Re: Probiotics for the Prevention and Treatment of Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea

The intestinal tract has been called the densest ecosystem on the planet. The strength of any ecosystem is dependent on the diversity of that ecosystem. The greater the diversity, the greater the strength and thus the health of that system.

Along those lines, I like using probiotic formulas that offer several strains, instead of just a few. Our Flora Prime has 12 strains. Klaire Labs offers some with 10 strains. Custom probiotics offers 10 strain formulas as well.

Foods are probiotics as well. As soon as we change our diet, it changes the make-up of the intestinal flora. Fermented foods are specifically created to offer more bacteria for our digestive tract, but all foods contain bacteria as long as it hasn't been cooked and processed out of them. Even processed foods will change the make-up of our flora, but probably not in an entirely beneficial way.

I have never come across a limit to the amount of probiotics one can take on a daily basis. The natural selective pressures of a healthy ecosystem will select for which strains should remain in that system. Dosage is probably best determined by someone's needs, history of antibiotic use, chemical exposures, diet, etc.

I hope that helps.