I would like to add probiotics to my and my son's daily regimen. I tried doing some internet research, and I can't make heads or tails of what I'm reading. SOOO, I'm turning to you moms for your wisdom.
I am prone to yeast infections. I know probiotics can help to regulate the production of yeast by promoting the growth of the 'good' bacteria. I believe I need this. Also, my son has mild eczema, and what I'm reading is that probiotics can also assist in moderating eczema, as well as allergies, which we both suffer from. I have also learned that probiotics, in general, boost your immune system.
I am inclined to think that a supplement would be best for both of us, rather than the yogurt-types of probiotics, as my thinking is that the supplements would contain a higher concentration of the probiotics. Is that true? Also, I know that the probiotics need to make it through the acid in your stomach and make it into your intestinal tract to be effective, so the method of delivery into your system also plays a part.
So my questions are (in regard to me, age 37, and my son, 4 1/2):
Do you use probiotics regularly, and if so, what type/form/brand, etc. do you use/recommend?
What type/form/brand do you give your children, or what would you recommend?
What has your experience been using probiotics?
What effect, if any, did you see when you started using them?
How long until they take effect?
Yogurt type vs. supplements?
Any side effects?
Thank you for any and all info and recommendations as we delve into the world of probiotics...
My son and I both take Primadophilus original that we get from the health food store. His is children's chewable and I give it to him every morning. He does not get sick in the winters anymore. I had a yeast infection that was really bad and nothing seemed to get rid of it for very long until I started taking Candex and probiotics. Both are from the health food store. I have not noticed any side effects.
Yeast are actually fungi, so balancing the good bacteria may or may not be effective.
I did a little research on MayoClinic.com and even in their "Alternative and Home Remedies" section, there is no mention of probiotics.
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/yeast-infection/DS01182
They also have a section on probiotics:
http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/lactobacillus/NS_patient...
Before you start any probiotic regimen, you should really have an indepth conversation with your doctor and pharmacist to make sure you don't have a medical condition that could be worsened by this (there's a mention in the probiotic section of MayoClinic.com that discusses this).
Good luck.
As a biologist and a 10 year veteran of the pharmaceutical industry, my concern is that you'll be taking them without any current clinical trial data to show they're effective for what you're wanting to accomplish.
Well for relief from the yeast infection try some baking soda in water and take a bath. I think that will help at least with the irritation. I do not think it is a bad idea to eat yogurt. It is good for us. For kids the yobaby is good and also activia is good. Activia you could both eat. Unfortunately the eczema is a trigger of having allergies and or asthma. You can take probiotic acidophilus. It has all the goodness of yogurt. Natures bounty makes one. It is also supposed to be good for your digestion. I would ask the doctor if it is safe for your son to take. I know they say activia takes two weeks to regulate your digestive tract. I would think the same with the probiotic pills. Another thing that may be good for the eczema and the skin in general would be some flax oil pills. I would say the only side effects is that you may poop a little more and easier from these abovementioned things. Good luck
I just buy the cheapest ones at Whole Foods. It's a tiny pill. I don't really care for yogurt. I actually just posted here about an awful awful yeast infection, and the probiotics helped so much. I highly recommend them.
If your son likes yogurt, I recommend that he just eat one per day, and supplement if he's on antibiotics or such. I have heard that your body can become dependent on the pills, so best that his body learn to produce enough on its own and then get a little "boost" when he needs it.
I don't suffer from yeast infections although my sister does, especially when she takes antibiotics (obviously because it kills off all the good bacteria too). But I do take probiotics every day. I take Jarrow Formulas- Jarro-Dophilus EPS. It is a very good name brand with several different strands and they are enteric coated so they get down to your intestines. I would not depend on yogurt for my probiotics. I am also an eczema sufferer and I have heard that lactobacillus GG is the best probiotic for eczema. Culturelle brand is strictly that. I don't take it though because I would rather take one with lots of different strains and I can't afford both or I would take both. You can get those both at vitamin shoppe. There aren't any side effects. Since I cant give my daughter a pill (she's not 2 yet), I get her florastor for kids. It is a probiotic but i think it's a good yeast instead of bacteria. You just mix it in their drink. you can get it at any pharmacy but you have to ask the pharmacist people for it. But you don't need a prescription. I usually only give it to her when she has diahrrea because it's pretty pricey.
in response to a few responses: Probiotics are different than other medications that treat diarrhea and constipation and have not been shown to cause dependence. One of the great things about probiotics is that there are almost no negative side effects or contraindications. The only exception is if you have severe immunodeficiency from a serious underlying disease; a probiotic supplement could overstimulate the immune system creating more harm than good.
I take them and give them to my son. When I was pregnant and was taking iron, I was really constipated, and noticed that I was MUCH better when I took them. I give them to my son (2) when he has antibiotics, is teething, or just has runny BMs. My doc's nurse said that when on antibiotics, I can give him two a day, especially if you are treating for a yeast infection at that time too. I use a kid's acidophilus, it has animal shapes and is chewable. I got that because it was accessible and my son is happy to take it (the purple dye does stain though!). My doctor recommended BioGaia, which is more expensive, but I think it is more regulated. I ordered some (shipping is free online) and will try that when our current bottle runs out. I even got some for my baby (they have it in infant drops or chewable, but the dose is the same for everyone) for when she has her first need of it.
I didn't know about the allergy or eczema affects. I should start taking it more regularly and see if it helps, thanks for the suggestion!
Yes, it really does work you can also take them vaginally.(But only the gel cap kind if you are having problems there). They do help tremendously. It will also help to ward off thrush and mastitis. Stick with the gelcaps and the muti probiotic. It's good to have a couple of different types of flora in one pill. The other types of solid pills are not as good because the bacteria is not as strong when manufactured in this way.
Also try doing a candida yeast cleanse if you are having some serious issues. Once company I recommend is Nature's Sunshine.
In my experience most drs don't have a clue about this stuff. Try talking with a Naturopath, Homeopath or Iradologist(sp?)
My daughter (15) and I drink DanActive daily. It is the first thing we do when we get up.
I have not had an infection since I started it and I've been doing it a couple of years. Daughter has never had a yeast infection.
I buy it at Costco. You get 24 bottles for about $12. I buy 48 bottles at a time so we are both covered.
Yes on the priobiotics, it's good gut flora.
For the yeast...it takes sugar and moisture to grow no matter if it's your body or some bread you're baking: warmth, sugar and a little moisture and you've got yourself a nice yeast colony.
Try cutting down on sugary foods: fruit, sugar itself, sodas, cookies, etc. Switch to cotton only underwear and wear loose clothing to let some air circulate. GL!
We swear by probiotics* and coconut oil! We take probiotics daily, but bump it up whenever antibiotics are in the picture (if anti is 3x/day, so is the probi). My friend's son's yeast infection on his bum would not go away, after a year of ointments from peed and dermatologist - she added probiotics to her breasts when breastfeeding and sprinkled them on his bum each diaper change - the infection was gone in 3 days and never returned.
Coconut oil has cleared up a ton of skin ailments within days (baby eczema, cradle cap, blemishes, heat rash, my sister's eczema, baby acne) and its all we use for sunscreen.
Good luck!
*Probiotics are from local compounding pharmacists - in a capsule form and easily dissolved in 2yo's food/milk.
Hi, L.:
Go to your local health foods store and look up in the books they have on the shelves.
Look on the web the Heritage Store in Virginia Beach, VA
Good luck. D.
Yes, they work. I take Azo Yeast tablets daily and have not had an infection in I don't know how long. No side effects.
http://www.drugstore.com/search/search_results.asp?N=0&am...
I have atleast 1 serving of regular yogurt daily and then take the Azo tablets. Before I started doing this, I would have atleast 1 infection a month. Now, I don't remember the last one I've had. I started noticing a difference within about 3 days. Good luck!
