Dr. Elie Metchnikoff, a Nobel Prize winning scientist who theorized that aging is caused by undesirable bacteria in the gut, linked the oft-noted longevity and good digestion of the Bulgarian people to the large quantity of fermented milk products containing Lactobacillus bulgaricus in their diet. He described the benefits of these helpful bacteria in his book The Prolongation of Life: Optimistic Studies, published in 1906. The full name of Lactobacillus bulgaricus has since been changed to Lactobacillus delbrueckii subspecies bulgaricus.

Lactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricus is commonly used alongside Streptococcus thermophilus as a yogurt starter. The bacteria feed on lactose to produce lactic acid, which is used to preserve milk. Metchnikoff was the first to propose that lactic acid producing bacteria would increase intestinal acidity, suppressing the growth of less desirable bacteria. We now know that a slightly acidic intestinal environment also supports digestion and regularity by encouraging peristalsis - the rhythmic movement of the intestinal muscles that propels food through the digestive tract.

In the early 1960s, renowned Bulgarian microbiologist and researcher Dr. Ivan Bogdanov researched a variety of lactobacillus strains, focusing on their applications in improving human health. Natren founder and probiotic expert Natasha Trenev based her powerful and effective DIGESTA-LAC^® formula on Dr. Bogdanov's groundbreaking work.

Natren's DIGESTA-LAC contains a Lactobacillus bulgaricus LB-51 super strain, a transient beneficial bacteria that travels with food through the digestive tract as it is being processed by the body, providing support throughout the digestion process.

DIGESTA-LAC improves on other, less potent probiotic products by keeping the live bacteria in their original culturing medium, or supernatant, for greatly improved viability.

DIGESTA-LAC is available in dairy, or in vegetarian/ vegan dairy-free probiotic formulas. Each one-gram capsule of DIGESTA-LAC (or 1/2 tsp. of probiotic powder) provides a minimum of 2 billion colony forming units (cfu) of Lactobacillus bulgaricus LB-51 transient super strain.

Natren MEGADOPHILUS remains revolutionary in that the live bacteria are kept in their original culturing medium, or supernatant.

"Natren probiotics changed my life. I struggled with constipation, indigestion, uncomfortable fullness, and other health related issues for a long time.

I started with the Natren HEALTHY START SYSTEM^® until I was able to build up to the most potent product, HEALTHY TRINITY^®. I now take both HEALTHY TRINITY and MEGADOPHILUS^® on a daily basis. I’m pleased to say I feel better and look better.

Thank you, Natasha, for dedicating yourself to making a superior probiotic. It is truly effective and health enhancing. Words cannot describe how proud I am to have worked for Natren for nine years."

- Sandra Ochoa-Castro

Natren employee