We've sold Aktiv-K12 Probiotics now for over 6 years, and I'm consistently amazed at the buzz generated by oral care probiotics. Now more than ever, the probiotic revolution is making headlines. If you've been thinking about trying Probiotics, then you'll want to read every word of this article.

First, let me explain why this new probiotic chewing gum delivery system is significant:

As most of you know, the major benefit that we've been proclaiming since 2004 is our probiotic's ability to improve your level of long term fresh breath through the production of natural BLIS proteins which prevent bad breath bacteria (sulfur-producing anaerobes) from taking over the tongue and throat.

Our new probiotic chewing gum packs FIVE TIMES more good bacteria into each piece of gum than previous versions of Aktiv-K12. Because of this optimal concentration, absorption and growth takes place rapidly and effectively. To get the maximum benefit, make sure you read the directions on the package.

Why does it work on bad breath? This Aktiv-K12 is a new generation of probiotic that specifically targets BLIS bacteria. These are the germs that are responsible for bad breath.

Unlike other oral care probiotics that use competitive inhibition to starve hostile bacteria, our probiotic neutralizes these bacteria to eliminate bad breath.

The latest research on Aktiv-K12 has shown some amazing results in other fields:

Throat Health: A study in New Zealand on school age children showed that users of K12 were 50% less likely to acquire the bacteria that leads to strep throat! (the BLIS proteins work against S. pyogenes, the bug involved in sore throats).

Ear Infections (otitis media): As most parents already know, middle ear infections are one of the most common infections in children. What's surprising is that the bacteria that infect the middle ear don't enter through the outer ear. They come up through the back of the throat and then via the Eustachian tube into the middle ear area where they gain access to the interior of the ear drum.

A study showed that the use of Aktiv-K12 by young children reduced the incidence of recurrent ear infections.

Immune Response: Users of Aktiv-K12 reported that use of the probiotic at the onset of flu-like symptoms helped prevent further development of these symptoms. Scientific studies have shown that Aktiv-K12 leads to an increase in the levels of Interferon-Gamma in saliva. Interferon-Gamma is known to contribute to non-specific immunity against many intracellular bacteria and viruses.

Reduction in Inflammation (may help with symptoms of gum problems): A study in the scientific journal "INFECTION and IMMUNITY, Sept. 2008" showed that K12 is one of the only bacteria shown by electron microscopy to interact and modulate human epithelial cells. This promotes homeostasis and prevents the stimulation of harmful inflammatory responses and cell death caused by pathogens. Homeostasis refers to the body's ability to physiologically regulate its inner environment. This regulation ensures the body's stability in response to fluctuations in the outside environment.

One of the best features of Fresh Breath Probiotic Chewing Gum is that this gum tastes great! It uses natural raspberry and pomegranate to give you a burst of great taste (and antioxidants as well). The goal of this gum is to deliver a healthy dose of GOOD BUGS. But why not make it taste great, too? We also use natural xylitol as the sweetener. Many studies have shown the efficacy of xylitol in helping to prevent tooth decay.

Most importantly, this gum is IDEAL for children because of the benefits of stopping sore throats and ear infections. So, if you're looking for a more natural alternative to help your kids (and yourself) stay healthy, then my Fresh Breath Probiotic Chewing Gum is right for you.

Detailed Directions of Use

In order to make the tongue most receptive to Aktiv-K12, all you need to do is the following:

1. Brush your teeth and tongue for about 2 minutes with TheraBreath Toothpaste.
2. Rinse with TheraBreath Rinse, spit out.
3. Gargle with TheraBreath Rinse (you want your throat to be receptive as well because of Aktiv-K12's ability to help prevent sore throats)
4. Then, chew one piece of gum. That's it for the day.
5. Repeat for the next 7 days and your Probiotic Therapy is done for the month.

Repeat in one month. Make sure to keep your mouth oxygenated to maintain the health of Aktiv-K12 probiotics by using TheraBreath Toothpaste and Oral Rinse as your daily oral hygiene formulas.
 

References & Sources:

General Information on Aktiv-K12
Tagg JR (2009) Streptococcal Bacteriocin-Like Inhibitory Substances: Some Personal Insights into the Bacteriocin-Like Activities Produced by Streptococci Good and Bad

Bad Breath
Burton J, Chilcott C, Tagg J (2005) The rationale and potential for the reduction of oral malodour using Streptococcus salivarius probiotics. Oral Dis 11:29-31

Throat Health
Tagg JR (2004) Prevention of streptococcal pharyngitis by anti-Streptococcus pyogenes bacteriocin-like inhibitory substances (BLIS) produced by Streptococcus salivarius. Indian J Med Res 119(Suppl):13-16

Development of Aktiv-K12
Tagg JR (1992) BLIS production in the genus Streptococcus. In: James R, Lazdunski C, Pattus F (eds) Bacteriocins, microcins and lantibiotics. Springer-Verlag, Heidelberg, pp 417-420

Bad Breath
Burton JP, Chilcott CN, Moore CJ, Speiser G, Tagg JR (2006) A preliminary study of the effect of probiotic Streptococcus salivarius K12 on oral malodor parameters. J Appl Microbiol 100:754-764

Safety
Burton JP, Wescombe PA, Tagg JR, Chilcott CN (2006) Safety assessment of the oral cavity probiotic Streptococcus salivarius K12. Appl Environ Microbiol 72:3050-3053

Inflammation and Infection
Cosseau C, Devine DA, Dullaghan E, Gardy JL, Chikatamarla A, Gellatly S, Yu LL, Pistolic J, Falsafi R, Tagg J, Hancock RE (2008) The commensal Streptococcus salivarius K12 downregulates the innate immune responses of human epithelial cells and promotes host-microbe homeostasis. Infect Immun 76:4163-4175

Throat Health
Dierksen KP, Tagg JR (2000) The influence of indigenous bacteriocin-producing Streptococcus salivarius on the acquisition of Streptococcus pyogenes by primary school children in Dunedin, New Zealand. In: Martin DR, Tagg JR (eds) Streptococci and streptococcal diseases: entering the new millennium. Securacopy, Auckland, pp 81-85

Why Aktiv-K12 Works
Heng NCK, Wescombe PA, Burton JP, Jack RW, Tagg JR (2007) The diversity of bacteriocins produced by gram-positive bacteria. In: Riley MA, Chavan M (eds) Evolution and ecology of bacteriocins. Springer, New York, pp 45-92.

Study on Bacteria and the Tongue
Kazor CE, Mitchell PM, Lee AM, Stokes LN, Loesche WJ, Dewhirst FE, Paster BJ (2003) Diversity of bacterial populations on the tongue dorsa of patients with halitosis and healthy patients. J Clin Microbiol 41:558-563

Aktiv-K12 vs Yeasts
Liljemark WF, Gibbons RJ (1973) Suppression of Candida albicans by human oral streptococci in gnotobiotic mice. Infect Immun 8:846-849

Ear Infections and Upper Respiratory Tract Infections
Power DA, Burton JP, Chilcott CN, Dawes PJ, Tagg JR (2008) Preliminary investigations of the colonisation of upper respiratory tract tissues of infants using a paediatric formulation of the oral probiotic Streptococcus salivarius K12. Eur J Clin Microbiol Infect Dis 27:1261-1263

Ear and Throat Infections
Walls T, Power D, Tagg J (2003) Bacteriocin-like inhibitory substance (BLIS) production by the normal flora of the nasopharynx: potential to protect against otitis media? J Med Microbiol 52:829-833