Probiotic Product Review

Published January 11, 2011 | By Lisa Greene

Probiotics are an important supplement because they provide the body with good bacteria, or “flora”. Our intestines are a delicate balance of good and bad bacteria, and if the bad is allowed to proliferate, we start having health challenges. Digestive problems, bloating, gas, constipation, and irritable bowel syndrome are all signs of too much bad bacteria in your system. We have to create a balance of good bacteria so that the bad cannot take over. This is where probiotics come in.

Do you or your children need probiotics? That depends. If you have ever taken antibiotics, then definitely yes. If you have ever taken birth control pills, eat processed or fast foods, sugar, or conventional (non organic) meat or dairy products, then probably. (Non organic meat and dairy have been treated with antibiotics.)

Antibiotics kill all bacteria in your gut, good and bad. To add to this widespread problem, our western diets, high in sugar and processed foods, “feed” the bad bacteria. You need to create an internal environment where the good bacteria can grow and thrive. Probiotics can help reduce symptoms of lactose intolerance, promote a healthy immune system, and decrease the risk of some cancers.

I recommend probiotics for infants through adults. A typical daily dose is from one to 10 billion live cultures. Don’t worry about getting too much, we need trillions for optimal health. Flora Baby from Renew Life offers four billion cultures in a five strain formula of Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus for infants and young children. It comes in a powder you add to formula, milk, or juice. For children ages 2 to 12, try Buddy Bear Probiotic in a great tasting orange chew. Each chew offers one billion cultures of Bifidobacteria and Lactobacillus in a formula designed for older children. For adults, I recommend Ultimate Flora Adult Formula from Renew Life. Each capsule provides 15 billion live cultures of ten strains of bacteria, carefully chosen for their proven health-promoting benefits and their prevalence in the healthy digestive tract.

Note: These are maintenance doses. If you have a problem with candida, you will need a different probiotic protocol. Please contact me if you or your child has recurring yeast infections, nail fungus, sugar (or alcohol) cravings, mental fog, or a white coating on the tongue.