Nearly 200 Canadian physicians, both urban and rural, were surveyed regarding natural health products (NHPs), a category in which probiotics are deemed “fashionable”. Most thought that NHPs were probably of little benefit but not likely to be harmful. Most of the NHPs used were vitamins and minerals. The authors try to explain the results with […]
Articles
Kefir: Easy to Make, Hard to Pronounce
Maybe we’d buy it more often if we could pronounce it. Is it key-FEAR or KEY-fur or KEH-fur? The majority voted for KEY-fur in a lively discussion over at babycenter community. To be safe, know all three when bewilderment greets you at the store. Now, on to less pressing matters. Kefir has been around for […]
Fecal Transplant Redux
Health practitioners are just now getting in the act of transplanting stool to reseed unhealthy colons. But it seems there is a contingent of do-it-yourselfers (DIY) who are unafraid to give it a go. Michael Hurst suffered with ulcerative colitis for over a decade and finally found relief with repeat DIY fecal transplants. He has prepared […]
Play in the Dirt
Allergies are nothing to sneeze at. Their epidemic growth worldwide has public health officials scrambling for answers — not to mention tissues. Simply put, allergies are immune system malfunctions: harmless allergens including food, pollen, mold or dust are seen by the body as threats. Symptoms are triggered. Some are merely annoying as in the itch […]
Honorable Discharge
Clostridium difficile is a killer. Tens of thousands die each year worldwide from this stubborn infection. The bacteria set up shop after a course of antibiotics. Stronger antibiotics including vancomycin are given but sometimes people cannot permanently expel the tough spore-making bacteria. Extreme weight loss and death can follow. Now there is a cure. […]
The Big Picture
Researchers from Egypt and Saudi Arabia have collaborated on a comprehensive review of probiotics and their role in health improvement, infection control and disease management. Download the PDF here .