Probiotics Archives

Recover Faster from Stomach Flu with Probiotics

In addition to the regular flu and winter cold, the stomach flu, called a norovirus, is making the rounds. Noroviruses cause diarrhea, nausea, vomiting and other stomach ailments. After one person in the family gets a norovirus, it quickly spreads to the other family members. In addition to staying hydrated by drinking plenty of fluids, physicians suggest you take a probiotic to speed up your recovery.

By taking a daily probiotic, you are replacing the healthy bacteria that the virus is flushing from your system so you can fight it and feel better faster. A recent review of more than 60 studies involving more than 8,000 children and adults showed that probiotics can lessen the severity of the symptoms and improve recovery time without any harmful side effects. Controlled trials also found that probiotics can shorten the time you suffer from diarrhea by one day and decrease your risk of dehydration.

Before you catch a stomach bug, try taking EndoMune Advanced as part of your daily regimen. You might recover faster if you get a norovirus and reduce your chances of becoming sicker due to a loss of fluids.

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Counteract the Holiday Cold with Probiotics

Disease, Probiotics, Women’s Health / By @drHoberman

With the weather changing and people packing indoors, more and more people are contracting cold and cold-like symptoms. Now, during the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, is the time to offset the spread of cold and upper-respiratory viruses.

A small study conducted by researchers from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey and published in the British Journal of Nutrition examined the connection between probiotics and reduced cold and upper-respiratory infection symptoms. In this double-blind study, nearly 200 students were divided into two groups, one receiving a daily probiotic supplement and the other receiving a placebo.

The results concluded that the study participants that took the probiotic supplement had a reduced length of cold by two days, missed less class days and had 34% less severe symptoms.

Adding a daily probiotic supplement, like EndoMune Advance, may help kick those coughs and sniffles away, just in time to enjoy the close company of family and friends.

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Probiotics Reduce Big Gut Problems

Disease, Drug interactions, Probiotics / By @drHoberman

Obesity is a condition that affects hundreds of thousands of individuals around the world and can lead to health-related problems. A doctoral thesis published in the British Journal of Nutrition found that probiotic consumption may reduce the risk of developing obesity.

Three groups of rats were used for the study. The first group of rats were given lactobacilli plantarum, a lactic bacteria commonly found in most probiotics. The second group of rats, or the control group, were not given any bacteria or supplements. The third group was given E. Coli along with high-energy food that was given to all three test groups.

Researchers at Lund University in Sweden found that the rats that consumed lactobacilli put on less weight than the control group rats. The rats given E. Coli gained body fat and caused a change in their gut flora.

But what does this study mean for humans? There are now a number of pilot studies researching the benefits of probiotics in lessening weight gain in obese individuals.

As the holidays approach with all the parties and delicious bake goods, you may want to consider taking a high quality probiotic like EndoMune. It will help to maintain the healthy intestinal bacteria and maybe even lessen adding extra inches around the waist.

Learn more about the study and its results here.

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Find the Right Probiotic for You

Drug interactions, Probiotics / By @drHoberman

There are numerous choices when trying to find a probiotic supplement. From supplements that contain one strain of bacteria to supplements that contain 10 strains, finding the right probiotic can be difficult. To assist you in making the best choice for your probiotic wants and needs, keep these three tips in mind:

Bacteria strains – When purchasing a probiotic, look at the amount of bacteria strains it contains. Supplements that have multiple bacteria strains have been proven to be more effective than supplements that contain one or two bacteria strains. EndoMune Advanced,
for example, contains 10 different bacteria strains.
Colony-Forming Units – The colony-forming units, or CFU’s, are also important to a probiotic purchasing decision. Probiotic supplements with 10 billion CFU’s might be more beneficial than probiotic supplements with one billion CFU’s.
Packaging – How a probiotic supplement is packaged directly affects its shelf-life. Those packaged in a darker container will generally last longer than supplements that are packaged in a lighter container.

Remember these tips when purchasing your next probiotic supplement. For more information, contact EndoMune Advanced Probiotic.

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Guard Yourself Against Heart Disease With Probiotics

Disease, Probiotics / By @drHoberman

Heart disease is caused by cholesterol-rich diets, right?

New research has shown that this common misconception may not be entirely true. Although science has not conclusively found the exact cause of heart disease, researchers have found connections between gut infections and heart disease. More so, scientific investigation into gut infections and heart disease has illuminated the consequences of a “leaky” gut.

A “leaky” gut, or a gut wall that becomes easily penetrable, is caused by several factors, including stress, over-eating or infections. Once the gut wall becomes “leaky,” it releases endotoxins into the blood stream that embed themselves inside tissue, eliciting damages.

Fermented foods and probiotics, like EndoMune Advanced, contain several strains of healthy bacteria that can heal a “leaky” gut wall, lower inflammation and decrease the risk of contracting heart disease.

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Antibiotics: Are They Helping or Hurting

Drug interactions, Probiotics / By @drHoberman

Researchers at the Mayo Clinic have found a link between increased antibiotic use and clostridium difficile, a diarrhea causing bacteria. According to the researchers, antibiotics wipe out the good bacteria that fight against infections and, as a result, cause a rise in c. difficile infections.

Data collected from the 13.7 million hospitalized children concluded that nearly 46,000 children that suffered from c. difficile infections were more likely to have an extended hospital stay. In addition, these children had an increased chance of partial or full colon removal and a greater risk of death.

The researchers also reviewed data from 1.3 million hospitalized adults with the same c. difficile infection that resulted in a similar conclusion. Adults 65 years of age and older suffering from the infection also had an increased chance of death.

All antibiotics are not bad. It is important to note that antibiotics are an essential treatment for varying illnesses when deemed necessary. Probiotics, like EndoMune Advanced, help lessen the risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhea.

For more information about the study and its preliminary conclusions, read the full article here.

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Probiotics: Naturally Good

Disease, Probiotics / By @drHoberman

Probiotics are bacteria that help maintain the natural balance of the intestines’ microflora. The largest group of piobiotic bacterica, Lactobacillus acidophilus, is found in naturally in the intestines — as are many good gut bacteria used in probiotic suppliments.

Studies support the theory that probiotic supplements are not likely to harm the user. Rather, research suggests that probiotics can benefit the user by helping to create a balance digestive system and relieve the stomach pain or abdominal discomfort caused by diarrhea, gas, and cramping. They may also help to prevent the onset of vaginal yeast infections and urinary tract infections.

Although not a medical guarantee, probiotics have been seen to deliver a number of health benefits to those who take them. Read the full article here for more information, and consider trying a probiotics like EndoMune Advanced to see if probiotics could be right for you.

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Food Borne Illness Rears It’s Ugly Head

Disease, Drug interactions, Probiotics / By @drHoberman

Just this past August, Middle America saw the second year in a two-year salmonella outbreak. This root of this most recent outbreak was contaminated cantaloupe, grown stateside.

In the past, most food borne illness epidemics found their origin in porous fruits grown south of the border in Central America. However in recent years, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have discovered more and more epidemics originating with homegrown produce.

Legal and consumer actions teams grow angrier and more outspoken with each contamination outbreak. While CDC standards continue to work in favor of these interest groups and the consumers they represent, the typical individual would do well to take safe consumption matters into their own hands, as an added precaution.

One of the best ways to prepare to withstand food borne illness is to take a probiotic. Doing so has the potential to strengthen your immune and digestive systems to withstand the painful, and sometimes fatal, food poisoning symptoms of acute diarrhea, fever, and abdominal cramping.

To learn more on this recent salmonella outbreak and for information on how to avoid eating contaminated food, please read the full article posted here.

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Bloating: Can We Talk About Gas?

Digestive Health, Probiotics / By @drHoberman

Bloating (Intestinal gas) is a very common problem in the general population and is a frequent reason why people seek medical attention. Passage of intestinal gas is viewed differently depending your age and gender.

Kids make lots of jokes and take pride in telling someone to “pull my finger.” Boys grow up to be men who believe passing flatus is not rude or embarrassing and like to use phrases like “whoever smelt it dealt it” or “whoever denied it supplied it.”

Females would like to deny that intestinal gas exists and will try to hold it to avoid any embarrassment. This practice can certainly lead to increased intestinal symptoms of bloating, distention, and discomfort.

One of the most common symptoms leading individuals to seek gastrointestinal evaluation is “gas.” They are convinced that excess gas is the cause of their abdominal bloating and distention. In addition, they believe that the need to belch and expel flatus is also due to an excess production of gas.

There have been many studies evaluating the above mentioned symptoms and results are rather surprising.

BELCHING

Belching is due to swallowing excess air. It is not due to increased intestinal or gastric production.

We all swallow some air when we eat or drink especially carbonated beverages. But people who complain of needing to belch frequently usually have developed an air-swallowing habit. This usually occurs for one of two reasons:

Sometimes people swallow excess air to ease symptoms due to heartburn or ulcers. Easing these symptoms with acid suppressive medications may lessen the desire to swallow air.
The other reason for chronic belching is due to an unconscious way of dealing with stress or anxiety. For these individuals, making them aware of their excess air swallowing can sometimes be helpful.

BLOATING AND DISTENTION

When people experience the discomfort of abdominal bloating and distention, they believe it is due to excess gas production in the intestines.

Studies have determined that people who have symptoms of bloating have no more intestinal gas than normal people¹. The cause of the symptoms has been attributed to “visceral hypersensitivity.”

Visceral hypersensitivity is a term used to describe the heightened level of intestinal discomfort that individuals experience due to normal intestinal activity.

Research studies have found that when air is instilled into the intestines of individuals with visceral hypersensitivity, they experience symptoms of bloating and distention while the normal group notices no discomfort.²

Visceral hypersensitivity has been thought to be part of the syndrome of Irritable Bowel Syndrome(IBS). Historically, this syndrome has been attributed to psychological disorders. However, recent observations have noted that up to 30% of individuals who experience an episode of infectious diarrhea develop post infectious IBS symptoms³. One of the most prominent symptoms of IBS is bloating.

The current thinking is that an intestinal infection disrupts the healthy intestinal bacterial flora resulting in an immune response that leads to chronic low-grade inflammation. The inflammation then causes visceral hypersensitivity.

Recent studies using probiotics to re-establish the normal intestinal bacterial flora have been successful in down regulating the inflammation and easing the symptoms of bloating.^4,5

FLATULENCE

Here are some interesting facts you can share with your friends, about flatulence:

Passage of gas or flatus is normal. Generally, healthy people pass 8-25 ounces daily. Frequency is 10-20 passages/day.

Gas is produced by intestinal bacteria primarily located in the colon.

The amount gas produced is determined by three factors:

The amount and type of carbohydrates consumed
The amount and types of intestinal bacteria present
The ability of the small intestines to digest and absorb the carbohydrates

Two common causes of excess flatulence are:

poor digestion of the sugar lactose in dairy products;
limited absorption of fructose which is a sugar found in soft drinks and certain fruits like apples and bananas.

Some vegetables have starches that are only partially absorbed. The nonabsorbed starches pass into the colon and contribute to excess flatus production. Beans, brussel sprouts, carrots, onions and celery are the major offenders.

The carbohydrates in bread and pasta can be a problem for some people. Recently, there has been a lot written about “gluten sensitivity.” Avoiding the grains of wheat, barley, and rye can help some people lessen the production of excess flatus.

Colonic bacteria normally generate intestinal gas through fermentation of the carbohydrates that escaped absorption in the small intestines. An imbalance in the gut bacterial flora may result in excessive gas formation. Some bacterial groups are more prone to gas production than others. Hence, improving the bacterial balance with a probiotic may improve gas-related symptoms.⁸

Take Home Message

If you are experiencing symptoms of bloating, distention, or increased flatus, consider taking a high quality probiotic like EndoMune.

In addition, you may want to modify your diet by avoiding foods that contribute to flatulence. It is always wise to check with your doctor if your symptoms persist.

Eat healthy, exercise and live well!!!

Best Wishes,

Dr. Hoberman

Foods that may cause gas include:*

Beans
Vegetables, such as broccoli, cabbage, brussels sprouts, onions, artichokes, and asparagus
Fruits, such as pears, apples, bananas and peaches
Whole grains, such as whole wheat and bran
Soft drinks and fruit drinks
Milk and milk products, such as cheese and ice cream, and packaged foods prepared with lactose, such as bread, cereal, and salad dressing
Foods containing sorbitol, such as dietetic foods and sugar-free candies and gums

References

*National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse
Gas in the Digestive Tract

http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/gas/

1) An understanding of excessive intestinal gas.
Suarez FL, Levitt MD.Curr Gastroenterol Rep. 2000 Oct;2(5):413-9. Review.

2) J Gastroenterol Hepatol. 2011 Apr;26 Suppl 3:119-21. doi: 10.1111/j.1440-1746.2011.06640.x.Visceral hypersensitivity in irritable bowel syndrome.
Kanazawa M, Hongo M, Fukudo S

3) Incidence of post-infectious irritable bowel syndrome and functional intestinal disorders following a water-borne viral gastroenteritis outbreak.Zanini B, Ricci C, Bandera F, Caselani F, Magni A, Laronga AM, Lanzini A; San Felice del Benaco Study Investigators.Am J Gastroenterol. 2012 Jun;107(6):891-9. doi: 10.1038/ajg.2012.102. Epub 2012 Apr 24.

4) The putative role of the intestinal microbiota in the irritable bowel syndrome.
Collins SM, Denou E, Verdu EF, Bercik P.Dig Liver Dis. 2009 Dec;41(12):850-3

5) Probiotic bacteria Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM and Bifidobacterium lactis Bi-07 versus placebo for the symptoms of bloating in patients with functional bowel disorders: a double-blind study.
Ringel-Kulka T, Palsson OS, Maier D, Carroll I, Galanko JA, Leyer G, Ringel Y.
J Clin Gastroenterol. 2011 Jul;45(6):518-25.

6) Non-Celiac Wheat Sensitivity Diagnosed by Double-Blind Placebo-Controlled Challenge: Exploring a New Clinical Entity.Carroccio A, Mansueto P, Iacono G, Soresi M, D’Alcamo A, Cavataio F, Brusca I, Florena AM, Ambrosiano G, Seidita A, Pirrone G, Rini GB.Am J Gastroenterol. 2012 Jul 24. doi: 10.1038/ajg.2012.236.

7) Review article: the treatment of functional abdominal bloating and distension.Schmulson M, Chang L.Aliment Pharmacol Ther. 2011 May;33(10):1071-86. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2036.2011.04637.x. Epub 2011 Mar 29. Review.

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Get a Probiotic Radiation Shield for Your Gut

Disease, Probiotics / By @drHoberman

Cancer and its treatments take a toll on the human body. One of the most common methods of cancer treatment, radiation, indiscriminately destroy both malignant and healthy cells potentially creating its own host of long-term health problems. However, new studies with lab mice out of St. Louis, Missouri’s Washington University School of Medicine have found that radiation therapy patients who take probiotics prior to receiving radiation cancer treatment therapy may gain intestinal radio-protective benefits.

Astoundingly, the study’s implications reach even further than cancer patients additionally detailing potential probiotic benefits for all individual hoping to protect themselves from general radiation or at-risk for radiation contamination.

Learn more about this study’s conclusions on the benefits of probiotics by reading the full article from NaturalNews.com

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