Power of Probiotics: Improving Your Health with Beneficial Microbes

254 Pages·2013·4.43 MB·English

by  Gary W. Elmer

An authoritative,
useful
consumer guide
to probiotics
written by experts!
LV°n^avc W *arta
The Power of Probiotics
Improving Your Health
with Beneficial Microbes
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The Power of Probiotics
Improving Your Health
with Beneficial Microbes
Gary W. Elmer, PhD
Lynne V. McFarland, PhD
Marc McFarland
jj Routledge
Taylor & Francis Group
LONDON AND NEW YORK
First published 2007 by The Haworth Press, Inc
10 Alice Street, Binghamton, NY 13904-1580
This edition published in 2012 by Routledgc
2 Park Square, Milton Park, Abingdon, Oxon OX 14 4RN
711 Third Avenue, New York, NY 10017, USA
Routledge is an imprint of the Taylor & Francis Group, an informa business
© 2007 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or
utilized in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, microfilm,
and recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing
from the publisher.
PUBLISHER S NOTE
The development, preparation, and publication of this work has been undertaken with great care.
However, the Publisher, employees, editors, and agents of The Haworth Press are not responsible
for any errors contained herein or for consequences that may ensue from use of materials or
information contained in this work. The Haworth Press is committed to the dissemination of ideas
and information according to the highest standards of intellectual freedom and the free exchange of
ideas. Statements made and opinions expressed in this publication do not necessarily reflect the
views of the Publisher, Directors, management, or staff of The Haworth Press. Inc., or an
endorsement by them.
This book has been published solely for educational purposes and is not intended to substitute
for the medical advice of a treating physician. Medicine is an ever-changing science. As new
research and clinical experience broaden our knowledge, changes in treatment may be required.
While many potential treatment options are made herein, some or all of the options may not be
applicable to a particular individual. Therefore, the author, editor, and publisher do not accept
responsibility in the event of negative consequences incurred as a result of the information
presented in this book. We do not claim that this information is necessarily accurate by the rigid
scientific and regulatory standards applied for medical treatment. No warranty, expressed or
implied, is furnished with respect to the material contained in this book. The reader is urged
to consult with his/her personal physician with respect to the treatment of any medical
condition.
The views expressed in this book are those of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the position
or policy of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Cover design by Jennifer M. Gaska.
Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data
Elmer. Gary.
The power of probiotics : improving your health with beneficial microbes / Gary Wells Elmer,
Lynne V. McFarland. Marc McFarland,
p. cm.
Includes index and bibliographical references.
1. Probiotics—Therapeutic use. I. McFarland, Lynne V. II. McFarland, Marc. III. Title.
RM666.P835E46 2007
615'.321—dc22
2006022947
ISBN-13: 978-0-7890-2901-0
We dedicate this book to the volunteers who participated
in clinical trials for testing probiotics.
It is due to their encouragement that this book
was written and probiotic research has progressed.
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CONTENTS
Foreword xi
Christina M. Surawicz
Preface xiii
Acknowledgments xv
Chapter 1. Introduction 1
Frequently Asked Questions 1
What Are Probiotics? 3
History of Probiotics 5
Medical Conditions for Probiotics 6
The “Ideal” Probiotic 9
Properties of Current Probiotics 11
How to Evaluate Scientific Studies 16
Regulations for Probiotics 20
The Future of Probiotics 23
Chapter 2. Traveler’s Diarrhea 25
Frequently Asked Questions 25
Risks for Traveler’s Diarrhea 28
Prevention of Traveler’s Diarrhea 33
Treatments for Traveler’s Diarrhea 40
Conclusions and Observations 45
Chapter 3. Acute Diarrhea 47
Frequently Asked Questions 47
Acute Pediatric Diarrhea 49
Acute Adult Diarrhea 65
Overall Conclusions 69
Chapter 4. Antibiotics-Associated Diarrhea
and Colitis 71
Antibiotics-Associated Diarrhea 71
Clostridium Difficile AAD 82
Conclusions 92
Chapter 5. Vaginal and Urinary Tract Infections 95
Bacterial Vaginosis 95
Candidal Vaginitis 101
Urinary Tract Infections 106
Summary 109
Chapter 6. Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Irritable
Bowel Syndrome, and Digestive Problems 111
Crohn’s Disease 111
Ulcerative Colitis 116
Pouchitis 119
Irritable Bowel Syndrome 122
Lactose Intolerance 126
Constipation 128
Summary 130
Chapter 7. Allergies 131
Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema) 133
Adult Allergies 140
Chapter 8. Miscellaneous Disorders 143
Rheumatoid Arthritis 144
Cancer 146
High Cholesterol 149
Dental Health 153
Diabetes 155
Hepatic Encephalopathy 156
Hospital Infections 157
Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) 158
Immunity 159
Sexual Dysfunction 162
Stomach Ulcers 162
Stress 165
Weight Loss 166
Conclusion 167
Chapter 9. Probiotic Products on the Market 169
Frequently Asked Questions 169
Alphabetical Listing of Probiotics 171
Conclusion 180
Chapter 10. Buying the Best Product 181
Frequently Asked Questions 181
The Five Questions 182
Where to Find Information 187
Conclusion 188
Chapter 11. Safety of Probiotics 189
Frequently Asked Questions 189
Risks in General 190
Reported Adverse Effects 193
Quality Control 197
Contraindications 199
Special Concerns 199
Drug Interactions 200
Conclusions and Observations 200
Notes 201
Index 229