Probiotics, a comparison and shopping guide

 A probiotic is an organism which contributes to the health and balance of the intestinal tract. A probiotic is also referred to as the "friendly", "beneficial", or "good" bacteria which when ingested acts to maintain a healthy intestinal tract and help fight illness and disease.

You can add probiotics to your diet through nutritional supplements or foods such as yogurt, fermented and unfermented milk, miso, and some juices and soy drinks. Read product labels carefully, looking for a statement that the product contains "live and active cultures," such as lactobacillus.

Although more research is needed, there's encouraging evidence that probiotics may help:

Treat diarrhea, especially following treatment with certain antibiotics
Prevent and treat vaginal yeast infections and urinary tract infections
Treat irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Speed treatment of certain intestinal infections
Prevent and treat eczema in children
Prevent or reduce the severity of colds and flu
Some researchers believe probiotics may improve general health.

Most people can safely add probiotic foods to a healthy diet. If you're considering taking probiotic supplements, check with your doctor to make sure the supplements are right for you.Align and Culturelle are probably the two most commonly know probiotic supplements so it is important to understand the differences between them.

The most important point to remember is that each of these supplements contain a different probiotic.

Align Probiotic Bifidobacterium Bifantis)
CFU in one capsule/tablet/dose 1 billion

Culturelle Lactobacillus GG, Inulin (prebiotic)
CFU in one capsule/tablet/dose 10 billion

Do they contain lactose? No
Do they contain milk proteins? Trace amounts
Do they contain gluten? No
Are they proven to survive stomach acid? Yes
Are they proven to adhere? Yes
Are there any possible side effects? Mild short term bloating or gas


Green Cell Therapy has different kind of probiotics, plus digestive enzymes and nutrients. Green Cell Therapy helps repair the body at the cellular level. Each and every cell benefits from the 32 extraordinary ingredients in this superior nutritional formula. The potent natural supplements in this formula improves, digestion, immune function, metabolism, pH balance, cell repair, brain/cognitive function, and has antioxidant ability, scavenging free radicals out of the body.

Contains multiple probiotics Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Bifidobacterium Longum, Lactobacillus Casei,& Lactobacillus Rhamnonsus

Wheatgrass and barley grass offer raw energy. Contains billions of beneficial gut organisms. The highest quality green supplement. No artificial colouring, flavouring or preservatives.
It also contains lactase (for those who are lactose intolerant) amylase, lipase,& protease (helps digest food, which is hard work for your colon)
spinach, blue green algae, chlorella, and many other nutrients
Some of my patients have traded their prescription and over the counter heartburn medication for this supplement

Natural treatment of Irritable Bowel syndrome

Irritable Bowel Syndrome or IBS, is more widespread than we might suppose. The main symptom of IBS is abdominal pain and cramps after eating. A sufferer may also experience diarrhea, constipation, gas or bloating. Sometimes mucous may be seen in the feces. These symptoms usually are ongoing for at least 90 days before an IBS diagnosis is considered by a medical doctor. For this diagnosis, the symptoms are present in spite of the absence of true structural damage to the intestines.

Most people have symptoms in the milder range, and fortunately, an improved diet can usually relieve the suffering considerably.

Contributing factors to an irritable bowel may be food allergies, altered bowel microflora (of the acidophilus type), intestinal parasites, lack of dietary fiber, and lack of digestive enzymes. Eating sugar, refined carbohydrates, and chemical non-foods (colorings and other additives, and foods made from petroleum products) is probably not going to improve the situation.

Probiotics are bacteria that naturally live in the gut. Some people believe that several intestinal disorders may arise when there isn't enough good bacteria in the gut.

One study found that probiotic treatment significantly improved IBS symptoms and quality of life. People with IBS reported fewer symptoms and, in general, a higher quality of life after taking the probiotics for four weeks. Probiotic therapy usually does not cause side effects.

The essential fatty acids in fish oil have powerful anti inflammatory properties which could help reduce any intestinal inflammation present in the gut and anywhere else in the body. They also boost the immune system and help the blood to flow more efficiently throughout the body and improve the functioning of the body in general. Taking fish oil supplements daily can also significantly reduce stress, anxiety and depression and as stress and anxiety can exacerbate IBS symptoms, fish oil may act in a natural way to reduce stress, improve mood and ultimately help alleviate the symptoms of IBS.