Have You Heard About Probiotics?
Written by Helga
Tuesday, 25 January 2011 04:19
It’s been not quite a year since I first wrote about probiotics. I think many of you now recognize the word because probiotics are truly catching on. You may hear them being called ‘friendly bacteria’ as well.
To put it simply, it is now known that our immune system is mostly based in our digestive tract. What you do – and do not eat – affect the optimal way your digestion works as well as the strength of your immune system. When you eat poorly, you feel poorly. Your body does in fact have a tendency to get sick more often when your diet is lacking. Not to mention that exposure to pollution, second hand smoke, stress, lack of sleep, obesity and chemicals are weakening our immunity.
(This is not to criticize the parents out there of toddlers who are bringing home every little bacteria possible -and sharing the snotty love!- by hoovering up whatever they can put their mouth on. Babies and children have developing immune systems that are just going to need to go through immune system boot camp. That doesn’t mean it’s fun, I’m with you.)
Environmental factors are wrecking havoc with our health, and most importantly, the health of our children. The increase in allergies in our children is phenomenal.
As the years roll along, with children, you just expect to get sick. The kids come home with nasty, nasty viruses and share them with the parents. They are hacking and up all night, looking like death the next day. The school sends homes notices on a regular basis informing parents that “someone in your child’s class has strep throat, be on the lookout for these symptoms in your child…”. I would get a yearly sinus infection that despite my aggressive neti-pot routine would dig in and make me miserable for weeks until I cried ‘uncle’ and got a z-pack.
There was a particularly bad week in our house in November 2009. In one week my son had the swine flu, and my husband and daughter both had the regular flu. I managed to not catch anything, thank God for small miracles.
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That’s when I started reading up on probiotics and decided to give them a try. I had already made a push for more organics and less chemicals in our home, and I knew that would help. Sometimes, though, your body needs something extra, especially children. Yes, I know there are yogurts out there with these live active cultures (that friendly bacteria!) in them but you would have to eat a boatload of it to get the same immune system boost as a daily probiotic supplement.
You’ve heard of Dr. William Sears, right? One of America’s most well known pediatricians? Let me quote him directly from his website:
Probiotics: These are the healthy bacteria that live in our intestines. They play a critical role in regulating both our intestinal immune system and our internal immune system. Antibiotic use, which is a typical part of every infant and child’s early life, destroys all these healthy bacteria, leaving a child more susceptible to a host of illnesses and intestinal problems. Taking probiotics on a continuous basis, but especially for a week before and several weeks after vaccinations, can really do wonders for the immune system, and may help protect from the side effects of vaccines. Also called acidophilus, probiotics can either be mixed into food or liquid as a powder for infants 6 months and older, or swallowed as small capsules or pearls for older kids.
Filled with billions of friendly bacteria
There are some yummy chewables available out there, and a high quality brand I’ve enjoyed is Vidazorb. They even have chewables for adults! Take them three times a day, no need to refrigerate. I pack them in the kids lunches so they don’t miss their lunchtime dose.
OK, are you ready for this? How many times has either one of my kids gotten a cold since then? ZERO. How many stomach viruses, complete with vomit & diarrhea? (and let me tell you, stomach bugs have run rampant around our town & school)- NONE. How many fevers? ZIP! Ear infections? NOPE. I had my last sinus infection in November 2008, my last full blown cold in March of 2009. I had the sniffles for 3 days last spring. My husband had a small cold a few weeks ago, no big deal. Not bad, not bad at all. Yes, I absolutely do credit the addition of probiotics in our daily routine as a factor.
Still not convinced? Check out my good friend Lynn’s story about her son Ethan over at Smiling Green Mom. I guarantee you she will tell you that probiotics performed a miracle on her child, and she has the photos to prove it. Her local Fox news station even did a story on Ethan, he had such an impressive recovery from severe eczema after using probiotics – namely, Vidazorb Belly Boost.
(In full disclosure, Max has had a runny nose for the past four days, but with no other symptoms – yet! My daughter also had a dry cough that lasted over three weeks in October of 2005, October 2007, and this past August in Europe. Extensive hospital tests reveal nothing but doctors theorize that there are allergens out there yet to be defined. I also have to note that I had a recurrence of vertigo this past November, a condition with an unknown cause and no cure, only ways to manage the symptoms. The doctors are unsure of what sets it off – maybe stress, which I’ve had plenty of this past fall! - but believe it could be a dormant virus that gets irritated from any number of factors. I’ve had this since 1998. Fortunately, it doesn’t happen too often, the last time I had it before now was September 2000.)
Now, you can’t just take it for a couple of days, you need to give it time. Try it out for a month of two. And now is the time to give it a try because…
There’s a special going on right now for 60% off your order from Vidazorb, just use the code CLGM60 at checkout! Code valid until February 2, 2011.
I’d love to hear more probiotic success stories out there!
(Note: I receive no money from sales of this product and was not paid any money to write about Vidazorb. I would holler to the world about the benefits of probiotics from the rooftop for free, that’s how much I stand behind the effectiveness of probiotics.)
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Max update 1-26-2011
Well, Max’s snotty nose has turned into a cold and he’s a bit feverish. He hasn’t been sick since November 2009, and now he’s feeling crummy. I know that every time he gets sick, he is building his immune system even more - but it’s been so long we had all gotten spoiled!
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Thanks so much for passing along this information. I get several sinus infections each year and so does my daughter. Antibiotics scare me so after reading your article I am going to try probiotics right away! Thanks again, Scott.
RT @LiveGreenMom: Have You Heard About Probiotics? – http://bit.ly/h4gbxf Read on to find out how NOT sick my kids have been this past y …
Love biok and kefir! T @LiveGreenMom: Have You Heard About Probiotics? – http://bit.ly/h4gbxf Me & @smilinggreenmom swear by them!
My son suffers with severe toddler diahorea and takes a probiotic called VSL#3 but I’m really interested to see that you can buy it over the counter, his is prescribed from the doc. (I’m in the uk) Will have to google it!
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The probiotics are coming back out tomorrow. I always have probiotics around, but never remember to hand them out. We have been so sick over here this winter-flu, strep and stomach bug. I am done. Bring on the probiotics! Might have to try Belly Boost-thanks for the suggestion!
Between the snow & the germs, it’s been s along winter already & it isn’t even February yet!
I credit healthy gut flora with why I rarely get sick anymore. It’s a combination of things, but probiotics definitely help. I’ve been taking PB8.
I know you are good eater, and you are eating for 2 as well! The good eating is a definite benefit. I’ve taken PB8 when I haven’t been able to get my Vidazorb, too. There are several brands out there…
Thanks for the great tip! I’ve been hearing great things about probiotics for some time now and have always wanted to try some. Your post just inspired me. Just picked some of the Belly Boost online – great coupon too. Cheers!
I was surprised by how well they work over a period of time. There is so many illnesses going around the schools that pass us by, I am SO grateful – no one wants a kid with stomach distress at 3 am!
I make my own kombucha and sauerkraut to get my probiotics. Also take some of the capsules every so often too.
Can you tell me more about kombucha? I’d love a guest post on it!!
AWESOME post girly! Love this
Thank you for sharing our story and spreading the incredible news on how great probiotics (especially Belly Boost) really is!!!! Yay 
You are welcome, thanks for letting me post about your story, too. I love spreading the word!