Does anyone know why people are given the idea that they need to keep taking probiotics continuously and indefinitely? Is there a reason to continually take something that should be self-replenishing, other than the manufacturers want to keep selling as much as they can? Any ideas
Replied By Timh (Louisville, Ky, Usa) on 04/25/2012
Ken, if everyone lived in the pre-industrial or pre-agricultural eras, diminished gut flora wouldn't be a problem. In the presence of nutritionally deficient and/or toxic foods, any number of illnesses or compromised body systems (principally immune & detox systems), the variety & number of probiotics in the gut can become severely diminished; so for many folks it's necessary to supplement on a daily basis.Replied By Tina (Houston, Usa) on 04/25/2012
Probiotics in your gut are highly dependent on other factors for example if one has more enzymes in their system, the probiotics could multiply in that environment and sustain themselves. However enzymes get depleted with age, and most cooked foods and packaged and processed foods are enzyme free, so either one can supplement with high quality enzymes, or have a daily veggie green juice (FRESH) not the pasturized ones sold in the stores without enzyme content.
Also, ingesting probiotic rich foods like kefir, yogurt, sauerkrauet, cortido (all made by lacto fermentation) are rich in probiotics, so if one consumes bits of these daily, there is no real need to supplement with Over the counter probiotics unless one is on an antiobiotic course.
Finally the quality of over the counter probiotic hugely varies according to how it was manufactured, transported and stored in the stores. Heated temps above 68 degrees kill probiotics, and very few brands mention that on their packaging. So best to eat lacto-fermented veggies and dairy mentioned above instead of relying on half baked probiotics.
Hope that answers your questions.
Replied By Citygirl (Vancouver, Bc) on 07/05/2012
I agree with Tina from Houston. I try to incorporate in my food the lacto-fermented veggies or homemade kefir or yogurt, so I don't have to depend on the "half-baked" probiotic like she calls them. If I do buy the capsules I usually test them first to see if they ale alive by opening a capsule and putting it in a glass of lukewarm milk (which I boiled first) and letting it sit at room temperature for 24-36 hours. (basically using it as a yogurt starter). Some will form the yogurt, some will not( the useless brands) - the milk will not thicken and just go bad. That tells me which ones are alive. Then I just continue to use the probiotic yogurt as a starter for the next batch. This will also make the probiotics go a long way.Replied By David ( Miami, Florida) on 08/09/2012
Probiotics are amazing in there healing power, please be sure to be using the right one. I've done some research and there was a GI specialist that could not cure his patient who had serious stomach issues after using antibiotics. The GI doc finally found a probiotic that cured the person you can buy it over-the-counter Florastor. I hope this helps someone with issues.Replied By Vicky (Ga, Us) on 08/03/2015
You can't just take them after antibiotics. You must realize if you drink tap water you are killing your good bacteria via chlorine and fluoride. And don't forget all premade drinks are made with tap water! Also, if you are not eating 100% organic, you are eating GMOs and pesticides/herbicides. Guess what? Those also kill good bacteria!