Biofilm ProBalance™

Benefits of Balancing Candida, Other Yeasts, & Fungi in the GI Tract 

A healthy human gut microbiome is home to a variety of bacteria and fungi that are responsible for making connections that can impact wellness in a variety of ways. ^1,2 Those connections — whether positive or negative — can be compounded by biofilms: polymeric substances that are made up of microbes and various extra cellular components.³ When in balance, biofilms are a normal, structural aspect of GI tract that can positively influence health.³ However, when combined with fungal species such as Candida (a normal part of the mycobiome in small numbers⁴), biofilms can impede the optimization of microbial ecology.³ This can lead to a difficult path to optimal health. Probiotics and microbiome targeting products should not ignore the complex relationship that fungi have with bacteria in our gut, and Biofilm ProBalance contains a probiotic yeast and 3 probiotic bacteria.

With the right support, associations in the microbiome can be regulated and the balance can be shifted towards beneficial microbes. ^1,3-6 Biofilm ProBalance regulates mixed species biofilm matrices in the GI;* supports healthy yeast microbiome balance;* and helps balance naturally occurring yeasts like Candida in the GI tract* through a probiotic, enzyme, and botanical formula. Additionally, Biofilm ProBalance helps relieve occasional bloating* and supports intestinal comfort.*

How Biofilm ProBalance Works to Balance the Microbiome*

By directly interacting with the local microbial population and environment in the GI as probiotics, but also by targeting the biofilms in the GI that protect the status quo by shielding microbes.

Biofilm ProBalance combines powerful ingredients to create an optimal, balanced environment in the GI tract.*

The key component in this product is BIOHM FX® , a proprietary probiotic and enzyme blend. It has been shown in two clinical studies to support microbial balance and digestive health, with specific regards to discouraging Candida yeasts.^5,7 It consists of 60 billion CFU probiotics^ made up of Lactobacillus acidophilus 16axg™, Saccharomyces boulardii 16 mxg™, Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus 18fx™, Bifidobacterium breve 19bx™, and Alpha Amlyase. Biofilm ProBalance also contains organic kale from the SP farm and organic garlic — whole foods with in vitro data demonstrating support for biofilm balance. Internal Standard Process research utilizing an in vitro biofilm formation assay measured kale powder and garlic for their ability to inhibit biofilm formation (data on file internally).

^ at time of manufacture

Many common gut challenges are characterized by microbial imbalances and inflammation of a temporary or ongoing nature. For instance, Candida albicans — a benign yeast commonly found on mucosal surfaces in the gastrointestinal tract — is a regular resident microbe in the GI. Though it may be normally balanced, there are several common instances that can disrupt the microbial population in the GI. When that happens, stubborn multispecies biofilms can form.^8,9

Common factors that may lead to an imbalance in yeast include:^8,10-11 

• Bacterial imbalances
• Recent GI challenges
• Medications (antibiotics, corticosteroids, etc.)
• Metabolic concerns
• Occasional immune system concerns
• The aging process
• pH shift
• Poor dietary choices, including diets with excess simple sugars and refined carbohydrates

In addition, bacteria such as Serratia marcescens and Escherichia coli can become elevated (normal inhabitants at low levels) and levels of beneficial species can be found at relatively low levels⁶ – a scenario that is also true of fungi. ^1,12 In fact, regulation of biofilms can be a supportive tool for maintenance of healthy microbial populations, and favorable for microbial population shifts. ^1,3-6 In the GI of healthy individuals, biofilms form between beneficial organisms. However, when instability occurs in the microbiome, biofilms can become an inhibiting factor in positive microbiome health.³

Biofilm ProBalance also contains 200 mg of organic kale and 200 mg of organic garlic, as well as the BIOHM FX® proprietary probiotic and enzyme blend to promote healthy gut microbiome structure.* It consists of:

• Lactobacillus acidophilus 16axg™
• Saccharomyces boulardii 16 mxg™
• Lacticaseibacillus rhamnosus 18fx™
• Bifidobacterium breve 19bx™
• Alpha Amlyase 

The proprietary probiotic and enzyme blend BIOHM FX® has been shown in two clinical studies to support mycobiome balance and digestive health, with specific regards to discouraging Candida yeasts.⁵ In previous studies, several probiotic components of the blend have been shown to survive the acidic conditions of the stomach, especially if ingested within 30 minutes of a meal.¹³

BIOHM FX® also enables Biofilm ProBalance to help regulate mixed species biofilm matrices in the GI and balance the structure and development of microbial communities and extracellular components.* This is because BIOHM FX® has been shown in vitro to disrupt mixed species biofilms formed by Candida tropicalis with Escherichiacoli and Serratia marcescens.⁶C. albicans or C. tropicalis formed significantly thicker biofilms than control (Saccharomyces) biofilms, indicating that this interaction is Candida specific.⁶ 

Advanced Gut Health Support from Biofilm ProBalance

Biofilm ProBalance can help support intestinal comfort,* relieve occasional bloating,* and support digestive health* because it is designed to encourage balance in the GI environment. It provides advanced support that can benefit patients who are regularly dissatisfied with their gut health, who have occasional bloating.

Frequently Asked Questions

References 

1. Hager, C.L. & Ghannoum, M.A. Dig.Liver Dis. 49, 1171-1176 (2017).
2. Hoarau, G., et al. mBio 7, e01250-01216 (2016).
3. Deng, Z., Luo, X.M., Liu, J. & Wang, H. Front. Cell. Inf.  Microbiol. 10, 538077 (2020).
4. Øilo, M. & Bakken, V. Materials 8, 2887-2900 (2015).
5. Ghannoum, M.A., et al. Current Issues in Molecular Biology 43, 2135-2146 (2021).
6. Hager, C.L., et al. MBio 10, e00338-00319 (2019).
7. La Monica, M.B., Raub, B., Lopez, H.L., Ziegenfuss, T.N.  Beneficial Microbes (2023).
8. Alshanta, O.A., et al. Biofilm 4, 100072 (2022).
9. Wang Y, X.S., He Q, Sun K, Wang X, Zhang X, Li Y, Zeng J. . Front Microbiol. 13;14:1151552. doi: 10.3389/fmicb.2023.1151552. PMID: 37125198; PMCID: PMC10133492.(2023 Apr).
10. Alexandru Vasile, R., Berta Alvarez, P., Ann-Kristin, S. & Monica, T. Update in Geriatrics (ed. Somchai, A.) Ch. 12 (IntechOpen, Rijeka, 2020).
11. Kumamoto, C.A., Gresnigt, M.S. & Hube, B. Curr Opin Microbiol 56, 7-15 (2020).
12. Gulati, M. & Nobile, C.J. Microbes Inf. 18, 310-321 (2016).
13. Ghannoum, M., Ghannoum, A., Long, L., Sun, P. & Isham, J. Probiot. Health 7, 1-4 (2019).

BIOHM FX® is a registered trademark of Biohm Health Inc.