Probiotics, etc.? Help before traveling!

[HappyMamaBeth]

We leave December 20 to visit my family in WA.  My biggest fear is one of us (me or the kids) coming down with a stomach bug.  Probiotics can help prevent viral gastroenteritis, right?  (I know they're good for a ton of other things too.)

I'd also like us to take other things that will help prevent other illnesses as well if possible.  Can I get some suggestions??  I'm 18 weeks pregnant if that matters (not sure if some things are not safe while pregnant).

Thanks so much!

[sbgrace]

Probiotics are safe for all and safe (and beneficial) during pregnancy. You do want a good form though so you know it survives the trip to the GI system. For an accute illness culturelle is widely available and good for that sort of thing. Adult form is fine for the kids. You cannot overdose on probiotics. For day to day you'd want something that colonizes I think. We use Klaire labs for that. Dr. McCandless can be the doctor to order from prothera (she gave permission in her book). Acidophilus pearls have some research behind them but I don't know how one would use those with children who can't swallow pills. Whatever you use you want something that has research showing it survives the "trip" and does what it's supposed to do. Probiotics will boost the immune system generally. Healthy vitamin D levels are the best thing for an immune system. Kids can take 2000 IU per day of D3. Healthy adults can take 10,000 IU of D3 per day. I don't know, though, how pregnancy affects that. Maybe the vitamin D council would have information for pregnancy.

[HappyMamaBeth]

Thank you!  So the probiotics (and making sure I get good ones--you said you use Klaire labs) AND Vitamin D3.  Thank you! :)
 

Originally Posted by sbgrace 

Probiotics are safe for all and safe (and beneficial) during pregnancy. You do want a good form though so you know it survives the trip to the GI system. For an accute illness culturelle is widely available and good for that sort of thing. Adult form is fine for the kids. You cannot overdose on probiotics. For day to day you'd want something that colonizes I think. We use Klaire labs for that. Dr. McCandless can be the doctor to order from prothera (she gave permission in her book). Acidophilus pearls have some research behind them but I don't know how one would use those with children who can't swallow pills. Whatever you use you want something that has research showing it survives the "trip" and does what it's supposed to do. Probiotics will boost the immune system generally. Healthy vitamin D levels are the best thing for an immune system. Kids can take 2000 IU per day of D3. Healthy adults can take 10,000 IU of D3 per day. I don't know, though, how pregnancy affects that. Maybe the vitamin D council would have information for pregnancy.