Nutritional supplements have come a long way. Because there are so many choices, it is easy for consumers to become confused. However, certain supplements can be beneficial for alleviating problems associated with conditions such as irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Probiotics are not new to the market, but now there are formulations available for specific health issues. Some focus on digestive health, while others focus on immune function.
Digestive Health
Bifidobacterium animalis DN-173 010 is beneficial for general gut health and faster digestion. Marketed as Bifidus Regularis by General Mill's, Dannon Activa Yogurt and Yoplait Yo-Plus yogurt are food products offering an effective dosage of this probiotic. Bifidobacterium infantis 35624 is beneficial for alleviating the symptoms associated with IBS. According to Consumer Labs, the best Bifidobacterium infantis 35624 supplement is Proctor & Gamble's Align. A 2009 study published by the "Reviews of Gastroenterological Disorders" concluded that two randomized, controlled trials validated the efficacy of this probiotic for treating individual with global IBS symptoms without an increase in adverse side effects.
Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea and Immune System Function
Yogurt and kefir have long been used to stave off antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Supplements and foods fortified with additional strains of probiotics, including L. rhamnosus GG and Saccharomyces boulardii yeast, are beneficial. France's Laboratoires Biocodex SA sells them as a dietary supplement under the brand name Florastor. Two probiotics that show promise for enhancing immune system function and possibly shortening the duration of the common cold include Lactobacillus casei Shirota and Lactobacillus casei DN-114 001 (marketing name L. casei Immunotas). General Mill's Dannon DanActive Dairy Drink and Dannon's Danimals children's drink are excellent food sources and dietary supplements of the latter probiotic. ConAgra manufactures probiotic supplements for adults and children under the brand name Culturelle.
Women's Health
Chronic vaginal yeast infections can be painful and disruptive to good health. Many women have relied on yogurt as a cure-all in the past, but now there are specific probiotic supplements designed to encourage healthy bacterial growth in the vagina. Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 and Lactobacillus reuteri are an effective and powerful combination. Lil' Drug Store Products, in conjunction with Aurium Pharmaceuticals, manufactures RepHresh branded products such as RepHresh Pro-B Probiotic. This probiotic has 5 billion active cultures, a combination of the Lactobacillus Rhamnosus GR-1 and Lactobacillus Reuteri strains. Another choice that offers a similar combination is called Fem-dophilus, manufactured by Jarrow Formulas.
References
- "Reviews of Gastroenterological Disorders;" Bifidobacterium infantis 35624: a novel probiotic for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome; D.M. Brenner and W.D. Chey; 2009
- The Wall Street Journal Online: Assessing the benefits of probiotics
- "Interdisciplinary Perspectives in Infectious Disease;" Vaginal microbiota and the use of probiotics; S. Cribby, M. Taylor and G. Reid; 2006
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