Important New Human Research Study:
Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics Reduces Levels of Fatigue

Essential Formulas is happy to announce the publication of a new study that reported that people taking Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics daily for 12 weeks experienced a reduction in fatigue.i

Fatigue is one of the most common medical complaints. In addition to increasing risks for accidents, it negatively impacts physical and mental health and relationships and reduces the overall quality of life.

STUDY DESIGN: This was a 12-week, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial. Forty healthy men and women between the ages of 40-59 were randomly divided into two groups. One group took three capsules of Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics once daily for 12 weeks, and the other group took three capsules of an identical-looking placebo for 12 weeks. People with significant health problems were excluded from this study.

HOW WAS FATIGUE MEASURED? The following two independent methods were used to measure levels of fatigue in this clinical trial:

  1. Visual Analog Scale (VAS): This scale consists of a horizontal line 10 centimeters (3.94 inches) long. Participants are asked to place an ‘x’ on the line representing their fatigue level over the past seven days (left side = low fatigue, right side = high fatigue). The placement of the ‘x’ is then converted into a numerical score. A higher score corresponds with higher fatigue.
  2. Chalder Fatigue Scale (CFS): This questionnaire consists of 14 questions relating to different aspects of physical and mental fatigue. The rating goes from 1 (no fatigue) to 4 (high level of fatigue). The higher the total score, the higher the overall level of fatigue.

RESULTS: All participants consuming Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics registered significant reductions in fatigue on both the Visual Analog Scale and the Chalder Fatigue Scale. This provides solid scientific validation showing that taking Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics (3/day x 12 weeks) lowers fatigue levels and increases energy in healthy adults.

EXPLANATION/MECHANISM OF ACTION: Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics have been produced by fermenting many plant-based foods with lactic acid bacteria (LAB) for several years. The resulting product contains over 500 postbiotic metabolites such as antioxidants, short-chain fatty acids, organic acids, vitamins, polyphenols, carotenoids, etc.

It is well known that increased levels of free radicals can damage mitochondria, the “energy factories” in each of the body’s cells. This, in turn, reduces the production of cellular energy (ATP), which results in higher levels of mental and physical exhaustion and fatigue. However,  the antioxidant activity provided by the ingredients in Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics, especially the antioxidant activity of various postbiotic metabolites and polyphenols, explains the reduced fatigue levels in this recently published human clinical trial.

EXCLUSION CRITERIA: It is important to emphasize that only healthy individuals were allowed to participate in this clinical trial as people with any illness were excluded. Other criteria for exclusion included anyone with a food or drug allergy, a history of alcohol or drug dependence, smokers, women who are using hormone replacement therapy, and women who are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during the study.

ALL healthy participants taking Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics experienced significant reductions in fatigue. Although it has not been tested, we might assume that people with health problems might gain even more significant reductions in fatigue and improvements in energy levels when taking Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics.

PREVIOUS STUDIES:
Forced Swimming Test to Exhaustion. In this study, mice were divided into two groups and administered either Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics or a placebo daily for four weeks. At the end of 4 weeks, the mice receiving Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics could swim two times longer before exhaustion than the control mice.ii (mice are humanely rescued and not allowed to drown). The mice receiving Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics also had lower levels of triglycerides, less free radical damage, and improved liver function. This study shows dramatically that Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics can substantially increase energy, stamina, and endurance.

Vitamin C Knockout (VCKO) Test: Mice unable to make vitamins (VCKO mice) develop age-related diseases at an accelerated rate and only live about six months, compared to normal mice with an average lifespan of 24 months. Hence, mice unable to synthesize vitamin C (VCKO mice) age 4x faster than normal mice.iii

When VCKO mice are administered Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics, they have higher levels of antioxidants such as glutathione, improved bacterial composition in their intestinal microbiome, and increased cellular energy production. The overall result is that VCKO mice receiving Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics develop age-related diseases at a much slower rate and live longer healthier lives.

CONCLUSION: The three studies reviewed in this article (1 human trial and two mouse studies) collectively state the benefits of taking Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics. The postbiotic metabolites in Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics help reduce inflammation, increase antioxidant activity, and enhance immune function. All of these benefits help contribute to healthy longevity.

i Takeshi T, et al. Anti-fatigue effect of OM-X, fermented plant extract with lactic acid bacteria and Bifidobacteria: A randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, comparative study. J Functional Foods. 2022 Aug 27;97.  https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1756464622002985
ii Itoh T, et al. OM-X, a Fermented Vegetable Extract, Facilitates Muscle Endurance Capacity in Swimming Exercise Mice. Nat Product Comm. 2017 Jan 1;12(1):111-114.
iii Wakeme K, et al. Metabolomic analysis of SMP30/GNL knockout mice treated with fermented vegetable and fruit extract (OM-X®). Functional Foods in Health and Disease. 2020’10(3):95-110.