To download the PDF of the presentation, click here.
Don’t miss co-presenter Kiran Krishnan speak at the upcoming IHCAN Summit on 30 June 2018. For more information, and to book your place, visit www.ihcansummit.co.uk/speakers.
Kiran and Tom kindly answered some of the questions sent during the event:
Any effect on bacterioidetes and firmicutes?
Not that we have seen. Those are such large phyla of bacteria in the gut that amount to over 70 trillion organisms that the ratio can primarily be adjusted by food intake.
Are there any potential side effects – e.g with patients with autoimmunity?
It is great support for patients with autoimmunity especially considering its ability to modulate the immune response in the mucosa, epithelial and basolateral layer. This modulation leads to less chronic inflammation and an up-regulated Treg system. The up-regulation of the Treg system on its own has the capability to reduce autoantibodies. The only side-effect we caution is a potential “die-off” or “detox” reaction in patients if they start at the full dose from day 1. We recommend titrating the dose up by starting at 1 cap every other day for a week, then 1 cap per day for the next week and then finally 2 caps per day (taken at the same time) and always with a meal.
Are they safe for pregnant women?
They are not only safe but quite important. Mum passes on her immunity and microbiome to the child and with it all the benefits and faults within her microbiome. The spores have the ability to modulate the microbiome to help optimize it and improve mum’s immune system as well. This way she avoids getting sick, she has less inflammation, she is making important antibodies that she will pass onto her child to keep him/her healthy.
Can it help with chronic bacteria infections ie in the vagina and UTI infections?
Yes, we see this all the time and many of our doctors in the States use if for that purpose. Any chronic infection in mucosal tissue like the urinary tract, vagina, sinuses, lungs, etc. can be helped and controlled by modulating the immune response in the gut mucosa. There is something called the “singular mucosal system” which shows that changes in the gut mucosa are almost instantly seen in other mucosal tissue like the vagina or upper-respiratory tract. In fact, clinical studies have shown the spores to be effective in preventing infections like chronic UTIs and chronic upper-respiratory infections.
Can it help with histame intolerance?
It certainly is a great probiotic option for people with histamine intolerance because the spores do not produce histamine, unlike many lactobacillus species. Reacting to histamines from foods is a fault on the part of the pattern recognition system and the Treg system. The spores modulate both to shift the body from a inflammatory Th2 response to a adaptive Thi1 response.
Dare I ask if we can use them to treat candida in the gut?
We have seen great results with Candida as in most cases it drives out the yeast and helps replace the real estate with good bacteria. This is an important factor in ensuring that the candida over-growth doesn’t simply reoccur. Additionally, candida over-growth is a sign of a weak immune system and/or dysbiosis and since the spores improve both, they certainly help with candida.
Does this have the capability of helping citrobacter or other pathogens?
Yes, they have been used as competitive exclusion agents for decades in hospital and clinics all over Europe, Asia and Latin American to fight of gut pathogens and enteritis in general. At the same time they support the growth of the good endogenous species of bacteria in the gut.
For maintenance dose…after doing more intense treatment first, could you take I cap every 21 days?
You can certainly go to a maintenance dose, but the lowest effective dose we see is taking it once per week. The issue is that we continuously assult our gut on a daily basis with our food, environment, habits, etc. Thus we need some measure of daily protection as well. Once every 21 days is just not enough exposure to these strains to gain all the benefits.
Was any of the testing done with food rather than concentrated stomach?
The survival testing was done in a concentrated stomach without food, however we have tested food products that contain probiotics as well such as yogurt and it doesn’t seem to do any better at surviving. The gastric barrier is a harsh place for bacteria and it simply takes bacteria that have millions of years of evolution in support of this behavior (of being consumed) behind it to make the journey through.
I have a client with RA with persistent low levels of Secretory IgA on stool test – this sounds as though it might have an effect where other protocols have failed?
Absolutely, we have studies that show that spores increase sIgA both in saliva and stool tests and the RA being an autoimmune condition, we have seen great help with immune-modulation that reduces autoimmune reactions. Would be a great patient to try this product on.
I hear from a colleague n the USA that the physician’s formula is the best one but cant find this online?
Yes, the Physician’s formula is the best and it’s called MegaSporeBiotic. That is the product being offered directly to practitioners in the U.K. by TMC Ventures.
I work with a lot patients going through chemotherapy, and oncologists often prohibit using probiotics. Any experience with cancer patients to establish safety?
We work closely with the OncANP which is the Association of Naturopathic oncologist and they utilize the product on patients undergoing chemo to reduce the diarrhea and damage to the microbiome. It is used routinely here in the States for that purpose. We have not seen any adverse reactions thus far. We titrate the patients up as we normally do, but have had success with this application.
Is bacillus spore transient in the gut? How long does it stay in our gut?
They are both commensal and transient, meaning that the gut is their home and they are designed to live primarily in the gut, however, since in the natural world we would be getting large exposure to them, they have developed the ability to leave the body in about 21 days. They colonize, multiply and each cell remains in the body for about 3 weeks.
Is there any risk that bacillus can overgrow and be SIBO?
No, in fact a European human clinical trial showed that bacillus can be used to treat SIBO. They can come alive in the small intestines, but when they do, they will bring the levels of overgrown bacteria that should not be there and they resist the fermentation process in the small bowel, which is what causes the bloating and damage to tissue in SIBO. To they can in fact be a good treatment for SIBO.
What is the pre-biotic component – Inulin?
The prebiotic is cellulose from acacia. The spores love them as food.
What would be the adverse effects of supplementation?
The only side-effect we caution is a potential “die-off” or “detox” reaction in patients if they start at the full dose from day 1. We recommend titrating the dose up by starting at 1 cap every other day for a week, then 1 cap per day for the next week and then finally 2 caps per day (taken at the same time) and always with a meal.
Why can’t health food stores be able to sell the product?
This product is simply too potent and so we prefer that the patient is being seen by a health practitioner to be able to adjust dosages as necessary. There is a general consumer strength version called Just Thrive that is available to be carried in stores. Arnie and Susan can help you with getting that product.
Why is reseeding the gut with microbiota so difficult in adulthood and in infancy it is normal and vital. What makes the most important difference?
There are 2 big factors; the first is that in infancy the gut is relatively sterile, so it is primed and ready for microbial inoculation and as an adult you already have 100 trillion organisms that are well established in the space and are not easily dislodged. Every square cm of your gut is covered with microbes by the time you are 2 years of age. The other factor is the infant stomach has a very gentle pH of around 7 (neutral), thus it is easy for bacteria to pass through the stomach to get to the intestines. In adults the gastric pH is between 1 and 3, which is very harsh for most microbes.
What comments do you have for Toxigenic Strains of Bacillus licheniformis?
Toxic strains have only been found in factory farms and associated with cattle. Also, the toxicity comes from picking up genes from other bacteria in that environment. We have sequenced all of the strains and know that there are no toxic genes in any. Bacillus licheniformis has been used as a prescription drug for over 30 years in at least 2 different products.
Can Megasporebiotics be given to children, and if yes what is a child dose
Yes, we start out nursing kids as young as 2 months old, especially if they are showing any signs of eczema or digestive intolerances. From 2 to 6 months we suggest opening the cap into a bowl and simply taking a generous portion of the powder with the tip of your finger and putting it into the infant’s mouth. For kids 6 months and above a full capsule mixed in food or drink is ideal.
How does your product lower cholesterol?
There are 2 mechanisms; one is by upregulating fat digestion by increasing short-chain fatty acid production and the second is breaking down fats directly in more free fatty acids by producing enzymes like lipase. These free fatty acids are not absorbed from the diet as cholesterol and can be used to burn off for energy.
What’s the youngest age a child can take it?
We have used it with kids as young as 2 months old.
What’s the difference between 2 products on your website ?
MegaSporeBiotic vs. RestorFlora? MegaSporeBiotic was covered in great detail on the webinar. RestorFlora is a product created for very short term use for individuals who have been taking a heavy-dose antibiotic, to restore their flora.
How do you ferment the bacteria before making them spored?
We ferment them in a liquid deep tank system using a chickpea extract as a substrate for them to feed on.
Can you send samples to us?
Please contact Arnie at TMC Ventures Europe. orders@tmcventures.com
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