Probiotics

[havalotta]

PROBIOTICS:
Promote "Glut Flora" or the "Good Bacteria" in our digestive tracks.
3 probiotic reviews that actually deliver:. Probiotics Buyer's Guide

#1 Keybiotics From Whole Body boasts

37.5 billion CFU.(Colony-forming units) It also has all 14 of the different types of bacteria required for optimum gut health.

#2 New Chapter Probiotic All-Flora has only

8-9 billion CFUs, in its 9 strains and ALSO needs refrigeration

#3 GNC Ultra 25 Probiotic Complex with Enzymes has

25 billion CFUs, but only 4 strains

[havalotta]

I noticed another while looking into the top 3

GNC Probiotics Ultra 25 Billion CFUs Probiotic Complex Multi Strain, Vegetarian Capsules

25 Billion Live Active Cultures*
16 Strains Including Prebiotic FOS (Fructo-oligosaccharides which feed the probiotics)
No Refrigeration Required

It's not as high in the live cultures as their #1 choice but it DID pass them up on the amount of active strains in it which in my understanding is to be what matters MOST when choosing a product.

[havalotta]

All in all....
They sound really beneficial for your Intestinal health but are they something we ought or need to be taking even if our body seems in A-1 working order as far as in... no bloating, gas, constipation, or diarrhea issues?

[Sage]

If you have no GI complaints, no, don't buy them. If you have to take an antibiotic sometime, it could be wise as the antibiotic will kill your good flora too, so your GI system may be unbalanced. But if it ain't broke, don't fix it, ya know?

My system is so screwed up, I take them.

[Sage]

Roger goes to get them for me because he loves the girl who manages vitamin shoppee, so I know he spends more than I would! LOL!

[havalotta]

But if it ain't broke, don't fix it, ya know?

Thanks Sage. I kind of figured as much.
It would be like taking vitamin supplements.... Which if you're already eating a well balanced diet, you don't need.

[katjh]

There are ways to get probiotics from food instead of supplements. I read an article in a magazine recently (and I know I have it here somewhere but can't find it right now, dang it all!!!) that gave some good sources of probiotics. I recall leeks being one - eat the green part and the white part (lightly sauteed in oil is yummy). Broccoli is another - but you have to eat the stems and "woody" parts. Just peel the outer skin from the stems, slice them up and, again, lightly saute them in oil. Really quite tasty and tender! I also enjoy a good kombucha now and then. Be sure to look for drinks with live cultures - NOT pasteurized. Some brewers have changed their recipes to avoid having to label their product as alcoholic. A small amount of alcohol may be present due to the fermentation process, but changing the recipe to avoid that makes the kombucha less beneficial.

I have a bottle of probiotic supplements on my shelf but just can't bring myself to take them. I'd so much rather meet my nutritional needs with FOOD whenever possible.

[EllenW]

Does Yogurt have probiotics? I do take a multivitamin-mineral supplement. I feel like there are probably some lacking in my diet. I take a lot of supplements. I am going to stop that and take only the doctor recommended ones.

[katjh]

Originally Posted by EllenW

Does Yogurt have probiotics? I do take a multivitamin-mineral supplement. I feel like there are probably some lacking in my diet. I take a lot of supplements. I am going to stop that and take only the doctor recommended ones.

Some yogurts do. You have to look for the words "live, active" on the label. Some are more just a sugary treat and not so much a healthy food.

[EllenW]

thank you katjh