also produced by the intestinal flora.

Various products are available on the market that claim to replenish or rebuild the levels or friendly flora in the colon. There is much doubt as to the effectiveness of many of these products. Products containing "live" bacteria, known as probiotics, are generally of little or no use. These bacteria live and thrive in an alkaline environment. When ingested though they must first pass through an acidic stomach containing digestive enzymes to reach the intestines, which can destroy many of the bacteria. Enterically coated products help somewhat, but are still not the answer since the bacteria are affected by other factors such as time and heat. Live bacteria products that have been shipped in non-refrigerated trucks, and which have sat unrefrigerated on store shelves for extended amounts of time, are of little or no value. It is also important to keep in mind that these supplements only replace a few of the over 200 species of beneficial bacteria that inhabit the intestines.

Fiber is a major source of food for the flora. Fibers are composed of long chain sugar molecules. The flora break the chemical bonds of the fibers creating simpler sugars which provide for their energy and growth.

Fructooligosaccharides (FOS) are becoming a popular substitute for fibers as a means of building intestinal flora. FOS is a long chain sugar molecule, though it is not quite as long as the cellulose fibers commonly used as fiber sources. Most FOS products on the market are produced from plain table sugar. The sugar molecules are linked together into longer chains, forming FOS. FOS is also present in high amounts in plants, such as elecampane and chicory root.

Flora Garden differs from other products in several ways. First, Flora Garden does not contain live bacteria. Instead, Flora Garden provides fibers as food sources for all strains of our flora to stimulate their growth. This makes Flora Garden a prebiotic formula rather than a probiotic formula, which increases stability and effectiveness.

Flora Garden also incorporates moisture retaining herbs that provide a more friendly environment for the flora to thrive in. Vitamins and minerals in Flora Garden provide additional health benefits.

Ingredients:

Apple Fiber- Non-irritating fiber source to feed the beneficial bacteria that inhabit the intestines.

Chickweed- Provides fiber to feed the flora, and saponins that retains moisture for an improved growth environment for the flora. Rich in vitamin C and lecithin. Stimulates healing in the colon, reduces intestinal inflammation, and is mildly laxative.

Oatgrass- Fiber source. Rich in B vitamins and silica.

Beet root- Stimulates growth of intestinal flora. Excellent nutrient source.

FOS (fructooligosaccharides) - Natural, non-irritating fiber source. Food source for intestinal bacteria.

Licorice root- Provides saponins for moisture retention in the colon. Reduces inflammation in the intestines due to its steroidal properties and by improving adrenal gland function. Licorice root is mildly laxative, and its content of saponins increases nutrient absorption and decreases fermentation in the digestive system.

Yucca root- Excellent source of fiber. Yucca root is a strong antiseptic, and cleanses the intestines due to its high level of natural soap molecules, known as saponins. Yucca root is a powerful anti-inflammatory due to its steroidal properties, anti-inflammatory yuccaols and resveratrol compounds, and its beneficial effects on the adrenal glands. Saponins in yucca root increase nutrient absorption and decreases fermentation in the digestive system.

Kelp- Contains algin which holds moisture in the colon. Excellent source of nutrients.

Recommended use is 1/2 teaspoon of the powder 3 times daily on an empty stomach at least 20 minutes before meals. The powder can be mixed in juice, water, or unsweetened applesauce, or may be placed under the tongue and washed down with water.