A Gastroenterologist’s Guide to Probiotics
PubMed Central (PMC)
The enteric microbiota contributes to gastrointestinal health and its disruption has been associated with many disease states. Some patients consume probiotic products in attempts to manipulate the intestinal microbiota for health benefit. It is important ...
Boushie's family meets federal ministers after acquittal in murder trial
by @ CTVNews.ca - Top Stories - Public RSS
Mon Feb 12 13:14:00 PST 2018
The grieving relatives of a First Nations man whose accused killer was acquitted by a Saskatchewan jury are meeting with federal ministers to take what they call a first step in the long road to reforming Canada's justice system.
3 big stories you might have missed on Monday, Feb. 12, 2018
by @ CTVNews.ca - Top Stories - Public RSS
Mon Feb 12 17:46:46 PST 2018
U.S. President Donald Trump says Canada “does not treat us right,” an angry mother says her daughter’s 10-hour emergency room wait is unacceptable, and servers at an Ontario restaurant are speaking out against their boss’s “tip out” demand.
Are there antibiotics and growth hormones in Canadian milk?
by @ [BCDairy] News or Article
Tue May 16 14:29:05 PDT 2017
No. 100% No. Canadian milk does not contain artificial growth hormones or antibiotics.
Maybe you’re hedging your bets and substituting alternative beverages on occasion. Well, you might be relieved to know that
- Canadian dairy farmers do not use growth hormones and
- They always ensure their milk is free of antibiotics.
While the administration of growth hormones (known as rBST or rBGH) is allowed in US dairy livestock, it is illegal in Canada and therefore not permitted for use with any dairy cows.
Antibiotics
As for antibiotics, BC has some of the highest standards for milk production in the world with zero tolerance for antibiotic residue in both organic and conventionally produced milk. Farmers continually monitor their cows’ health in order to ensure their well-being. Cows need to be healthy and content in order to produce optimal amounts of high quality milk. When cows are sick and require antibiotic treatment, the milk they produce is discarded for a regulated period of time to ensure the milk collected at the farm is free of antibiotic residue.
Antibiotic Testing
Every, and we mean every, truckload of milk is tested before being unloaded at the processing plant. Milk samples are taken at every farm. If the sample contains antibiotics (because let’s face it no one is 100% perfect all the time), then the entire load is discarded and the farmer who contaminated the load is heavily penalized.
So, what kind of growth hormones and antibiotics are in milk?
NONE. Canadian milk has no artificial growth hormones and antibiotics. It is also nutritious—and chock-full of vitamins and minerals.
Extensive quality checks and testing ensure that BC—and Canadian—consumers purchase high quality, safe and nutritious dairy products. For more details about milk production standards, check out the brochure “The Importance of Quality Milk”.
In Short, Canadian Milk is Pure. Have more questions about milk? Click on the links below for more info.
Top 5 Facts about Canada's Dairy Industry
Does Pasteurization Destroy Nutrients in Milk
Benefits of Probiotics • How to Harness Healing Abilities of Bacteria
by Ken Silvers @ Probiotics Center
Tue Jun 27 13:26:45 PDT 2017
Benefits of probiotics are available for everyone with a stomach. And probiotics are essential in case of a poor gut and chronic disease. Probiotics are called friendly bacteria and indeed your body needs many friends. In fact, billions to stay well! The aim of this article is to provide vital information on how men, women […]
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Canadian who was detained by al Qaeda affiliate in Syria describes harrowing ordeal
by @ CTVNews.ca - Top Stories - Public RSS
Mon Feb 12 17:40:51 PST 2018
Chatham, Ont., man Sean Moore is speaking out for the first time about the torture he experienced at the hands of an al Qaeda affiliate in Syria.
Your probiotics could be causing thick blood
by lassesen @ CFS Remission
Thu Feb 08 21:36:10 PST 2018
A reader asked: “Do you still think thick blood is a common issue and do you still recommend getting the multiple labs for thick blood? Is there a viscosity test you recommend for seeing that the thickness is at any given time?” Given that I have been focusing on the microbiome (mainly because it is actionable […]
Let’s Keep Talking
by @ [BCDairy] News or Article
Mon Jan 29 11:07:28 PST 2018
Tractors leaking oil, broken alley scrapers, and seized vacuum motors are easily diagnosed and will be fixed in due time—but what if it is the farmer that is feeling broken? Join us in the conversation around mental health in honour of Bell Let's Talk Day.
A farmer is not born, a farmer is built. As a jack of all trades, the farmer develops many skills: a fighter, a politician, a pastor, and a mechanic. They fight for their work, they dialogue with their neighbours, they pray for good harvests, and they tire to fix broken machinery.
Tractors leaking oil, broken alley scrapers, and seized vacuum motors are easily diagnosed and will be fixed in due time—but what if it is the farmer that is feeling broken?
The farm and mental health
In 2016, a study by the University of Guelph was conducted on more than 1100 agricultural producers across Canada. The results indicated that a staggering 35% of farmers met the definition for depression and nearly 60% felt high levels of anxiety. This is no wonder considering the array of possible pressures: changes in the weather, political upheaval, portrayal in the media, etc.
The stoic bravado of the farmer centres on the idea that one should be able to bear one’s own struggles. The philosophy of the occupation has long been “suck it up and move on”. The desire to achieve and the failure to reach goals could also lead to these depressive states. Success is often limited to factors beyond human control; so a farmer might overcorrect in order to repair, and in the end, find themselves burnt-out and depressed.
They might even hear the phrase, “You’re crying over spilled milk.”
Reaching out for help isn’t always a simple matter. This stigma can affect your brand: if you are not doing well, then it is assumed that your business is not doing well either. The survey also indicated that 40% of respondents felt uncomfortable getting professional help because of what “people might think”.
If you do not know or are unsure of the signs or symptoms of depression, it can manifest in many ways including trouble concentrating and remembering details, fatigue, irritability, loss of interest in activities, and insomnia, as well as physical aches and pains.
Community and well-being
A farmer’s heavy workload combined with a small community and isolated work can be factors contributing to depression and anxiety. When you are alone, the stress of the day can continuously brew and accumulate pressure. Alone in the barn, you are your own boss: you are accountable to you and only you. The loneliness can be hard.
In Australia, a study was completed by 417 respondents who suffered depression, two-thirds of whom identified that they sought care from their friends as a social or emotional support. They often cited that they felt more comfortable investing in these relationships because they felt compassion and empathy. As a farmer, you become accustomed to being alone, but interacting with your neighbours and friends is more compatible with mental wellness.
Resolve
When machinery is broken, it takes money, parts, and time to fix. When a cow is sick, it takes medicine, time, and care to restore its health. Similarly, when the heavy cloud of mental illness sets in to you or others, there is a need to invest.
If you are a farmer, you can look to those around you. If you think that you are the only one struggling, think again. A Farm Stress Hotline in Saskatchewan reported in 2011, a total of 330 calls made to the hotline, a number just shy of one call per day. Just last year, the hotline peaked at 59 calls for the month of July. As neighbours we are all in the same boat, no matter the industry. Shane Koyczan observes that “Silence left to its own devices breeds silence.”
Tommorow, January 31 is Bell “Let’s Talk Day”; if your friends and neighbours are not talking, start the conversation. The more open you are with your friends and neighbours, the more willing they will be to share with you.
There may also be time to talk, to be upset, or get some rest, because sometimes “spilled milk” is more than that: it’s your livelihood or your job, and why you wake up every day. It doesn’t matter what it is. You don’t need permission to be upset over spilled milk.
References
Zimmer, Becky. “An isolating illness: talking about mental health” (2017) Retrieved from: Western Producer. https://www.producer.com/2017/08/an-isolating-illness-talking-about-mental-health/
“Farmers Need, Want Mental Health Help: Survey” (2016) Retrieved from: University of Guelph. https://news.uoguelph.ca/2016/06/farmers-need-want-mental-health-help-survey/
Griffiths, Kathleen M., et al. “Seeking help for depression from family and friends: A qualitative analysis of perceived advantages and disadvantages” (2011) Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3271042/
“New operators to take Sask. farm crisis line 24/7” (2012) Retrieved from: AgCanada. https://www.agcanada.com/daily/new-operators-to-take-sask-farm-crisis-line-247
Turmeric Ginger Latte • 3 Irresistably Delicious Recipes
by Ken Silvers @ Probiotics Center
Wed Nov 08 22:01:59 PST 2017
The Turmeric Ginger Latte is a favourite drink for many. And no wonder, it’s absolutely delicious! The main ingredients, turmeric and ginger, are potent cousins working extremely well together. And the list of turmeric’s and ginger’s health benefits seems never-ending. It also includes many gut and digestive problems. Turmeric Ginger Latte benefits The Turmeric Ginger Latte combines two […]
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USANA Probiotic is the best supplement for your gut flora
Where to buy the best USANA supplements in Canada
USANA Probiotic is a dairy and sugar-free supplement that promotes a balance of beneficial microflora in the gut, immune and digestive health.
Long-term follow-up shows safety of perinatal probiotic administration - Gut Microbiota for Health
Gut Microbiota for Health
The prevalence of non-communicable diseases, also known as chronic diseases, is increasing worldwide and altered gut microbiota has been related to their early onset. Probiotic intervention during the perinatal period has been proposed as a way to reduce the risk of some of these diseases, but long-term efficacy and safety studies are lacking. A recent …
Ask Professor Microbe: Should I buy refrigerated probiotics? |
Should I buy refrigerated or shelved probiotics? Do I need probiotics for good gut health?Get the low down on microbe questions from Professor Microbe.
Yogurt Brands Containing Probiotics
LIVESTRONG.COM
Probiotics are “good” bacterial strains that benefit a person’s health, according to the American Gastroenterological Association. Eating probiotics regularly can help with digestion and offer a level of protection against detrimental bacteria. The most accessible way to consume this bacterium is through yogurt that contains...
Book Review: Dirt is Good
by Anne M. Estes, PhD @
Sun Jul 30 15:25:38 PDT 2017
Dirt is Good: The Advantages of Germs for Your Child’s Developing Immune System answers parent’s questions about the microbiome and their kid’s health. Parents, hold on to your diaper bags, Dirt is Good: The Advantages of Germs for Your Child’s Developing Immune System seeks to answer microbiome-related parenting questions. Science writer Sandra Blakeslee teams up with microbiome scientists, Rob Knight, PhD and Jack Gilbert, PhD, to eloquently capture the answers to the hundreds of questions Rob and Jack have been asked by concerned parents. After a general introduction about the human microbiome, Dirt is Good starts with the interaction of the microbiome and human immune system in pregnancy. Continuing on through birth, first foods (both liquid and solid), the book touches on a range of topics organized loosely into chapters including the environment, conditions, depression, vaccines, and tests. There’s an amazing diversity of chapter topics. What Dirt is Good does well Talks candidly, clearly, and quickly about the current understanding of the microbiome and children’s health. Dirt is Good is clear about not overselling the microbiome and current probiotics. Throughout the book are stories of how their experience as parents and microbiome researchers change their ideas of cleanliness and health. What is
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Evidence that Probiotics can Improve Cholesterol Levels
by mes @ California Dairy Research Foundation
Wed Feb 07 08:32:46 PST 2018
Probiotics have been studied as a means of improving serum lipid patterns. If effective, probiotics could be a tool for dietary modification to promote heart health. It turns out that the gut, and the microbes it contains, plays an important … Continue reading
Trump: 'Canada does not treat us right'
by @ CTVNews.ca - Top Stories - Public RSS
Mon Feb 12 11:55:00 PST 2018
U.S. President Donald Trump is complaining about Canadian trade practices while threatening a tax on international imports, indicating Monday that the idea of some form of border fee remains alive.
Ask Professor Microbe: Should I buy refrigerated probiotics?
by Anne M. Estes, PhD @
Sat Feb 04 22:00:11 PST 2017
“Hey Professor Microbe” – the text from my next-door neighbor read – “What probiotics are better for me to buy, the ones on the shelf or the ones that are refrigerated?” Professor Microbe (Anne @mostlymicrobes): “Why are you buying probiotics?” Neighbor: “General gut health” PM: “Don’t! Spend the money on PRE-biotics – fruits, veggies, and live fermented foods.” Probiotics are quite the established health fad with over 36.6 billion USD in sales in 2015! WOAH! In general, we don’t need them. The average person who eats a healthy diet full of fruits and vegetables feeds their own personal “probiotics” in their digestive system, primarily the large intestine. Feed what you have. Think whole grains and “Eat a Rainbow” of different colors and kinds of plants. My favorite gut microbiome-food book talking about good eating and the gut microbiome is The Good Gut. For an idea of what my family and I eat, check out my Instagram feed or #feedthemicrobes. “When should a healthy person take probiotics?” Pretty much just after taking wide spectrum antibiotics. These antibiotics kill many different kinds of bacteria – invading pathogens and your native microbes (tetracyclines, cephalosporins, aminopenicillins (ampicillin, amoxicillin)). For people with medical issues, I
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Why You Shouldn't Believe Everything You Read About Probiotics...
The Daily Health
You've seen the television ads, you've heard all about their digestive health benefits and many of you have probably taken probiotics ('friendly' bacteria).
Probiotics: Lactobacillus rhamnosus – a MCS probiotic?
CFS Remission
My last post on lactobacillus rhamnosus was back in 2012, I recently found some new interesting articles on PubMed, so time for an update. Over the weekend, I had a run to Canada to pick up a suppl…
AB-Life Probiotics Granted Patent by EPO
Nutraceuticals World
The Spanish biotech company AB-Biotics has been granted a patent by the European Patent Office (EPO), which protects the composition of its cholesterol-lowering probiotic, AB-Life. Filed on September 28, 2010, the patent (EP2485743
USANA Manufacturing Process
by lili lili @ Where to buy the best USANA supplements in Canada
Mon May 01 19:18:43 PDT 2017
DID YOU KNOW THAT POOR MANUFACTURING PROCESS CAN DESTROY GREAT SCIENCE? One of the key factors for a high-quality supplement product is the manufacturing process. How a nutritional product is made – what’s in it and what’s not supposed to be in it – is critical to the quality and […]
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Probiotics and Children | Webber Naturals
Webber Naturals
Research has provided evidence to support the use of probiotics in children for a variety of health conditions:
CocoBiotic by Body Ecology • Superb Probiotic Beverage
by Ken Silvers @ Probiotics Center
Wed Apr 26 21:02:18 PDT 2017
CocoBiotic by Body Ecology is a naturally fermented drink. It includes a gut friendly mix of coconut water, grains, beneficial bacteria and prebiotic fiber. This is indeed a refreshing and addictive sparkling drink! CocBiotic is another superb, high-quality product from this company. I can understand why CocoBiotic has become so popular—it’s a refreshing, mild and fizzy drink […]
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Probiotic and synbiotic therapy in critical illness: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Critical Care
Critical illness is characterized by a loss of commensal flora and an overgrowth of potentially pathogenic bacteria, leading to a high susceptibility to nosocomial infections. Probiotics are living non-pathogenic microorganisms, which may protect the gut barrier, attenuate pathogen overgrowth, decrease bacterial translocation and prevent infection. The purpose of this updated systematic review is to evaluate the overall efficacy of probiotics and synbiotic mixtures on clinical outcomes in critical illness. Computerized databases from 1980 to 2016 were searched. Randomized controlled trials (RCT) evaluating clinical outcomes associated with probiotic therapy as a single strategy or in combination with prebiotic fiber (synbiotics). Overall number of new infections was the primary outcome; secondary outcomes included mortality, ICU and hospital length of stay (LOS), and diarrhea. Subgroup analyses were performed to elucidate the role of other key factors such as probiotic type and patient mortality risk on the effect of probiotics on outcomes. Thirty trials that enrolled 2972 patients were identified for analysis. Probiotics were associated with a significant reduction in infections (risk ratio 0.80, 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.68, 0.95, P = 0.009; heterogeneity I 2 = 36 %, P = 0.09). Further, a significant reduction in the incidence of ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) was found (risk ratio 0.74, 95 % CI 0.61, 0. 90, P = 0.002; I 2 = 19 %). No effect on mortality, LOS or diarrhea was observed. Subgroup analysis indicated that the greatest improvement in the outcome of infections was in critically ill patients receiving probiotics alone versus synbiotic mixtures, although limited synbiotic trial data currently exists. Probiotics show promise in reducing infections, including VAP in critical illness. Currently, clinical heterogeneity and potential publication bias reduce strong clinical recommendations and indicate further high quality clinical trials are needed to conclusively prove these benefits.
How to Rock a Summer Road Trip
by Tisha Simpkins @ Webber Naturals
Tue Jul 11 15:16:46 PDT 2017
When I moved to Canada from the UK, the idea of a summer road trip got turned on its head. Being that you could drive for a day, barely make it halfway across a province, and not see a grocery store or watering hole for several hours, a shift in geographical mindset was required. I […]
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Mismatch between Probiotic Benefits in Trials versus Food Products
MDPI
Probiotic food products contain a variety of different bacterial strains and may offer different health effects. The objective was to document the prevalence and dosage of probiotic strains in the Canadian food supply and to review the literature investigating these strains in order to understand what health benefits these products may offer. The Food Label Information Program was used to identify probiotic-containing products in the food supply. PubMed, Web of Science, and Embase were searched for randomized controlled trials that tested the health effects of these strains in humans. There were six probiotic strains/strain combinations identified in the food supply. Thirty-one studies investigated these strains and found that they are associated with decreased diarrhea and constipation, improved digestive symptoms, glycemic control, antioxidant status, blood lipids, oral health, and infant breastfeeding outcomes, as well as enhanced immunity and support for Helicobacter pylori eradication. There were a limited number of studies investigating these strains. Many studies were funded by the food industry and tested dosages that were up to twenty-five times the dosage found in most food products. Probiotic food products could have health benefits not currently reported on their labels. However, many dosages are too low to provide the benefits demonstrated in clinical trials. Further research is needed to enable more effective use of these functional foods.
Do probiotics help kids with stomach bugs? | The Source | Washington University in St. Louis
The Source
Researchers at the School of Medicine are leading a nationwide clinical trial to determine whether one of the most commonly used probiotics can safely and effectively treat infants and toddlers suffering from acute gastroenteritis, otherwise known as stomach virus or “stomach flu.” David Schnadower, MD, is the trial’s principal investigator.
Water activity in dry foods containing live probiotic bacteria should be carefully considered: A case study with Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG in flaxseed.
Flax Council Of Canada
Water activity in dry foods containing live probiotic bacteria should be carefully considered: A case study with Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG in flaxseed. Year: 2012 Authors: Vesterlund, S. Salminen,…
Probiotic eliminates cow's milk allergies: study
CTVNews
When given to infants who had trouble tolerating cow's milk, a new probiotic not only banished the allergy, but also changed the composition of their gut bacteria significantly.
Doctor’s Best Betaine HCL Pepsin & Gentian Bitters • Review and Best Price
by Ken Silvers @ Probiotics Center
Sun Oct 08 01:53:11 PDT 2017
Doctor’s Best Betaine HCL Pepsin & Gentian Bitters is another well-composed supplement from this company. I have reviewed several of Doctor’s Best supplements and always found them of high quality. Therefore, most people do respond well to the high-quality enzymes included in Doctor’s Best. However, some people have specific needs and might need to try different digestive enzyme supplements to find one with a composition that fits […]
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#7: Baby Eczema, Severe Eczema & Topical Steroid Withdrawal
by Abby @ Prime Physique Nutrition
Fri Apr 17 18:02:31 PDT 2015
In this episode, I’ve invited Dr. Peter Lio to return for another interview to discuss prevention and healing strategies for baby eczema, severe eczema & topical steroid withdrawal (TSW). We also discuss phototherapy for eczema, probiotics, coconut oil, and how curcumin/tumeric can help eczema (stay tuned to learn a new recipe for it!). To watch the video interview, check […]
IBS Treatment • 5 Tips To Alleviate Gut Problems
by Ken Silvers @ Probiotics Center
Fri Sep 01 03:18:27 PDT 2017
IBS treatment does not have to be expensive or complicated. In fact, some of the most effective ways to alleviate symptoms of IBS are either free or inexpensive. Here are five suggestions that can alleviate many gut problems. IBS treatment—5 simple tips 1. Probiotics IBS treatment includes alleviating symptoms of inflammation, bloating, constipation and pain. People […]
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Why Yogurt and Probiotics Make You Fat and Foggy
Bulletproof
This post I go into probiotics, including some beneficial ones, but did you know some probiotics might be the reason you have poor gut health or gut issues?
USANA Launches Probiotic Plus
New Hope Network
USANA Health Sciences today launched Probiotic Plus, a new probiotic food supplement. Probiotics help replenish