Are all probiotics created equal?

[1tiredmama]

Even though ds has been on a mega-dose of Augmentin for 3 weeks now without a problem, I'm thinking that a probiotic is in order. Are they all the same?

[Kiera]

Always do a probiotic with abx. Culturelle and florastor are two of the best but there are many to pick from. There is debate as to whether strep. thermophillis in alot of probiotics can cause a problem even though it's not GABHS but I'm reading more that it does effect some kids so I avoid it and Dr T is now recommending going off these brands with it to see if it's a problem or not for your kid. Yougert and cheese contains S. Therm. also, so should be avoided if a problem. The above two, do not contain it.

[MomWithOCDSon]

No m'am, they're not!

 

Most important distinction so far as I'm concerned is that those handy-dandy little "pearls" that are featured on television and in every grocery store aren't going to do much good; they contain acidolpholus, which is a probiotic that antibiotics readily kill. This is also the most prevalent probiotic organism in yogurt and kefir, so while it won't hurt and, if spaced far, far away from abx dose, it might help some, it's not ideal for someone taking abx.

 

Culturelle, another one available at most standard groceries and drug stores, contains lactobillus g., which stands up well to abx, as does Florastor, which contains sach. boulardis. Florastor is a little pricey, though (about $1/capsule).

 

Places like the Vitamin Shoppe and Whole Paycheck usually have a good array of multi-strain probiotics that are great for standard uses and help repopulate the gut with a variety of beneficial organisms, including lactobillus, sach b., bifo, etc. And the varieties made by Jarrow and Nutrition Now are affordable.

 

Good luck!

[hugs2day]

We are going on 1 1/2 years of abx therapy for my boys. I had to start rotating probiotics due to gut issues which has helped a lot. I used to use culturelle in the beginning but I now rotate the following and all have been helpful.

 

Sach B used 2x's daily for a two week treatment a month. This is a therapeutic yeast that helps keep down c Diff and yeast overgrowth. I believe this is the same strain found in Floraster but I think I didn't buy floraster bcuz it had lactose I can't remember. But Sach B can be purchased online many good brands (ie. Klaire Labs, Kirkman) and it should be refrigerated.

 

Daily Custom Probiotics 11 strain has been helpful for my kids, but in small doses. Too much is too hard on them makes them gassy and bloaty.

 

Culturelle added in once and a while spread apart from custom probiotics once in a while if gut issues arise.

 

Two strain acidophillus by Klaire rotated in occasionally.

 

Prodegin by Klair Labs is a chewable probiotic supposed to address oral bacteria I let my kids chew one a day when I know they are getting a new tooth.

 

Whatever you use just read the label and keep track of the billions. More is not always better. You have to figure out what dosage and strains your child does best on. Avoid strep strain (i.e. thermopillus) as a precaution. Also research supports that refrigerated probiotics are more potent.

[1tiredmama]

Oh, wow! I'm so glad I asked! Thank you all so much for the crash course in probiotics. I had NO IDEA!!! I would have most definitely purchased the wrong product.

[ptcgirl]

Always do a probiotic with abx. Culturelle and florastor are two of the best but there are many to pick from. There is debate as to whether strep. thermophillis in alot of probiotics can cause a problem even though it's not GABHS but I'm reading more that it does effect some kids so I avoid it and Dr T is now recommending going off these brands with it to see if it's a problem or not for your kid. Yougert and cheese contains S. Therm. also, so should be avoided if a problem. The above two, do not contain it.

 

I didn't know that yogurt and cheese used the strep bacteria! How did I not know this!?!? Just did a quick google and found http://www.ebi.ac.uk/2can/genomes/bacteria/Streptococcus_thermophilus.html I've been pushing yogurt like crazy. Even the nurse at Dr. B's office has told me to make sure she's getting enough yogurt and cheese for the probiotic. How the heck are we suppose to know which food items have it when it isn't on the label?

[MashedTaters]

We've been using the kids florastor for 22 days now, and i just bought the jarrow one. ( http://www.amazon.com/Saccharomyces-Boulardii-Value-Size-Count/dp/B0056GCLVO/ref=pd_sim_hpc_1 ) we start using that tomorrow.

 

As for yogurt and cheese, we were told that adding yogurt was pointless because of the keflex would just kill everything good in the yogurt. I give my 6 year old applesauce with the florastor, and he takes it easily.

 

Cheese is okay if it's been COOKED. So like pizza? That'd be fine.