In various implementations, one or more compositions may be provided to improve or maintain oral and/or intestinal health. For example, a dental powder, toothpaste, mouthwash, and/or probiotic composition may be administered to improve or maintain oral and/or intestinal health. In some implementations, an intestinal health kit that includes cleanse compositions, renewal compositions, and/or digestion aids (e.g., enzymes) may be administered to improve or maintain intestinal health and/or fitness.

Processes for producing a nutritional supplement that contains sulforaphane, and supplements formed thereby. Such a process includes combining a cruciferous vegetable, for example, broccoli sprouts, with strains of Lactobacillus, Streptococcus and Bifidobacterium to form a mixture, causing the mixture to undergo lactic acid fermentation, transform a glucosinolate within the cruciferous vegetable to sulforaphane, and yield a fermented mixture that contains sulforaphane, and then producing from the fermented mixture a supplement that can be ingested by an individual.

Processes to produce microorganisms that can be incorporated into a microbial-based product that results in high viable cell yields and shelf-stable products are disclosed. These microbial-based products are useful for inhibiting pathogenic growth and as a food additive. A preferred microorganism is a lactic acid producing bacteria. In one embodiment, the process comprises inoculating either a fermentation medium with enterococcus or pediococcus bacterial cells, harvesting the enterococcus or pediococcus bacterial cells at least partially during the log phases, concentrating the bacterial cells, and preserving the bacterial cells at a concentration of at least 510.sup.9 cfu/ml.

This invention relates to new uses of Bifidobacteria (particularly, although not exclusively, probiotic Bifidobacteria), and to food products, feed products, dietary supplements and pharmaceutical formulations containing them. The bacteria are suitable for the treatment of myocardial infarction and congestive heart failure.

Processes to produce microorganisms that can be incorporated into a microbial-based product that results in high viable cell yields and shelf-stable products are disclosed. These microbial-based products are useful for inhibiting pathogenic growth and as a food additive. A preferred microorganism is a lactic acid producing bacteria. In one embodiment, the process comprises inoculating either a fermentation medium with enterococcus or pediococcus bacterial cells, harvesting the enterococcus or pediococcus bacterial cells at least partially during the log phases, concentrating the bacterial cells, and preserving the bacterial cells at a concentration of at least 510.sup.9 cfu/ml.

The use of a bacterium of the species Lactobacillus salivarius in the manufacture of a food product, dietary supplement or medicament for treating cardiac dysfunction, particularly myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, dilated cardiomyopathy or inflammatory heart disease (including endocarditis, inflammatory cardiomegaly and myocarditis) is disclosed.

The use of a bacterium of the species Lactobacillus salivarius in the manufacture of a food product, dietary supplement or medicament for treating cardiac dysfunction, particularly myocardial infarction, congestive heart failure, dilated cardiomyopathy or inflammatory heart disease (including endocarditis, inflammatory cardiomegaly and myocarditis) is disclosed.

A food composite, an oral cleaning composite or a medical composite contain at least one lactobacillus strain able to inhibit oral pathogens. The lactobacillus strain is at least one isolated lactobacillus strain selected from a group including Lactobacillus acidophilus F-1 strain; Lactobacillus salivarius subsp. salicinius AP-32 strain; Lactobacillus reuteri GL-104 strain; Lactobacillus paracasei GL-156 strain; Lactobacillus helveticus RE-78 strain; Lactobacillus rhamnosus CT-53 strain; and Lactobacillus paracasei ET-66 strain. The abovementioned lactobacillus strains are able to inhibit oral pathogens and carried by a food composite, an oral cleaning composite or a medical composite.

A food composite, an oral cleaning composite or a medical composite contain at least one lactobacillus strain able to inhibit oral pathogens. The lactobacillus strain is at least one isolated lactobacillus strain selected from a group including Lactobacillus acidophilus F-1 strain; Lactobacillus salivarius subsp. salicinius AP-32 strain; Lactobacillus reuteri GL-104 strain; Lactobacillus paracasei GL-156 strain; Lactobacillus helveticus RE-78 strain; Lactobacillus rhamnosus CT-53 strain; and Lactobacillus paracasei ET-66 strain. The abovementioned lactobacillus strains are able to inhibit oral pathogens and carried by a food composite, an oral cleaning composite or a medical composite.

This invention relates to new uses of Bifidobacteria (particularly, although not exclusively, probiotic Bifidobacteria), and to food products, feed products, dietary supplements and pharmaceutical formulations containing them. The bacteria are suitable for the treatment of myocardial infarction and congestive heart failure.