Archive for the 'Probiotics' Category

Using Probiotics with Antibiotics

Author: mom_to_one, 12 08th, 2011

As we’ve discussed before on this blog, some bacteria are good and others are harmful to the body. Antibiotics are useful in killing off the bad bacteria, but unfortunately, the medication can also kill off beneficial bacteria. To counteract the loss of good bacteria, probiotics are recommended.

You can take probiotics like BC-30 and Lactobacillus GG while on antibiotics; the probiotics will not interfere with the antibiotics’ efficiency. Supplements should be taken twice daily at mealtime. Continue to use the probiotics several days after your antibiotic regimen is over to help restore the bacterial balance in your digestive system.

Eating Healthy with Probiotics

Author: mom_to_one, 09 15th, 2011

Probiotics are bacteria that can live in the human digestive tract and are thought to improve gastrointestinal function. There are several ways to incorporate probiotics into your diet. The two best routes are through food and supplements.

Probiotics are often added to fermented dairy products, particularly yogurt. The benefit of eating food with probiotics is that you get other nutrients at the same time. Probiotics in supplement form is great for a person on the go who doesn’t have time for a full meal, or for a person who needs a higher concentration of probiotics.

Key Points: Probiotics

Author: mom_to_one, 06 09th, 2011

Probiotics are live microorganisms, usually bacteria, that are similar to microorganisms found naturally in the human digestive tract. Called “friendly” or “good” bacteria, probiotics are used as complementary and alternative medicine. People often take probiotics in the form of dietary supplements and foods.

There is limited evidence regarding the effectiveness of probiotics, but proponents use probiotics to treat and prevent certain illnesses. It is important to note that the positive effects of one strain of probiotics does not necessarily hold true for all other strains of the same species. When using probiotics in conjunction with conventional medicine, be sure to disclose to your doctor the different supplements you consume.

Probiotics and Autism

Author: mom_to_one, 02 10th, 2011

Probiotics are considered to be the ‘good bacteria’ to exist within the human body. More scientifically put, they are live microorganisms that can provide to be a beneficial host to the human body when administered in adequate doses. Some common examples of these probiotics are lactic acid bacteria (LAB) and bifidbacteria.

Many studies have been performed to correlate the benefits of probiotics to treatments for autism. According to one study, there is a link between certain bacteria in the human gut and autism, which gives a new hope to countless families worldwide. We can only hope that the future continues to bring good news with further research for people with autism everywhere.

Good Bacteria Test Fails

Author: mom_to_one, 12 24th, 2010

Professor Glenn Gibson at Reading University in the UK recently attempted a study to determine the effects of good bacteria on the behavior of autistic children. The study began as a blind study where half of the families in the study were given a real probiotic formula while the other half received the placebo. The half who took the real thing saw such remarkable improvements in their children that they knew they must be the ones receiving the actual supplement. The blind study suddenly wasn’t so blind anymore.

When it came time for the families to switch, the families who had been receiving the actual probiotics resisted the change. They thought it would be too heartbreaking to have their children return to their former selves. As a result the study experienced an astronomical drop-out rate that caused the study eventually to fail. Prof. Gibson cited unique challenges to both parents and researchers. Without a concrete and scientifically accepted study researchers were unable to make any claim of efficacy. Nonetheless, the effectiveness of probiotics in alleviating some of the behaviors associated with autism seems indisputable.

Uses of Probiotics

Author: mom_to_one, 08 10th, 2010

Every time I think about probiotics, the concept is a little hard to wrap my head around: Bacteria that are actually beneficial? This obviously seems counterintuitive, but by definition, bacteria are simply a group of single-celled organisms. Probiotics—the beneficial bacteria—are typically found in cultured milk products such as yogurt.

Researchers have already found myriad ways to utilize probiotics, but they are constantly looking for new diseases and disorders that respond to treatment. Probiotics have been used in conjunction with antibiotics as a way to reduce the adverse side effects. In clinical studies, probiotics have also been used effectively to curtail eczema, thwart the creation of stomach ulcers and reduce the risk of colon cancer. There has also been research into their ability to combat diarrhea, bacterial infections, and a host of other diseases and disorders.

What are Probiotics?

Author: mom_to_one, 05 04th, 2010

Unbeknownst to many of us, a litany of bacteria is constantly at work in our bodies. This may prompt some people to run to the doctor, but these are your typical bacteria; they are essential for many of our day-to-day bodily processes. In the digestive tract alone, over 400 types of protective bacteria work to combat harmful ones. These food bacteria are referred to as probiotics.

The most common probiotics in the intestinal tract are lactic acid bacteria, which are also the five cultures found in yogurt. Another form of probiotics that most people are familiar with is yeast. Probiotics are commonly used to maintain normal bowel function, but there ability to combat other diseases and disorders is also being explored.

Understanding Autism

Author: mom_to_one, 03 04th, 2010
probiotics

There is a plethora of theories about what actually causes autism, but the truth of the matter is that nobody knows for sure. Doctors and researchers have formulated several hypotheses concerning the root causes of the disorder, and many believe that there is no single origin to the disease. Finding a cause is further complicated by the fact that autism is actually a wide spectrum of disorders, which is additional evidence that there are probably multiple factors contributing to its development.

Due to the speculation and uncertainty about the causes of autism, parents and doctors often try several means to combat the disease’s symptoms. One of the more popular treatments is probiotics. Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that work to remove toxins from the body, such as heavy metals, which many believe to be a main contributor to the disorder

The Basics of Probiotics

Author: mom_to_one, 01 06th, 2010
probiotics

While antibiotics are utilized to kill bacteria, probiotics, on the other hand, are bacteria in themselves. We often think of bacteria as being exclusively detrimental but many of them are necessary and beneficial, such as probiotics. These particular bacteria are essential in maintaining the natural balance of organisms in the intestines and ensuring proper digestion.

When antibiotics are taken, they kill bacteria indiscriminately. This means that while the harmful bacteria are killed, so are the beneficial ones like probiotics. It is important to maintain proper probiotic levels, otherwise inflammation and various digestive problems may ensure. There is also research suggesting that the use of probiotics can beneficial in people with autism.

Aiding Digestion with Beneficial Bacteria

Author: mom_to_one, 11 10th, 2009
probiotics

To a young child, the word “bacteria” is often considered synonymous with germs, sickness and disease. And it’s really no wonder, since parents are always reminding their kids to wash their hands to get rid of bacteria. Just a few generations ago, everyone in the world was equally clueless about the potential health benefits inherent to certain types of bacteria. The human body would not be able to function properly if it weren’t for some strains of bacteria living in symbiosis with us.

In recent years, researchers and private corporations have attempted to harness the power of lactic acid bacteria. This strain has been shown to be effective at filtering out toxins from the colon and providing a general sense of well-being. This is one example of an emerging phenomenon known as probiotics, or dietary supplements containing good bacteria that should naturally be found in the body.

According to Dr. Michael Picco of the Mayo Clinic, probiotic supplements have proven effective at treating yeast infections, irritable bowel syndrome, intestinal infection and other issues related to a bacterial imbalance. He also cites a Swedish survey conducted in 2005 suggesting that people taking probiotic supplements missed less time at work due to illness.