Priobiotics-- from Dr. Andrew Weil
#9445 - 05/20/03 05:21 AM
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BarbBT
Reged: 04/05/03
Posts: 78
Loc: Chicago suburb, IL
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This is from Dr. Andrew Weil. I thought it interesting (please note last paragraph):
"I definitely recommend taking probiotics when you're on antibiotics. Many antibiotics wipe out "friendly" intestinal bacteria that help keep your digestive system functioning normally. In the intestines and colon, these microbes help complete the digestive process, and some actually produce vitamins. There's even evidence that without normal "friendly" bacteria in the digestive tract, our immune system wouldn't function properly, and we would be less resistant to harmful bugs. Immediate effects of the disruption of normal gut flora by antibiotics are often diarrhea, cramping, bloating or other unpleasant digestive symptoms.
Probiotics are products containing the helpful bacteria that normally inhabit the human digestive tract, usually Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium, (sometimes they are collectively called "acidophilus.") Most occur in cultured milk products, such as yogurt with active cultures or acidophilus milk. Because concentrations of desired bacteria in milk products may not be high enough to do you any good, I recommend the use of supplemental lactobacillus in liquid or capsule form. I particularly recommend the strain known as Lactobacillus GG because research shows that it survives passage through the strong acid of the stomach and actually makes it into the intestinal tract where it's needed. (One brand of Lactobacillus GG is Culturelle, sold on the Internet or in health food stores.)
Start taking probiotics twice a day with meals as soon as you begin taking antibiotics and continue for a few days after you complete your course of antibiotics.
Incidentally, in addition to preventing diarrhea associated with antibiotic treatment, probiotics have proven to be an effective treatment for diarrhea in children, travelers' diarrhea, lactose intolerance, and irritable bowel syndrome."
Barb
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Do you know anything about probiotics aiding in constipation? Thanks!
Ruchie
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Formerly known as Ruchie
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Thanks! I'm saving this info for the next time I have to take antibiotics (which hopefully won't be for a long, long, LONG time  )!
One question though: Does anyone know how you're supposed to take both probiotics & antibiotics during the same time? Usually I take antibiotics with meals, but this says to take the probiotics with meals, but I thought you can't take both pills at the same time. So, how would you do it, how far apart? I hope this makes sense. 
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Hi Mags,
I take my probiotics once every morning to prevent IBS symptoms even though I'm not taking antiobiotics. My probiotic is in powder form, so I just dissolve 1/2 tsp. in a glass of water. I have more "good days" than bad, which I attribute to a myriad of things: probiotics, Heather's diet, digestive enzymes, Juice Plus+, exercise, water....you name it and I try to do it!
So are the probiotics helping me? They sure aren't hurting me and if they're what's contributing to keeping my IBS under control, it's what I plan to continue to do!
Barb
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Thanks for responding! I know what you mean. Sometimes I'm doing so much to help the IBS that I can't really tell which is exactly helping me. But I figure, if I feel good, I'm going with it.
I've been doing well with Heather's diet & the hypno tapes. Plus I take the fiber, exercise, pepogest, etc. So, I don't think I need to take probiotics, since I'm doing okay without them. I just want to be ready if I ever have to take antibiotics. Last summer I had to take some for like 10 days or so, and I thought I was going to die! It was pure agony! I couldn't tell which was worse--the actual illness I was taking them for or the agony of the antibiocs side effects! 
Thanks again for the info...I think this is the best info I've found on probiotics yet! 
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Where can you pick up Priobiotics?
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I've seen them at Whole Foods, but I think you can get them at any health food store.
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Good article! I am taking probiotics (acidophilus) and I think this has helped my IBS tremendously (along with Heather's diet, of course!) I don't take it specifically when I need to take antibiotics, I just take two every day!
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Lorna 
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Hey there,
Do you take probiotics? I'm just asking a fellow Aussie to see what brands may be worthwhile.
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Even though I avoid all other dairy, I take Yakult which is a skim-yoghurt drink. My Dr (who's also my hypno & works closely with my naturopath)recommended it.
I've been able to get it at Coles & Safeway supermarkets all over the place.
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I was taking them for some time, my naturopath prescribed them. To be honest I didn't find any real improvement. certainly not enough to warrant the cost.
The one thing I did find helpful was to take Natren Bifido and Dophilus Powders(available in the refigerated section of Health Food Stores) to ward off possible attacks if I had to take antibiotics. They are supposed to be good for D as well.
Kerrie
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What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.
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Hello. My name is Michelle and this is my first time posting on this site. My concerns pertains to my little girl...She is 18 months old and has had a terrible time with digesting formula since birth.  It was thought for a time that she was lactose intolerant...I still believe that she is. I still have her on Enfamil Lipil Formula because she seems to tolerate well. She doesn't like cow's milk either. So, I figured that she was getting some calcium and iron....She was also on baby cereal, & was on table food since she was 4 months because she wasn't drinking enough formula to gain weight. Marilynn is still very underweight. She weighs 19 pounds and 8 oz.
However, her bowel patterns are erratic; she usually has one movement per 1-2 weeks, and it's very hard, large, round, and very painful. Her bottom usually tears and bleeds too. Unless I give her massive amounts of prune juice, walnuts or bran bread, she can not have a bowel movement.
Also, she must have simethicone drops and Zantac twice a day or her stomach pain is unreal. I need some help please! I have changed doctors twice and they won't even consider that there is a problem with my little girl. It is my belief that having a bm should not hurt! She eats a large variety of veggies and cereals...just about anything that we eat...If you could, please direct me to a specialist or to someone that could help my daughter.
Here is my email addy. michelle_lynn_fenwick@hotmail.com Anything would be appreciated.
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If you post your city/state folks on the board might know a good local pediatric gastroenterologist. You're right, your daughter should absolutely not have to be living with these problems. I'd guess there's something much more serious than IBS going on here, and she needs to have some diagnostic tests to determine the underlying problem.
Best,
Heather
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Heather is the Administrator of the IBS Message Boards. She is the author of Eating for IBS and The First Year: IBS, and the CEO of Heather's Tummy Care. Join her IBS Newsletter. Meet Heather on Facebook!
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I've heard of Yakult and seen it in the stores, but I was a little bit hesitant as I can't handle dairy too well. HOw did you find it?
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I haven't tried Yakult and am not planning to because dairy is a no for me in any shape or form. I have had problems with it since I was a baby and was raised on soy.
I am actually trying out the dairy free variety of Inner Health at the moment. I have only been taking it 3 days but feel I need something after all the drugs I have been taking for the IVF.
I'll let you know if I see an improvement.
Kerrie
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What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us.
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You can take them at the same time if you wish, it wont hurt you. I take the probiotics in the morning(2) on an empty stomach(like the bottle says) and then 1 in the afternoon and one before bed.. hope this helps...
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Thank You
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Really! Oh good! Thanks so much! The lady at the store told me not to take them together, because they wouldn't work or something like that. 
Thanks again!
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In regard to probiotics, I've been seeing a nutritionist for 12 months, mostly to try fixing the problems caused by IBS and having coeliac disease, undiagnosed for many years.
I take Lactobacilus 8 (a Dr Vera preparation) available at health food stores and Terry White pharmacies. Terry White will actually get it in for you. I take it last thing at night. As well, when things are really bad I go back on Dr Vera's GIT I Gut Repair. Several of my coeliac friends have been prescribed it as it's great for helping regulate your gut. If you're interested, have a look at the orthoplex.com.au site. It gives a description of the products.
Best regards,
Bevp
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