HLC Probiotics Shipping Information

IMPORTANT SHIPPING INFORMATION on all HLC Probiotic products (updated June 2009)

HEAT SENSITIVE ITEMS Shipping/Delivery times OCT - MAY (Saturday delivery is not available)
(Orders received after 1pm EST will be processed the next day)

ALL HEAT SENSITIVE ORDERS RECEIVED AFTER 1PM EST THURSDAY OR ON FRIDAY WILL BE HELD FOR SHIPPING UNTIL THE FOLLOWING BUSINESS DAY.

Shipping & Heat Sensitivity Info

We suggest that you select 2nd Day Air or Overnight during the summer months or if you live in a hot state (any month). If not, your probiotics or suppositories may arrive 5-7 days later and may be warm or hot to the touch. We cannot replace or refund warm/hot packages. During the summer (June-Sept), we do not ship probiotics or other heat sensitive orders placed after 1pm on Tuesday. If you place an order using ground shipping after Tuesday 1pm EST, we will ship the order the following Monday. We do not ship heat sensitive orders on Fridays at all, any time of the year (unless you request otherwise in "Order Comments" and providing that you do not mind that your package will be held in the shippers non-airconditioned warehouse during the weekend). We want to minimize the amount of time your probiotics are in transit. Yet, the manufacturer has increased stability with new freeze drying technology allowing the probiotics to last over 6 months at room temperature holding their GUARANTEED minimum potency on label.

In addition, at 90-100 degrees Fahrenheit it can be stored 3-4 weeks and still be within label claim. This means if the probiotics arrive very warm or hot to the touch due to UPS truck being hot, your product is still perfectly viable and will meet potency claims on label according to various tests done by manufacturer. Please do not be concerned about heat for the short 2-4 day transit. We have been using these probiotics for years after extensive delays in shipping during summer months, and they are still VERY viable and work incredibly well.

We cannot refund or replace warm/hot packages. If you live near the West coast, your Pharmax probiotics are shipped from Redmond, WA. If not, from Bedford, NH. If you purchased other brands along with Pharmax (such as Yeast Arrest by Vitanica), your order will come from NH.

If you are still concerned about the heat, and if you do not want your package left without a signature, please include a note in the comments instructing us to require a signature, also provide a shipping address where there will be someone available to sign and/or bring your package in from the sun.

Are HLC probiotics shipped with an ice pack?

A cold pack will be included within the box free of charge during the summer months or when shipping to hot states (cold pack may be hot upon arrival since it absorbs heat- this is normal). Yet, a cold pack is ONLY FOR YOUR PEACE OF MIND. Pharmax's extensive product shelf life testing shows that after 2 weeks of travel via UPS cross country and back to the testing facility, the potency was still at 100% of label claims. The manufacturer states that ice during transport is optional and not necessary due to their new freeze drying technology and the addition of 50% more probiotic at time of manufacturing than what the label claims. Yet, if temperatures are hot in your area in the summer months, you may want to request an ice pack during checkout for your own peace of mind. There is also a styrofoam cooler option which can be purchased at the end of checkout. If your suppositories or protein bars have melted in transit, please store them in the refrigerator upon opening the package so that the item will firm up.

We cannot refund or replace warm/hot packages.

Pharmax has added in 50% more probiotic than what the label guarantees per bottle. For example, HLC Synbiotic Intensive is guaranteed to have 130 billion L. acidophilus and bifidus per serving, but there are 170 billion present at time of manufacturing and it is kept frozen until shipping.

The manufacturer has increased stability allowing the probiotics to last over 6 months at room temperature holding their GUARANTEED minimum potency on label! At 90-100 degrees Fahrenheit it can be stored 3-4 weeks and still be within label claim.

You will receive your HLC probiotic directly from the manufacturer in about 3-5 days. This product is very fresh and has not been sitting around on our shelves. And, your product will most likely contain 10-50% more than what the label states when you receive it. In addition, it has an infinite shelf life if stored the freezer (or 2 years if kept in the refrigerator).

What is their shelf life?

• Refrigeration is optional if you use the product within 6 months
• Can endure 3-4 weeks of very hot climate during shipping & transit, yet we recommend you have the product shipped via 2nd Day Air if you live in a hot state for your peace of mind.
• Virtually indefinite shelf life if kept frozen
• Full 2 year shelf life if kept refrigerated
• 100% potency (label claims) even after 6 months kept at room temperature!

How do I travel with and store my HLC probiotics?

We highly recommend you take your probiotics with you on all trips and vacations since their potency will last for up to 6 months at room temperature un-refrigerated. But, when possible and if convenient, we recommend you store your probiotics in the freezer or refrigerator, especially if you plan to preserve freshness of your product for months or years.

What is the survival of HLC probiotics through the stomach?

With over 90% survival in the full stomach (when taken right after a meal) and over 50% survival in the harshest environment of the empty stomach, the HLC organisms proved particularly robust and well adapted to the human stomach. This was in contrast to other probiotic organisms, which showed great sensitivity to gastric conditions and poor adaptation to the human host.This study also demonstrated that probiotics should be taken in association with a meal to ensure maximum survival.

The pH of the empty stomach is between 1.5 and 1.9 whereas, due to the buffering capacity of food, the pH is raised to between 3.8 and 4.3 in the full stomach. The aggressive nature of the stomach acts as an excellent barrier to invasion by potentially pathogenic microbes. So, for probiotics to be effective, they must survive in high numbers under the same environmental stresses as would severely inhibit or eradicate other bacteria. The HLC organisms were compared with other probiotic strains for their ability to survive passage.

Clinical Research Trials on HLC Probiotics

Pharmax HLC (Human Lactic Commensals) Probiotics have been proven in both human clinical trials and by practitioner usage for over 10 years in Europe and are the leading probiotic due to their unique human strains which adhere exceptionally well to the human cells through the intestines, vaginal cells, and urinary tract.
HLC_Mindlinx_Probiotic_Intestinal_Effects_Autism_ADHD
HLC_Probiotic_helps_IBS_patients_on_antibiotics+progress_charts
HLC_Probiotics_for_C_difficile_diarrhoea
HLC_Probiotics_prevent_antibiotic_disruption_of_flora_Double_blind_study+Microbial_data
Clinical trial: a multistrain probiotic preparation significantly reduces symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome in a double-blind placebo-controlled study

HLC - Proven in clinical trials
Probiotics from the HLC range are continuously tested and shown to be effective in independent, placebo controlled, clinical trials. All such studies get published in peer-reviewed scientific journals. Results from recent clinical studies are outlined below.

Candida albicans
HLC - Proven to attach to human epithelial cells and disrupt Candida albicans
In the small intestine (duodenum, jejunum, ileum) the transit time is rapid relative to the "doubling time" of normal flora bacteria so, if they are unable to attach or otherwise become associated with the epithelial surface, they will be washed through. Lactobacilli, particularly Lactobacillus acidophilus are the most important colonizing organism of the small intestine and it is therefore critical that any Lactobacillus strains used as probiotics are capable of human epithelial cell attachment.

Trial 1: Staphylococci, Enterobacteriaceae and Enterococci

Undertaken at Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge, U.K.
Aim: Reduction in post-antibiotic re-growth of potentially pathogenic facultative microorganisms
Results: HLC Intensive significantly prevented post antibiotic increase in Staphylococci, Enterobacteriaceae and Enterococci. These microorganisms are associated with post-antibiotic infection and overgrowth as well as the acquisition and transfer of antibiotic resistance.

Trial 2: Clostridium difficile in hospitalized patients

Undertaken at Addenbrookes Hospital, Cambridge, U.K.
Aim: Prevention of post-antibiotic overgrowth of Clostridium difficile in hospitalized patients
Results: HLC Intensive lowered frequency of Clostridium difficile infection and overgrowth to the extent that justified its use in all hospitalized patients undertaking antibiotic therapy.

With further clinical trials already in progress, it is clear that the HLC range of probiotics from Pharmax is leading the way in innovative, clinical probiotic research and will pave the way for recognition of the benefits of probiotics in many new aspects of human health and disease.

Other benefits and functions of HLC probiotic strains

• Protect against enteric infection, overgrowth and dysbiosis
• Stimulate and develop the neonatal immune system
• Stimulate the mucosal immune barrier
• Stimulate the digestion and absorption of nutrients such as lactose (by producing lactase) and minerals (by action of lactic acid)
• Stimulate intestinal motility