Probiotic confusion

[hipumpkins]

My DD was put on an abx today.  She ahs only ever had to take one once before in her eight year and that was  for a wound not an illness like this time.. I am bit overwhelmed at all the probiotic choices.

I read up on probiotics but still don't quite understand how some can cost as little as 8 dollars a bottle for a supplement and others are over 30!

How do I know which to choose.  I bought the cheap chewable and just lowered dosage for her since it only gave me an adult dosage. 

Is chepaer less effective or other there other criteria that drive the price up.

Can someone give me some quick recomendaions of what you like and why? 

Thank you

[mellowjello]

While she's on the antibiotic, S. boullardi is a great one. It is a beneficial yeast and so is not killed by the antibiotic. It will take up space in the gut as bacteria die and will help to keep pathenogenic bacteria from growing.

In addition I would also use a multi-strain probiotic that includes bifidus strains but DOES NOT HAVE PREBIOTIC such as inulin, FOS, chickory etc. Prebiotics are a marketing tool for product differentiations...prebiotics actually just feed bad bacteria. Part of the reason for cost difference is the number of organisms per "serving" which is called CFU. The higher the count, the more good bacteria she's getting. You need a high count with antibiotics. Really want to push a lot of good bacteria in there but as far AWAY from the antibiotic dosing as you can.

The very best, most effective probiotics are fermented foods. Saurkraut (or just saurkraut juice), 24 hr fermented yogurt (I make mine in my oven with just the heat of a light bulb.... look on pecanbread.com if you're interested this is great for general health on an ongoing basis), kombucha, kefir, etc. Food based probiotics are able to travel further down the GI tract in greater numbers. It really does make a difference.

Continue with probiotics even after stopping antibiotics. Another thing that will help is to reduce sugary, refined carby foods that feed pathenogenic organisms.

I cured my daughter from a clostridia infection with just probiotics, GAPS diet, and no antibiotics. Even today she had nausea, sweaty but with clammy forehead, difficult urination, no energy, and I gave her a huge dose of probiotics and VOILA, happy and running around in a few hours.

[sbgrace]

You want something that has been proven to survive digestion to make it to he intestines. So it does matter and cheaper isn't likely better.

S. Boulardi (florastor is one brand) is wonderful for antibiotics because they can't kill it as the pp mentioned. I will never be without it here after an experience with my son who was hospitalized on emergency and we (he) paid for it. I believe so much in the importance of it that I brought them with me when my mom fell and was in the hospital awaiting surgery--I knew she needed those in her!

But whatever you use (outside boulardi) keep it about 3 hours away from the antibiotics. Some people say half way between doses rather than three hours. The boulardi isn't killed so timing doesn't matter but unless you're in a big area you likely won't be able to get that. Culturelle is widely available and is good with antibiotics--you do need to dose it away and each time she takes the antibiotic it kills them (and everything else outside ouf boulardi) off so redose a few hours after every time you dose the antibiotic.

You can give kids the same dose as adults. You can't overdose on probiotics. Most say 6 months and older I think that specify and the ones I've seen have identical doses kid and adult. At any rate, you don't need to dose down. You probably don't have a great/proven probiotic I imagine but anything is better than nothing for sure.