Taking Antibiotics? Take Probiotics

A recent meta-analysis examined a group of studies concerning the use of probiotics with antibiotics.  Researchers found a clear effect in favor of probiotic use.  In studies where people used probiotics for at least the duration of the antibiotic treatment, patients had a marked reduction in antibiotic associated diarrhea.  

This was true even for patients who were not  infected with the dread Clostridium Difficile.  C. Difficile is an opportunistic bacteria that can colonize the gastronintestinal tracts of people who have taken antiobitics and is a cause of severe post-antibiotic diarrhea. 

Order this product at SundropsOnline.com:  A Sundrops Recommended Probiotic

Aliment Pharmacol Therapy 2012

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.  Research and nutritional information included is not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any disease and should not be used for medical diagnosis or treatment. Consult your physician before initiating any new dietary or supplement program. References available by request.

VSL#3 Probiotic: Ulcerative Colitis and IBS

VSL#3 is one of the strongest probiotics available at 450 billion bacteria per packet.  To put this in perspective, Align, a probiotic promoted to help Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), has only 1 billion bacteria per dose.  The high concentration of good bacteria in VSL#3 may allow it to positively impact more serious and chronic conditions than other probiotics can.

Why Probiotics?

Probiotics are good bacteria.  Good bacteria have a number of purposes in the body.   One of their big jobs is to reduce inflammation, a hyperactive immune response associated with allergies as well as with more serious illnesses like ulcerative colitis.  At the same time, good bacteria prime your immune system to attack viruses.  Probiotics seem to be associated with an all around reduction in "bad" immunity with a simultaneous increase in "good" immunity.

Reduced numbers of these friendly helpers may contribute to weakened immunity and allergies, as well as inflammatory GI tract illnesses like ulcerative colitis (UC) and irritable bowel syndrome(IBS).

Research with VSL#3 over the the last decade has shown that replenishing the gut with a high dose of good bacteria can often put people with inflammatory bowel disease into remission and keep them in remission.  Researchers have also found a benefit for IBS with VSL#3

Ulcerative Colitis

In a 2009 study, VSL#3 treated patients achieved a remission rate of  32.5% after 6 weeks, a rate 50% higher than placebo.   At 12 weeks, the VSL#3 remission rate was up to 42.9%, while the placebo remission rate hovered around 15%.

A 2005 study published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology showed a 53% remission rate in patients with mild to moderate ulcerative colitis that was unresponsive to conventional drugs. An additional 24% responded, but did not achieve remission, for a combined response/remission rate of 77%.   There were no adverse events.

Children With Ulcerative Colitis

In a 2009 trial, VSL#3 was compared to a placebo treatment, both in combination included conventional drug therapy a group of children newly diagnosed with ulcerative colitis. 92.8% of the children in the VSL#3 group achieved remission while only 36.3% of the conventional therapy group reached remission.  Measurements of intestinal damage and inflammation were consistently lower in the VSL#3 group of kids.

In another study, VSL#3 treated children with mild to moderate acute ulcerative colitis had a remission rate of 56%, and a combined remission and response rate of 61%.

Pouchitis With Ulcerative Colitis Surgery

Pouchitis is the most significant long-term complication of the ulcerative colitis surgery known as ileal-pouch anal anastomosis. Patients with pouchitis were treated with 1,800 billion bacteria twice per day.  69% went into remission and 100% of those patients were successfully maintained on 1,800 billion bacteria per day for the remainder of the 6 month study.

 In another study, patients with recurrent or treatment resistant pouchitis were put in remission with conventional treatment.  85% of the group who subsequently received  VSL#3 remained in remission while only 6% of the placebo group stayed in remission a year later.

IBS

Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) is a chronic and troubling condition of the gut whose symptoms can include pain, bloating, gas, diarrhea and constipation.  VSL#3 has been shown to help with at least two IBS symptoms.

In adults with IBS, a 2003 study  linked VSl#3 to significantly less IBS related bloating in a 2003. A 2005 study showed VSL#3 to be associated with reduced flatulence. 

Order the product at SundropsOnline.com:   VSL#3 capsules    VSL#3 Sachet Packets 

Int J Pediatr Laryngol 2010.  Br J Nutr 2012.  Allergol Int 2012. Gut 2011. Pneumonol Alergol Pol 2012.  Thorax 2004. Dig Liver Dis 2012. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2009, Am J Gastroenterol 2005. Am J Gastroenterol 2009. Inflamm Bowel Dis 2009.  Gut 2004. Dis Colon Rectum 2007.

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.  Research and nutritional information included is not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any disease and should not be used for medical diagnosis or treatment. Consult your physician before initiating any new dietary or supplement program. References available by request.

Weight Loss Supplement CLA Helps Crohn’s Disease

Scientists have recently discovered a new use for the popular weight loss supplement conjugated linolenic acid (CLA).  In a group of Crohn's disease patients, CLA significantly reduced disease activity and improved quality of life in 50% of the patients. 

CLA is a substance secreted by beneficial bacteria in our intestines that has anti-inflammatory and healing properties.

Order this product at SundropsOnline.com: conjugated linolenic acid (CLA)

Clinical Nutrition 2012

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.  Research and nutritional information included is not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any disease and should not be used for medical diagnosis or treatment. Consult your physician before initiating any new dietary or supplement program. References available by request.

Dr. Oz: Coffee Bean Extract, California Poppy Seeds, Tyrosine & Natural Remedies

Apple Cider Vinegar Snuffs Out Heart Burn

At Sundrops, we have seen that apple cider vinegar is actually a great quick remedy for heart burn.  Even though vinegar is an acid, apple cider vinegar makes quick work of neutralizing the acid in your stomach.  A spoonful seems to work well for most people.. Another surprisingly effective home remedy:  probiotic "good" bacteria.  A lot of our customers are big fans of probiotics for this reason.

L-Tyrosine And Thyroid

Your body makes thyroid hormone out of tyrosine and iodine.  Having plentiful amounts of both of these running around your body can pump up thyroid function.  The dose is  1500mg of L-Tyrosine twice per day.   Kelp is a great source of iodine. 

California Poppy Seeds And Pain

There is actually not very much research about the effect of California poppy seed on pain.  Though it's related to the opium poppy that morphine comes from, it lacks any compounds that are very similar to opium.  It has, however, been used to aid sleep and calm anxiety.  Dr. Oz suggests 3/4 teaspoon nightly before bed.

Green Coffee Bean Beats High Blood Pressure

Green Coffee Bean contains an antioxidant called chlorogenic acid that has significantly lowered blood pressure in studies.  Roasting coffee destroys a lot of the chlorogenic acid, so green coffee bean is a must.  According to the studies, the suggested dose is at least 140mg per day.  Also, consider replacing your regular morning coffee with a specially roasted high chlorogenic acid coffee.

Green Coffee Bean and Weight Loss

People lost significant weight without dieting!  Follow this link to see the story.

Order These Products At SundropsOnline.com:  L-Tyrosine   Green Coffee Bean Extract   High Chlorogenic Acid Drinking Coffee

 Clin Exp Hypertens 2006

These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.  Research and nutritional information included is not intended to diagnose, treat, prevent, or cure any disease and should not be used for medical diagnosis or treatment. Consult your physician before initiating any new dietary or supplement program. References available by request.

Low Vitamin B6 and IBS

Low intake of vitamin B6 was associated with Irritable Bowel Syndrome symptoms and very low B6 intake was associated with severe symptoms.  The symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome include

• Diarrhea or constipation – sometimes alternating
• Abdominal pain or cramping
• A bloated feeling
• Gas

 Nutr Res 2011

Acid Blocking Drugs Deplete Magnesium

Stomach acid blocking drugs significantly lowered magnesium levels.   Magnesium deficiency is assoicated with muscle pain and soreness, insomnia, irritability, and other symptoms.

Less stomach acid means that your body will not absorb as much of the nutrients that require on a higher acid environment for absorption, like many minerals.  These drugs also change the pH of your intestines and are linked to a harmful overgrowth of bacteria in the small intestine.  Symptoms of this overgrowth include chronic bloating, diarrhea and abdominal pain.

Instead of acid-blocking drugs, identify which foods trigger your symptoms and avoid them.  If you are overweight, try to lose weight in order to take physical pressure off the stomach valve that keeps acid out of your esophagus.

FDA Drug Safety Announcement 2011. Current Gastroenterology Reports 2003.

Digestive Health Support

Indigestion

Support for indigestion, thankfully, is usually straightforward.  Many people experience improvement with the addition of a broad-spectrum digestive enzyme supplement.  One or two taken at the      beginning of a meal helps food be processed and exit the stomach more quickly.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

IBS is another common gastrointestinal complaint.  Common symptoms include abdominal pain, bloated feelings, diarrhea and/or constipation.  People with IBS often have these symptoms     chronically.  The cause of IBS is not completely understood, though increased inflammation has been found to occur at the same time.  Inflammation is activation of the immune system, which not only amplifies the pain signals going from your gut to your brain, but can also play a major role in the physical dysfunction of the intestines.  Inflammation interferes with the nerves and muscles in the intestines, altering normal movement.

These are the things that help maintain normal intestinal health and function:

Fish Oil:

Your body cannot reduce its own inflammation or repair and maintain the GI tract  without the omega-3 fats found in fish oil.

• Probiotics:

  These are good bacteria normally found in our gut.  They can guard the body against both diarrhea and constipation by down-regulating inflammation and promoting a normal rate of movement in the intestines.  Antibiotics kill off probiotics that will need to be replaced.

• Magnesium Taurate:

  This is a special type of magnesium that can support normal nerve and muscle function in the gastrointestinal tract.

• Vitamin D:

  Vitamin D is broadly involved in immune activity and inflammation and should be generously supplied in cases of chronic intestinal problems.

• Insoluble Fiber:

  This type of fiber helps move food through the GI tract in a normal manner.  We encourage increased fibrous vegetables and pure cellulose if a supplement is needed.

Permeability

Intestinal permeability, in which the barrier in the intestine is compromised, can be associated with IBS and promotes inflammation.

• Zinc-Carnosine:

  In studies, this complex promotes healing along the entire length of the GI tract, and specifically inhibits intestinal permeability.

• Perm-A-Vite by Nutricology:

  Contains specific nutrients designed to support normal permeability, repair and soothe the GI tract and help reduce inflammation.

Be vigilant about the possibility of food intolerances.  Consider an elimination diet to determine whether you have them or not.

Digestive Support Supplements:

Healthy Cleansing

Colon cleansing and detox regimens have become very popular.  Most cleansing supplements are made of laxative herbs.  The problem is that taking these herbs will not result in greater detoxification in your body as a whole.

Your liver and kidneys are responsible for the detoxification of your body, while your colon is actually not a source of toxicity and does not itself detoxify anything.  Therefore, it is best to support the function of your liver and kidneys if you want to detox.

Herbs like dandelion and artichoke support cleansing activity in the liver, while milk  thistle increases antioxidant content in both liver and kidneys, facilitating detox.  Turmeric promotes lower inflammation levels in the liver; inflammation hampers detoxification.    Alpha lipoic acid and n-acetyl-cysteine (NAC) independently and also synergistically raise liver antioxidant content.

• Thisilyn Daily Cleanse by Nature’s Way offers potent amounts of milk thistle, artichoke, turmeric, and dandelion plus fiber.

• Liver-G.I. Detox by Pure Encapsulations is a comprehensive detoxification formula that includes nutrient levels shown to be effective in scientific studies.

Often when people are looking at doing a cleanse, they are sensing that their gastro-intestinal system isn’t working perfectly.  Rather than taking a short course of laxatives as you would with a typical cleanse product, regularly take a probiotic product.  The good bacteria found in a quality probiotic will naturally regulate the health and activity of your gastrointestinal tract.

Often times when people do a cleanse, they are looking to feel better and experience  better overall health, or to lose weight.  Unfortunately often none of these occur when using a typical cleanse.  For better overall health and the feelings of wellbeing that come with being healthier, try something basic like fish oil.

The Omega-3 fats found in fish oil will calm excess and destructive immune activity in your body (known as inflammation), reducing disease risk and truly allowing all of your systems to function at their best.

For those interested in weight loss, fish oil has been shown to accelerate weight loss and reduce appetite.  See our weight loss post for further weight loss information.