SELECTED ASIAN NEWSPAPER ARTICLES

ON OM-X PROBIOTIC CAPSULES

The world news media has been interested in OM-X's probiotics and their effect on human health. During the past several years, the print, television and radio media have interviewed Dr. Iichiroh Ohhira, and Dr. Hidehiko Tanaka. Included below are relevant portions of several newspaper articles that should be of interest to the reader

FROM THE JULY 20, 1996 EDITION OF The Malaysian Sun Newspaper

"A FRIENDLY BUG"

"An Encapsulated Bacteria May Help Maintain a Balance Between the Good and Bad Bacteria in our Intestines"

"While it is true that bacteria can cause problems, there is another side to the story. Inside your gut-especially in the large intestine or colon-rages a never-ending bacterial battle.

"Hundreds of different types of bacteria fight to establish dominance in the warm, moist environment so conducive to their growth. In fact, the average human large intestine plays host to over 400 different species of bacteria.

"With numbers that outnumber the cells in your body, gut bacteria serve several important digestive functions. They include breaking down fiber or other food residues, producing some of the B vitamins and breaking down and destroying some toxic chemicals that may have been ingested with your food.

"In the ideal body living on the ideal diet, the different strains of bacteria compete with each other and hold each other in check, preventing the excessive proliferation of any one strain. In the real world though, problems do occur.

"Many different factors have an impact on your gut bacteria. These include your diet, your mental and emotional state, environmental and food toxicity and frequent use of drugs such as the contraceptive pill or antibiotics.

"Furthermore, if you live in a fairly constant state of anger and frustration, the walls of your intestinal tract will secrete a different type of mucous, which encourages the proliferation of a less desirable breed of bacteria.

"What happens when the less desirable types of bacteria multiply out of control? Huge colonies of bad bacteria usually mean ever-decreasing colonies of good bacteria. That can spell problems including intestinal irritation, cramps, spasm, excessive flatulence, chronic diarrhea or diarrhea alternating with constipation.

"As the friendly strains of bacteria diminish, it also leaves the way open for fungus and yeast living in the gut to propagate. Severe yeast overgrowth in the gut can be responsible for chronic exhaustion, skin problems, multiple allergies, chronic vaginal thrush, digestive and bowel problems, pre-menstrual syndrome and menstrual irregularities.

"What can you do to encourage strong, healthy, friendly bacteria colonies? One of the traditional ways to achieve this has been the regular consumption of fermented foods.

"The fermentation process allows certain bacteria to grow in the food and subsequently in the gut of those people who consume it. In 1972, a biotechnology scientist from Okayama University in Japan, Dr. Iichiroh Ohhira, while serving in China, came to know a locally fermented food. When he consumed it for some time, he found significant improvement in health. It gave him an inspiration to unlock its scientific secret.

"Ohhira embarked on an extensive research survey of indigenous fermentation of Southeast Asian countries such as Malaysia and Indonesia. In Malaysia, he discovered tempeh where he found isolated various strains of lactic acid bacteria said to be beneficial to human health.

"After years of research and development, Ohhira produced an elixir to promote human health-OM-X Lactic Acid Bacteria. He went on to encapsulate the bacteria in its live form, making the product available to mankind at all times.

"The OM-X capsule product contains several strains of lactic acid bacteria which are beneficial to health and therefor used as a health food supplement. One of these strains-"Enterococcus faecalis TH10" was found to produce a potent antimicrobial component against dangerous bacteria, methicillin resistant staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

"MRSA has played havoc through clinical outbreaks all over the world and has been a nightmare to surgeons and medical practitioners. MRSA can cause septicemia on wounds of patients being treated in hospitals and surgical theatres. Several deaths have been reported from countries including Japan and Singapore.

"MRSA infections in the past had been known only to be partially controlled with a highly expensive antibiotic and that too with severe side effects," said Ohhira.

"I was convinced that I will be able to find a suitable control mechanism to overcome MRSA. I succeeded to isolate Enterococcus faecalis TH 10 from tempeh," he said.

"The strain can rapidly eliminate MRSA and inhibit further outbreak in the human host. It did not show growth inhibition against various lactic acid bacteria which are beneficial to human, said Ohhira."

THE FOLLOWING "SIDE-BAR" WAS PRINTED ALONG WITH THE ABOVE ARTICLE.

"THE DESTRUCTIVE LIFESAVER"

"Antibiotic drugs have a value and necessary place in therapy. They have been instrumental in saving immense number of lives. They are an effective emergency measure, destroying disease-producing bacteria in a manner that seemed miraculous to those who first experienced and observed their action.

"However, antibiotics literally means "against live." When the "life" that is destroyed is that of harmful microorganisms, all is well and good.

"Unfortunately, antibiotics are not selective. Like aerial bombing, they are not geared to spare the friendly organisms that inhibit the same space as the hostile ones. After a course of antibiotic treatment, the intestinal bacteria are severely diminished, the good along with the bad.

"At the least, this is likely to cause some digestive upset-anything from diarrhea and flatulence to severe constipation. An upset stomach is not the worse result of the destruction of your population of friendly bacteria. In their absence, other organisms normally present and harmless can seize the opportunity offered and explode in dangerous number.

"One of the most relevant and troublesome of these organisms in vaginal thrush. It is an ongoing and irritation problem for many women, especially resulting from pregnancy and the use of contraceptive pills.

"At these times, high estrogen levels alter the acidity of the vaginal mucous, making it more prone to proliferation of yeast organisms. Often, these yeast organisms are originally transferred from the bowel movement and many women find that taking friendly bacteria to change the type of gut bacteria greatly decreases the frequency of vaginal thrush attacks.

"Whenever you take antibiotics, you will benefit greatly from using friendly bacteria during the course of the medication and for a couple of weeks afterwards.

"Antibiotics tend to kill off the good as well as the bad gut bacteria, which often results in diarrhea and vaginal thrush infections in women.

"Using friendly bacteria re-establishes the friendly gut bacteria and prevents these common antibiotics side-effects."

FROM THE OCTOBER 20, 1996 EDITION OF The New Straits Times

"MALAY FOOD TEMPE HELPS FIGHT E. COLI BACTERIA"

OKAYAMA (JAPAN), SAT. -"Lactic Acid bacteria, which is found in the Malay food Tempeh, restricts the multiplication of the O-157 strain of E. Coli bacteria, Okayama University professor Dr. Hidehiko Tanaka said today.

"An O-157 food poisoning epidemic has claimed 11 lives and made 9,800 people ill in Japan since last June.

"Tempeh, eaten in Indonesia and Malaysia, is produced from soybeans and is similar to Japan's natto, which is made by fermenting steamed soybeans with the natto bacillus for several days.

"Iichiroh Ohhira, 60, a graduate of Okayama University engaged in technical training at Malaysia's Health Ministry, brought back the lactic acid bacteria from Malaysia about 10 years ago and has helped Tanaka study its properties.

"They started studying its effect on the O-157 bacteria after finding out two years ago that its resists MRSA (Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus).

"Tanaka said: "Lactic acid bacterium contained in Tempe produces 1,000 or more ingredients.

"So we want to find out what ingredients are effective in braking multiplication of the O-157 and make clear that antibacterial mechanism." - Bernama-Kyodo
v PRINTED AS A "SIDE-BAR" WAS THE FOLLOWING ANNOUNCEMENT.

"Latest Research Finding!!"
v "OM-X friendly lactic acid bacteria showed potent growth inhibition against Escherichia coli O-157 as reported by Professor Dr. Hidehiko Tanaka of Okayama University, Japan"

FROM THE JULY 24, 1996 EDITION OF The Star

"THE GOODNESS OF FERMENTED FOODS"

"How do we ensure a healthy colony of the essential "good" bacteria in our digestive system?
ROSYATIMAH TUKIMIN spoke to a scientist from Japan who claims to have come up with an answer to this question."
"Most health-conscious people nowadays have heard of the 'good' bacteria that is required for different digestive functions, such as breaking down fiber or other food residues and destroying toxic chemicals which we may have ingested with our food.

"But if we are not careful of what we eat, or live constantly stressed lives, a less desirable breed of bacteria will multiply at the expense of the essential bacteria. These are the 'bad guys,' bacteria that can cause anything from intestinal irritation, to stomach cramps and chronic diarrhea.

"So what can we do to encourage strong healthy, friendly colonies of essential bacteria?

"One of the traditional ways of doing this has been to regularly consume fermented foods," said Professor Iichiroh Ohhira of Okayama University in Japan.

"The fermentation process in food allows certain bacteria from the air and local surroundings to grow in the food and subsequently in the gut of those people who consume these fermented food," explained the 61-year-old professor.

"While serving in China in 1972, Prof. Ohhira found the local fermented food he ate seemed to improve his health.

"Upon his return to Japan, the scientist got together a team of researchers from Okayama University to set about unlocking the secrets of fermented foods and managed to isolate the beneficial lactic acid bacteria in eight years.

"We started our research with fermentation of wild fruits and herbs collected from several nonpolluted environments, like the mountain areas in Okayama.

"About two years after (isolating the bacteria) we made it in capsule form," said Prof. Ohhira.

"The professor, who has won several awards from the Japanese Dairy and Food Association, was in Kuala Lumpur recently to talk about his research findings together with Professor Hidehiko Tanaka who was also on the team that discovered the bacteria.

"Prof. Ohhira said the lactic acid bacteria the team isolated is beneficial in combating the virulent disease-causing micro-organisms known as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

"MRSA has played havoc all over the world, causing septicemia (blood poisoning) in patients being treated in hospitals and surgical theaters.

"Often, it leads to death among patients whose immune system is not working very well. So far, the treatment prescribed is antibiotics, which is 80 percent successful. Also, the antibiotics are rather expensive and have side effects.
v "The lactic acid bacteria, on the other hand, can rapidly eliminate MRSA and inhibit further out-breaks," Prof. Ohhira claimed.

"Lim Seck Tack, president of a marketing company dealing with this biotechnologically-processed health food produced by Prof. Ohhira, explained that Prof. Ohhira managed to put 12 different lactic acid bacteria in the capsule he produced as he believed that no single bacteria can be effective on its own.

"He also said that Prof. Ohhira has experimented on fermenting Malaysian wild fruits which he had collected in Ipoh.

"Unfortunately, the professor found the local fruits were not suitable for fermentation. But he did discover that tempeh, an indigenous fermented product, contains several strains of lactic acid bacteria which are beneficial to human health."

FROM THE JULY 27, 1998 EDITION OF The New Straits Times

"PROBIOTICS CAN KEEP GUT HEALTHY"

"PETRI DISH BY KOSHY PHILIP"

"Live forms of beneficial microorganisms called probiotics as well as certain stimulates called prebiotics can help to restore the natural balance of bacteria in the gut"

"The gastrointestinal microflora is a highly complex community of bacteria that constitutes an intimate and biologically-vital component of the human body.

"This community of microbes consists of hundreds of different types of microbes which continuously interact with one another and the "host" together carrying out a process of fermentation. During the fermentation, dietary substrates are broken down to give a variety of different end products with varying impacts on the individual's health.

"These impacts may be either beneficial or adverse to human health. For example, short chain fatty acids produced by some bacteria may contribute to higher energy yield for the body system. On the other hand, some harmful species break down proteins to produce toxic compounds much to the disadvantage of the human host.

"The newborn infant is initially sterile bacteriologically until it acquires its colon microflora from the mother and the environment. In normal conditions, the newborn picks up a complete range of microbes that can give all the benefits of the gut microflora. Under sophisticated, developed world conditions, it is not unusual for minimal contact between infant and mother, often restricted by bottle-feeding. Then the transfer of such beneficial microbes is very much reduced.

"The consequence of this is very serious. The microbial balance of the gut can be upset to the advantage of the harmful ones that can be avoided if the child is fed with the mother's milk. Even in adult life, diet, medication, stress and environmental factors can compromise the gut microbial composition.

"This awareness has inspired the research for methods to overcome such deficiencies and increase the numbers of health-promoting bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract.

"Traditionally, man has resorted to yogurt and other fermented foods to supply this group of beneficial microbes.

"In the modern world of biotechnology it has been found that natural products cannot supply the complete need for the human host to combat a wide range of environmental contamination be it harmful bugs or carcinogens.

"This is apparent from the succession of intestinal flora in the gut with the person's age. At birth, there is a simultaneous increase almost exponentially of beneficial bacteria such as lactobacillus along with harmful ones such as Escherichia coli and Streptococci.

"At weaning stage, other more harmful bacteria come into play such as Eubacteria and Peptococcaceae. As the person enters adulthood, one is exposed to more pathogenic bacteria. In old age, the number of these harmful bacteria increases further despite an increased intake of lactobacillus from sources like yogurt and other freeze-dried forms. This condition continues to cause aging problems to the elderly.

"In order to combat old-age problems, there is an urgent need to orally administer live forms of beneficial microorganisms called probiotics. Probiotics come in live capsule form and contain as many as 12 special strains such as TH10 isolated from tempeh. These strains, including lactobacillus, bifidobacteria and Streptococcus thermophilus are well positioned and highly potent to suppress most of the very pathogenic bacteria such as methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus, E. coli, harmful Streptococci and Clostridium perfringens.

"The other advantage of the live capsule form is its viable nature unlike the freeze-dried forms. The freeze-dried forms lose their original cell structure due to removal of water in vacuum through a technique called lyophilisation. For the freeze-dried culture to be revived there is a need for a special laboratory medium. Such a condition may not be provided in the gastrointestinal tract. As a result, the complete revival of the freeze-dried form in the colon is not assured.

"Another approach to further complement probiotics is to consume certain stimulants called prebiotics to enhance these special beneficial microflora. Prebiotics are non-digestible food ingredients that beneficially affect the host by selectively stimulating the growth and activity of the limited number of bacteria in the colon to improve the health of the host. Research has shown that vegetable fiber can serve as an excellent prebiotics with its additional input of vitamins, amino acids and minerals when grown free of the harmful chemicals used in the highly-commercialized modern crop production.

"It is obvious that probiotics and prebiotics modulate the composition of the human gut microflora to the benefit of the host. Several research publications in top medical journals have shown this evidence. The advantages arise from the inhabitation of harmful microbes or stimulation of other contributing to human health.

"Prebiotics and probiotics can together restore and reconstitute the gut bacteria to its normal balance when it is adversely affected by dietary and environment stresses."