When introducing a new strain of probiotic into your daily lifestyle, it’s essential that you consult your healthcare provider. Your Doctor will be able to offer personal advice based on your own unique health considerations. In the meantime, the following frequently asked questions may help answer some of your questions.
Top 10 Dr. Ohhira's Probiotics FAQ's
1). Can I take Dr Ohhira’s probiotics with my other vitamins and supplements?
Yes. It is safe to take Dr. Ohhira's Probiotics with vitamins and other supplements.
2). Is it safe to take Dr. Ohhira’s probiotics with medications?
It is usually safe to take our probiotics alongside other medications, but to be certain, we would always advise checking with your healthcare provider first.
3). Can I take the probiotics with antibiotics?
Yes, you can take our probiotics alongside antibiotics. However, we would advise taking the two at different times.
4). Do Dr. Ohhira probiotics cause diarrhea, bloating or gas?
Our probiotics tend not to cause digestive issues, however, you may experience some mild side effects as your body adjusts to them.
5). Can I take Dr. Ohhira probiotics if I am pregnant, breastfeeding or attempting to get pregnant?
Yes, our probiotics are safe for pregnant and breastfeeding women. However, we recommend speaking with your health care provider beforehand.
6). What is the best time of day to take?
When it comes to probiotics, the most important thing to remember is that consistency is key. However, the best time to take our probiotics is on an empty stomach first thing in the morning, about 45 minutes before breakfast and then again at night around two hours after your last meal. This allows the capsule to bypass stomach acid and open in the intestinal track providing maximum benefit.
7). What is the recommended dosage?
For optimal results, we recommend taking one capsule twice per day on an empty stomach. Try to take the supplements either 1 hour before a meal, or 1.5 hours after a meal. Your health care provider may advise otherwise, in which case, follow their personal direction. One box of Dr. Ohhira probiotics will last approximately one month, and the capsules expire approximately three years from the date of purchase.
8). Do they need to be refrigerated?
No, our probiotics do not need to be refrigerated. We recommend storing them at room temperature.
9). How should I store the probiotics?
We recommend storing your Dr Ohhira probiotics in a dry place at room temperature.
10). Can children take Dr. Ohhira's Probiotics?
Yes, children are able to take our probiotics. If your child is unable to swallow the capsule, open it up and place the gel contents into their mouth. Alternatively, you can mix the contents into their food. Please note that children should not take more than one capsule per day and as always, please speak with your health care provider first.
11). Do Dr. Ohhira’s probiotics have an enteric coating?
Our probiotics do not have an enteric coating, but they are acid-resistant. We use a patented capsule ingredient with a permeable membrane that protects the fermented contents, effectively preventing any harmful contamination. Eventually, your natural body temperature will stimulate the permeable membrane, enabling the contents to pass through to the colon and small intestine.
12). I am allergic to soy. Can I still take Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics®?
Dr Ohhira’s probiotics undergo a three-year fermentation process in which any soy proteins are broken down and no longer recognised by the immune system as the same protein. This therefore alleviates the risk of allergic reaction. However, if you are still concerned, be sure to seek advice from your healthcare provider.
13). How can I tell if a probiotic is working?
You can usually tell that a probiotic is working by the symptomatic relief of diarrhea, bloating, constipation, excess gas and inflammation. Those that don’t suffer with such issues tend to notice increased energy levels due to enhanced nutrient absorption, clearer and more radiant-looking skin, enhanced immunity and improved general wellbeing.
14). Why do we need probiotic supplements?
It isn’t necessary for everybody to take probiotic supplements but integrating them into your lifestyle can be hugely beneficial.
Environmental stressors such as processed foods, chlorinated water and even medications can interfere with our natural microbiology, meanwhile the overconsumption of carbohydrates and sugars can negatively impact our energy levels and immunity. Probiotic supplements encourage our bodies to maintain the good bacteria in our digestive tracts, contributing to a healthier gut and overall wellbeing.
General Probiotics Questions
What are probiotics, and how are they connected to cultured foods?
Probiotics the common term for a family of bacteria (lactobacillus), that’s extremely beneficial to human health. They are found in abundance in common cultured foods, but are sadly missing from many other foods due to processing techniques. Many of the products Delightful Health carries contain this bactera; these foods and ingredients are designed to replenish your body with these organisms.
Probiotics live in the intestinal tract, and not only help us to properly digest and absorb nutrients that are key to our survival, but also manufacture B vitamins, produce substances that inhibit harmful (or pathogenic) bacteria, and strengthen our immune systems.
What are probiotics, and how are they connected to cultured foods?
The intestinal flora is a commonly used metaphor that describes the bacteria living in our intestines. Everyone lives with this intestinal flora– without it, we’d die. People whose intestinal flora lacks certain bacteria (such as those found in cultured foods), often suffer from Candida, weak immune systems, poor sleep patterns, and many other ailments (both physical and emotional).
What makes Intestinal Flora Unhealthy?
Factors that disrupt the balance of your Intestinal Flora include:
- Antibiotic Medications
- Inorganic Antibiotic residues in meat and Dairy products
- Chlorinated and Fluorinated water
- Continual Stress
- Diets high in Sugar and simple carbohydrates (like fast food and junk food)
- Estrogen Replacement
- Exposure to Radiation (CAT Scans, excessive medical X-Rays)
- Oral Contraceptives
- Parasites
- Poor Digestion / Constipation
- Toxic Chemical Intake (such as Steroids)
There are many signs, and they vary according to a person's genetic makeup, current diet, and stress levels. These are a few:
- Acne, Eczema, Skin and Foot Problems
- Allergies and Chronic Food Sensitivities (such as Lactose Intolerance)
- Bad Breath and Gum Disease
- Chronic / Unexplained Fatigue
- Chronic Yeast problems; Candida Albican overgrowth
- Difficulty losing weight
- Faulty digestion / Acid Reflux Disease
- Frequent colds, flu, and infections
- Frequent constipation and diarrhea
- Joint pain or inflammation
- Peptic Ulcers
- Poor sleep patterns / nightmares
- Extreme menstrual or menopausal symptoms
Why can’t I find enough of these bacteria in a normal, healthy diet?
There are many reasons. In the food industry plants and animals are sprayed or treated with chemicals that destroy these helpful bacteria; animals are often fed with grains that have been chemically altered, and most of our crops are grown in soil that’s been stripped of all the beneficial organisms necessary to survival.
Worse yet, the Western food industry has,for many years, over-processed food
and usually populates products such as milk and bread with engineered ‘filler nutrients’
that are not only harmful to the intestinal flora, but have no nutritional value whatsoever.
Because of this, we need to re-populate our intestinal tracks by eating natural foods that contain the bacteria we need. This is where cultured foods and ingredients become an important part of any healthy lifestyle.
How many beneficial bacteria do I need in my digestive tract?
There are billions of bacteria in the human digestive tract. Science has found that the ratio of good to bad bacteria needs to be at least 85:15. To maintain that balance, we need to provide both Probiotic and prebiotic support for the gut.
It’s clear that probiotic supplementation is vital to support good health. But it’s also important to note that not all probiotic supplements are the same. Some that boast “billions and billions” of bacteria may actually supply too many of one strain, causing the immune system to respond to a perceived threat. Another mistake many consumers make is to supplement only with probiotics, while failing to take any prebiotics. Prebiotics are substances that help nourish probiotics and, along with organic acids, encourage the supplemented probiotics to take root. Prebiotics also nourish and feed pre-existing probiotic strains that are completely unique to each individual.
How do Probiotics help support immune response?
Currently, science has established that approximately 70% of immune system cells reside in the digestive tract. Probiotics support those immune system cells by, among other things, crowding out unfriendly guests. The gut is the first line of immune defense, and to stay healthy, we need a healthy population of friendly bacteria.*
Why should I choose Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics ®?
Live Bacteria Guaranteed to Take Root: A probiotic supplement is helpful when the beneficial bacteria actually take root in the digestive tract and support the body’s ability to develop its own unique strains of probiotics. Created by award-winning microbiologist Iichiroh Ohhira, Ph.D., Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics® contain viable bacteria (not freeze-dried or centrifuged) that are guaranteed to cohere in the colon.*
Complete Probiotic and Prebiotic System: Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics ® are fermented for three years using 12 strains of lactic acid bacteria (LAB) including the proprietary TH10 strain which reportedly is six times stronger than any other known LAB strain. The probiotic supplement is encapsulated along with its prebiotic culture medium of nutritious vegetables, fruits, mushrooms, and seaweed and the naturally developed organic acids, which help alter the pH of the colon so the good bacteria can thrive. This provides nutrition and a level playing field for the good bacteria, further ensuring their success. The prebiotic nutrition also feeds the unique probiotic strains that were already present in your gut. Dr. Ohhira’s probiotic blend includes nutrition that supports your own individual microecology!*
In addition to prebiotics and organic acids, the culture medium provides nutritious vitamins, minerals, enzymes, and amino acids. Digestive support, bacteriocins, and hydrogen peroxide also help maintain the delicate micro flora garden living in your digestive tract. Being able to take one capsule that covers probiotics, prebiotics, and organic acids provides peace of mind that the supplement will successfully supply noticeable whole health support.*
Convenience: The fermentation process used to craft Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics ® is conducted at seasonal temperatures. This results in a very stable product that does not require refrigeration. Individually blister-packed capsules preserve potency, ensure purity, and are convenient for travel.
Relief: All probiotic supplements should be taken regularly for at least three months to achieve the most extensive whole health benefits. Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics® provide more immediate relief, soothing the effects of occasional heartburn and digestive discomfort because the culture medium has a balancing effect in the stomach.*
Scientific Support: Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics ® is backed by over 20 university-based scientific studies.
What other dietary supplements and products do you offer?
Dietary Supplements: Along with the award-winning Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics ® by Essential Formulas, Dr. Ohhira has formulated a Brazilian green propolis product and vegan Omega-3, 6, and 9 plant and seed oils. Together, our probiotics, Propolis, and vegan omegas provide strong supplementation to address modern health challenges.* Skin and Beauty Care: Probiotics are good for your skin too! Dr. Ohhira has crafted a probiotics soap and a growing selection of probiotic moisturizers that contain his probiotic support blend and botanical ingredients to help cleanse and nourish the skin naturally. These products are incredible for sensitive skin and contain no artificial chemicals, fragrances, or surfactants.