LEPICOL and
LEPICOL LIGHTER
Lepicol is a mix of whole psyllium husk (as powder or in capsules), probiotics (beneficial live bacteria) and prebiotic (in the form of a substance known as inulin).
I'm a great fan of Lepicol. I use it myself, especially when I'm away from home, and am always happy to recommended it to others. I've found it particularly helpful for patients suffering from IBS, inflammatory bowel conditions, a sluggish or sensitive gut, constipation, non-infectious diarrhoea, gas and bloating. I also see it as an essential supplement for anyone whose gut that has been upset following a course of antibiotics, because it plays an important role in repopulating and rebalancing the gut bacteria. And it's soothing and supportive after a stomach upset or a 'dose of the runs'. I think Lepicol is a great bowel cleanser and a useful part of any detox or cleansing diet. I've also found that products containing psyllium can be helpful if you are trying to lose weight, reduce cholesterol and blood fats or have problems keeping blood glucose in balance.
HEALTHY HELPERS:
Probiotics, by the way, are described officially as 'live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit to the host'. The host means you and me. The problem is that vast numbers of people don't have the right balance of bacteria in their digestive tract with the result that it can have a detrimental effect on their health, causing gas, bloating, smelly poo, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, body odour, and poor resistance to infection to name just a few. Your digestive tract is home to trillions of gut bacteria that assist your digestion and help prevent overgrowth of pathogenic (bad) bacteria. And they have an impact on your immune system, too. Keeping a balanced gut microflora (think of them as 'friendly bacteria') helps to ensure that the conditions in your digestive tract remain stable which in turn goes a long way to supporting your health well-being.
To be absolutely accurate, a probiotic is a therapeutic agent that is taken in the form of a food or supplement. I like to think of them as commuters or 'straphangers', an essential workforce which travels through the body to a particular destination in order to help out the resident bacteria that makeup the regular gut inhabitants. But it's not just the digestive tract that benefits. When we swallow probiotics, we are literally supplementing the health not only of our intestines but of the whole system.
Lepicol contains a range of different types of helpful bacterial strains including:
Lactobacillus acidophilus PXN 35
Lactobacillus bulgaricus PXN 39
Lactobacillus plantarum PXN 47
Lactobacillus rhamnosus PXN 54
and
Bifidobacterium bifidum PXN 23
to a minimum strength of 120 million CFU*/g (1.2 x 108 CFU/g), equivalent to 600 million CFU/5g dose (6.0 x 108 CFU/5g).
*colony forming units
Probiotics, by the way, are described officially as 'live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit to the host'. The host means you and me. The problem is that vast numbers of people don't have the right balance of bacteria in their digestive tract with the result that it can have a detrimental effect on their health, causing gas, bloating, smelly poo, constipation, irritable bowel syndrome, body odour, and poor resistance to infection to name just a few. Your digestive tract is home to trillions of gut bacteria that assist your digestion and help prevent overgrowth of pathogenic (bad) bacteria. And they have an impact on your immune system, too. Keeping a balanced gut microflora (think of them as 'friendly bacteria') helps to ensure that the conditions in your digestive tract remain stable which in turn goes a long way to supporting your health well-being.
To be absolutely accurate, a probiotic is a therapeutic agent that is taken in the form of a food or supplement. I like to think of them as commuters or 'straphangers', an essential workforce which travels through the body to a particular destination in order to help out the resident bacteria that makeup the regular gut inhabitants. But it's not just the digestive tract that benefits. When we swallow probiotics, we are literally supplementing the health not only of our intestines but of the whole system.
Lepicol contains a range of different types of helpful bacterial strains including:
Lactobacillus acidophilus PXN 35
Lactobacillus bulgaricus PXN 39
Lactobacillus plantarum PXN 47
Lactobacillus rhamnosus PXN 54
and
Bifidobacterium bifidum PXN 23
to a minimum strength of 120 million CFU*/g (1.2 x 108 CFU/g), equivalent to 600 million CFU/5g dose (6.0 x 108 CFU/5g).
*colony forming units
LEPICOL LIGHTER PRODUCT INFORMATION
Directions for use: Keep sealed and store in a cool dry conditions out of the reach of young children. Where temperatures are likely to go above 25C, refrigeration (or temperature-controlled air conditioning) is recommended as this helps to maintain shelf life. Adults: Take 1 sachet mixed with 1-2 glasses of water or juice 10 minutes before a meal 3 times a day. Children: Parents should seek the guidance of a medical practitioner before giving Lepicol Lighter to children. Pregnancy and Breastfeeding: We suggest consulting your doctor or healthcare practitioner before taking any food supplement. Please note: Taking Lepicol Lighter (or any fibre supplement) without water could cause choking. The beneficial effect is obtained with a daily intake of 3g of glucomannan, in three doses of 1g each - each sachet contains 1g of glucomannan. **If you are taking any medications or have any medical conditions please consult with your doctor before taking any food nutrient or herbal supplements. Keep sealed and store in a cool dry conditions out of the reach of young children. |
LEPICOL LIGHTER is a high fibre product containing 7 strains of live bacteria, the nutritional mineral chromium, which is essential in helping to maintain normal blood glucose levels, psyllium husk, a gentle fibre that improves transit time and encourages regular bowel movements, and glucomannan, a plant fibre which, when used as part of a sensible and healthy eating plan, can help the body to shed excess weight.
The live Bacterial strains in Lepicol Lighter are: Lactobacillus acidophilus PXN 35 Lactobacillus casei PXN 37 Lactobacillus bulgaricus PXN 39 Lactobacillus rhamnosus PXN 54 Bifidobacterium breve PXN 25 Bifidobacterium longum PXN 30 and Streptococcus thermophilus PXN 66 to a minimum strength of 200 million CFU*/g (2 x 108 CFU/g). Equivalent to 1.8 billion CFU/daily dose (1.8 x 109 CFU/daily dose) *colony forming units Ingredients: Konjac glucomannan, psyllium husk (plantago ovata), live bacteria, chromium picolinate [50μg per 3 gram sachet°].
°provides 125% NRV•/ 3g sachet •Nutrient Reference Value. Contains 2.3g of fibre per 3g sachet |
FOR YOUR OWN HEALTH AND SAFETY
PLEASE READ THESE IMPORTANT NOTES
1. ALLERGEN ADVICE:
(a) Lepicol products contain soya and milk which are used in the fermentation process. The manufacturers advise that the content of milk is at a level that would not affect lactose intolerant sufferers.
(b) As always with any supplement, you should not exceed the recommended daily intake.
(c) Food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied diet.
2. When you begin using this type of fibre, it can be a little - shall we say - gassy! This is absolutely normal. If this happens to you, simply reduce the dose to half a teaspoon only per day with a large glass of water, then increase a tiny amount at a time over a couple of weeks until you reach the full dose.
3. Dietary fibre cannot work properly or safely without fluid. NEVER take Lepicol or any other kind of fibre supplement without water. Always follow the pack instructions and drink plenty of water.
4. If you have been diagnosed as pre-diabetic or diabetic, talk to your health care practitioner or diabetic clinic nurse about the benefits of increasing certain types of fibre in the diet.
(a) Lepicol products contain soya and milk which are used in the fermentation process. The manufacturers advise that the content of milk is at a level that would not affect lactose intolerant sufferers.
(b) As always with any supplement, you should not exceed the recommended daily intake.
(c) Food supplements should not be used as a substitute for a varied diet.
2. When you begin using this type of fibre, it can be a little - shall we say - gassy! This is absolutely normal. If this happens to you, simply reduce the dose to half a teaspoon only per day with a large glass of water, then increase a tiny amount at a time over a couple of weeks until you reach the full dose.
3. Dietary fibre cannot work properly or safely without fluid. NEVER take Lepicol or any other kind of fibre supplement without water. Always follow the pack instructions and drink plenty of water.
4. If you have been diagnosed as pre-diabetic or diabetic, talk to your health care practitioner or diabetic clinic nurse about the benefits of increasing certain types of fibre in the diet.
For more information on the importance of dietary fibre in the diet, click to read my article
Facts About Fibre