This probiotic can be ordered in bulk from Korea. It is often used in food processing. It’s Korean manufacture has some other rare probiotics which I will look at in the future. It is also available in Spain with Bifidobacterium longum.
Pediococcus is a Firmicute, which is the phylum that CFS/IBS/FM patients are too high in. This does not exclude it — but raises the bar to require known benefits.
“Pediococcus pentosaceus are categorized as a “lactic acid bacteria” because the end product of its metabolism is lactic acid [5]. Pediococcus pentosaceus, like most lactic acid bacteria, are anaerobic and ferment sugars. Since the end product of metabolism is a kind of acid, Pediococcus pentosaceus are acid tolerant[1]. They can be found in plant materials, ripened cheese, and a variety of processed meats[4]. Pediococcus pentosaceus is industrially important due to its ability as a starter culture to ferment foods such as various meats, vegetables, and cheeses[6]. Pediococcus pentosaceus bacteria is being cultured and researched for its ability to produce an antimicrobial agent (bacteriocins) as well its use in food preservation [6]…P. pentosaceus can produce an antimicrobial agent known as bacteriocins [3] “against several species of Lactobacillus, lactococcus, leuconostoc, pediococcus, staphylococcus, enterococcus, bacillus and listeria””
Adding another lactic acid produce is usually not desired because lactic acidosis is common with CFS/IBS/FM.
The antimicrobial agent it produces may be too widely targeted (kill the good and the bad).
The Known Science
“combination of probiotic agents (Pediococcus pentosaceus, Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Lactobacillus paracasei, Lactobacillus plantarum)…. demonstrated that probiotics increased mortality, in part because of the precipitation of ischemic bowel disease(in patients who were also receiving postpyloric enteral nutrition infusions).” [2009]
At this point of time, it is not recommended. It definitely has benefits in the food industry to stop spoilage. It has a very wide range of antibiotic action against both good and bad — and run a risk of doing more harm than good.
A reader wrote: “I got some new results one that is really “exciting” is that I have very high Ammonia in my blood. What do you make of it? Normal range ends with 3, I have 7 Ammonia.”
According to WebMd, “An ammonia test measures the amount of ammonia in the blood. Most ammonia in the body forms when protein is broken down by bacteria in the intestines. The liver normally converts ammonia into urea, which is then eliminated in urine.”
The same protein intake will produce different amounts of ammonia in different people because what the protein is broken down to is determine by the bacteria. Think of it this way, protein is like trees — people break them down and the outcomes are not the same: it may be houses, furniture or paper. It depends on the people (bacteria) involved.
The best assumption is hyper-ammonia producing bacteria. [2004] identifies Klebsiella and Pseudomonas as ones. High Klebsiella was reported in the 1998 study of CFS Microbiome.
“The largest amounts of ammonia were generated by gram-negative anaerobes, clostridia, enterobacteria, and Bacillus spp.” [1980] High enterobacteria was also reported in the 1998 study of CFS Microbiome.
“The effect of lactulose in reducing ammonia concentration is attributed to its role as a bacterial substrate in either increasing bacterial assimilation of ammonia or reducing deamination of nitrogenous compounds. The effect of low pH in reducing generation of ammonia appears to be part of a general reduction in bacterial metabolism.” [1978]
Low pH means more ACID. My post speculating on the cause of CFS sites that a shift to high pH (Alkaline) was part of the process.
High ammonia level in the blood has not been reported as a dominant CFS lab result [1994]. It is unclear how often it is tested for when a CFS diagnosis is given.
It has been associated with Sjögren syndrome[2013] [2008]. Ammonia is a neurotoxin [2014] (thus may be a factor for brain fog) . This article cites some specific treatments (which likely would be helpful to many CFS patients):
“The nonabsorbed antibiotic rifaximin, when added to conventional therapy with lactulose, increases the rate of total reversal …” [2014]
“A combination of B. longum and FOS82 or a cocktail of four freeze-dried, nonurease-producing bacteria (Pediacoccus pentoseceus, Leuconostoc mesenteroides, Lactobacillus paracasei ssp. paracasei, and Lactobacillus plantarum) mixed with beta glucan, inulin, pectin, and resistant starch83 had similar effects. [2014]
I reader asked me about Lactipro. This is an unusual probiotic for cattle, hence the title! Because it has not been tested on humans, I cannot advocate its use. I can research it potential impact if it is approved for human use somewhere in the world at some future time. I know of CFS patients who have order doxycycline from Vet Supply stores online because of frustration trying to get it prescribed, so I suspect some ‘dark-cure web‘ types will try it. So for their sake, I am doing this review.
Read about the effect of common antimicrobial agents on the growth and metabolism of Megasphaera elsdenii NCIMB 41125, a lactate utilising probiotic for ruminants.
Capability of Megasphaera elsdenii strain NCIMB 41125 and other probiotics to prevent accumulation of lactic acid in a rumen model.”
Since d-lactic acidosis is strongly associated with CFS, a probiotic that reduces lactic acid is ideal with my model.
The Science
From wikipedia we see that it is a Firmicutes, and CFS microbiome usually are high in firmicutes which means some caution and this may be a choice of the lesser of two evils.
“M. elsdenii has not been isolated from fecal samples of healthy peoplebut in 12% from those of adults and 7.4% from children, both suffering from gastrointestinal disorders.“
“In silico analysis of metabolic potential predicted the ability of these isolates to produce important metabolites like short chain fatty acids (butyrate, acetate, formate, and caproate), vitamins and essential amino acids, which was further validated by in vitro experiments.”
“[Pig] Diets including chicory roots .. were correlated with a higher colonic abundance of Megasphaera elsdenii. ” [2012]
” the presence of … Megasphaera elsdenii… were independently associated with bacterial vaginosis as was the absence of Lactobacillus and Peptoniphilus [in human females]. ” [2001]
Don’t try it! It is only found in humans suffering from gastrointestinal disorders. With my model CFS is a gastrointestinal disorder that may not manifest itself with gastrointestinal symptoms.
Further more, it pushes you further in the wrong direction.
“I can hardly find anything on the internet warning about RESTORE. I was tempted to try this for my autoimmune condition but after reading your post, decided against it for now.
Like RESTORE, it seems too good to be true and I’m not sure how much of their testimonies are fabricated.
Any help will be much appreciated!”
If you have a medical condition, you may wish to try this look up page to identify the best probiotics and supplements suggestions. Just click on the condition(s) on the page.
This post attempts to gather up all of the objective evidence for or against this product. As a former member of the American Statistical Association, I know that for any product sold, you will find miracle cures for a percentage. The cure may be real, and just incidental, but not actually connected to the product. Working on detecting fraud reviews for Amazon a few years ago, I know the huge volume of pay-for-hire reviews that happens in today’s market place. On the flip side are the rare product that are actually useful but poorly advertised.
First impression of the site: ALARM BELLS — it implies 50 millions americans are currently using this product…. FAKE NEWS #1.
Contents: “Stabilized long-chain polymannan and polysaccharide molecules, stabilized mannose molecules, stabilized glucomannans, stabilized glucopolymannans, stabilized medium and short chain polysaccharides (Oligosaccharides), stabilized mucopolysaccharides, stabilized glycoproteins, and stabilized glycolipids.” –my oh my…. so very very stable,
Interesting that the term “stabilized mannose” seems only to be associated with their product. The main (perhaps only content) is Aloe botanical powder.
FDA WARNING LETTER
Jan 21, 2015 states “Your product is not generally recognized as safe and effectivefor the above referenced uses and, therefore, this product is a “new drug” under section 201(p) of the Act [21 U.S.C. § 321(p)]. New drugs may not be legally introduced or delivered for introduction into interstate commerce without prior approval from the FDA, as described in section 505(a) of the Act [21 U.S.C. § 355(a)]; see also section 301(d) of the Act [21 U.S.C. § 331(d)]. FDA approves a new drug on the basis of scientific data submitted by a drug sponsor to demonstrate that the drug is safe and effective. “
The FDA letter cites and is very critical of the web site “The Code of Life” as part of this firms literature. It is written by a Dr. Brucker, oh… he’s a Doctor of Chiropractic… citing experience with Homeopathy, Trigger Point Therapy, etc…
Legal Background
The site digestaquere.com was obtained in 2008. A trademark was filed for in 2013.
Checking the state of Florida official records, we see it is registered via a Steven Sciarretta, an attorney — keeping who owns it a secret.
Aloe and Autoimmune
Moving past questionable business presentation, we know the main item, Aloe, which is “scientificized” by listing it components. Say, I have the perfect supplement for your health issues, it contains beta-lactoglobulin, alpha-lactalbumin, lactoferrin, lysozyme, beta casein, …. and some 20 more important items established to be essential for your health… Just $50 for a one quart bottle!!! … (Shhhh don’t tell anyone that it is a bottle of cow’s milk!).
Now to move from humor to hard science… There are 46 articles on PubMed dealing with Aloe and Autoimmune unfortunately most are by a researcher named L. Aloe!
“These data indicate that Aloe vera therapy (at 120 mg/kg/day Aloe vera) can attenuate the disease progression in experimental model of MS.” [2010] So a 110 lb person would need to consume 14 grams/day (i.e. 26 capsules per day). Note attenuate means lessen, not cure.
That’s it. I did a review of Aloe and Microbiome on Pubmed without any significant findings.
Cost: 1/2 lb – 227 gram of Organic Aloe Vera powder or the equivalent of 450 capsules of Digestacure, will cost you $10.00 on Amazon versus $318 from this site.
Bottom Line
No studies showing it helps, profit margin is likely 95% for this business…
A better approach for restoring gut health is to get tested for the bacteria shift and then adjust your diet appropriately. The cost of getting the best test, uBiomeExplorer is $90, does not require a doctor prescription and provide details of your gut bacteria down o the species level (I have no affiliation to them). From this specific recommendations can be made to fix the gut, based on your own specific gut bacteria and published scientific studies. For an example of a report see this post
A reader that have been following the model with great improvement shared their latest uBiome results. It has some interesting data points which I wish to review.
The patient is not 100% Recovered
My working definition of recovered using uBiome is having a ratio of firmcutes to bacteroides between 2.2:1 and 1.9:1.This patient is at 1.4:1 in April 2017, in January 2017 they were at 1.1:1; they are moving in the right direction but have some distance to go still.
Akkermansia (usually low in CFS): Jan – 1.42% (71%), April 5.68% (287%)
Can you alter your microbiome? Looking at the Order changes shown below over 3 months, the answer is a clear yes!
Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus at or above normal levels
What is very interesting is that after January, 2017 — there was considerable (major) stress on the person in this period — this may not be the cause of the decline, but personally, I consider it a contributor. Learning to deal with stress, flight or short fight or indifference are essential skills.
Looking at the split between Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus,
Bifidobacterium: 176% in January, dropping to 0% in April
Lactobacillus: 3% in January, dropping to 2% in April
Diversity dropped from 97%ile to 89%ile.
Diet specific comparisons
uBiome provides comparison with average person and heavy consumers of certain things.
In corresponding with this person, they saw that they were low on the Kefir bacteria chart compared to those who eat Kefir regularly and (thanks to residue brain fog that is progressively clearing) concluded that they need to eat more Kefir. They were at the average level of non Kefir people. There is no need to add Kefir (or anything else) when you are at the average level for that.
A surprise on raw milk bacteria
This person does not consume raw milk, but the bacteria associated with raw milk have been increasing. This is a good thing. More diversity.
Interesting factoid on consuming raw honey
Some patients have reported improvement from raw honey. The uBiome cites Clostridium butyricum as being in it; this is available as a probiotic (on my recommended list) Miyarisan. For this patient, they appear to be low… a little raw honey or Miyarisan would be suggested. Honey brings lactobacillus kunkeei which is not available as a probiotic.
Increase of Rare Bacteria also occurred with stress
It seems that a higher number of rare bacteria is an indicator for severity of CFS. This would be expected by the model. In January (pre-stress), these bacteria were seen in 1 of 10 healthy controls. Come April, we had the rare Caldicoprobacter, Gallicola, Mobiluncus suddenly appearing, and a few more common one appearing too: Gelria, Thermoanaerobacteraceae, Atopobium. One disappeared, Acidaminococcus — this bacteria uses amino acids as an energy source and its disappearance may imply the amino acids available in the gut has shifted (either not being produced enough OR some other bacteria hogging them).
Jan 2017
April 2017
Bottom Line
Heading into January, this patient was shifting nicely — correcting the typical CFS shifts. While no significant supplements changed, the appearance of heavy duty stress impacted the microbiome greatly…. the major change was that of Bifidobacterium disappearing!!! A secondary impact was the appearance of several rare bacteria.
Suggestions for the patient:
The stress is a hiccup. It has ended and time to get back to the model with a little preparation for the next stress event.
Invest in stress-coping techniques — may be prayer, may be yoga, may be self-help books, may be classes.
Whenever stress appears — write down plans for how to deal with it
Fight – Mark on a calendar when the fight will stop
Flight – May be disassociate with people, having excuses to miss meetings, etc
As a personal note — I am very aggressive in seeking a low stress workplace. If there are dysfunctional managers or co-worker, I start looking for a new job with the simple rule:
If I cannot get the work stress resolved in 2 months (including doing a HR request under ADA if my physician is willing to write a letter), and
I am offered a job at a financially tolerable salary which appears to have less stress
Then I will take the job and give the minimum required legal notice to my employer.
As a recovered CFS patient, you must protect your health (and uBiome results).
CFS Remission 