Love That Bug

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

Probiotic gummies are a great option for kids. You can use these tasty treats to add probiotics into your child’s daily routine, or to help her take probiotics after a bout of diarrhea due to antibiotics or infection. Look for a product without artificial flavors, colors or preservatives, and no more than 4 grams of sugar per serving.

• USED FOR: Diarrhea (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 yogurt 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: Diarrhea (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: Diarrhea (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; kids age 6 to 12 can take one-half of the adult dose and for under age 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, gas, bloating, and diarrhea
• 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: Diarrhea (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: Diarrhea (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: Diarrhea (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;10:6878.

Heczko PB, Strus M, Kochan P. Critical evaluation of probiotic activity of lactic acid bacteria and their effects. J Physiol Pharm 2006;57:512.

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.