Posted on 09/01/2013 2:06:31 PM PDT by Dysart
A number of intestinal pathogens can cause problems after antibiotic administration, said Justin Sonnenburg, PhD, assistant professor of microbiology and immunology and the senior author of the study, to be published online Sept. 1 in Nature. Graduate students Katharine Ng and Jessica Ferreyra shared lead authorship.
"Antibiotics open the door for these pathogens to take hold. But how, exactly, that occurs hasn't been well understood," Sonnenburg said. In the first 24 hours after administration of oral antibiotics, a spike in carbohydrate availability takes place in the gut, the study says. This transient nutrient surplus, combined with the reduction of friendly gut-dwelling bacteria due to antibiotics, permits at least two potentially deadly pathogens to get a toehold in that otherwise more forbidding environment.
In the past decade or so, much has been learned about the complex microbial ecosystem that resides in every healthy mammal's large intestine, including ours. The thousands of distinct bacterial strains that normally inhabit this challenging but nutrient-rich niche have adapted to it so well that we have difficulty living without them. They manufacture vitamins, provide critical training to our immune systems and even guide the development of our own tissues. Antibiotics decimate this gut-microbe ecosystem, which begins bouncing back within a few days but may take a month or more to regain its former numbers. And the ecosystem appears to suffer the permanent loss of some of its constituent bacterial strains.
It is thought that our commensal, or friendly, bacteria serve as a kind of lawn that, in commandeering the rich fertilizer that courses through our gut, outcompetes the less-well-behaved pathogenic "weeds." It has also been suggested that our commensal bugs secrete pathogen-killing factors. Another theory holds that the disruption of our inner microbial ecosystem somehow impairs our immune responsiveness.
(Excerpt) Read more at sciencedaily.com ...
That's what I said.
I think it depends on the situation. I try not to take medicines at all, even aspirin; but sometimes the benefits really do outweigh the risks.
I have no problem with using probiotic supplements, especially if you have been “de-floriated” by cipro. (I have...twice. Highly unpleasant.)
Based on the review below I would certainly consider using it If I ever get cipro’d again or suffered from Leaky bowel or Crohns disease. (I was actually glad to learn about this product.) I am not now sick, but I do drink Keifer.
Alright. I will take your “You do the math.” comment as a friendly suggestion to seriously compare the food versus the supplement.
I am using Lifeway’s product as a basis for comparison. From Lifeway Keifir’s website.
“What kinds of bacteria (probiotics) are in Lifeway kefir?
All Lifeway products contain seven to ten billion CFU’s of the following 12 live & active Kefir cultures per cup:
• Lactobacillius Lactis
• Lactobacillus Rhamnosus
• Streptococcus Diacetylactis
• Lactobacillus Plantarum
• Lactobacillius Casei
• Saccharomyces Florentinus
• Leuconostoc Cremoris
• Bifidobacterium Longum
• Bifidobacterium Breve
• Lactobacillus Acidophilus
• Bifidobacterium lactis
• Lactobacillus reuteri
“Lifeway Kefir contains seven to ten billion CFU’s per serving, with four servings per quart, depending on certain factors such as the number of days from the expiration date.”
Most of the ads I saw for VSL#3 gave a cost between $60 and $85 for a 30 pack, or $2 per day if you use 1 pack.
450 billion per packet / 40 billion per qt = 11.25 qts or about 2 gallons of keifer per day equivalent. Pharmaceutical VSL#3 definitely beats the Food product Kefier!
On the other hand, it is also fair to note that VSL#3 provides absolutely no additional nourishment or food value and is not enjoyable to drink. If you are sick, you want to enjoy whatever small pleasure you have left! To drink 1 quart per day of Keifer is not hard to do. (Two gallons, no...)
There is also the additional cost of the Doctor visits to obtain the prescription and the associated dreariness of sitting in the waiting room with other sick people. (As you indicate, VSL#3 Jr. would be available without a prescription, but with reduced probiotic content.) If you are not sick I would say just drink keifer.
Instructions on one site for Crohn’s Disease.
“Suggested Use of VSL#3: 1-4 packets daily
Open Packet of VSL3 and stir contents into yogurt, apple sauce or any other cold food or non-carbonated drink.”
(Keifer would probably be a reasonable delivery liquid. it contains nutrients that feed the probiotics.)
If you cannot find a pharmacy that sells it and purchase online; “VSL#3 is only shipped on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday unless Overnight or Second Day Air is selected
NO Thursday OR Friday shipping. THIS PRODUCT MAY NOT BE RETURNED.”
(I can buy keifer any day of the week its in stock at Aldi. If bad,I can return my Keifer to Aldi and get a refund! I do not have to pay a shipping charge!)
Storage: VSL#3 may be stored at room temperature (77° F) for up to two weeks without adversely affecting potency. All types of VSL#3 should be refrigerated (36-46° F or 2-8° C).
(Keifer is cultured at room temperature and stores about 2 weeks in the refrigerator.)
Shelf Life: 2 years from manufacturing date when stored properly (36-46° F or 2-8° C)
(VSR#3 wins again! I would not touch 2 year old Keifer even if stored at the correct temperature!)
My analysis; if a person has lost their intestinal flora due to illness or antibiotics, if you are lactose intolerant, definitely use VSR#3. If not, drink keifer and kombucha, and eat sauerkraut, yogurt, high fiber foods, and keep your gut flora healthy.
i was agreeing with you.
How long will lactobacillus acidophilus remain viable if kept in the fridge?
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