Skip to main content
search
Monthly Archives

February 2014

Feb 13
Yeast infection aka Candida

Best Probiotic for Yeast Infections

By Probiotic Articles

Vaginal yeast (aka bacterial vaginosis) infections are commonly called candidiasis and can strike women at any age, but is more prevalent past puberty. The infections are a fungus called candida and can exhibit various symptoms such as itching, general discomfort, swelling and irritation. Roughly 75% off all women will experience a yeast infection and of those that do, most will have reoccurring infections periodically.Yeast infections can be caused by antibiotics, diet, stress, irritation and a multitude of other factors including sexual contact. The candida bacteria found in all women is generally kept in check by the presence of a probiotic known as lactobacillus. Lactobacillus acts as the sentry to keep the candida from growing out of control. Alongside traditional methods to prevent or control yeast infections, many women are turning to probiotics as a way to support their immune system in gaining control.

 

Candida under microscopeWhen there is a condition present that allows the candida to propagate beyond normal levels, the yeast infection goes into full swing and symptoms appear shortly thereafter. The symptoms usually start out mild and can later progress to become more severe if left untreated.Generally, most yeast infections are self-treated using over the counter products readily available at pharmacies and large retail chains. More severe cases lead to physician interaction where in some situations prescription medications are used to control the yeast growth. Area of yeast infection

 

As with many conditions that plague society, natural remedies run the full gamut ranging from simple exercises to holistic treatments and homemade brews that might include vinegar, tea tree oil, breathable underwear, yogurt, boric acid, cranberry juice, rosemary tea and other non-prescription based methods.

 

Preventing yeast infections can be difficult since each women has a multitude of variations that will determine what methods will best achieve prevention. Of course staying health, eating right and avoiding alcohol and smoking are great ways to properly set one’s self up for prevention support.

 

Other tips to consider include:

 

1) Avoid wearing tight pants, pantyhose and sung fitting clothing which can irritate or trap excessive heat and moisture.

 

2) Stay away from feminine products which contain deodorants

 

3) Keep dry. Excessive moisture can help grow yeast infections. Avoid spa’s and swimming if you are prone to yeast infections and have experienced them a short period after such events.

 

4) The best probiotic to consider for yeast infections should contain lactobacillus as it can help support your immune system which will attack the infection and regain control of the yeast growth.

 

5) Keep your blood sugar in check as yeast infections are more prevalent in diabetics.

 

6) Strive to stay healthy. No matter what your condition, it is usually possible to include some type of light exercise into your routine. Starting out very light and working your way up is how our bodies work. Always check with your physician before starting any exercise routine.

 

7) Be careful when using spermicides or birth control pills as these too can throw your balance out of whack.

 

Remember, what causes yeast infection in you, might not cause an infection in me. The next time you get a yeast infection, try to figure out what might have instigated it. Take a mental snapshot of your current wellbeing and try to remember what foods and activities you included in your lifestyle within a week of the infection. Were you on an antibiotic? Did you wear your favorite tight jeans out on the town? Did you go dancing, swimming or jogging? Self-monitoring can go a long way in helping to prevent the next bout.

Feb 01
Women lose more weight with Lactobacillus rhamnosus

Lactobacillus Rhamnosus Can Help Women Lose Wight

By Probiotic Articles

A recent study of the probiotic strain L. rhamnosus revealed that women taking the supplement lost twice as much weight as those who consumed a placebo. This exciting news was published in the British Journal of Nutrition by a team of researchers headed by Université Laval Professor Angelo Tremblay.

 

Some studies have previously shown that the bacteria in the GI tract of obese people is generally different than the strain makeup of thin folks. One of the main reasons may be that people who are obese tend to consume foods that are high in fat and low in fiber. Those type of foods promote the growth of certain types of bacteria at the expense of others.

 

The head of the recent study, Professor Tremblay, along with his team attempted to determine if consuming specific strains of probiotics could help reestablish the balance of bacteria in individuals so as to promote a condition where a healthy weight is induced. To test their hypothesis, researchers recruited 125 overweight men and women. The subjects underwent a 12-week weight-loss diet, followed by a 12-week period aimed at maintaining body weight. Throughout the entire study, half the participants swallowed 2 pills daily containing probiotics from the Lactobacillus rhamnosus family, while the other half received a placebo. After the 12-week diet period, researchers observed an average weight loss of 4.4 kg in women in the probiotic group and 2.6 kg in the placebo group. However, no differences in weight loss were observed among males in the two groups. “We don’t know why the probiotics didn’t have any effect on men. It may be a question of dosage, or the study period may have been too short,” says Professor Tremblay, who is also the Canada Research Chair in Environment and Energy Balance.

 

After the 12-week maintenance period, the weight of the women in the placebo group had remained stable but the probiotic group had continued to lose weight, for a total of 5.2 kg per person. In short, women consuming probiotics lost twice as much weight over the 24-week period of the study. Researchers also noted a drop in the appetite-regulating hormone leptin in this group, as well as a lower overall concentration of the intestinal bacteria related to obesity. According to Angelo Tremblay, probiotics may act by altering the permeability of the intestinal wall. By keeping certain proinflammatory molecules from entering the bloodstream, they might help preventing the chain reaction that leads to glucose intolerance, type 2 diabetes, and obesity.

 

This recent study mainly focused on only one strain of Lactobacillus rhamnosus, but Professor Tremblay believes that other probiotics found in dairy products could have a similar effect. He stresses, however, that the benefits of these bacteria are more likely to be observed in a favorable nutritional context that promotes low fat and adequate fiber intake. As prominent researches continue to discover more possible beneficial effects of probiotic supplementation, we can surely expect probiotic supplement awareness to increase.

Close Menu