The term probiotics, refers to a live bacteria culture that can be ingested into the body as a dietary supplement to support cultivation of ''good'' organisms in the colon. The digestive system depends on a maintained balance of bacteria in the colon to function properly and avoid conditions such as leaky gut syndrome. Probiotics are available as a supplement in capsule form, but it can also be consumed by eating yogurt and other fermented foods, such as miso bean paste, temph and kefir. Dosage amounts for supplementing probiotics depends largely on the condition that is being treated.
Step 1
Take a probiotic supplement as post-antibiotic therapy. Antibiotics are taken to kill infections or bacteria in the body when there is an immediate health concern that requires medicinal support. While killing a bacterial infection, antibiotics also kill the bacteria that reside in the colon. Levels of healthy bacteria in the colon are vital to normal digestive function. Post-antibiotic probiotic therapy includes a dose of at least 15 to 20 billion organisms of L. acidophilus daily. A mixture of Bifidobacterium bifidum and L. acidophilus would also be effective in this case.
Step 2
Use a probiotic internally to depress the growth of Candida albicans involved in a yeast infection. L. acidophilus is helpful in curing a yeast infection, but the supplement in this case is not taken orally. Breaking open a probiotic capsule containing the strain L. acidophilus and mixing the culture in 10 ml of water to create a liquid that could then be introduced directly into the vagina using a sterile syringe or douche. This process could be carried out up to two times a day, until the symptoms are clear.
Step 3
Consume a probiotic supplement regularly to support digestive function and colon health. Probiotic supplements can be taken occasionally as a dietary supplement. Most probiotic supplements contain anywhere from 1 to 10 billion L. acidophilus or B. bifidum cells per dose. Doses above 10 billion cells could cause some mild gastrointestinal upset, but no serious consequences are known to occur. Doses below 1 million cells are thought to be not enough to successfully cultivate in the colon.
References
- ''Encyclopedia of Nutritional Supplements''; Michael T. Murray, N.D.; 1996
- ''Staying Healthy With Nutrition: The Complete Guide to Diet and Nutritional Medicine''; Elson M. Haas, M.D.; 2006
- University of Maryland Medical Center: Lactobacillus Acidophilus
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