Overview

Why take probiotics?
Digestive health

Active live cultures supply relief from occasional gas, bloating, constipation, sensitive stomach and lactose intolerance.†

Immune health

Ensures your body is not weighed down by toxins which may limit your immune defenses.†

Skin health

Fights free radicals and environmental toxins which can have negative effects on your skin.†

Why take Pearls IC^™ intensive care probiotics?
It provides serious digestive support!†

Pearls IC^™ has more strains for:

• Deep intestinal care.†
• Long-term colon health.†
• Maximum control of occasional gas, bloating and constipation.†

It's the smarter probiotic.

True Delivery™ Technology guarantees active cultures survive stomach acids, arrive in your intestines and thrive to provide exceptional support.†

It's convenient.

Unlike many probiotic products, Pearls IC^™ requires no refrigeration. Plus, you only need one tiny dose daily for digestive, immune, and skin health support.†

Directions

One capsule daily, with water or your favorite beverage. May be taken with or without food. Do not chew or crush.

Pill Size

Interactions and Depletions

Technical Data

Description

Pearls IC™ Intensive Care Probiotics is a unique probiotic supplement for use when deep restoration of beneficial intestinal microflora is needed.^† Containing a broad-spectrum of beneficial microflora that are structurally, functionally, and ecologically diverse, Pearls IC provides:

• Deep intestinal care^†
• Long-term colon health^†
• Maximum control of occasional gas, bloating, and constipation^†

Formulated with patented True Delivery™ Technology, an advanced encapsulation technique, each Pearls IC capsule remains intact until arrival in the small intestines, where the viable organisms rapidly colonize.^† Patented True Delivery Technology ensures the beneficial bacteria stay alive throughout shelf-life.^†

Introduction

In 1905, Dr. Elie Metchnikoff, a Russian scientist working at the famous Institut Pasteur in Paris, was the first to write about the health benefits of probiotics. Dr. Metchnikoff, who later won a Nobel Prize for his research on the immune system, wrote that Bulgarian peasants who consumed large amounts of yogurt lived long healthy lives. Examination of the yogurt by Dr. Metchnikoff led to his discovery of a unique lactic acid producing bacteria that helped digestion and improved the immune system.^†1 The historical association of probiotics with fermented dairy products led to extensive research validating Dr. Metchnikoff's early observations. Investigations during the past several decades have demonstrated numerous health supportive properties of probiotics on human health.^†1-3

How Does It Work?

Numerous strains of gut microflora reside in significant numbers in the small intestine (106-108/gram of small intestinal contents) and even greater numbers in the colon (1011-1012/gram of colon contents) or large intestine. Microflora of the large intestine perform several activities beneficial to human health, including supporting healthy digestion through fermentation, promoting healthy bacterial and yeast balance, and stimulating certain immune system components.⁴

Probiotics, as defined by the United States Probiotics Organization, are "live microorganisms administered in adequate amounts which confer a beneficial health effect on the host.”^†5 Probiotic bacteria are frequently, but not always, chosen from bacteria that normally inhabit the gastrointestinal system of humans. The genera Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium longum (normal inhabitants of the healthy intestine) are the most clinically validated of all probiotic strains.^6-8 Scientific study has repeatedly shown that two-strain probiotic supplements containing L. acidophilus and B. longum are highly effective in:

• supporting overall human health.^†
• responding to small daily challenges.^†9-11

When humans are under increased physical, emotional, or intellectual stress changes often occur within the gastrointestinal environment.⁴ Examples of these changes include slowed secretory responses, increased formation of reactive oxygen species, increased transit times of fecal material, disruption of mucosal cells, and altered epithelium tissues. These changes often result in occasional gas, bloating, and constipation and may interfere with probiotic functionality.^12-14

The effectiveness of all probiotics is dependent on the ability of the organisms to reach the large intestine in a viable state and adhere to the intestinal wall. Only then can colonization of the microflora succeed.^1,4 Researchers have recently discovered that certain broad-spectrum probiotic combinations are able to function well within altered gastrointestinal environments. ^†14 To date, the probiotic combination of L. acidophilus, L. rhamnosus, B. bifidum, B. breve, B longum, and B. lactis shows great promise in:

• supporting long-term colon care.^†
• providing deep intestinal support.^†
• helping the body respond during times of increased physical, emotional, or mental stress.^†15,16

The broad-spectrum probiotic combination found in Pearls IC Intensive Care Probiotics were selected for their ability to function in-vivo, tolerate harsh intestinal environments, and successfully adhere to intestinal wall.^†

The chart that follows provides details of the strain-specific effects of Pearls IC^™ Intensive Care Probiotics:

Probiotics	Structure/Function Claim	Evidence
Lactobacillus acidophilus	Helps alleviate occasional gas, constipation, and lactose intolerance symptoms in children.17 Supports healthy bowel movements while traveling.†18 Works with the body's own ability to modulate occasional intestinal discomfort.†19	17. Salazar-Lindo E, et al. Effectiveness and safety of Lactobacillus LB in the treatment of mild acute diarrhea in children. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2007;44:571-6. 18. McFarland LV. Meta-analysis of probiotics for the prevention of traveler's diarrhea. Travel Med Infect Dis. 2007;5:97-105. 19. Rousseaux C, et al. Lactobacillus acidophilus modulates intestinal pain and induces opioid and cannabinoid receptors. Nat Med. 2007;13:35-7.
Lactobacillus rhamnosus	Supports healthy balance of enterococci.†20 May support healthy skin integrity.†21 Relieves occasional abdominal discomfort in school children.† 22	20. Manley KJ, et al. Probiotic treatment of vancomycin-resistant enterococci: a randomised controlled trial. Med J Aust. 2007;186:454-7. 21. Sawada J, et al. Ingestion of heat-treated Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG prevents development of atopic dermatitis in NC/Nga mice. Clin Exp Allergy. 2007;37:296-303. 22. Gawronska A, et al. A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial of Lactobacillus GG for abdominal pain disorders in children. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2007;25:177-84.
Bifidobacterium bifidum	Supports healthy immune system responses.†23 Prevents occasional loose stools.†24	23. De Simone C, et al. Effect of Bifidobacterium bifidum and Lactobacillus acidophilus on gut mucosa and peripheral blood B lymphocytes. Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol 1992; 14:331–40. 24. Saavedra JM, et al. Feeding of Bifidobacterium bifidum and Streptococcus thermophilus to infants in hospital for prevention of diarrhoea and shedding of rotavirus. Lancet 1994;344:1046–9.
Bifidobacterium lactis	Supports healthy intestinal colonization.†25 Restores healthy immune responses in the elderly.†26	25. Sanders ME. Summary of probiotic activities of Bifidobacterium lactis. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2006;40:776-83. 26. Gill HS, et al. Enhancement of immunity in the elderly by dietary supplementation with the probiotic Bifidobacterium lactis. Am J Clin Nutr. 2001;74:833-9.
Bifidobacterium breve	Maintains healthy gut microflora colonies.†27,28	27. Wang C, et al. Effects of oral administration of Bifidobacterium breve on fecal lactic acid and short-chain fatty acids in low birth weight infants. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2007;44:252-7. 28. Li Y, et al. Effects of Bifidobacterium breve supplementation on intestinal flora of low birth weight infants. Pediatr Int. 2004;46:509-15.
Bifidobacterium longum	Supports healthy liver enzyme activity.†29 Supports healthy bowel movements in adults.†30 Supports the body's natural anti-inflammatory response.†31 In lab research, Bifidobacterium longum removed lead and cadmium from water.†32 Supports healthy development of cells.†33	29. Greco F, et al. Bifidobacterium longum with Fructo-Oligosaccharide (FOS) Treatment in Minimal Hepatic Encephalopathy: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study. Dig Dis Sci. 2007 Mar 28; [Epub ahead of print] 30. Amenta M, et al. Diet and chronic constipation. Benefits of oral supplementation with symbiotic zir fos (Bifidobacterium longum W11 + FOS Actilight). Acta Biomed. 2006;77:157-62. 31. Xiao JZ, et al. Clinical efficacy of probiotic Bifidobacterium longum for the treatment of symptoms of Japanese cedar pollen allergy in subjects evaluated in an environmental exposure unit. Allergol Int. 2007;56:67-75. 32. Halttunen T, et al. Rapid removal of lead and cadmium from water by specific lactic acid bacteria. Int J Food Microbiol. 2007;114:30-5. 33. Xu YF, et al. A new expression plasmid in Bifidobacterium longum as a delivery system of endostatin for cancer gene therapy. Cancer Gene Ther. 2007;14:151-7.

By combining these six probiotic strains, Pearls IC^™ Intensive Care Probiotics offers comprehensive health benefits for times when deep restoration of the gastrointestinal tract is required.^†

True Delivery ™ Technology
Pearls IC uses the identical revolutionary proprietary “pearl” encapsulating process used in Acidophilus Pearls™ active cultures. The patented True Delivery Technology results in a three-layered seamless pearl-shaped capsule, which ensures the probiotics will be delivered live and intact to the intestines.^† True Delivery Technology keeps virtually all probiotic bacteria alive and viable.

Conclusion
The contributions of Pearls IC Intensive Care Probiotics are impressive. During times of exceptional stress and significant need, the broad-spectrum probiotics in Pearls IC have the ability to adhere to the intestinal walls for rapid restoration of microflora colonization.^† By restoring gastrointestinal balance, Pearls IC provides positive outcomes for human health.^†

Recommendations

One capsule daily, with water or your favorite beverage. May be taken with or without food. Do not chew or crush.

Precautions

If you are pregnant, nursing, or taking prescription drugs, consult your healthcare practitioner prior to use.

How Is It Supplied?

• 04363; 30 capsules

Storage Recommendations

Store at controlled room temperature, 59° to 86°F (15° – 30°C).

References

1. Goossens D, Jonkers D, Stobberingh E, van den Bogaard A, Russel M, Stockbrugger R. Probiotics in gastroenterology: indications and future perspectives. Scand J Gastroenterol Suppl. 2003;(239):15-23.
2. Rolfe RD. The role of probiotic cultures in the control of gastrointestinal health. J Nutr. 2000 Feb;130(2S Suppl):396S-402S.
3. Isolauri E. Probiotics in human disease. Am J Clin Nutr. 2001;73:1142S-1146S.
4. Porth CM. Gastrointestinal tract function. In: Pathophysiology: Concepts of Altered Health States. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Lippincott; 2004:617-622.
5. The United States Probiotics Organization. What are probiotics? Accessed on August 1. 2007. Available at: http://www.usprobiotics.org/index.htm
6. Kailasapathy K, Chin J. Survival and therapeutic potential of probiotic organisms with reference to Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium spp. Immunol Cell Biol. 2000;78:80-8.
7. Quigley EM, Flourie B. Probiotics and irritable bowel syndrome: a rationale for their use and an assessment of the evidence to date. Neurogastroenterol Motil. 2007;19:166-72.
8. Bai AP, Ouyang Q. Probiotics and inflammatory bowel diseases. Postgrad Med J. 2006 Jun;82(968):376-82.
9. Gopal PK, Prasad J, Smart J, Gill HS. In vitro adherence properties of Lactobacillus rhamnosus DR20 and Bifidobacterium lactis DR10 strains and their antagonistic activity against an enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli. Int J Food Microbiol. 2001;67:207-16.
10. Marelli G, Papaleo E, Ferrari A. Lactobacilli for prevention of urogenital infections: a review. Eur Rev Med Pharmacol Sci. 2004;8:87-95.
11. Reid G, Beuerman D, Heinemann C, Bruce AW. Probiotic Lactobacillus dose required to restore and maintain a normal vaginal flora. FEMS Immunol Med Microbiol. 2001;32:37-41.
12. Davidson G, Kritas S, Butler R. Stressed mucosa. Nestle Nutr Workshop Ser Pediatr Program. 2007;(59):133-42.
13. Dong MH, Kaunitz JD. Gastroduodenal mucosal defense. Curr Opin Gastroenterol. 2006;22:599-606.
14. Miyake K, Tanaka T, McNeil PL. Disruption-induced mucus secretion: repair and protection. PLoS Biol. 2006;4:e276.
15. Collado MC, Meriluoto J, Salminen S. Development of new probiotics by strain combinations: is it possible to improve the adhesion to intestinal mucus? J Dairy Sci. 2007 ;90:2710-6.
16. Karimi O, Pena AS. Probiotics: Isolated bacteria strain or mixtures of different strains? Two different approaches in the use of probiotics as therapeutics. Drugs Today (Barc). 2003;39:565-97.
17. Salazar-Lindo E, Figueroa-Quintanilla D, Caciano MI, et al. Lacteol Study Group. Effectiveness and safety of Lactobacillus LB in the treatment of mild acute diarrhea in children. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2007;44:571-6.
18. McFarland LV. Meta-analysis of probiotics for the prevention of traveler's diarrhea. Travel Med Infect Dis. 2007;5:97-105.
19. Rousseaux C, Thuru X, Gelot A, et al.Lactobacillus acidophilus modulates intestinal pain and induces opioid and cannabinoid receptors. Nat Med. 2007;13:35-7.
20. Manley KJ, Fraenkel MB, Mayall BC, Power DA. Probiotic treatment of vancomycin-resistant enterococci: a randomised controlled trial. Med J Aust. 2007;186:454-7.
21. Sawada J, Morita H, Tanaka A, Salminen S, He F, Matsuda H. Ingestion of heat-treated Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG prevents development of atopic dermatitis in NC/Nga mice. Clin Exp Allergy. 2007;37:296-303.
22. Gawronska A, Dziechciarz P, Horvath A, Szajewska H, et al. A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled trial of Lactobacillus GG for abdominal pain disorders in children. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2007;25:177-84.
23. De Simone C, Ciardi A, Grassi A, . Effect of .Bifidobacterium bifidum and Lactobacillus acidophilus on gut mucosa and peripheral blood B lymphocytes. Immunopharmacol Immunotoxicol 1992; 14:331–40.
24. Saavedra JM, Bauman NA, Oung I, Perman JA, Yolken RH. Feeding of Bifidobacterium bifidum, and Streptococcus thermophilus to infants in hospital for prevention of diarrhoea and shedding of rotavirus. Lancet 1994;344:1046–9.
25. Sanders ME. Summary of probiotic activities of Bifidobacterium lactis. J Clin Gastroenterol. 2006;40:776-83.
26. Gill HS, Rutherford KJ. Enhancement of immunity in the elderly by dietary supplementation with the probiotic Bifidobacterium lactis. Am J Clin Nutr. 2001;74:833-9.
27. Wang C, Shoji H, Sato H, et al. Effects of oral administration of Bifidobacterium breve on fecal lactic acid and short-chain fatty acids in low birth weight infants. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2007;44:252-7.
28. Li Y, Shimizu T, Hosaka A, Kaneko N, Ohtsuka Y, Yamashiro Y. Effects of Bifidobacterium breve supplementation on intestinal flora of low birth weight infants. Pediatr Int. 2004;46:509-15
.
29. Greco F, Barone G, Gargante MP, Malaguarnera M, Toscano MA. Bifidobacterium longum with Fructo-Oligosaccharide (FOS) Treatment in Minimal Hepatic Encephalopathy: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study. Dig Dis Sci. 2007 Mar 28; [Epub ahead of print]
30. Amenta M, Cascio MT, Di Fiore P, Venturini I. Diet and chronic constipation. Benefits of oral supplementation with symbiotic zir fos (Bifidobacterium longum W11 + FOS Actilight). Acta Biomed. 2006;77:157-62.
31. Xiao JZ, Kondo S, Yanagisawa N, et al. Clinical efficacy of probiotic Bifidobacterium longum for the treatment of symptoms of Japanese cedar pollen allergy in subjects evaluated in an environmental exposure unit. Allergol Int. 2007;56:67-75.
32. Halttunen T, Salminen S, Tahvonen R. Rapid removal of lead and cadmium from water by specific lactic acid bacteria. Int J Food Microbiol. 2007;114:30-5.
33. Xu YF, Zhu LP, Hu B, et al. A new expression plasmid in Bifidobacterium longum as a delivery system of endostatin for cancer gene therapy. Cancer Gene Ther. 2007;14:151-7.

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