Paracid Forte

Gut dysbiosis means there is an imbalance of microorganisms in the intestines. Formulated with the goal of supporting the gastrointestinal flora by promoting balanced immunity, the plant compounds in Paracid Forte also provide potent antioxidant support, to help fend off microbial challenges.

Gut microorganisms, collectively known as gut flora, consist predominantly of various strains of bacteria, and to a lesser extent include fungi and protozoa. The gut flora are essential for digestion and immune functioning.1 A state of dysbiosis, therefore, will result in digestive and other systemic symptoms.

Functional medicine practitioners often focus on addressing dysbiosis, or an imbalance of gut bacteria, which can lead to a variety of problems, including inflammation, impaired immune function, and damage to the intestinal barrier

The microbes in the gut play numerous important roles in the body. The microbiome begins developing during the birth process. Over time, as a child begins consuming varying foods, the microbiome diversifies which enhances health. A diverse microbiome impacts the body in a variety of ways as follows:

• Brain Health – The bacteria in the digestive tract impacts brain health. A person with an imbalanced microbiome can experience brain fog, anxiety, increased stress, and mood swings.
• Diabetes – When the gastrointestinal tract becomes imbalanced, blood glucose levels increase due to insulin resistance and how the liver processes fats, which can lead to an increased risk of diabetes.
• Heart Health – Gut dysbiosis or an imbalanced microbiome impacts heart health and increases plaque in the arteries, which increases the risk of heart disease, stroke, and heart attack.
• Immune Health – The digestive tract houses most of your immune system. When dysbiosis occurs, an abnormal immune response can also occur, including systemic inflammation and decreased immunity.
• Digestion – When gut bacteria becomes imbalanced, a person can experience a number of digestive disturbances, including abdominal cramping, diarrhea, bloating, indigestion, and constipation.
• Weight – Gut bacteria can impact weight by affecting how the body digests foods. This can also influence the nutrients that are absorbed and how energy is stored within the body. Those with lower gut bacteria diversity are at an increased risk of obesity.
• Vitamins – Gut dysbiosis negatively affects the body’s ability to digest foods properly which leads to reduced absorption of both vitamins and minerals.

How Paracid Forte Helps You CLINICAL APPLICATIONS

• Supports Healthy Microbial Balance in the GI Tract
• Supports Healthy Immune Function

Formulated with the goal of supporting the gastrointestinal flora by promoting balanced immunity, the plant compounds in Paracid Forte also provide potent antioxidant support, to help fend off microbial challenges. The ingredients in Paracid Forte support healthy microbial balance in the GI tract by supplying botanicals shown to create a hostile environment for microbes. Each capsule of Paracid Forte includes sweet wormwood (150 mg), olive leaf extract (100 mg), black walnut hulls (85 mg) and artemisinin (25 mg).

Overview

Gastrointestinal health is directly affected by factors, such as exposure to microbes, poor diet and a stressful lifestyle, that can negatively impact immune function. The prevalence of refined sugars and carbohydrates and the low presence of fiber in the modern diet has been directly linked to the alteration of the colonic environment. Since the body’s immune system is a complex and dynamic defense system, healthy microbial balance and antioxidant support help ensure more optimal immune function. Maintaining healthy microbial balance is not only integral to optimal GI health, but also supports overall health and well-being. Paracid Forte provides a blend of plant compounds which work together to defend against microbial stressors.

Wormwood/Artemisinin

Wormwood is a fern-like plant commonly found throughout Asia, and artemisinin is its active constituent. Artemisinin is a sesquiterpene lactone, a special compound shown to have strong microbial-balancing properties. It is known to interfere with microbial metabolism by causing structural changes to unfriendly organisms that prevent them from maturing in the body. This effect is facilitated by the production of free radicals and reactive aldehydes within the microbes that disrupt their growth.

Olive Leaf Extract†

Widely consumed in the Mediterranean, olives contain numerous phenolic compounds, including oleuropein, which have demonstrated broad spectrum microbial-balancing and antioxidant properties.2-5 Oleuropein is a unique polyphenol molecule in olive leaf extract and special processing techniques now allow for the extraction of a stable, standardized form of oleuropein. Oleuropein is a potent antioxidant, supports microbial balance, and helps maintain a normal inflammatory balance in the body.

Studies have indicated that oleuropein boosts host immune defense and it is especially helpful in supporting those with microbial challenges related to microbial imbalances in the intestines. In one in vitro study, phenolic compounds from olive leaf, including oleuropein, were able to interfere the cellular metabolism of a wide range of microbes creating a hostile environment to their survival. Another study found olive leaf extract prevents cell-to-cell attachment in a dose-dependent manner, a key mechanism in supporting healthy microbial balance.

Black Walnut†

The hulls of the black walnut have been used since Greek and Roman times to support those with intestinal complaints. Black walnut has compounds known as tannins, which affect the structural stability of various microbes. The activity (minimum inhibitory concentration) of four different tannin containing plants was determined by broth dilution method, and black walnut was found to be the most active against various microbes.

Berberine Sulfate†

Berberine is an alkaloid extracted from plant roots that is commonly found in barberry, turmeric and Oregon grape. Berberine extracts have shown significant ability to influence the activity of a variety of organisms that affect human health.In vitro, berberine has been found to promote GI health10 and, among 25 patients, 5 mg/kg per day of berberine for six days promoted positive changes in the microbial samples of 17 patients.

Mechanisms of action for berberine include effects on organism adhesion and intracellular interference, metabolic activity, maturation and free radical formation. By addressing the intestinal secretion of water and electrolytes induced by certain organism toxins, berberine also supports the healthy formation of stool. In this way, it promotes healthy intestinal motility and normal intestinal transit time. Both in vitro and animal research suggest berberine can also affect COX-2 protein, maintaining normal inflammatory balance.

Directions

1 capsule three times per day or as recommended by your health care professional.

Does Not Contain

Gluten, yeast, artificial colors and flavors.

Cautions

Do not consume this product if you are pregnant or nursing. Consult your physician for further information.