Products

Go to the archives

Probiotics

By Jesse Kornbluth
Published: Feb 20, 2013
Category: Home

What organ would you least like to read or think about?

I haven’t taken a survey, but I don’t think I’m taking a wild guess when I say it’s your ….

…. lower intestine.

Your disdain is regrettable, for those extremely uninteresting pipes turn out to be extravagantly important, and if you’ll just stay with me for a few hundred words, we’re going to do yours — and much more — some good.

Our sermon today is probiotics.

You’ve heard the word — who has not seen Jamie Lee Curtis expound on the benefits of Activia yogurt? You know: “because when you feel good on the inside, it shows on the outside.”

I flunked 11th grade biology, but even I understand that microorganisms (bacteria, yeast and fungi) in the intestines help keep your body in balance. (Fun fact: “An estimated 100 trillion microorganisms representing more than 500 different species inhabit every normal, healthy bowel.”) What happens when food rich in these microorganisms (yogurt, fermented soy) passes successful through the stomach? Think of another commercial … for Scrubbing Bubbles. The microorganisms start killing bacteria. Soon your intestines look shinier than a Porsche after a day of detailing. Pristine intestines are a good thing.

But there are other potential benefits to probiotics. Like:

• Treat diarrhea, especially following treatment with certain antibiotics

• Prevent and treat vaginal yeast infections and urinary tract infections

• Treat irritable bowel syndrome

• Reduce bladder cancer recurrence

• Speed treatment of certain intestinal infections

• Prevent and treat eczema in children

• Prevent or reduce the severity of colds and flu

I say “may” because a) I’m not a doctor and b) tests have not confirmed the truth of these claims. But I strongly believe them to be true because a) I take probiotics and I feel a difference and b) a distinguished doctor told me, “This is not some New Age fad. The science is not in dispute. Probiotics work. Doctors take them.” and c) The source of this information is Harvard.

How best to take probiotics? We live in America. We take pills. Let me turn the podium over to Pamela Miles, author of Reiki and someone I literally trust with my life:

A vibrant bacterial community is necessary for health, both to optimize absorption of nutrients and to discourage the growth of harmful bacteria that wreck havoc with our health. Because healthy bacteria are destroyed by antibiotics and stress, it only makes sense to send in reinforcements.

The challenge is to get the probiotics past the stomach, where they are destroyed by the acid needed for digestion. Theralac is the one I recommend and use. It’s enteric-coated, so the bacteria is protected until it reaches the intestine. It’s the only probiotic I’ve ever taken and noticed a difference. The suggestion is to take one capsule daily for 2-4 weeks, depending on your need, and then just twice a week for maintenance. If I’m traveling or feeling low, I take it daily until I feel better.

There’s another reason to buy Theralac from Amazon or a reputable supplier. Probiotics are live bacteria. They prosper when cool. They die when hot. So shipping matters — there’s no point buying a dead product. [To buy Theralac from Amazon. click here.] 

Should you, especially in winter, be taking Vitamin D3? Yes. You should. Now add one more pill. And then get on with your real business: work and love.

BONUS VIDEO

What? You thought there wouldn’t be a video?