BLIS Fighting bad breath, winter ailments, streptococcal sore throat, ear infections, recurrent tonsillitis and assisting your immune system naturally, BLIS is the world’s first bacterial replacement probiotic derived from the oral cavity for specific application in the oral cavity and upper respiratory tract.   BLIS K12 is "Streptococcus salivarius K12".  BLIS is an acronym for Bacteriocin Like Inhibitory Substances. Only certain bacteria produce BLIS, which are natural antibacterial agents that can be used to help control the undesirable bacterial implicated in diseases.   Professor John Tagg from the University of Otago, New Zealand discovered BLIS K12™.   He was looking for protective bacteria in the mouth that could prevent sore throats which can result in complications such as rheumatic fever in children. Upon studying Dunedin, NZ  schoolchildren for many years, it was found that some children didn't appear to get sore throats as often as others.   Upon analysis of their saliva, it was found that the children who had less sore throats appeared to have certain types of bacteria in their saliva than the other schoolchildren (Dierksen and Tagg 2000).  These were BLIS producing bacteria or bacteria that produced natural antimicrobials.    One of these bacteria strains was called S.salivarius K12.  Streptococcus salivarius are common in the mouth and account for 40% of all the bacteria in the normal healthy mouth. Streptococcus salivarius K12 actually produces two powerful anti-microbial BLIS proteins, which inhibit encroaching deleterious bacteria, rupturing the cell wall and thus stopping the multiplication of the bad bacteria (Wescombe et al 2006, Hyink et al 2006).   Some 2% of the population have natural protection from Streptococcus salivarius producing bacteriocins similar to BLIS K12™ (Burton et al).  However, for the large majority that do not have this natural protection, BLIS K12™ may offer significant benefits.   BLIS K12™ - is the world’s only probiotic specifically for the mouth and throat. The most common probiotics are "gut" probiotics. These probiotics are usually targeted to assist with the lower digestive system but not the mouth.   The oral cavity (mouth) has a much, smaller area than the intestine. This allows the delivery of many BLIS K12™ to the target site to achieve maximum benefit.     Most harmful organisms enter our body via our mouth and nose. Since BLIS K12™ resides in the mouth and throat, harmful organisms may be "dealt to" by BLIS K12™ at the onset and may stop them or reduce the number of harmful organisms progressing further in your body.   Poor oral health can lead to other serious health issues. While it is known that diseases of the oral cavity (mouth), throat and upper respiratory tract can have serious acute and chronic effects on human body, there is now emerging evidence that microorganisms implicated in inflammatory diseases of the oral cavity such as gingivitis, periodontal diseases and poor oral hygiene might also be linked to cardiovascular, preterm labour, pulmonary and diabetic diseases.   There is a connection between periodontal disease and systemic diseases. Using products containing natural probiotic BLIS K12™ can help protect your whole family's health. Some 2% of the population are naturally protected as they already have Streptococcus salivarius producing bacteriocins similar to BLIS K12™ (Burton et al). However, for the large majority without this natural protection, BLIS K12™ may offer significant benefits.