YAKULT
It was during his time that Japan was in
an impoverished state. Many children lost
their lives to infectious disorders such as
food poisoning, dysentery, cholera and
typhoid. Only therapeutic medications
from doctors or pharmacies were available.
Inspired by Élie Metchnikoff, a renowned
Russian zoologist known for his pioneering
research in immunology, Dr Shirota decided
to research on preventive medication,
otherwise known as probiotics. In 1930, he
became the first in the world to succeed
in strengthening and culturing a strain
of fortified lactic acid bacteria that could
survive digestive juices, such as gastric fluid
and bile, to reach the intestines alive and
work their benefits. This bacterium is now
known as Lactobacillus casei strain Shirota
(L. casei strain), the key ingredient in our
well-loved Yakult health beverages.WHAT EXACTLY ARE PROBIOTICS?
Probiotics are live microorganisms that,
when administered in adequate amounts,
confer a health benefit on the host. It can be
found in our bodies naturally, but may also
be induced through food and supplements.
Many types of bacteria classify as probiotics
but the most common one is Lactobacillus.
It can be found in fermented milk drinks
such as Yakult (L. casei strain Shirota), yogurts
and other fermented foods such as kimchi,sauerkraut or fermented soya products. They
are also available in powder or pill forms
in pharmacies. As a leader in probiotics
research, Yakult is always accumulating
vast knowledge on the profound world
of microorganisms. Years of research have
proven that lactic acid bacteria are beneficial
in many ways.BOOSTING IMMUNITY
The probiotic L. casei strain Shirota is a
case in point. Intake of this strain has been
demonstrated to regulate immunity in the
body, such as maintenance and restoration
of NK (Natural Killer) cell’s activity, which
plays a vital role in immunity. Immunity
is our body’s natural mechanism to avoid
diseases, a natural reaction to eliminate
foreign material from the body by lymphoid
cells. Generally, immunity is constructed of
two different kinds - natural (innate) and
acquired immunity. Natural immunity works
quickly, as it is the first line of defense for