Benefits of Using Probiotics Supplements with Antibiotics

The piece below by Bill Evans, makes a case for high quality probiotics supplements to accompany use of antibiotics.  Future chronic symptoms may be minimized by supplementing in this manner.

Natural probiotics is what you get with Yogurt and yeast infections are prevented as a result.  Probiotics is not necessarily considered a yeast infection medication, but it behaves as one and is one of the best vaginal yeast infection treatments.  To buy a whole food supplement containing probiotics and digestive enzymes that we use and trust, click here.

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Benefits of Using Probiotics Supplements with Antibiotics

With the increase in proliferation of broad spectrum antibiotics, there has been an equivalent increase in chronic GI distress and yeast infections. As a result, it is now well-understood and recommended to take a supplement of Probiotics. Probiotics offer the following four benefits:

* Prevents diarrhea

* Prevents yeast infections

* Reduces symptoms of IBS

* Reduces frequency of antibiotics

Oral antibiotic therapy can alter gastrointestinal (GI) microflora and result in troublesome gastrointestinal complaints and vaginal yeast infections (1,2). The bacterial flora of the GI tract plays an important role in maintaining the health of the GI tract and protects against colonization by invasive pathogens (2). Supplementing with the "good" bacteria lactobacillus acidophilus and bifidobacterium has been shown to reduce symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and prevent antibiotic-associated diarrhea, traveler’s diarrhea, infectious diarrhea and vaginal yeast infections (3). This is not only beneficial for adults but probiotic for children can also help those who are constantly on antibiotics (4). Supplementing with probiotics may help reduce the frequency of antibiotics by up-regulating immune response (5).

Additional research continues to show the relationship of systemic yeast infections (Candida Albicans) with complaints about Chronic Fatigue Symptom (CFS), Fibromyalgia, Epstein Barr Virus, Lupus, M.S., Alzheimer’s, Crohn’s disease, as well as other chronic conditions.

In summary, antibiotics are certainly one of the greatest medical discoveries, saving countless lives when there was no other option. But the indiscriminant use that has become prevalent for minor infections has serious consequences that years later can develop into chronic symptoms that could have been minimized, if not alleviated entirely, if the recipient had simply supplemented with a high quality Probiotic.

(1) Witsell et al, Effect of lactobacillus acidophilus on antibiotic-associated gastrointestinal morbidity, J Otolaryngol 1995 Aug; 24(4):230-3

(2) Levy, The effects of antibiotic use on gastrointestinal function, Am J Gastroenterol 2000 Jan;95(1 suppl):s8-10

(3) Elmer et al, Biotherapeutic agents. A neglected modality for the treatment and prevention of selected intestinal and vaginal infections, JAMA 1996 Mar 20;275(11):870-6

(4) Vanderpool et al, Use of probiotics in childhood gastrointestinal disorders, J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr 1998 Sep;27(3):323-32

(5) Erickson et al, Probiotic immunomodulation in health and disease, J Nutr 2000 Feb; 130(2S Suppl): 403s-409s

Author: Bill Evans

Bill Evans is President of Applied Health Solutions.

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Planet Lactose: GoodBelly - the Anti-Antibiotic

Of course, the GoodBelly folks don’t limit their claims for goodness just to times when you’re taking antibiotics. They tout their probiotics for all seasons.   Read more…

Probiotics

I think probiotics are a good idea, because if you have taken enough broad-spectrum antibiotics over the course of your life, it kills the good bacteria in the digestive tract along with…   Read more…

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Keeping the Balance -Probiotics with Antibiotics

The following from Olwen Anderson highlights some reasons for probiotics supplements

when using antibiotics, as well as, making probiotics a part of your daily habits.  If you are looking to buy probiotics, Some links can be found there to a couple of products we trust.  Follow the link to information for your review process.

If Taking Antibiotics, Don’t Forget the Probiotics

We are all carrying some extra passengers in our intestines: Friendly bacteria, over 400 species in fact. As we have evolved, these bacteria have evolved with us to create a mutually beneficial relationship.

These friendly bugs help us absorb vital minerals and nutrients, and boost our gut immunity. They compete with pathogenic (bad) bacteria for space and resources, and actually produce substances which help keep the population of bad bacteria in check. If you’re stressed or run down, your gut environment changes, making it easier for pathogenic bacteria to take over.

Antibiotic medication will kill the good bacteria in your gut as well as the pathogenic ones. You can often tell when the bad bacteria have taken over; they produce lots of toxic gases, bringing on abdominal bloating, discomfort and some very anti-social levels of flatulence. The toxins they produce can inflame your gut wall too, which makes it harder for you to absorb nutrients from your food. Sometimes they’re active enough to bring on feelings of queasiness too, as your liver struggles to cope with the high level of toxic byproducts from their intestinal party antics.

If you are taking antibiotics, here are some important steps you can take to re-populate your intestines with good bacteria and improve your well being at the same time.

- Start taking probiotics supplements, and continue for a few weeks after you have finished the course of antibiotics. Buy a small bottle, and choose a different brand every time as each brand will supply a different blend of friendly bacteria. You can buy probiotics at your local health food store.

- Take your probiotic supplement in the evening, with a fibre-based food like fruit or legumes, as more bacteria will survive the trip to your intestines when they can hitch a ride on fibre. Ever noticed that advertisements for probiotics boast of the high numbers of bacteria in each dose?  That’s because some of the bacteria won’t make it past the very acidic environment in your stomach.

- You should take your probiotic supplement in the evening, as your gut is more active overnight.

- If you are not dairy intolerant, 100g of plain yogurt every day is a great natural probiotic supplement, and has been used in many cultures for centuries, along with other fermented foods, to promote bowel health. Make sure the yogurt is young (fresh) and enjoy several different brands for the best effect.

The probiotic bacteria will start to elbow out the bad bacteria, and help calm any bowel inflammation they have caused.  Now that you know how important those good bacteria are, remember to buy a bottle of probiotics when you pick up your antibiotic prescription.

Author: Olwen Anderson

Olwen Anderson is an accredited naturopath based on the north coast of New South Wales, Australia. Visit her web site for free health information, subscribe to her monthly Health e-News for up to date natural health information; and read more articles that can help you take control of your health.

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Why Probiotics?

 Probiotics Benefits (What are Probiotics?)

The following piece by Rita Lambros-Segur touches on a few of the many reasons to clean up one’s diet.  Flora Probiotics are an important link to restoring your digestive health.  A healthy immune system begins in the colon -which is linked to a healthy diet rich in fruits, vegetables and probiotics / friendly flora.

Probiotics supplements are sometimes beneficial.  Examples of some supplements we are familiar with (and buy ourselves) are here for your review.  We like the Pops for the diverse ingredients, as well as probiotics and friendly flora.    Additionally,  this one is a good choice for the probiotics element alone.

You Need Probiotics For Better Digestion and Overall Health

Inside your body there are thousands, even millions of living organisms. They make up two pounds of your body weight.  Don’t let this scare you - not all bacteria are bad.

There are harmful bacteria and helpful bacteria. The hard-working, friendly bacteria produce a variety of substances than can prevent cancerous tumors, deactivate viruses, produce natural antibodies, reduce cholesterol and enhance the immune system.

They even produce and distribute vitamins (such as the B-complex) among your organs. One particular strain of bacteria called lactobacillus salivarius produces acidophin, an antibiotic that helps protect against harmful bacteria.

What’s the significance of all this? If you’ve even taken traditional medicine, you know that it doesn’t always do what it’s supposed to.  Modern medicine that is designed to kill bacteria does exactly that - it kills bacteria, regardless of whether it is the helpful or the harmful kind. Medicine like that can actually poison your body by having a negative influence on the helpful bacteria.

The exciting news is that you can take probiotics to supplement the friendly bacteria your body already produces. Having the right amount of probiotics in your body to work in conjunction with enzymes is essential for good health.

While many agree on the efficacy of friendly bacteria, many are not aware that totally stable cultures that are strong enough to survive in the acidic environment of the stomach are the only ones that allow 100% of the good bacteria to remain alive and active in your system.

Probiotics, often referred to as the "good bacteria" in your body, play a vital role in your good health:

1.) Probiotics create natural antibiotics that destroy harmful bacteria. Phenomenal for food poisoning!

2.) Probiotics change the levels of acidity in various parts of the body, depriving harmful bacteria of nutrients needed to survive.

3.) Probiotics create their own antibiotic substances, which kill harmful bacteria, viruses, and yeasts.

4.) Probiotics produce enzymes to break down waste in the colon for elimination and even help strengthen the immune system.

5.) Probiotics have been shown to help reduce high cholesterol levels and help recycle the female hormone estrogen, which reduces the likelihood of menopausal symptoms and osteoporosis.

Your body cannot function properly without probiotics. However, due to diet and environmental toxicity, most people do not have adequate colonies of friendly flora in their intestinal tract, which leads to a host of health problems.

Where do you come into contact with bad bacteria? Airplanes, cars, hospitals, malls, movie theaters, public rest rooms - anywhere there are people you will find bad bacteria.

Any inorganic food you eat is packed with antibiotics, which destroy the good bacteria in your intestinal tract. More than ever, people need to replenish their friendly flora!

Article by Rita Lambros-Segur, M.H. of Electrical Body, Inc. Rita has helped thousands of regular folks improve their health-restoring strategies.

(Below) A Lesson in Digestive Health from Jamie Lee Curtis

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