HLC Probiotics/Pharmax

HLC Probiotics
HLC (Human Lactic Commensals) range of probiotics have been developed within the Pharmax alliance and have been proven in both human clinical trials and by practitioner usage for over 10 years in Europe. In many countries in Europe, they are the market leading probiotic nutriceutical used by professional healthcarers.

The role of probiotics in human physiology is both varied and of fundamental importance. However, part of the reason why their full benefits are not always achieved in practice is that the microorganisms do not reach the G.I. tract in either sufficient numbers or with sufficient activity to be effective. Moreover, many bacterial isolates used as probiotic organisms are poor colonizers of the G.I. tract, quickly passing straight through and thereby eliciting only a transitory effect.


Hence, for a probiotic to be effective, there are four criteria of primary importance that must be delivered:

•     Proven product shelf stability, ensuring that the probiotic organisms reach the user at the "correct" potency
•     Ability of the selected cultures to survive gastric juices/acidity
•      Ability of the cultures to attach to human epithelial tissue
•      Proven in clinical trials

HLC – Delivering a quality product with shelf stability and quality assurance
The organisms, Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidum, as used in the HLC range are fragile organisms, sensitive to both temperature and moisture. As temperature increases from 40°F, there is an almost exponential drop in viable numbers with time and this is exacerbated by the presence of moisture.
It is for this reason that many probiotic products containing L. acidophilus and Bifidobacteria have failed in independent surveys to deliver label specifications of viable bacterial numbers to the end user. By addition of microbial overage at the time of manufacture combined with appropriate packaging and storage conditions, Pharmax ensures that all products reach the customer at above-label specification. Independent analysis of each batch (available to customers) proves the point.

The HLC probiotics have:

1.     Virtually indefinite shelf life if kept frozen
2.      Full 12 - 18 months shelf life if kept refrigerated
3.      Over 3 months shelf life at room temperature and still remain above the label specification!

This quality assurance promise has resulted in the HLC range being given top placing of all products analysed for meeting specification and value for money in two recent independent European probiotic surveys.

HLC – Highest survival through the stomach
The pH of the empty stomach is between 1.5 and 1.9 whereas, due to the buffering capacity of food, the pH is raised to between 3.8 and 4.3 in the full stomach. The aggressive nature of the stomach acts as an excellent barrier to invasion by potentially pathogenic microbes. So, for probiotics to be effective, they must survive in high numbers under the same environmental stresses as would severely inhibit or eradicate other bacteria.
The HLC organisms were compared with other probiotic strains for their ability to survive passage.

With over 90% survival in the full stomach and over 50% survival in the harshest environment of the empty stomach, the HLC organisms proved particularly robust and well adapted to the human stomach. This was in contrast to other probiotic organisms, which showed great sensitivity to gastric conditions and poor adaptation to the human host.
This study also demonstrated that probiotics should be taken in association with a meal to ensure maximum survival.

HLC - Proven attachment to human epithelial cells and antagonism to Candida albicans
In the small intestine (duodenum, jejunum, ileum) the transit time is rapid relative to the "doubling time" of normal flora bacteria so, if they are unable to attach or otherwise become associated with the epithelial surface, they will be washed through. Lactobacilli, particularly Lactobacillus acidophilus are the most important colonizing organism of the small intestine and it is therefore critical that any Lactobacillus strains used as probiotics are capable of human epithelial cell attachment.

HLC - Proven in clinical trials
Probiotics from the HLC range are continuously tested and shown to be effective in independent, placebo controlled, clinical trials. All such studies get published in peer-reviewed scientific journals. Results from recent clinical studies are outlined below.

Trial 1: Undertaken at Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge, U.K.
Aim: Reduction in post-antibiotic re-growth of potentially pathogenic facultative microorganisms
Results: HLC Intensive significantly prevented post antibiotic increase in Staphylococci, Enterobacteriaceae and Enterococci. These microorganisms are associated with post-antibiotic infection and overgrowth as well as the acquisition and transfer of antibiotic resistance.

Trial 2: Undertaken at Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge, U.K.
Aim: Prevention of post-antibiotic overgrowth of Clostridium difficile in hospitalized patients
Results: HLC Intensive lowered frequency of Clostridium difficile infection and overgrowth to the extent that justified its use in all hospitalized patients undertaking antibiotic therapy.

With further clinical trials already in progress, it is clear that the HLC range of probiotics from Pharmax is leading the way in innovative, clinical probiotic research and will pave the way for recognition of the benefits of probiotics in many new aspects of human health and disease.

The Functions of Lactobacilli & Bifidobacteria in the G.I. tract
Their major beneficial physiological functions are as follows:

• Well established:
•     Protect against enteric infection, overgrowth and dysbiosis
•     Stimulate the development and balancing of the neonatal immune system
•     Continuously stimulate the mucosal immune barrier throughout life
•     Stimulate the digestion and absorption of nutrients such as lactose (by producing lactase) and minerals (by action of lactic acid)
•     Stimulate intestinal motility

Less well established:

•  Decrease absorption of dietary cholesterol by binding and excretion
•  Decrease production of intestinal mutagens and carcinogens
• However, for most people, the benefits of having high numbers of Lactobacilli and Bifidobacteria are not fully achieved. This is because these organisms are the most adversely affected by any disturbance of the G.I. tract, leading to dramatically reduced populations and resultant dysbiosis. This can be overcome by supplementing with products from the Pharmax HLC range – the benchmark of probiotics and probiotic therapy.

HLC – Summary

•   Human strains
•   Proven by human double blind placebo controlled clinical trial
• Tailored to address specific health/disease presentations:
• Dysbiosis and overgrowth
• Neonate immune system development
• Chronic inflammatory conditions
• Gastrointestinal (GI) tract syndromes e.g. Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
• Stressful lifestyle
• Immune maintenance with age
• High potency
•  Guaranteed quality by independent potency analysis with each delivery
•  Unique and proven synergistic interactions with other nutritionals