Probiotic Formula Controversy

The idea of adding more friendly bacteria to our guts is still foreign to Americans. However, Europeans and Asians have been ingesting probiotic products for decades already in the form of probiotic yogurt, cereal, milk, cheese and probiotics supplements. As of 2001, Nestlé introduced the first probiotic formula for babies, which contains the beneficial bifidobacterium lactis bacteria aimed at easing the stomachs of colicky babies. Similarly, Martek released a baby formula containing omega-3 fatty acids derived from algae to help foster healthy growth.

In 2008, researchers from Ben-Gurion University in Israel examined whether a probiotic formula could reduce respiratory and gastrointestinal infections in 200 4-10 month old infants attending day care. After 21 months of supplementing lactobacillus reuteri, the infants fed the probiotics supplements had fewer fevers, needed fewer doctor visits, had fewer absences from day care and needed fewer antibiotics. Even so, the rate or duration of respiratory infections didn't differ conclusively. Researchers concluded that probiotic products may curb diarrhea and bolster the immune system, but they are not a reliable preventative medicine for respiratory infections.

However, another study by Johns Hopkins University examined 118 healthy infants from 3 to 24 months who received a probiotic formula containing the bificobacterium lactis and streptococcus thermophilus strains. Doctors found that the probiotics supplements "were associated with a lower frequency of reported colic or irritability and a lower frequency of antibiotic use." These results, published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition (vol 79, no 2, 261-267), show that when breast milk is not an option, probiotic formula is the best alternative to building beneficial bacterial flora to protect babies from illness.

Critics of probiotic formula claim that the effects are too insignificant to show a drastic difference and that the benefits are probably coincidental more than anything. They argue that foods probiotic labeled cannot possibly deliver live bacteria cultures to the small intestine, where they live and flourish, because the stomach acids are too concentrated. Even so, other doctors say that probiotic products like cottage cheese, milk, yogurt and wellness cereal cannot possibly be bad to add to a normal balanced diet.

More about probiotic formula

Probiotic Supplement

Diarrhea is a disgusting, unpleasant surprise. Maybe it was that spicy taco you ate or the lavish steak that flushed right through your system. Perhaps the antibiotics you're on or the stress you've been under at work have contributed to this unfortunate activity in your bowels.

Probiotics

Probiotics are "live microorganisms administered in adequate amounts, which confer a beneficial health effect on the host," according to the Food and Agriculture Organization. Most are strains of bacteria, similar to those naturally found in our guts, such as probiotic acidophilus, probiotic lactobacillus gg or probiotic bifidobacterium. These helpful bacteria can be found in foods like yogurt, milk and soy.

Threelac

People with a bad case of Candida say the fungal overgrowth ruined their lives for many years. Symptoms typically include acne, psoriasis, irritability, anxiety, diarrhea, digestive problems, vaginosis, itchiness and/or liver malfunction. Patients suffer these adverse effects in varying levels but the problem is easily misdiagnosed and often it takes many different treatments before a winning combination is discovered.