Buying Guide For Best Cat Probiotics
If you have ever dealt with digestive problems, you may have thought about taking probiotics. Well, our furry friends can benefit just as much from probiotics as humans can. Similar to human probiotics, cat probiotics promote positive gut health, helping to regulate digestive function and soothe stomach sensitivity.
Before you commit to a cat probiotic, there are some factors to consider. Taste and flavor are high on the list since cats are notoriously picky about what they eat. Youll also want to think about the sensitivity of your cats stomach, the form that the probiotic comes in, and any specific dietary issues your cat is dealing with.
You may be wondering if a probiotic is the right choice for your feline friend. Many cats end up benefiting from the extra bacteria in their digestive tract, including those who suffer from chronic health conditions.
Conditions Related To Allergy
Allergic Rhinitis
- A review of 23 studies in which probiotics were tested for treating allergic rhinitis found some evidence that they may be helpful for improving symptoms and quality of life. However, because the studies tested different probiotics and measured different effects, no recommendations about the use of probiotics could be made. Few side effects of probiotics were reported in these studies.
Asthma
- A review of 11 studies of probiotics for asthma in children had inconclusive results.
Atopic Dermatitis
- Atopic dermatitis is an itchy chronic skin disorder thatâs associated with allergies but not caused by them. Itâs most common in infants and may start as early as age 2 to 6 months. Many people outgrow it by early adulthood. Atopic dermatitis is one of several types of eczema.
- A 2017 review of 13 studies of probiotics for the treatment of atopic dermatitis in infants and children did not find consistent evidence of a beneficial effect. A review of 9 studies in adults provided preliminary evidence that some strains of probiotics might be beneficial for symptoms of atopic dermatitis.
Prevention of Allergies
Are Probiotics Medically Proven
Probiotics are live microorganisms typically bacteria believed to have beneficial health effects. Antibiotic-related diarrhea, tooth decay, digestive issues, allergies, dermatitis, liver illness, and even the common cold have been examined in conjunction with probiotics in the past several years. However, there is no definite evidence that probiotics are medically proven effective for any of these conditions.
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Is It Ok To Take Probiotics Every Day
The general answer is that its safe and recommended to take them daily. Its important to understand that you shouldnt be taking it on a daily basis and that its a natural supplement. Probiotics are bacteria that live in your gut.
They are beneficial to your health and can be used to treat a number of conditions, including irritable bowel syndrome , Crohns disease, ulcerative colitis , inflammatory bowel disease , and many more. Probiotics have been used for thousands of years as a treatment for a wide range of diseases, but they are now becoming more widely used in the treatment of IBS, UC, IBD and other conditions.
Conditions That Benefit From Probiotic Supplementation
Based on current research, the following gastrointestinal diagnoses benefit from probiotic supplements:
Antibiotic-associated diarrhea
Antibiotics can sometimes create an imbalance, or dysbiosis, of microbes within the microbiome and trigger frequent loose stools, aka diarrhea. The goal of probiotic supplementation is to re-establish balance within the microbiome. To create this balance, research has shown that the use of Saccharomyces boulardii, a yeast-based probiotic, taken within 48 hours of the first dose of antibiotics can reduce the risk of antibiotic-induced diarrhea.
The AGA recommends that if a person is concerned with the cost of probiotics, and is not at risk for Clostridium difficile, a bacterial infection in the gut that impacts those who are immunocompromised, then they can go without supplementation as antibiotic-induced diarrhea is a temporary condition.
Pouchitis
Some people with Inflammatory Bowel Diseases such as Crohns and Ulcerative Colitis may eventually need to have their entire colon and rectum removed. This is done via a procedure called Ileoanal anastomosis or J-pouch surgery. Once the J-pouch is in place, there is a risk of an infection known as Pouchitis.
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Can I Take Any Probiotic
If youre into health, beauty and wellnessa probiotic or probiotic supplement such as The Beauty Chefs GLOW Inner Beauty Essential may already be part of your daily routine. So if this is you, then certainly dont let a bout of illness or a dose of antibiotics set you off course! Simply remember to time your probiotic correctly and continue on as usual. But if youre new to the world of probiotics, then its important to consider your options as you want to consume a wide variety of species and strains.
While arguably taking any probiotic while on antibiotics will boast benefits for your microbial healthat The Beauty Chef, we recommend our wholefood-based probiotic inner beauty powders and elixirs as unlike many over the counter supplements, our products are 100 percent natural and offer multiple, food-based strains. This means your body receives a broad-spectrum of healthy bacteria, which promotes microbial diversity and boosts overall digestive health. Our lacto-fermented formulas also contain prebioticswhich are arguably just as important for gut healthhelping to feed the beneficial bacteria in your gut and encourage their proliferation. Due to our exclusive bio-fermentation process, Flora Culture, our formulas are also more potent and bioavailable, meaning the nutrients they contain are more easily absorbed and assimilated by the body.
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Probiotics With Antibiotic Use
Bacteria in food might not sound like a good thing, but probiotics are good bacteria that mimic the natural bacteria you have in your gut. The bacteria that naturally occurs in the gut supports proper gastrointestinal health and digestion. Different strains of probiotics can also support other functions in the body such as reduce vaginal infections, prevent autoimmune disease, reduce urinary tract infection rate, and ease skin ailments2.
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Could Your Probiotic Be Making You Sicker
A spread of colorful pills.
Mindy D. had suffered from constipation for years when her gastroenterologist advised her, at 38, to take a popular over-the-counter probiotic. Over the next two years, she experimented with different dosages, sometimes taking it three times a day. But she kept getting sickersometimes so ill she couldnt work.
We shouldnt just presume probiotics are safe.
Her symptoms improved only after she traveled from Long Island to Georgia to see Satish S. C. Rao, a gastroenterologist at Augusta University. The key thing was taking her off probiotics and treating her with antibiotics, he says.
That solution sounds bizarre, if, like many, you believe that antibiotics are bad and probiotics good. Millions of Americans take probioticslive bacteria deemed usefulassuming there can be only positive effects. The truth is that you really dont know how any probiotic will affect you. To quote the American Gastroenterological Association Center for Gut Microbiome Research and Education, It remains unclear what strains of bacteria at what dose by what route of administration are safe and effective for which patients.
Its fineunless it isnt. Probiotics are capable of altering the microbiome in unpredictable ways, explains Leo Galland, an internist in New York who specializes in difficult digestions. Ive had patients who got gas and bloating, constipation or diarrhea from probiotics.
Your Microbiome Is Unique
Challenges To Implementation: Lack Of Guidance On Dosing And Duration
Since probiotics are considered food supplements, health insurance will not cover the cost . No single probiotic strain has high-quality evidence however, most of the RCTs included in the meta-analysis used combinations of Lactobacillus species, which are usually found in over-the-counter antidiarrheal probiotic supplements. No standard dose exists, but dose ranges in RCTs are 107 to 1010 colony-forming units per capsule however, product labels have variable accuracy. The duration of treatment ranges from one to 3 weeksor as long as the patient continues to take antibiotics.
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Can You Take Probiotics With Antibiotics
Dr. Eric Wood, ND, MA Contributing Writer, Physicians Choice
Having been in practice for more than a decade, I am still dismayed at how seldom individuals are provided medical guidance when taking antibiotics, particularly as it pertains to getting gut support with probiotics. A question I often get in practice: Is it ok to take probiotics when Im on antibiotics?
This article is devoted to this issue, discussing the importance of supporting your microbiome, what antibiotics can do to gut health and why our health habits and practices need to adjust based on what else may be going on with our health.
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Can I Take Or Eat Something To Increase The Good Probiotics In My Body
You can increase the amount of good microbes in your body through foods, drinks and supplements. You may already have certain foods in your daily diet that contain probiotics. Fermented foods in particular are home to a host of good bacteria that benefit your body. There are also fermented drinks like kombucha or kefir that introduce extra probiotics into your diet.
Apart from food, you can add probiotics to your diet through dietary supplements. These arent drugs, so they do not need to be approved by the Federal Drug Administration . Its important that you always talk to your healthcare provider before starting any kind of supplement or major change to your diet.
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What Is The Brand Name Of Probiotic
Probiotic is marketed as a wide variety of products under many premium and brand names. The best-known premium brands include Culturelle , Align , Florajen , Phillips Colon Health , Florastor, TruBiotics , and Purfem . Generic probiotics are widely available as dietary supplements under familiar brand names such as CVS, Up & Up, Equate, Rite Aid, and Jarrow. They contain some or all the bacteria strains found in premium brand products.
How Might Probiotics Work
Probiotics may have a variety of effects in the body, and different probiotics may act in different ways.
Probiotics might:
- Help your body maintain a healthy community of microorganisms or help your bodyâs community of microorganisms return to a healthy condition after being disturbed
- Produce substances that have desirable effects
- Influence your bodyâs immune response.
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How Safe Are Probiotics
Because microbes used as probiotics already exist naturally in your body, probiotic foods and supplements are generally considered safe. They may trigger allergic reactions, and may also cause mild stomach upset, diarrhea, or flatulence and bloating for the first few days after starting to take them.
There are certain people who need to use caution when using probiotic supplements. There is a risk of infection in some people. These people include those who have:
- A weakened immune system .
- A critical illness.
Caution should also be used when giving probiotics to very sick infants.
Always talk to your healthcare provider before starting a probiotic supplement.
Probiotics: What Do Patients Need To Know About Selecting A Product
Pharmacy Times
With an ample selection of probiotics, patients may be overwhelmed when choosing a product.
With an ample selection of probiotics, patients may be overwhelmed when choosing a product. Patients often rely on pharmacists for information about probiotics because they purchased OTC products and not all are created equal, according to a Pharmacy Times® Perfect Consult.
Pharmacists can inform patients about the different kinds of probiotics and their uses, as the manufacturers do not put much information on the label, the host of the online exchange said. Because probiotics are over-the-counter, and do not require a prescription, pharmacists are in a unique position to help patients navigate the multitude of products available, he said.
Probiotics are regulated as vitamins and food, rather than as medication, so manufacturers cant put much information on the product label about potential uses. This means that patients will be relying solely on pharmacists, and other health care providers, for good and accurate information, the host said.
Probiotics contain different strains of bacteria, and the benefits from active ingredients may vary among patients. The host of the Perfect Consult discussed some of the most common strains and how pharmacists can help patients find which strain works for them.
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Which Probiotics Are Best For Ibs
Not sure which probiotic is best for your form of IBS? If you are unsure which type of IBS you have and what probiotic would be best for you, then it would be a good idea to opt for a high-quality daily product containing probiotics supported with clinical trials. My personal favourite strain for IBS isBifidobacterium lactis HN019 which has been shown to help with:
- Abdominal discomfort
- Bowel regularity
As you can see the clinical trial shows this is a great all-rounder and would be helpful to support all types of IBS, so ideally you would choose a daily product that has Bifidobacterium lactis HN019 in it.
Healthcare professionals can learn more about Bifidobacterium lactis HN019 on the Probiotics Database.
So, to summarise, the probiotic strains you may wish to consider:
- For IBS-D & post-infectious IBS Saccharomyces boulardii
- For IBS-C Bifidobacterium lactis BB-12®
- For IBS-A Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM®
- For IBS-U Bifidobacterium lactis HN019
Please note: if you are struggling with IBS, we advise you to seek advice and assistance from your healthcare practitioner in all instances.
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Can I Use Probiotics To Help With Medical Conditions
There is currently a large amount of research happening around the idea of what probiotics can do for your body. Even though there are a lot of possibly positive outcomes, researchers are still working to find definitive answers about how probiotics can help with various conditions.
However, there are some medical conditions where probiotics may help. This can vary between people meaning that what works for one person may not work for another. These can also vary based on the certain probiotic that is taken.
Some of the conditions that might be helped by increasing the amount of probiotics in your body include:
- Upper respiratory infections .
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What Are Some Side Effects That I Need To Call My Doctor About Right Away
WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:
- Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash hives itching red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever wheezing tightness in the chest or throat trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking unusual hoarseness or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Change in how much urine is passed.
These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.
You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.
Who Should Not Take Probiotics
The people most likely to have trouble are those with immune system problems, people whove had surgery, and others who are critically ill. If you have any of these conditions, dont take probiotics. If youre pregnant or breastfeeding, talk to your doctor about the best way to take the probiotic. Some studies have shown that taking it during pregnancy may increase the risk of birth defects in the baby.
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Pure Nutrition Progut Plus Probiotics
Those of you who want a highly trusted and reliable brand of health supplement that also makes probiotic supplements should consider Pure Nutrition since it is certified by FSSAI, GMP, ISO, HACCP, and various others.
This health supplement consists of both prebiotics as well as postbiotics for the best possible health when it comes to your digestive system. It uses a total of highly powerful seven strains as its ingredients that results in a strength rating of 25 billion CFU, which is quite decent.
Its primary ingredients include strains of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, both of which are excellent for your digestive system. Apart from including these probiotics, you also prebiotics in this health supplement in the form of fructooligosaccharides which is present in an amount of 250 mg.
You can expect this probiotic supplement to improve your gut health by quite a lot while helping in hormone formation. It also prevents any critical diseases related to your digestive system, which might cause a lot of issues later on.
The best thing about this probiotic supplement is that all of its 60 tablets are tested by FSSAI, GMP, ISO, and HACCP for safe consumption.
Key Points:
- Contains a total of 60 tablets
- Recommended dosage of 1 tablet per day
- Offers a CFU rating of 25 billion
- Certified by FSSAI, GMP, ISO, HACCP for safe consumption
- Made using seven powerful strains
Pros:
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Continue Learning About Dietary Supplements
Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.
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