acidiphilophilous supplements?

Cosmic · 08-20-2004, 01:57 AM

however you spell it lol

I saw these at walmart tonight after reading in one of my books i think it would be a good idea. Some have a million live some have a billion live how do you know which one to buy?

Atkins_Nutritionist · 08-20-2004, 08:22 AM

Your digestive tract is host to about 400 different kinds of bacteria and yeasts. Among these, Lactobacillus acidophilus and other members of the Lactobacillus family are especially important to your health. Acidophilus is considered a "probiotic" bacteria because it helps to maintain intestinal health, and serves as a natural antibiotic against potentially harmful organisms. Taking acidophilus as a nutritional supplement will help maintain the normal balance of beneficial bacteria.

Here are some tips to help you decide which supplement to buy:

As there are numerous brands of probiotics, with a wide variety of strengths, forms, and concentrations, dosing should be guided by the instructions on the package or the advice of your health-care practitioner.

Be aware that the amount of active cultures in acidophilus products can vary widely. Look for those that contain an effective quantity of organisms, between 1 and 2 billion per pill. In capsule forms, ideally there should be no fewer than 1 billion organisms per capsule.

Read labels carefully to confirm that the product contains live, or "active" cultures. Check the expiration date, too. Store acidophilus (regardless of its form) in the refrigerator or another dry, cool place. Both heat and freezing temperatures will kill live acidophilus.

Acidophilus is often sold in preparations that combine acidophilus and another effective probiotic, Lactobacillus bifidus. Some may also include prebiotics such as FOS.

Typically, for an acute situation, probiotics are taken three times a day, whereas for a more chronic problem, or for prevention, reduce the dose to once or twice a day. As a general rule, probiotics are taken with food to reduce the number of organisms destroyed by stomach acid.

For specific ailments, here are some recommended guidelines:

For irritable bowel syndrome: On a maintenance basis, 2 pills a day, with at least 1 billion live organisms per pill; take with meals.
For urinary tract infections: Take 1 pill 4 times a day during the course of your antibiotic therapy.
For Candida overgrowth: Take capsules or powder with at least 1 billion live organisms twice a day for at least one month.
For vaginal yeast infections: Take 1 pill or capsule (with at least 1 billion live organisms per capsule) twice a day orally until the infection has cleared.
For diarrhea: Take 2 pills 3 times a day with meals.
For flatulence: Take 1 or 2 capsules of acidophilus or an acidophilus/bifidus combination between meals. Look for a dairy-free strain if you've determined that your gas may be due to lactose intolerance.
For bad breath: Take 2 pills twice a day between meals.
For antibiotic support: Take 2 pills three times a day with meals during the entire antibiotic course and one week afterward.

Also note that although acidophilus can ease flatulence, ironically, it may increase gassiness for a few days. This effect will ease as your intestines adjust to the bacterial shift.

08-21-2004, 11:24 PM

If acidophilus and bacteria of that nature are taken orally to maintain optimal intestinal health by 'repopulating' the normal intestinal flora ( and by my understanding the antibiotic properties of these organisms are limited to maintaining a localized pH that is otherwise inhospitable to potentially harmful bacteria) how does this then become applicable to UTI's? It's a completley different system and healthy kidneys would filter out any stray bacilli that may make it from the bowel via the circulatory system (especially since Lactobacilli are such large bacteria to start with) Additionally, Lactobacilli are part of the vaginal normal flora of secually active females, but once again, I fail to see how an oral form of this would be of any assistance in vaginal yeast infections as Lacto and yeast can inhabit the same space concomitantly. The bacterial infection of the vagina that occurs in the absence of Lacto is bacterial vaginosis.

Hopefully, you can explain the link I'm missing.

Thanks

msdamgoode · 08-24-2004, 03:29 PM

Bumping for answer

Atkins_Nutritionist · 08-26-2004, 09:58 PM

I am certainly not a doctor and I suggest you speak with your doctor about the specific dynamics of your question.

I would recommend cran caps for a UTI and maybe something to build up the immune system.

08-20-2004, 01:57 AM	#1
Cosmic MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: USA (Where is that blasted Wonderland!) Posts: 1,281 Gallery: Cosmic Stats: November Stats 210.5/210.5/199<-- first goal WOE: cosmics way; low carb Start Date: 4/27/04 at 249	acidiphilophilous supplements? however you spell it lol I saw these at walmart tonight after reading in one of my books i think it would be a good idea. Some have a million live some have a billion live how do you know which one to buy?

08-21-2004, 11:24 PM	#3
MandyDee Guest Posts: n/a Gallery: MandyDee	For the Atkins Nutritionist If acidophilus and bacteria of that nature are taken orally to maintain optimal intestinal health by 'repopulating' the normal intestinal flora ( and by my understanding the antibiotic properties of these organisms are limited to maintaining a localized pH that is otherwise inhospitable to potentially harmful bacteria) how does this then become applicable to UTI's? It's a completley different system and healthy kidneys would filter out any stray bacilli that may make it from the bowel via the circulatory system (especially since Lactobacilli are such large bacteria to start with) Additionally, Lactobacilli are part of the vaginal normal flora of secually active females, but once again, I fail to see how an oral form of this would be of any assistance in vaginal yeast infections as Lacto and yeast can inhabit the same space concomitantly. The bacterial infection of the vagina that occurs in the absence of Lacto is bacterial vaginosis. Hopefully, you can explain the link I'm missing. Thanks

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08-20-2004, 08:22 AM	#2
Atkins_Nutritionist Nutritionist Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Atkins Health and Medical Information Services Posts: 684 Gallery: Atkins_Nutritionist	Your digestive tract is host to about 400 different kinds of bacteria and yeasts. Among these, Lactobacillus acidophilus and other members of the Lactobacillus family are especially important to your health. Acidophilus is considered a "probiotic" bacteria because it helps to maintain intestinal health, and serves as a natural antibiotic against potentially harmful organisms. Taking acidophilus as a nutritional supplement will help maintain the normal balance of beneficial bacteria. Here are some tips to help you decide which supplement to buy: As there are numerous brands of probiotics, with a wide variety of strengths, forms, and concentrations, dosing should be guided by the instructions on the package or the advice of your health-care practitioner. Be aware that the amount of active cultures in acidophilus products can vary widely. Look for those that contain an effective quantity of organisms, between 1 and 2 billion per pill. In capsule forms, ideally there should be no fewer than 1 billion organisms per capsule. Read labels carefully to confirm that the product contains live, or "active" cultures. Check the expiration date, too. Store acidophilus (regardless of its form) in the refrigerator or another dry, cool place. Both heat and freezing temperatures will kill live acidophilus. Acidophilus is often sold in preparations that combine acidophilus and another effective probiotic, Lactobacillus bifidus. Some may also include prebiotics such as FOS. Typically, for an acute situation, probiotics are taken three times a day, whereas for a more chronic problem, or for prevention, reduce the dose to once or twice a day. As a general rule, probiotics are taken with food to reduce the number of organisms destroyed by stomach acid. For specific ailments, here are some recommended guidelines: For irritable bowel syndrome: On a maintenance basis, 2 pills a day, with at least 1 billion live organisms per pill; take with meals. For urinary tract infections: Take 1 pill 4 times a day during the course of your antibiotic therapy. For Candida overgrowth: Take capsules or powder with at least 1 billion live organisms twice a day for at least one month. For vaginal yeast infections: Take 1 pill or capsule (with at least 1 billion live organisms per capsule) twice a day orally until the infection has cleared. For diarrhea: Take 2 pills 3 times a day with meals. For flatulence: Take 1 or 2 capsules of acidophilus or an acidophilus/bifidus combination between meals. Look for a dairy-free strain if you've determined that your gas may be due to lactose intolerance. For bad breath: Take 2 pills twice a day between meals. For antibiotic support: Take 2 pills three times a day with meals during the entire antibiotic course and one week afterward. Also note that although acidophilus can ease flatulence, ironically, it may increase gassiness for a few days. This effect will ease as your intestines adjust to the bacterial shift.

08-24-2004, 03:29 PM	#4
msdamgoode MAJOR LCF POSTER! Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: Little Rock Posts: 1,468 Gallery: msdamgoode Stats: 260/241.5/150 WOE: atkins/general Start Date: june 2004	Bumping for answer

08-26-2004, 09:58 PM	#5
Atkins_Nutritionist Nutritionist Join Date: Aug 2004 Location: Atkins Health and Medical Information Services Posts: 684 Gallery: Atkins_Nutritionist	I am certainly not a doctor and I suggest you speak with your doctor about the specific dynamics of your question. I would recommend cran caps for a UTI and maybe something to build up the immune system.