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The Power of Probiotics

69K views 566 replies 131 participants last post by  WuWei 
#1 ·
I compiled this list for a friend and thought it might be good here.

IMO, although very common these days the following are not "normal" for infants and toddlers and are evidence the need for a close look at dietary/health issues:

Reflux
Chronic Ear Infections
Asthma
Diarrhea
Eczema
Hives
Profound Food allergies of all types--- even to the extent of being deadly
Constant runny nose
Constant throwing up
Persistant cough
Poor appetite
Low growth- weight gain (except in cases where genetic predisposition dictates)

http://aem.asm.org/cgi/content/full/65/9/3763

http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/full/73/2/444S

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/q...&dopt=Abstract

http://www.ajcn.org/cgi/content/full/69/5/1035S

These are pdf files:

http://www.univ-lille1.fr/lea/Menu_d...cenier_CPD.pdf

http://www.slpk.sk/eldo/actafz/golian.pdf

http://www.nutricology.com/proddesc/...heet050103.pdf

Procreate, Lactate, Disseminate!

Ray

2/22/2004 Additions:

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/q...&dopt=Abstract

http://www.victusinc.com/Enterales/R...Probiotics.htm

http://www.merc-buyers.com/FS-microorganisms.htm

3/14/2004

natha's "eczema" thread:

http://mothering.com/discussions/sho...threadid=95863
 
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#529 ·
Quote:

Originally Posted by JaneS View Post
Yogourmet yogurt starter packets are available in Canada, I think they are a Canadian co.
Ooh, thank you. Hrm... does anyone have experience on whether it's possible to use their extra-probiotic in a Salton, although they say it must be heated very gradually?

Quote:

Originally Posted by moonshine View Post
It goes to 12, and it is for indicating when your yogurt is done. As in what hour to take it out.
That's what I was thinking... so it's more like a note to yourself for how long you want the yogurt in for?

The yogurt came out really thick, creamy, and even a little sweet. Quite good! Almost a little too rich, to my surprise. I was using "cereal cream." (Which I think is just regular cream marketed in bigger bottles for cereals.) At this rate, not sure I'd need to drain the yogurt at all!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pookietooth View Post
I don't use powdered milk, I usually use raw goat's milk. And have it sit at least 24 hours, preferably 36. Gets nice and tart. Tastes kinda lemony. And ds loves it!
I would love to use goat's milk, but DH can't stand it. (It's our only major incompatibility.) Instantly makes any meal gourmet
although admittedly I only like it with savory things.
 
#531 ·
off and on and while you have lost me on a lot of the subjects I have begun supplementing our families diet with a powdered probiotic made by Megagenic called ultra-flora plus.my question to you folks is this....we also take a vit c supp in the form of ascorbic acid powder.I mix this in juice or water.Can the probiotics be mixed with juice? and can they be mixed together or will one ruin the effects of the other??

thanks
 
#532 ·
OK - so my head is swirling and I'm trying to get it sorted out
Basically, my goals are to find the best quality probiotic for the least cost. My ds has several (now) mild food allergies/intollerances, my dh is lactose intollerant, and as for me, I'm 11 weeks pg and would like to try to prevent the reflux/food issues that my first ds went through. So, my questions:

1. Am I correct in thinking that the probiotics found in yogurt you make at home is better both in quality and in numbers than a store bought supplement?

2. If I do start making the yogurt - should I use a starter that has multiple strains in it, like the Yogourmet CBA Probiotic Yogurt Starter http://yogurtmakers.livingright.com/...t-Starter.html

3. How much yogurt would me and/or my 2 yo need to have daily?

Am I on the right track??? Thanks in advance!!

Crystal
 
#533 ·
So I read 10 or 20 pages of the thread and got inspired to make yogurt yesterday. I used whole organic milk and Stoneyfield farm organic whole milk yogurt as a starter. I heated it to almost boiling, mixed in the yogurt ( afew tbsp.) and have been incubating it for about 17 hours... it's still liquid. I kept it as warm as I could for a few hours yesterday until I went to bed, then it cooled considerably overnight. I tried the cooler method (hot water inside) and the thermos method.

What do I do now? At what point does it go bad? Do I throw it out and get new milk? Can I use this as a starter somehow to try again?

Thanks!
 
#536 ·
Quote:

Originally Posted by crystalkr View Post
OK - so my head is swirling and I'm trying to get it sorted out
Basically, my goals are to find the best quality probiotic for the least cost. My ds has several (now) mild food allergies/intollerances, my dh is lactose intollerant, and as for me, I'm 11 weeks pg and would like to try to prevent the reflux/food issues that my first ds went through. So, my questions:

1. Am I correct in thinking that the probiotics found in yogurt you make at home is better both in quality and in numbers than a store bought supplement?

2. If I do start making the yogurt - should I use a starter that has multiple strains in it, like the Yogourmet CBA Probiotic Yogurt Starter http://yogurtmakers.livingright.com/...t-Starter.html

3. How much yogurt would me and/or my 2 yo need to have daily?

Am I on the right track??? Thanks in advance!!

Crystal

I'm interested as well!!
 
#537 ·
Quote:

Originally Posted by webjefita View Post
So, can I still use this milk? To remake yogurt? Or can we just drink it?
No, throw it away and start with fresh milk and fresh starter. Other bacteria have likely grown since the yogurt bacteria that preserves the milk died.
 
#538 ·
Quote:

Originally Posted by crystalkr View Post
OK - so my head is swirling and I'm trying to get it sorted out
Basically, my goals are to find the best quality probiotic for the least cost. My ds has several (now) mild food allergies/intollerances, my dh is lactose intollerant, and as for me, I'm 11 weeks pg and would like to try to prevent the reflux/food issues that my first ds went through. So, my questions:

1. Am I correct in thinking that the probiotics found in yogurt you make at home is better both in quality and in numbers than a store bought supplement?

2. If I do start making the yogurt - should I use a starter that has multiple strains in it, like the Yogourmet CBA Probiotic Yogurt Starter http://yogurtmakers.livingright.com/...t-Starter.html

3. How much yogurt would me and/or my 2 yo need to have daily?

Am I on the right track??? Thanks in advance!!

Crystal
1. Yes and no.

24 hour yogurt removes all lactose and has highest bacterial count, see here: http://www.healingcrow.com/ferfun/co...onspiracy.html

The types of bacteria in yogurt cultures and the specific strains are different though than in supplements. I have been adding some super strains to my yogurt mix: Nature's Way Reuteri and Natren's Acidophilus and Bifido factor for this reason. And Natren's Yogurt starter for their super strain of Bulgaricus. I may experiment with Culturelle next. Super strains have been identified to actually live longer, attach to intestinal walls... basically to stick around to do some good better than other versions of certain bacteria.

Goodpapa orginally used several super strains in his yogurt making method and we should learn from that. However, one issue that complicates this is that some strains may crowd out others. Bifidobacterium for example has a tendancy to do this. I do not know how others behave. That Yogourmet multi is interesting b/c it also brings up the point that different bacteria may like different temps too.

2. Yes that looks like a good mix of bacteria but it seems like it must be used with a certain yogurt maker to get the full benefit of all strains?

3. Completely individual depending on needs, current health and desired results. You might want to start slow to be sure it is tolerated well and doesn't shift gut flora so fast.

All of these issues illustrates why kefir is so unique and may be more beneficial for certain people rather than yogurt. Kefir contains both beneficial yeasts and lactobacillus in a symbiotic relationship... they all get along together.

See other posts regarding bifidus and infants.
http://www.mothering.com/discussions...61&postcount=9

Supplement with bifidobacterium, avoid all antibiotics and vaccines (you and them), and give no other food than BM if you want the best chance of good flora in your next babe. This is nature's way of sealing up the infant's gut and avoiding reflux/allergies as good gut flora is the gatekeeper of the immature immune system. Even more crucial at that age b/c other immune factors are not developed yet.
 
#540 ·
Very informative and eye opening thread, but after reading all the posts, I am totally confused.
Can someone please answer some of my basic questions:

1. From what I understand, we have to make 2 separate yogurts to capture most of the good bacteria. Now where do I buy the yogurt starters? Can you please also give me the specific names?
2. Are the freeze dried starters any good?
3. Is that correct to say we can make about 5 cycles of yogurt (using previous cycle's yogurt) before using the starter again?
4. What is the best milk to use? Pasteurized and Non-homogenized? Can we get it in the store?
5. Apart from Yogurt, what are the other sources I can get the good bacteria. I know this is a difficult question to answer. But if you suggest some products (sauerkraut?)and brand names etc, that will be great.
I know these are too many questions, but answers would help a lot of people like me.
Thank you everyone
 
#543 ·
Quote:

Originally Posted by manoj_2002 View Post
Very informative and eye opening thread, but after reading all the posts, I am totally confused.
Can someone please answer some of my basic questions:

1. From what I understand, we have to make 2 separate yogurts to capture most of the good bacteria. Now where do I buy the yogurt starters? Can you please also give me the specific names?
2. Are the freeze dried starters any good?
Goodpapa and many make separate yogurts to vary bacterial strains. But its not necessarily needed.

Yes, both Yogourmet and Natren are good starters. I've added bifidobacterium or acidophilus or Reuteri separately to my batches for high counts that I couldn't get from pills.

Quote:
3. Is that correct to say we can make about 5 cycles of yogurt (using previous cycle's yogurt) before using the starter again?
Personally I use fresh starter but that's just me.

Quote:

4. What is the best milk to use? Pasteurized and Non-homogenized? Can we get it in the store?
Raw grass fed. Has omega 3's and doesn't have oxidized cholesterol. Otherwise organic grass fed pasteurized homogenzied next best bet.

Quote:
5. Apart from Yogurt, what are the other sources I can get the good bacteria. I know this is a difficult question to answer. But if you suggest some products (sauerkraut?)and brand names etc, that will be great.
I know these are too many questions, but answers would help a lot of people like me.
I highly recommend Kefir (raw milk the best). It contains beneficial yeasts as well as lactobacillus. Lactobacillus is very helpful for the digestion but it actually is a very small part (1% or less) of your gut flora. If you are having problems, best to include other strains for maximum effect.

There are Kefir grains that are renewable (and you can eat them too, your own personal probiotic factory!
http://users.sa.chariot.net.au/~dna/kefirpage.html

Or powder:
http://www.mercola.com/forms/kefir.htm

Yogourmet makes a Kefir powder too but I haven't tried it.

Sauerkraut yes indeed, one of the best for L. Plantarum. Must not be pasteurized. I forget brands, there might be a thread in Traditional Foods, you can start one asking for recs if not.

Get the book "Nourishing Traditions" to learn how to make many different kinds of probiotic foods such as pickled cucumbers and red peppers (my favorite, search on my name for recipe). And why they are good for you, aid digestion, boost immune system, etc.

Fermented ketchup is great too, I just posted a recipe in recent ketchup thread in N&GE forum. Also can make other dairy ferments such as villi or fil mojik (sp?). And fermented beverages such as lacto fermented sodas, kombucha, water kefir, etc. etc. Traditional diets have also included probiotic foods for good health and yummy eating, they have died off in our horribly processed modern food culture.

You are welcome, sorry I didn't see until now! (hope you are around.)
 
#544 ·
I get my freeze dried Yogourmet starter at Whole Foods but I've seen it many places online. Lucy's Kitchen Shop for ex. Never had a batch fail.

Natren's starter is in some stores on west coast or online at www.natren.com. I happen to be on a Natren kick right now b/c they have the super strains DDS-1 Acidophilus and LB something or other Bulgaricus.
 
#546 ·
I didn't read through all 25 pages, but I did read something the other night that I did not know and thought was a great tidbit of info:

Your child receives 80-85% of their probiotic bacteria when they pass through the mother's birth canal during natural childbirth. The remaining 15-20% is acquired through the child's environment (soil-based org. in food & natural environment or probiotic supplements, etc.)

WOW! Just one more reason to advocate a natural birth!!

Also, after reading that, I am researching how to really boost up my personal probiotic count and intestinal flora before I give birth to my first this July(or June). I will post a thread soon about it when I know more!! or anyone else knowledgeable about this-let me know!!
 
#547 ·
Hello!
After reading this wonderful thread I still have a question- can you believe it?
Is it OK to feed 8 1/2 mo baby with homemade yougurt? She is going through stomach virus and i would love to help her immune system fight it off, it seems she is doing better but then in a few days she starts puking again. She is EBF with just a few solids here and there- nothing big...
Thanks!
 
#548 ·
Yet another newbie here with questions.

I would like to give my 5 and 2 yr old probiotics for off and on yeast problems (they got from me.. I have always struggled with it.) They both have loose stools. I would also like something for myself (and I am nursing a 7 mo baby.)

I discovered Three-lac at amazon.com and it intrigues me. Has anyone tried it? It seems so expensive, and I would like to find something that would work for less but I am willing to try three-lac if it's the best.

Thoughts?
 
#549 ·
Quote:

Originally Posted by goodearthmama View Post
Also, after reading that, I am researching how to really boost up my personal probiotic count and intestinal flora before I give birth to my first this July(or June). I will post a thread soon about it when I know more!! or anyone else knowledgeable about this-let me know!!
Please do link to your post. I think a number of things can effect vaginal flora, including probiotics we eat like the strongest versions of homemade yogurt and kefir. Possibly using super strains of yogurt bacteria like Natren's. And including bifidobacteria in your pg regime since it will be over 90% of a healthy babe's flora. Avoiding antibiotics is definitely a must.

I'm also thinking that some of the allergy doctors advice I've come across to supplement babes immediately right after birth with bifidobacterium makes a lot of sense.
 
#550 ·
Quote:

Originally Posted by mat4mel View Post
Yet another newbie here with questions.

I would like to give my 5 and 2 yr old probiotics for off and on yeast problems (they got from me.. I have always struggled with it.) They both have loose stools. I would also like something for myself (and I am nursing a 7 mo baby.)

I discovered Three-lac at amazon.com and it intrigues me. Has anyone tried it? It seems so expensive, and I would like to find something that would work for less but I am willing to try three-lac if it's the best.

Thoughts?
There are a few threads around on it, have you searched? Personally I would go with homemade kefir for the beneficial yeasts and high counts. Raw milk dairy kefir stopped my thrush while bf'ing. You can make dairy or water kefir.
 
#551 ·
Quote:

Originally Posted by Love_Cyber_Cat View Post
Hello!
After reading this wonderful thread I still have a question- can you believe it?
Is it OK to feed 8 1/2 mo baby with homemade yougurt? She is going through stomach virus and i would love to help her immune system fight it off, it seems she is doing better but then in a few days she starts puking again. She is EBF with just a few solids here and there- nothing big...
Thanks!

Maybe, it's really individual. If she has had digestive and gut flora problems it could lead to allergic reaction but if not it's fine. Yogurt predigests the proteins so really it makes sense for yogurt to be the first introduction to dairy for a babe. You can also take the probiotics yourself, there's really nothing better than healthy breastmilk for the digestive system. I think at her age she probably still needs bifidobacterium and maybe L. Reuteri and L. acidophilus will help combat the crisis.

Vitamin A is also excellent at treating viruses (standard measles treatment) get some high vitamin cod liver oil and take a tablespoon yourself, she will get the A thru your milk.
 
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