Love That Bug

Active-culture yoghurt provides probiotic bacteria, as does kefir (drinkable yoghurt), cottage cheese, and some milks; there are even snack bars on the market, such as Attune bars and Lifeway Kefir Wellness Bars, with probiotic bacteria. Probiotic dietary supplements are available as powder, capsules, tablets, chewables, and liquid.

• USED FOR: Diarrhoea (post-antibiotic and traveler’s)
• ACTION: Restores gut microflora
• HOW TO TAKE: 1 to 3 billion live organisms per day or follow label directions. Start before antibiotic use and continue afterwards for as many days as the antibiotics were used or start a few days before a trip and continue daily during travel.

• USED FOR: Strengthening immune system and fighting yeast infection
• ACTION: Creates acidic environment to discourage growth of harmful microorganisms and produces natural antibiotics
• HOW TO TAKE: 1 billion live organisms per day or follow label directions. Another yeast infection option: insert capsule as a vaginal suppository or apply active-culture yoghurt daily to the vagina for up to two weeks (and once a week for prevention).

• USED FOR: General digestion aid
• ACTION: Contributes healthy bacteria to the gut; inhibits reproduction of harmful bacteria
• HOW TO TAKE: 1 billion live organisms per day or follow label directions.

• USED FOR: Lactose intolerance
• ACTION: Produces lactase to digest lactose (milk sugar)
• HOW TO TAKE: 1 billion live organisms per day or follow label directions.

• USED FOR: Diarrhoea (post-antibiotic and traveler’s)
• ACTION: Replenishes healthy gut flora
• HOW TO TAKE: 1 to 3 billion live organisms per day or follow label directions. Start before antibiotic use and continue afterwards for as many days as the antibiotics were used or start a few days before a trip and continue daily during travel.

• USED FOR: Diarrhoea (infectious, post-antibiotic, and traveler’s), irritable bowel syndrome, strengthening immune system, and prevention of tooth decay
• ACTION: Replenishes gut flora; blocks growth of harmful bacteria
• HOW TO TAKE: 1 to 3 billion live organisms per day for adults or follow label directions; children age 6 to 12 can take one-half of the adult dose and for aged 6 years old, take one-fourth of the adult dose. Start before antibiotic use and continue afterwards for as many days as the antibiotics were used or start a few days before a trip and continue daily during travel.

• USED FOR: Irritable bowel syndrome or other digestive upset leading to pain, wind, bloating, and diarrhoea
• ACTION: Balances gut flora and inhibits growth of unhealthy bacteria
• HOW TO TAKE: 10 to 20 billion live organisms per day or follow label directions.

• USED FOR: Diarrhoea (infectious)
• ACTION: Produces natural antibiotic to inhibit growth of harmful bacteria
• HOW TO TAKE: 1 billion live organisms per day or follow label directions.

• USED FOR: Yeast infection (especially to prevent recurrence)
• ACTION: Inhibits growth of harmful bacteria and yeast
• HOW TO TAKE: 5 to 10 billion live organisms per day or follow label directions.

• USED FOR: Diarrhoea (Crohn’s disease-related, post-antibiotic, and traveler’s)
• ACTION: Promotes healthy gut flora
• HOW TO TAKE: 5 to 10 billion live organisms one to four times a day.

• USED FOR: Diarrhoea (infectious, post-antibiotic, and traveler’s)
• ACTION: Restores gut flora and inhibits growth of harmful bacteria
• HOW TO TAKE: 1 to 3 billion live organisms per day or follow label directions. Start before antibiotic use and continue afterwards for as many days as the antibiotics were used or start a few days before a trip and continue daily during travel.

Sources

Collado MC, Isolauri E, Salminen S, et al. The impact of probiotic on gut health. Curr Drug Metab 2009;10:68–78.

Heczko PB, Strus M, Kochan P. Critical evaluation of probiotic activity of lactic acid bacteria and their effects. J Physiol Pharm 2006;57(suppl 9):5–12.

Hickson M, D'Souza AL, Muthu N, et al. Use of probiotic Lactobacillus preparation to prevent diarrhoea associated with antibiotics: randomised double blind placebo controlled trial. BMJ 2007;335:80.