Saturday, March 23, 2024

Are Probiotics Good For Bacterial Infections

Increase Vitamin C Intake

Do You Need Probiotics for Down There?

Some evidence shows that increasing your intake of vitamin C could protect against urinary tract infections.

Vitamin C is thought to work by increasing the acidity of the urine, thereby killing off the bacteria that cause infection .

An older 2007 study of UTIs in pregnant women looked at the effects of taking 100 mg of vitamin C every day .

The study found that vitamin C had a protective effect, cutting the risk of UTIs by more than half in those taking vitamin C, compared with the control group .

Fruits and vegetables are especially high in vitamin C and are a good way to increase your intake.

Red peppers, oranges, grapefruit, and kiwifruit all contain the full recommended amount of vitamin C in just one serving .

Despite these studies, there is still more research needed to prove the effectiveness of vitamin C for reducing UTIs. .

SUMMARY

Increasing vitamin C intake may decrease the risk of UTIs by making the urine more acidic, thus killing off infection-causing bacteria.

Drinking unsweetened cranberry juice is one of the most well-known natural remedies for urinary tract infections.

Cranberries work by preventing bacteria from adhering to the urinary tract, thus preventing infection .

In a 2016 study, women with recent histories of UTIs drank an 8-ounce serving of cranberry juice every day for 24 weeks. Those who drank cranberry juice had fewer UTI episodes than the control group .

Oral Probiotics Vs Probiotic Suppository For Yeast Infection

Symptoms & Concerns
Prevention treatment.

Using probiotics for feminine health has been commonly suggested as a way to prevent or treat vaginal yeast infection. Oral probiotics are usually preferred over probiotic suppository or other methods involving inserting probiotics for yeast infection into the vagina.

There are a few reasons why oral probiotics for yeast infection are considered a better choice over inserting probiotics for yeast infection.

The majority of the vaginal yeast infections are caused by a systemic yeast infection problem in the body. In other words, the vaginal infection is only one symptom of a larger problem of candida yeast overgrowth in the body. Inserting probiotic suppository or probiotic pill in vagina may help the yeast infection in the vagina, but it wont help to balance the infection in other areas in the body. Oral probiotics however, will.

Another reason to prefer oral probiotics for yeast infection is that most published studies used oral probiotics. There is some research data suggesting that intravaginal may be beneficial as well though. A study that had women take vaginal lactobacillus plantarum capsule together with antifungals, showed that using lactobacillus plantarum probiotic increased the Lactobacillus values in the vagina, and improved symptoms of vaginal discomfort such as burning and itching .

The Benefits Of Probiotics Bacteria

In a society of anti-bacterial warfare, who would have thought that anyone would tout the benefits of bacteria? Living microorganisms found in yogurt and other cultured foods may help improve your body’s bacterial environment inside and out. They’re called probiotics, a name that means “for life.”

More and more people are using probiotic products to treat or improve illnesses or to maintain overall well-being. In fact, a 2017 report estimated annual global sales of probiotic supplements at $3.7 billion in 2016, and that is expected to rise to $17.4 billion by 2027.

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Should I Give Probiotics To My Kids

Probiotics can be beneficial for both adults and kids. If your child has an illness that requires an antibiotic medication for treatment, taking a probiotic can help shorten symptoms. Probiotics can also be used to help relieve constipation, acid reflux, diarrhea, gas and eczema in children.

Introducing probiotics into your childs diet through food is typically a safe way to give them probiotics. Foods like yogurt and cottage cheese are often part of a balanced diet and can add in good bacteria without much risk.

There are commercially available probiotic supplements specifically designed for infants and children. However, it is important to talk to your childs pediatrician before giving them any probiotic supplement or changing the childs diet to include probiotic-rich foods.

Use In Vulvovaginal Candidiasis

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Vulvovaginal candidiasis, most commonly known as a yeast infection, affects the majority of women at least once in their lifetime. Women who are pregnant, have diabetes, or receive antibiotic or corticosteroid therapy may be at increased risk for the infection.8 A current treatment and prevention method used by many women is the ingestion of yogurt with active cultures of probiotics, mainly Lactobacillus acidophilus. Lactobacilli are commonly found in the vagina, and it is assumed that certain strains may produce inhibitory substances that would protect against the overgrowth of pathogens.

A study by Hilton and colleagues prospectively evaluated whether regular consumption of 8 oz of yogurt containing L acidophilus would decrease the number of incidences of vulvovaginal candidiasis in patients with a history of recurrence.8 Despite potential bias in the studys unblinded treatment assignment and the unexpected exclusion of controls owing to nonadherence to protocols, ingestion of L acidophiluscontaining yogurt led to colonization of the vaginal tract, thereby reducing candidal colonization and perhaps preventing infection.8 However, evidence remains limited as to whether yogurt or probiotic dietary supplements can prevent or treat vulvovaginal candidiasis, as many studies are poorly executed, have a small sample size, or lack the necessary steps to provide evidence of effectiveness.

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Given The Very Heavy Involvement Of The Industry Clear Conclusions As To Whether Probiotics Are Truly Helpful To Humans Remain To Be Proven Erin Elinav

The rate of continued moderate to severe gastroenteritis within two weeks was slightly higher in the probiotic group than in the placebo group . And there was no difference between the two groups in terms of the duration of diarrhoea or vomiting.

Despite evidence such as this, the demand for probiotics is large and growing. In 2017, the market for probiotics was more than $1.8bn, and it is predicted to reach $66bn by 2024.

Given the very heavy involvement of the industry, clear conclusions as to whether probiotics are truly helpful to humans remain to be proven, says Elinav. This is the reason why regulatory authorities such as the USs Food and Drug Administration and European regulators have yet to approve a probiotic for clinical use.

Taking probiotics when your gut health is weak may not be a good idea

But that is not to write off probiotics completely. The problem with them may not be with the probiotics themselves, but the way we are using them. Often probiotics are bought off the shelf consumers may not know exactly what they are getting, or even whether the culture they are buying is still alive.

Elinav and his colleagues have also carried out research on who will benefit from probiotics and who wont. By measuring the expression of certain immune-related genes, the team was able to predict who would be receptive to probiotic bacteria colonising their gut, and for whom they would simply pass through without taking hold.

Probiotics Are Safe To Use

Probiotics can be regarded as safe according to a report of the Central Public Health Laboratory, London . Epidemiological studies confirm no increase in bacteriaemia due to probiotic medication after nationwide introduction in Finland. Especially, Lactobacilli have GRAS status . As it seems somewhat counterintuitive to use one sort of bacteria to fight another sort of bacteria and bacteria are generally seen as pathogenic, it is no surprise that the safety of probiotics have been carefully monitored and investigated. Rarely, cases like a liver abscess caused by Lactobacillus rhamnosus have been reported. Recently, case reports on infections from clinical use of probiotics have extensively been reviewed. As a result, the authors agree that probiotics are generally safe but should be used cautiously in immunocompromised patients. In this review of case reports, it is also sensibly pointed out that safety must be established for each individual strain used in probiotic preparations. Trautner et al. write in their report on E. coli HU2117 coated urinary catheters that the potential pitfall of bacterial interference is that no living organism is truly avirulent in an immunocompromised host. Despite having no side effects in their 12 patients studied and despite cautious views from others probiotics have been successfully trialled in immunocompromised patients.

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When To See A Doctor For A Yeast Infection

If youve never had a yeast infection before, its best to make an appointment with your doctor to confirm you dont have something else. The symptoms of a yeast infection are similar to those of other conditions, including many sexually transmitted diseases and bacterial vaginosis. Both of these can eventually cause fertility problems or pregnancy complications, so its important to rule these out first. Once youd had a few yeast infections, youll get better at recognizing their symptoms.

You should also contact your doctor if you dont notice any improvement in your symptoms within 7 to 14 days. You may have a different type of infection or need a prescription antifungal medication, such as fluconazole.

Lactobacillus Brevis Cd2 Lactobacillus Salivarius Fv2 And Lactobacillus Plantarum Fv9

Best Probiotics For Women’s Ph Balance – Femina Probiotics Vaginal Health & Bacterial Vaginosis (BV)

In a rather small but well-designed double-blind, randomised, controlled trial2 34 women with BV received either a vaginal probiotic tablet or a placebo for 7 days. The probiotic contained at least 10 billion viable Lactobacilli in particular L. brevis CD2®, L. salivarius FV2®, and L. plantarum FV9®. The 2-week symptom relief rates were 61% in the active treatment group. When compared to 19% in the placebo group – these are astounding results!

Key takeaway

  • Symptoms of BV have been demonstrated to be relieved by the probiotic strains Lactobacillus brevis CD2®, Lactobacillus salivarius FV2®, and Lactobacillus plantarum FV9®

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Getting Back In Balance

Experts say no conclusive evidence shows that probiotics are effective at preventing and treating BV or other conditions related to vaginal imbalance. Currently, antibiotics remain the recommended treatment for these conditions.

As its important to get a proper diagnosis and treat underlying causes, the recommendation to take a probiotic in supplement form should be made by the healthcare provider only after a complete assessment and proper diagnosis of the condition is made, says Haar.

Drink Plenty Of Fluids

Drinking plenty of fluids throughout the day ensures that you are peeing enough to flush bacteria out of your system. One study found that consistently low fluid intake every day can contribute to urinary tract infection.5 Another study found that low fluid intake and infrequent urination resulted in an increased chance of recurrent urinary tract infections.6 Staying hydrated is good for your health in general. Drink at least one glass of water with every snack and meal to maintain healthy fluid levels.

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Should I Try Probiotics

If you are interested in adding probiotics to your diet, its worth a conversation with your healthcare provider. Many providers may suggest giving them a try to see if they help with your general health. It is important to remember that not all probiotics behave the same way and have the same effects. Each has their own individual benefits. They generally dont cause harm. One easy way to start can be by simply introducing probiotic-rich foods into your diet, like yogurt.

Before you start any supplements, make sure you talk to your healthcare provider. Your provider may be able to point you in the right direction, helping you figure out the best probiotic to take, how much to take and when to take it. A conversation is always worth the time when it concerns your health.

Using Probiotics For Your Dogs Ear Infections Treatment

Womens Probiotic for Bacterial Vaginosis, pH balance ...

veterinarianAntibiotic treatment.Home Remedies.

  • Give your dog a healthy diet. A good quality diet is essential in boosting the immune system and supporting gut health, vital for fighting infections.
  • Use immune-boosting supplements. Adding omega-3 fatty acids to your dogs menu is a great way to strengthen its immune response and support skin health.
  • Clean your dogs ears. Dirt is one of the leading causes of infection. Clean your dogs ears regularly prevents debris from building up.
  • Make some lifestyle changes. Good habits are essential for optimal health. Ensure your dog is physically active, well-hydrated, and gets adequate sleep.

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Can You Flush Out A Urinary Tract Infection

In general, patients with urinary tract infections should consume six to eight glasses of water per day. To flush out the infection from the urinary system, you should drink five to two liters of water every day. When the infection is present in the system, drinking liquids until the urine is clear and the stream is forceful is the best way to get it out.

New Flavor Best Probiotics For Dogs Powder

  • CHRONIC EAR INFECTIONS TORMENTING YOUR DOG? STOP FEEDING THE YEAST! Flour, bran and other starches found in soft chews are the ingredients that keep the yeast alive which causes itching, scratching, chewing and recurrent bouts of stinky ear discharge. Our premium formula has a delicious liver flavor your best friend will love!
  • IMPROVES HAIR LOSS & EXCESSIVE SHEDDING â Typically a sign of stress due to allergies, poor digestion and age, supplementation takes the burden off the body so it can focus on repair and maintenance. You will be delighted with the changes in your best friend!
  • MONEY SAVING! Our Premium Grain Free Powder allows you to customize the dosage so theres no waste.
  • HELP FOR STRONG ODOR & BAD BREATH â A signal of bacterial imbalance, probiotic micro flora will help crowd out the odor causing bacteria and restore balance. Youll be happily hugging and playing with your dog again!
  • RELIEVES DIARRHEA, GAS, CONSTIPATION â Inhibits and discourages the growth of harmful bacteria by forcing them out of the gut with healthy flora. No more running out the room because of a gassy dog!

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Probiotics For Yeast Infections Reviews

Profase Probiotic for YeastProfase is designed to specifically kill candida yeast and pathogenic bacteria while also boosting immune function. It is extremely heat stable and contains 30 billion bacteria per capsule. It contains seven of the best bacteria species I could find to achieve these goals and I have referenced all the studies to prove it. Check it out yourself, I think you will agree this is one of the best probiotics for yeast infections on the market.

11-Strain Probiotic PowderThe 11-Strain probiotic powder is undoubtedly one of the most potent probiotics on the market. Each gram contains 260 billion bacteria and an adult scoop contains 200 billion bacteria. In a powder form it is great for children and for those that have a hard time taking capsules.

Nine of the bacteria strains have anti-yeast effects and it has shown an amazing ability to clear up skin problems.

Custom Probiotics CP-1, Super Potent ProbioticCP-1, which is short for Custom Probiotic 1 is a 5 strain probiotic that is pretty potent and is very heat stable. One capsule contains a guaranteed 60 billion bacteria at the time of expiration, which is one year. It is a very good probiotic to take if your stool tests came back showing low or non-existent species, because it is so strong and includes the most dominate species of bacteria that are found in the human intestine. Is it the best yeast killer? No, it only contains four species of bacteria that have been proven to work for yeast infections.

Summary Of Current Controversies

Good to Know: Can taking probiotics improve our health to help us lead better lives?

Probiotics can never replace antibiotics but should be looked upon as a valuable complement.

Probiotics for infection control or as prophylaxis are given to patients that have some kind of disturbance in their microbiological flora or are at risk of getting one.

Added probiotics are not those commensal bacteria lost by medication with antibiotics but do in a sense replace them and will help in getting back to the premorbid state what may take months.

Are probiotics dangerous?

In general the answer is a straight NO. Microorganism classified as probiotics are generally regarded as safe.

Do they give infections difficult to treat?

In general the answer is a straight NO. The species and strains that are connected to the rare cases of infections with bacteria with probiotic characteristics are susceptible to many standard antibiotics. Most of these cases have been outpatients that have ingested the bacterium within their normal diet.

Can probiotics transfer genetic material coding for antibiotic resistance?

In theory, yes. However, no evidence has been found to support such assumptions.

Do probiotics kill people?

Under certain circumstances it has occurred! However not the bacterium per se, but the setting and the particular patient population.

Can patients benefit from probiotics or are they only benefiting the producing companies?

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Vitamin Bounty Probiotic & Prebiotic With Cranberry

Amazon.

Not only does this shelf-stable supplement contain 5 different strains of probiotics and prebiotics, but it also contains cranberry to help promote better urinary health. Some studies have shown that the active ingredient in cranberries can help prevent UTI-causing bacteria from sticking to the urethra walls, therefore helping to reduce the risk of developing a bladder infection.

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How Long Do Probiotics Take To Work For Bv

A review carried out at the Alfa Institute of Biomedical Sciences in Marousi, Greece highlighted trials which suggested that probiotic pessaries when used for 6 to 12 days, or probiotic tablets when taken orally for 2 months, cured BV and/or reduced recurrences of the condition. The study also found that using probiotics over these time periods resulted in an increase in Lactobacillus significantly more frequently than when placebos or no treatment were given. However, the review went on to point out that other trials have produced less positive findings.

Given the uncertainty surrounding how effective probiotics may be in treating BV, its impossible to give a definitive answer in terms of how long they may take to help relieve the infection.

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