Staying Healthy ... Article in ConsumerReports OnHealth (Oct 2013) talks about the benefits of taking probiotics to reduce infections in general and especially when headed for the hospital and/or on a course of antibiotics. Antibiotics kill not just the bad bacteria in our bodies - but the good as well. There are actually 10x more bacterial cells living in our bodies (mostly in the intestines) than human cells! These good bacteria help digest food and synthesize vitamins and bolster defenses again germs. Taking a probiotic with an antibiotic (review of 82 studies in JAMA) reduces the risk of developing antibiotic diarrhea by 42 percent and C. diff infection/symptoms (a bacteria causing serious infection in hospital patients mostly, but also in general public) by 71 percent. I personally take a probiotic that has 10 or more STRAINS....a simple acidophilus, lactobaccilus blend only replaces 2 of the different types of bacteria that we lose, and my goal is to replace as many as possible. One bottle of a good probiotic blend (that you refrigerate) is usually $30-40. Buying acidophilus (live cultures) on sale at CVS non-refigerated may be the cheapest approach but Im not sure it is the most effective. In this case I believe I get what I pay for. If you have had digestive issues since taking a course of antibiotics - consider a month of probiotic replacement. And of course, if you have any medical issues, talk to you doctor before beginning an antibiotic regimen.
Posted on: Sat, 26 Oct 2013 13:17:32 +0000
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