urinary and genital systems where it plays a role in preventing infectious bacteria from taking hold by competing for space and food sources. Traveler’s diarrhea is commonly pre-
vented with Lactobacillus. Traveler’s diarrhea occurs when contaminated food or water is ingested, creating abdominal discomfort, diarrhea and cramping. When the gastro- intestinal tract is prepped with lactobacil- lus probiotics it can prevent the infectious bacteria from taking hold and reeking havoc on your digestive tract and for that matter your vacation!
Bifidobacterium lactis
Like Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium also is part of the lactic acid producing bacteria group and also populates the gastrointestinal and urinary tracts. This probiotic is preferred prophylactically and in conjunction with antibiotic therapy to prevent killing off the beneficial bacteria of the gastrointestinal tract. Common side effects of antibiotic treat- ments are gastrointestinal cramping, yeast infections and diarrhea, which can be mini- mized with the help of probiotics including bifidobacterium.
Saccharomyces boulardii Saccharomyses boulardii is a form of
yeast that has been used in the treatment of gastrointestinal illnesses including the chronic bowel disorder Clostridum difficile- colitis. This disorder most commonly arises with overuse of broad-spectrum antibiotics
that target several bacterial species. Broad spectrum antibiotics kill several beneficial strains of bacteria in addition to the infec- tious bacteria leading to chronic diarrhea, due to inappropriate amounts of beneficial and non-beneficial flora in the digestive tract.
Since Saccharomyses boulardii is a
yeast it can not be killed off by antibiot- ics, therefore, treatment with this specific probiotic can help reinstate an appropriate balance of flora in the colon and can help resolve bowel disorders such as Clostridum difficilecolitis.
Not all probiotics are created equal;
each formula is made up of different strains and amounts of microorganisms. The condi- tion/problem dictates which probiotic strains would best be suited for the job. In addition,
there is a wide range when it comes to the number of organisms in a product, typically noted as millions or billions of CFUs, or Colony Forming Units. With so many health claims being made about probiotic use it is important you consult with your physician to determine which product and strains are best suited for you.
Dr. Ashley Burkman is a board certified licensed Naturopathic Physician at Connecti- cut Natural Health Specialists, LLC. Like all the physicians at Connecticut Natural Health Specialists, LLC, Dr. Burkman is dedicated to treating the cause of disease and is an in-network provider for most insurance companies. Visit
http://www.ctnhs.com. For an appointment, please call (860) 533-0179. See ad on page 3.
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