Probiotic Yoghurt

[Libby]

There's so much info about this new type of yoghurt on the web I can't seem to make heads or tails of it. One dietitian was for it and another against...I'm at a loss. I'm interested in trying the plain variety vs the fruit ones - due to the high sugar content (I'm diabetic). Do the live bacteria actually stay in your body? Does your body actually benefit from them? I think I also read something about needing a prebiotic to go with the probiotics in the yoghurt - oy this is so confusing.

So tell me what do you think? Is it good for you, bad for you or just a marketing ploy?

[alotofgooddeals]

ds has digestive issues to the point we are going to make a doctors appointment and get this taken care of whether they want to or not. He is always constipated and we have tried prune juice, ex lax and colace. We have tried bran flakes, prunes eating them plain and putting good old water through him. We also make sure he gets plenty of veggies and we still are not able to get him regular(tmi) sorry... well anyhow i am wondering if this yogurt thing with the probiotics will work. I bought some today using coupons and got them for just a few cents....

[KeithBC]

The word "probiotic" is a bit of a marketing gimmick. The stuff has been around for years - it used to just be a fine-print thing on the ingredients list that said "live culture".

I have seen it recommended especially for people who have been on a course of antibiotics which would have killed off all the beneficial bacteria in their gut. The live culture from the yogurt would help recolonize the gut with good bacteria and get a head start on preventing harmful bacteria from taking over.

[shoiji]

I have heard the same thing on the term "probiotic".

Personally I enjoy plain yogurt mixed with something. Also the yogurt can be used in baking or cooking. So you have more uses for it. It is a good source for dairy. Many people who are lactose intolerant can sometimes tolerate yogurt.

[dcompton]

I think it's mostly marketing. You also have no way of being sure the cultures are still active. If for some reason you need to replace or boost the bacteria as KeithBC said, your doctor should be able to tell you the most effective ways to do it. If you don't particularly need to do that, there isn't really much point that I can see to using the probiotic yogurt over regular yogurt. On the other hand, it won't do any harm.

[Trishagirl]

Yogurt with live cultures are very good for your digestive system they put good bacteria in your intestines to keep the bad bacteria in balance so it won't take over. My son had a problem with an ulcer and yeast he had to take yeast clear and I flora to get his good flora back in balance the bad flora was overgrowing. He's much better now and eating again! He could only eat bland food and that wasn't good either. Plain yogurt is best you can addfresh or frozen fruit if you want. But you don't need the extra sugar.

[AmyBoz]

Libby, I'm also diabetic, and yogurt is generally a no-no for me, as most of it is so sugary.

Anyway, I've also been on antibiotics forever for a chronic sinus infection and my doctor put me on acidophilus chewable tablets, which has kept side effects from the antibiotics at bay, and once off of the antibiotics, it has helped me "digestively" on a regular basis.

[2ndGenGranola]

So tell me what do you think? Is it good for you, bad for you or just a marketing ploy?

The yogurts that they are advertising just a marketing ploy. They are loaded with sugar. The beneficial bacteria are killed by sugar. Go with a pure, unflavored, unsweetened yogurt. The modern intestine needs acidophilus/probiotics/prebiotics supplementation because of the modern diet and overuse of antibiotics. Lack of the beneficial bacteria allows for the rise of food allergies, attention disorders, autism, depression, schizophrenia... The gut is where most of the hormones etc... that deal with mood/brain are produced. When we were doing natural treatments for autism for my son, acidophilus was our #1 supplement and continues to be. My favorite book on the subject is "Gut and Psychology Syndrome" by Dr Natasha Campbell-McBride.

[Nana2two]

I take ACIDOPHILUS PROBIOTIC in capsule form. The doctor recomended it to me. I have been taking it for several weeks and it has helped me with digestion. The texture of yogurt i don't like.For 100 capsules 1x a day is around $7.00

[cab54]

The word "probiotic" is a bit of a marketing gimmick. The stuff has been around for years - it used to just be a fine-print thing on the ingredients list that said "live culture".

I have seen it recommended especially for people who have been on a course of antibiotics which would have killed off all the beneficial bacteria in their gut. The live culture from the yogurt would help recolonize the gut with good bacteria and get a head start on preventing harmful bacteria from taking over.

I agree with KeithBC.

I'm a nurse, not that that makes me an expert, LOL! But I was always taught that there are (in the bowel) what are called 'normal flora'-----bacteria that are supposed to be there.

It's my understanding that yogurt has 'cultures' (bacteria that's good for your body)---ALL yogurt. And that yogurt, for that reason, puts back normal flora after a round of antibiotics, or when eating habits have thrown off the balance.

I think this probiotic stuff is just hype.

[MomToTwoBoys]

I think it's just a marketing ploy. I suffer from IBS and lactose intolerance and found that a change in diet helps more than some fancy yogurt.

The only reason probiotic yogurt was created was because fast food does a lot of damage to your digestive system, and the yogurt is the easy way out of changing into a diet free of fatty foods and high cholesterol products.

[Libby]

Hmm....well I did buy a tub of plain low fat probiotic yoghurt to try. Plain yoghurt with buckwheat honey is my new fave, sometimes with a handful of cereal in it as well.

Now some of y'all are saying the sugars in the fruity probiotic yoghurts actually kill the bacteria...would this hold true with the honey as well? Or is it ok b/c I'm putting it right before I eat it?

The cost is what kills me - plain low fat yoghurt is about $2. The probiotic yoghurt I bought ended up being almost $5! Thats why I tend to think its totally a marketing ploy.

So the probiotics are a good thing for my digestive system but should I look for it in chewable tablet/capsule form instead and just stick to eating plain yoghurt?

Wacky question: for those of you that do take probiotics - does your stomach feel funny after or is it just me?

[hestlauss]

I have been buying probiotic kefir for for DH as he periodically has to take antibiotics. I don't know if it really helps but it makes him feel better. So far it hasn't caused a problem for our budget. If the next PET scan comes back clear we will re-evaluate to continue or not.

[ladykemma2]

hype.

i will tell you about the time i ate a new "probiotic" yogurt in york england. i now know the interior of the public restroom in the square by marks & spencer very well. what an afternoon.

[2ndGenGranola]

So the probiotics are a good thing for my digestive system but should I look for it in chewable tablet/capsule form instead and just stick to eating plain yoghurt?

Wacky question: for those of you that do take probiotics - does your stomach feel funny after or is it just me?

Only buy a probiotic that is refrigerated and in a dark and/or opaque bottle. Light and heat kill them off the same as sugar. Liquid is the best form. They have a very short shelf life (about 6 months under good conditions). Shelf probiotics are better than nothing but since they cost about the same you might as well get a more effective brand.

If your "stomach" feels funny after taking them, that means they are doing their job. That means you have a build up of bad bacteria that they are killing off and your body is "reacting" to the build up of dead, bad stuff. Resist the urge to take any meds to cover the symptoms. You want to get that stuff out.