Kristalvag is a symbiotic (probiotic + prebiotic) that includes microencapsulated viable lacto- and bifidobacteria: Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Lactobacillus crispatus, Lactobacillus fermentum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium breve and fructooligosaccharides.
Kristalvag normalizes the composition of intestinal and vaginal microflora, is a source of natural balance of intestinal and vaginal microflora. Lactobacteria are considered natural competitors for a place in the microbiome and for a food substrate due to their ability to colonize the intestines and, as a result, passively displace pathogenic bacteria and restore the normal balance of microflora. Lacto- and bifidobacteria increase the body's nonspecific resistance, have an immunomodulatory effect. Bacteria of normal microflora, which are part of Kristalvag, activate parietal digestion in the intestine, participate in the enzymatic breakdown of proteins, fats, carbohydrates, as well as in the processes of bile acid and cholesterol metabolism. Lacto- and bifidobacteria synthesize amino acids, pantothenic acid, vitamin K and B vitamins, promote the absorption of iron, calcium, and vitamin D, block the penetration of opportunistic microorganisms from the intestines into the vagina, contribute to the normalization of local immunity of the intestinal and vaginal mucosa and increase its resistance to pathogenic and opportunistic microflora.
Lactobacilli, which are part of Kristalvag, in the vagina break down carbohydrates with the formation of lactic acid. An acidic environment is one of the main factors for the normal state and function of the organ. The acidity of the vaginal contents is determined by the presence of lactic and acetic acids, as well as low molecular weight fatty acids, which are formed from carbohydrates of epithelial cells.
Bacteria of the genus Lactobacillus ferment carbohydrates to aliphatic fatty acids and ensure the maintenance of their normal level. Normally, the pH of the vagina is within the acidic range of 3.7-4.5. In an acidic environment, lactobacteria actively compete with other microorganisms for the possibility of adhesion to the cells of the vaginal epithelium, have a stimulating effect on the immune system, the production of secretory immunoglobulin (sIgA), lysozyme, complement and other factors of local immunity.
The pH level of the vagina can increase with age, under the influence of ovarian steroid hormones, during the menstrual cycle and during pregnancy. Changes can also occur under the influence of other factors: body mass index, diseases of the cervix and vagina, level of sexual activity, taking hormonal contraceptives, the presence of infectious processes in the body; systemic diseases, systemic or local antibacterial therapy, violations of personal hygiene, etc.; under the influence of exogenous and endogenous factors, including temperature and oxygenation.
The composition of the Kristalvag symbiotic includes probiotic cultures, each cell of which is protected by a lipid matrix using microencapsulation technology. This method provides increased gastroresistance of microorganisms, which, thus, can enter the intestine viable and show their beneficial activity in places of physiological existence as normal microflora (intestine, vagina), which provides a source of natural balance of intestinal and vaginal microflora. Microencapsulation technology can significantly protect microorganisms and maintain the viability of the strain in the most difficult conditions of use. 100% of microorganisms in microcapsules reach the intestine, compared to 20% of conventional microorganisms without coating. The high efficiency of the microencapsulated form in intestinal colonization was also demonstrated in a clinical study using the same strains in coated and uncoated form. The results showed that colonization was achieved in the same time using different amounts of probiotic in both forms that were compared (2 billion CFU/day of microencapsulated probiotic compared to 10 billion CFU/day of uncoated probiotic cells).
Description of Crystalvag components.
Lactobacillus rhamnosus (L. rhamnosus) – belong to the normal obligate flora of the vulva and vagina of women; together with other species of lactobacteria (including L. acidophilus, L. fermentum) are represented in the normal flora of women and provide a protective function. L. rhamnosus has antagonistic activity against a wide range of pathogenic and conditionally pathogenic bacteria (including Staphylococcus spp., Proteus spp., enteropathogenic Escherichia coli), yeast-like fungi of the genus Candida (due to the secretion of antifungal substances, inhibition of attachment to vaginal epithelial cells, inhibition of growth and reproduction), improves local metabolic processes and contributes to the restoration of natural local immunity.
Lactobacillus crispatus (L. crispatus) is the basis of the normal vaginal microflora, which reduces the risk of bacterial vaginosis. These lactobacteria block the attachment of opportunistic microorganisms to the vaginal mucosa and destroy them by producing hydrogen peroxide. As a result, the focus of opportunistic microflora, which provokes the development of bacterial vaginosis, is eliminated. The acidic environment created at the same time promotes the development of bifidobacteria, which make up 85-95% of the intestinal microflora of the human body.
Lactobacillus fermentum (L. fermentum) have antagonistic activity against pathogenic and opportunistic microorganisms, creating favorable conditions for the development of beneficial intestinal microflora (which manifest and become active against the background of prolonged intestinal dysfunction). These properties of L. fermentum are associated with the accumulation of a strong antiseptic - lactic acid. This type of bacteria has the ability to reduce blood cholesterol levels by incorporating cholesterol into its cell membrane and, thus, exhibits an anti-atherogenic effect.
Bifidobacterium breve (B. breve) in the composition of Kristalvag prevent the reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms in the intestine, which helps restore the balance of normal intestinal microflora, eliminate dysbacteriosis and dysbiosis; affects the regulation of digestion, activation of gastrointestinal tract motility, utilization of food substrates and activation of parietal digestion; synthesis of amino acids and proteins, vitamin K, pantothenic acid, B vitamins, neuropeptides, nitric oxide, antioxidants, hormones. In the vaginal biotope, bifidobacteria are found in approximately 10% of the examined. They also prevent the breakdown of secretory immunoglobulin (sIgA), stimulate the formation of interferon and the synthesis of lysozyme.
Fructooligosaccharides are fibers formed as a result of fermentation. They are not digested, but are quickly fermented by the microflora of the colon, releasing low-molecular fatty acids, known as volatile fatty acids. Due to fermentation, fructooligosaccharides become a direct source of nutrition for the epithelial cells of the large intestine. Fructooligosaccharides are a nutrient substrate for the growth and reproduction of lacto- and bifidobacteria beneficial to the body. In addition, they have a prokinetic effect (stimulate intestinal peristalsis). Fructooligosaccharides increase the absorption of calcium and magnesium, contribute to the normalization of lipid and carbohydrate metabolism, and reduce the concentration of cholesterol and glucose in the blood.
