Expert: Suzanne Rose Lubkowski - 4/6/2010

Question
Hi,

I am about to start a course of antibiotics that I know will give me bad diarrhea, it always does, but this is the only antibiotic I can afford right now (my husband and I are both unemployed). I have bee reading about probiotics and there is a lot of confusing information out there. Can you suggest foods and/or supplements that contain the appropriate probiotics to either prevent or cure this problem? Also, I have read mixed reviews on this, some say to take before during and after the antibiotic and some say wait until I finished the antibiotic. If you recommend pills over foods, brand names would be helpful. I am suspicious of most pills since they are not FDA regulated you never know if they are really any good. Thank you so much for your help.
Susan

Answer
Hi Susan

You are right on track with the probiotics with the use of antibiotics.  I highly recommend a product (I use daily to keep the flora balanced for myself and my family) called OPTIFLORA.   You can read about it and purchase it at www.integrativewellness.myshaklee.com.    I recommend for your situation that you get the 2 part system - one is a little pill and the other is a powder that you put in water.  You only need to take them once a day.   Once I had major diarrhea and I used them and it really helps particularly settling the stomach.  If you do get some bad diarrhea, you may want to double up once in the morning and once in the evening.  I would also recommend you eat as much yogurt as possible - as natural as you can get with limited sugar or artificial flavors or sweeteners (if you have a Whole Foods or Trader Joes in your area, you can probably find the most healthy kind there).  It is also true bananas help with the diarrhea and replace your potassium which you lose with diarrhea too.  You can really trust the Shaklee brand - they found a way to keep the flora in the capsule without even having to refrigerate it.  Most of the probiotics lose the flora before they even get into the container and are worthless.  The science, the technology and the quality of the ingredients are top notch.   You can read about and watch some videos on the website of why you can trust Shaklee.   The products work and they have been around for over 50 years really making a difference in people's health and wellness.  hope this helps - you can contact me directly at zannrose@aol.com if I can be of further assistance.  Best wishes with your health.   Suzanne