Radiation therapy can disturb bacterial colonies in the intestines and cause radiation-induced enteritis and colitis, leading to diarrhea in cancer patients.
In this study, researchers at the San Camillo Hospital in Rome, Italy used probiotics to reduce this complication. Continue reading Using probiotics to lessen diarrhea after radiation therapy
Several were effective. Continue reading Probiotics to prevent traveler’s diarrhea
Necrotizing enterocolitis is a serious intestinal disorder. It affects 7% to 15% of very low-birth-weight (less than 1500-gram; 3.3 pound) infants. Death occurs in about 12 per 100,000 affected babies.
A review published in The Lancet concludes, “Probiotics might reduce the risk.” Although important questions remain. Continue reading Probiotics effective in infants with enterocolitis
Reviewers from the Mayo Clinic are not ready to support any single CAM option, but some warrant further study, in their opinion. Continue reading Complementary therapies for cancer-related fatigue
In this study of trauma patients at the University Medical Centre in Ljubljana, Slovenia, supplementing their diet with a synbiotic formula lead to fewer infections. Continue reading Using synbiotics to lower infection rates in trauma patients
Complications of Crohn’s disease (CD) lead to surgery in 70% to 90% of patients, and most of them experience a relapse.
Synbiotic 2000 consists of a mixture of probiotics and prebiotics. The rationale for its use in this study was to alter the bacteria in the colon and hopefully lower the CD relapse rate after surgery. Continue reading Synbiotic 2000 fails to prevent a recurrence of Crohn’s disease following surgery
Chitosan is a pulverized powder made from the shells of shrimp and crab. It was discovered as part of an effort to clean up oil spills.
Its value in blocking fat absorption in humans is controversial. Here are the results from relevant studies.
Continue reading A critical look at chitosan for weight reduction
The Ontario Neurotrauma Foundation asked experts from Canada and the United States to establish research priorities in the area of urological care following spinal cord injury (SCI).
Among their 5 priorities was the recommendation to study the value of probiotics to control the growth of bacteria and treat infections in the urinary tract.
Continue reading Probiotics: A research priority for urological care
Wow, I’m actually getting comments to my posts! Does that mean the site is getting popular, or that I’m in need of correction?
You be the judge.
Helicobacter pylori is a common infection of the stomach. Although most people have no symptoms, it’s related to the development of ulcers and is probably related to cancers involving the stomach.
Currently, H pylori infection is treated with a proton pump inhibitor plus two antibiotics — called triple therapy. Adding a probiotic food to triple therapy does not appear to help eliminate this bacteria in children.
Continue reading Trying to treat stomach infections with probiotics
There’s lots of interest in probiotics, so I guess it’s not surprising to see if Lactobacillus fermentum lowers LDL (bad) cholesterol levels.
Unfortunately, there’s no effect. More info here if you’re interested.
12/24/06 21:19 JR
A study from the University of Thessaloniki in Greece reports that administering a synbiotic formula has beneficial effects in critically ill trauma patients.
Continue reading Experience with a synbiotic formula in critically ill trauma patients
Animal studies are usually too early in the drug development process to be of interest to this blog, but here’s an interesting study in the news.
Continue reading Probiotics and early studies of abdominal pain control
Probiotics have been studied to prevent recurrences of vulvovaginal candidiasis (VVC).
Despite mixed reports on their effectiveness probiotics might have a role under limited circumstances.
Seven out of 22 products tested had fewer viable organisms than claimed or generally known to be effective. And product was even contaminated with mold!
Continue reading Caution: Probiotic products often contain insufficient probiotics
Functional Foods & Nutraceuticals has looked into the future and sees … new functional foods and nutraceuticals, of course.
Examples
Continue reading New calorie-burning and satiety foods for 2007
Here are the highlights of the discussion on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and probiotics during the recent American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology meeting, thanks to Medical News Today.
Continue reading Status of TCM and probiotics to treat asthma
These data are from a telephone survey of more than 2500 randomly sampled noninstitutionalized Americans, which was published in 2002. The tables can also be found here. Continue reading The most commonly used vitamins and herbals
Confections are not viewed as products you use to get health benefits.
Substituting non-caloric sweeteners makes candy less bad for you. But we’re interested in making candy healthy.
Continue reading Using prebiotics to improve the health benefits of candy
Pouchitis? In people who require an ileostomy, surgeons can use the intestines to create a “pouch” (as shown in the drawing) to store stool and decrease the frequency of passing fecal material through the opening. The pouch eliminates the need for an external bag to collect the feces. The Mayo Clinic has a nice review.
What?s the role of probiotics?