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Probiotics
 
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Probiotics

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Also indexed as:Intestinal Flora, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Bifidobacterium longum, Lactobacillus, Acidophilus
Health information provided by Aisle7

Related Topics

  1. Pick the Best Probiotic
  2. Probiotics for Calming Colic
  3. Allergies & Sensitivities
  4. Immune Function

Probiotic bacteria favorably alter the intestinal microflora balance, inhibit the growth of harmful bacteria, promote good digestion, boost immune function, and increase resistance to infection.1, 2 People with flourishing intestinal colonies of beneficial bacteria are better equipped to fight the growth of disease-causing bacteria.3, 4 Lactobacilli and bifidobacteria maintain a healthy balance of intestinal flora by producing organic compounds—such as lactic acid, hydrogen peroxide, and acetic acid—that increase the acidity of the intestine and inhibit the reproduction of many harmful bacteria.5, 6 Probiotic bacteria also produce substances called bacteriocins, which act as natural antibiotics to kill undesirable microorganisms.7

How to Use It

The amount of probiotics necessary to replenish the intestine varies according to the extent of microbial depletion and the presence of harmful bacteria. One to two billion colony forming units (CFUs) per day of acidophilus is considered to be the minimum amount for the healthy maintenance of intestinal microflora. Some Saccharomyces boulardii research has used 500 mg taken four times per day.

Where to Find It

Beneficial bacteria present in fermented dairy foods—namely live culture yogurt—have been used as a folk remedy for hundreds, if not thousands, of years. Yogurt is the traditional source of beneficial bacteria. However, different brands of yogurt can vary greatly in their bacteria strain and potency. Some (particularly frozen) yogurts do not contain any live bacteria. Supplements in powder, liquid extract, capsule, or tablet form containing beneficial bacteria are other sources of probiotics.

Possible Deficiencies

People using antibiotics, eating a poor diet, or suffering from diarrhea are more likely to have depleted colonies of friendly bacteria.

Interactions with Supplements, Foods, & Other Compounds

Acidophilus and bifidobacteria may manufacture B vitamins, including niacin, folic acid, biotin, and vitamin B6.

Interactions with Medicines

Certain medicines interact with this supplement.

May Be Beneficial:Some medicines may increase the need for this supplement.
Avoid:Some medicines interact with this supplement, so they should not be taken together.
Check:Some interactions between this supplement and certain medicines require more explanation. Click the link to see details.

May Be Beneficial:Amikacin
May Be Beneficial:Amikacin
May Be Beneficial:Amikacin
May Be Beneficial:Amikacin
May Be Beneficial:Amlodipine-Benazepril
May Be Beneficial:Amoxicillin
May Be Beneficial:Amoxicillin
May Be Beneficial:Amoxicillin
May Be Beneficial:Amoxicillin–Potassium Clavulanate
May Be Beneficial:Amoxicillin–Potassium Clavulanate
May Be Beneficial:Amoxicillin–Potassium Clavulanate
May Be Beneficial:Ampicillin
May Be Beneficial:Ampicillin
May Be Beneficial:Ampicillin
May Be Beneficial:Ampicillin with Sulbactam
May Be Beneficial:Ampicillin with Sulbactam
May Be Beneficial:Ampicillin with Sulbactam
May Be Beneficial:Ampicillin with Sulbactam
May Be Beneficial:Azithromycin
May Be Beneficial:Azithromycin
May Be Beneficial:Azithromycin
May Be Beneficial:Azithromycin
May Be Beneficial:Aztreonam
May Be Beneficial:Aztreonam
May Be Beneficial:Aztreonam
May Be Beneficial:Aztreonam
May Be Beneficial:Bacampicillin
May Be Beneficial:Bacampicillin
May Be Beneficial:Bacampicillin
May Be Beneficial:Bacampicillin
May Be Beneficial:Bacitracin
May Be Beneficial:Bacitracin
May Be Beneficial:Bacitracin
May Be Beneficial:Bacitracin
May Be Beneficial:Busulfan
May Be Beneficial:Busulfan
May Be Beneficial:Capecitabine
May Be Beneficial:Capecitabine
May Be Beneficial:Carbenicillin
May Be Beneficial:Carbenicillin
May Be Beneficial:Carbenicillin
May Be Beneficial:Carbenicillin
May Be Beneficial:Carboplatin
May Be Beneficial:Carboplatin
May Be Beneficial:Carmustine
May Be Beneficial:Carmustine
May Be Beneficial:Cefaclor
May Be Beneficial:Cefaclor
May Be Beneficial:Cefamandole
May Be Beneficial:Cefamandole
May Be Beneficial:Cefamandole
May Be Beneficial:Cefamandole
May Be Beneficial:Cefazolin
May Be Beneficial:Cefazolin
May Be Beneficial:Cefazolin
May Be Beneficial:Cefazolin
May Be Beneficial:Cefdinir
May Be Beneficial:Cefdinir
May Be Beneficial:Cefdinir
May Be Beneficial:Cefdinir
May Be Beneficial:Cefepime
May Be Beneficial:Cefepime
May Be Beneficial:Cefepime
May Be Beneficial:Cefepime
May Be Beneficial:Cefixime
May Be Beneficial:Cefixime
May Be Beneficial:Cefixime
May Be Beneficial:Cefixime
May Be Beneficial:Cefonicid
May Be Beneficial:Cefonicid
May Be Beneficial:Cefonicid
May Be Beneficial:Cefonicid
May Be Beneficial:Cefoperazone
May Be Beneficial:Cefoperazone
May Be Beneficial:Cefoperazone
May Be Beneficial:Cefoperazone
May Be Beneficial:Cefotaxime
May Be Beneficial:Cefotaxime
May Be Beneficial:Cefotaxime
May Be Beneficial:Cefotaxime
May Be Beneficial:Cefotetan
May Be Beneficial:Cefotetan
May Be Beneficial:Cefotetan
May Be Beneficial:Cefotetan
May Be Beneficial:Cefoxitin
May Be Beneficial:Cefoxitin
May Be Beneficial:Cefoxitin
May Be Beneficial:Cefoxitin
May Be Beneficial:Cefpodoxime
May Be Beneficial:Cefpodoxime
May Be Beneficial:Cefpodoxime
May Be Beneficial:Cefpodoxime
May Be Beneficial:Cefprozil
May Be Beneficial:Cefprozil
May Be Beneficial:Cefprozil
May Be Beneficial:Cefprozil
May Be Beneficial:Ceftazidime
May Be Beneficial:Ceftazidime
May Be Beneficial:Ceftazidime
May Be Beneficial:Ceftazidime
May Be Beneficial:Ceftibuten
May Be Beneficial:Ceftibuten
May Be Beneficial:Ceftibuten
May Be Beneficial:Ceftibuten
May Be Beneficial:Ceftriaxone
May Be Beneficial:Ceftriaxone
May Be Beneficial:Ceftriaxone
May Be Beneficial:Ceftriaxone
May Be Beneficial:Cefuroxime
May Be Beneficial:Cefuroxime
May Be Beneficial:Cefuroxime
May Be Beneficial:Cefuroxime
May Be Beneficial:Cephalexin
May Be Beneficial:Cephalexin
May Be Beneficial:Cephalexin
May Be Beneficial:Cephalexin
May Be Beneficial:Cephalothin
May Be Beneficial:Cephalothin
May Be Beneficial:Cephalothin
May Be Beneficial:Cephalothin
May Be Beneficial:Cephapirin
May Be Beneficial:Cephapirin
May Be Beneficial:Cephapirin
May Be Beneficial:Cephapirin
May Be Beneficial:Cephradine
May Be Beneficial:Cephradine
May Be Beneficial:Cephradine
May Be Beneficial:Cephradine
May Be Beneficial:Chlorambucil
May Be Beneficial:Chlorambucil
May Be Beneficial:Ciprofloxacin
May Be Beneficial:Ciprofloxacin
May Be Beneficial:Cisplatin
May Be Beneficial:Cisplatin
May Be Beneficial:Citalopram
May Be Beneficial:Citalopram
May Be Beneficial:Citalopram
May Be Beneficial:Citalopram
May Be Beneficial:Cladribine
May Be Beneficial:Cladribine
May Be Beneficial:Clarithromycin
May Be Beneficial:Clarithromycin
May Be Beneficial:Clarithromycin
May Be Beneficial:Clarithromycin
May Be Beneficial:Clindamycin
May Be Beneficial:Clindamycin
May Be Beneficial:Clindamycin
May Be Beneficial:Cloxacillin
May Be Beneficial:Cloxacillin
May Be Beneficial:Cloxacillin
May Be Beneficial:Cloxacillin
May Be Beneficial:Cyclophosphamide
May Be Beneficial:Cyclophosphamide
May Be Beneficial:Cyclophosphamide
May Be Beneficial:Cyclophosphamide
May Be Beneficial:Cytarabine
May Be Beneficial:Cytarabine
May Be Beneficial:Dapsone
May Be Beneficial:Dapsone
May Be Beneficial:Dapsone
May Be Beneficial:Dapsone
May Be Beneficial:Demeclocycline
May Be Beneficial:Demeclocycline
May Be Beneficial:Demeclocycline
May Be Beneficial:Demeclocycline
May Be Beneficial:Dicloxacillin
May Be Beneficial:Dicloxacillin
May Be Beneficial:Dicloxacillin
May Be Beneficial:Docetaxel
May Be Beneficial:Docetaxel
May Be Beneficial:Doxycycline
May Be Beneficial:Doxycycline
May Be Beneficial:Doxycycline
May Be Beneficial:Erlotinib
May Be Beneficial:Erlotinib
May Be Beneficial:Erythromycin
May Be Beneficial:Erythromycin
May Be Beneficial:Erythromycin
May Be Beneficial:Erythromycin
May Be Beneficial:Etoposide
May Be Beneficial:Etoposide
May Be Beneficial:Floxuridine
May Be Beneficial:Floxuridine
May Be Beneficial:Fludarabine
May Be Beneficial:Fludarabine
May Be Beneficial:Fluorouracil
May Be Beneficial:Fluorouracil
May Be Beneficial:Gentamicin
May Be Beneficial:Gentamicin
May Be Beneficial:Gentamicin
May Be Beneficial:Gentamicin
May Be Beneficial:Hydroxyurea
May Be Beneficial:Hydroxyurea
May Be Beneficial:Ifosfamide
May Be Beneficial:Ifosfamide
May Be Beneficial:Imipenem-Cilastatin
May Be Beneficial:Imipenem-Cilastatin
May Be Beneficial:Imipenem-Cilastatin
May Be Beneficial:Imipenem-Cilastatin
May Be Beneficial:Irinotecan
May Be Beneficial:Irinotecan
May Be Beneficial:Kanamycin
May Be Beneficial:Kanamycin
May Be Beneficial:Kanamycin
May Be Beneficial:Kanamycin
May Be Beneficial:Levofloxacin
May Be Beneficial:Levofloxacin
May Be Beneficial:Levofloxacin
May Be Beneficial:Levofloxacin
May Be Beneficial:Lomustine
May Be Beneficial:Lomustine
May Be Beneficial:Mechlorethamine
May Be Beneficial:Mechlorethamine
May Be Beneficial:Melphalan
May Be Beneficial:Melphalan
May Be Beneficial:Mercaptopurine
May Be Beneficial:Mercaptopurine
May Be Beneficial:Meropenem
May Be Beneficial:Meropenem
May Be Beneficial:Meropenem
May Be Beneficial:Meropenem
May Be Beneficial:Metronidazole
May Be Beneficial:Metronidazole
May Be Beneficial:Mezlocillin
May Be Beneficial:Mezlocillin
May Be Beneficial:Mezlocillin
May Be Beneficial:Mezlocillin
May Be Beneficial:Minocycline
May Be Beneficial:Minocycline
May Be Beneficial:Minocycline
May Be Beneficial:Nafcillin
May Be Beneficial:Nafcillin
May Be Beneficial:Nafcillin
May Be Beneficial:Nafcillin
May Be Beneficial:Netilmicin
May Be Beneficial:Netilmicin
May Be Beneficial:Netilmicin
May Be Beneficial:Netilmicin
May Be Beneficial:Ofloxacin
May Be Beneficial:Ofloxacin
May Be Beneficial:Ofloxacin
May Be Beneficial:Ofloxacin
May Be Beneficial:Oxacillin
May Be Beneficial:Oxacillin
May Be Beneficial:Oxacillin
May Be Beneficial:Oxacillin
May Be Beneficial:Penicillin V
May Be Beneficial:Penicillin V
May Be Beneficial:Piperacillin
May Be Beneficial:Piperacillin
May Be Beneficial:Piperacillin
May Be Beneficial:Piperacillin
May Be Beneficial:Piperacillin-Tazobactam
May Be Beneficial:Piperacillin-Tazobactam
May Be Beneficial:Piperacillin-Tazobactam
May Be Beneficial:Piperacillin-Tazobactam
May Be Beneficial:Polifeprosan 20 with Carmustine
May Be Beneficial:Polifeprosan 20 with Carmustine
May Be Beneficial:Polymyxin B
May Be Beneficial:Polymyxin B
May Be Beneficial:Polymyxin B
May Be Beneficial:Polymyxin B
May Be Beneficial:Silver Sulfadiazine
May Be Beneficial:Silver Sulfadiazine
May Be Beneficial:Silver Sulfadiazine
May Be Beneficial:Silver Sulfadiazine
May Be Beneficial:Streptomycin
May Be Beneficial:Streptomycin
May Be Beneficial:Streptomycin
May Be Beneficial:Streptomycin
May Be Beneficial:Streptozocin
May Be Beneficial:Streptozocin
May Be Beneficial:Sulfacetamide
May Be Beneficial:Sulfacetamide
May Be Beneficial:Sulfacetamide
May Be Beneficial:Sulfacetamide
May Be Beneficial:Sulfamethoxazole
May Be Beneficial:Sulfasalazine
May Be Beneficial:Sulfisoxazole
May Be Beneficial:Sulfisoxazole
May Be Beneficial:Sulfisoxazole
May Be Beneficial:Sulfisoxazole
May Be Beneficial:Tetracycline
May Be Beneficial:Thioguanine
May Be Beneficial:Thioguanine
May Be Beneficial:Ticarcillin
May Be Beneficial:Ticarcillin
May Be Beneficial:Ticarcillin
May Be Beneficial:Ticarcillin
May Be Beneficial:Ticarcillin-Clavulanate
May Be Beneficial:Ticarcillin-Clavulanate
May Be Beneficial:Ticarcillin-Clavulanate
May Be Beneficial:Ticarcillin-Clavulanate
May Be Beneficial:Tobramycin
May Be Beneficial:Tobramycin
May Be Beneficial:Tobramycin
May Be Beneficial:Tobramycin
May Be Beneficial:Trimethoprim
May Be Beneficial:Trimethoprim
May Be Beneficial:Trimethoprim
May Be Beneficial:Trimethoprim
May Be Beneficial:Trimethoprim/ Sulfamethoxazole
May Be Beneficial:Trimethoprim/ Sulfamethoxazole
May Be Beneficial:Trimethoprim/ Sulfamethoxazole
May Be Beneficial:Trimethoprim/ Sulfamethoxazole
May Be Beneficial:Triple Sulfa
May Be Beneficial:Triple Sulfa
May Be Beneficial:Triple Sulfa
May Be Beneficial:Triple Sulfa
May Be Beneficial:Troleandomycin
May Be Beneficial:Troleandomycin
May Be Beneficial:Troleandomycin
May Be Beneficial:Troleandomycin
May Be Beneficial:Uracil Mustard
May Be Beneficial:Uracil Mustard
May Be Beneficial:Vinblastine
May Be Beneficial:Vinblastine
May Be Beneficial:Vincristine
May Be Beneficial:Vincristine

Side Effects

There are at least nine case reports of severe, invasive (internal) fungal infections developing in people treated with the yeast organism Saccharomyces boulardii. All of these people were debilitated or had impaired immune function prior to receiving Saccharomyces boulardii.8, 9 No such adverse reactions have been reported with other probiotic supplements or in people with normal immune systems.

In one study, treatment of infants with a product containing probiotics (Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, L. rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium breve Bb99, and Propionibacterium freudenreichii subs. shermanii JS) plus a prebiotic (a galacto-oligosaccharide) resulted in a decrease in hemoglobin levels at six months of age. The authors of this report suggested that this effect may have been due to intestinal inflammation.10 This adverse effect has not been reported in older people, and it is not known whether other probiotics would have the same effect in infants.
References

Copyright © 2012 Aisle7. All rights reserved. Aisle7.com

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The information presented in Aisle7 is for informational purposes only. It is based on scientific studies (human, animal, or in vitro), clinical experience, or traditional usage as cited in each article. The results reported may not necessarily occur in all individuals. Self-treatment is not recommended for life-threatening conditions that require medical treatment under a doctor's care. For many of the conditions discussed, treatment with prescription or over the counter medication is also available. Consult your doctor, practitioner, and/or pharmacist for any health problem and before using any supplements or before making any changes in prescribed medications. Information expires June 2013.

Important Walmart Disclaimer: All content, including but not limited to, recipe and health information provided in Healthy Living, is for educational purposes only. Such content is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the diagnosis, treatment and advice of a medical professional. Such content does not cover all possible side effects of any new or different health program. Consult your medical professional for guidance before changing or undertaking a new diet or exercise program. Advance consultation with your physician is particularly important if you are under eighteen (18) years old, pregnant, nursing, or have health problems.
 
 
 

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