Not enough is written about the subject of Probiotics, Fibromyalgia, CFS and health supplements, so today I invited my friend and nutrition colleague, Robin Thomas, to be a guest blogger here at the Health Matters Show. Enjoy her wise counsel and freely learn from her experiences with probiotics as a nutritional supplement. Plus, be sure to read all the way through this post. Robin has a special deal she is offering you!

I would first like to thank Cinda Crawford for inviting me to be a guest blogger this week. I have come to respect her blogs and in particular her podcast radio show on health matters because they include careful research on the many ways to help people suffering with Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Robin Thomas

Cinda recently read a blog of mine about how to choose a good probiotic, and asked me to share some of the information I found. Probiotics have been on my mind recently as my son was diagnosed with Candida, which related to his Type 1 Diabetes and Hypothyroid condition. One of the very first things his doctor said was to get him on an effective probiotic.

My background in science led me to look into the differences between different probiotics on the market today, how they work, and what I should look for in a probiotic supplement product. Candida infections have often been associated with Fibromyalgia and CFS.

Because Fibromyalgia increases one’s sensitivity to pain and stress, yeast infection symptoms can often be more troublesome for FMS sufferers than for non-FMS sufferers. It seems prudent to learn more about how a probiotic can be beneficial for overall health.

So, What Are Probiotics?

The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization defines probiotics as “live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host.” Probiotics are often called friendly bacteria. They live in our digestive tract and promote healthy digestion and absorption of nutrients. They also are beneficial in supporting a strong immune system. Probiotic dietary supplements replenish these beneficial microorganisms when they have been diminished by either overuse of antibiotics or a compromised immune system.

Why Do We Care?

Probiotics can be beneficial for anyone who wants to maintain good digestive health and support immune function. Digestive health is the core of overall health. If our digestive system is not functioning properly, we may have problems breaking down nutrients that we consume into forms that our body can use for energy. A healthy, efficient digestive system helps us maximize the benefits of the vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that defend us against nutritional deficiencies. And, with up to 80 percent of the immune cells in our bodies concentrated in the digestive tract, digestive health is strongly linked to immune health.

Friendly bacteria should naturally occur in our bodies. Sometimes, however, poor eating habits, antibiotics or unfriendly microorganisms like disease-causing bacteria or yeast can upset the balance of good bacteria in our bodies. When this happens, you may experience diarrhea, constipation, gas and bloating. Taking probiotics can help replace friendly bacteria.

Important Facts:

We have all seen the television commercials where a well known actress touts the benefits of a specific yogurt brand. But not all yogurts contain live probiotics. Many yogurts have sweeteners that actually increase the levels of candida growth. And many of us have lactose sensitivity, or just don’t enjoy eating yogurt. And yogurt really isn’t convenient to pack into your luggage to have on hand when traveling.
Besides, not all probiotics are created equal. For any probiotic to be effective it has to contain organisms that are able to successfully colonize your digestive tract. It must have a reasonable viable shelf-life, and survive the passage through the acidity of the stomach to adhere to the mucosal surface of the gastrointestinal tract.

There are also many species of probiotic bacteria and they vary in their ability to colonize your system and provide digestive and immunity benefits. And they should be present in high enough numbers to achieve all of the above. If you want to get as pure and effective a form of probiotics as possible, you may want to consider a probiotic supplement instead, like USANA Health Sciences’ Probiotic food supplement.

You can add the vanilla-flavored powder to food or drink and receive a 50/50 mix of two of the most beneficial strains of probiotic bacteria. Plus, it is designed to make it more likely for the friendly bacteria to survive the acid in your stomach and repopulate your digestive tract. Visit USANA Probiotic to learn more.

Because they are a naturally occurring bacteria, probiotics are generally accepted as being safe. But, you should check with your doctor if you’re combining probiotics with conventional treatment for any condition, just as you would with any dietary supplement.

To learn even more about health supplements, probiotics, candida, digestive health, immune support and how you can protect your health for the winter months ahead, download this free document, The Shadow of Winter Looms Over the Face of the Earth., visit my website at http://robinsproducts.usana.com Be Well!
Robin Thomas => ==> ===>

PS- there are several posts here on the Health Matters Show mentioning Robin. Even some interviews! Search away within the archives right here to learn more about her.

PPS- She has a great deal right now for all members of my audience: a “free” bottle of vitamin D when you place an order of $50 or more. The value of the vitamin D is $23.84 retail. Fantastic deal anyone who cares about their health! Be sure to contact her directly and tell here “where” you saw this offer!

Thanks again Robin for providing my audience with such good information about health supplements and our topic, Probiotics, Fibromyalgia and CFS. I hope you’ll come back to visit us and be a guest blogger again. You did a great job!

Cinda Crawford, host of the Health Matters Show

Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum has a new book out entitled, Beat Sugar Addiction Now. It looks good! And so timely this week since we’re talking about diet and nutrition. Sugar has long been a real bug-a-boo for people with chronic health problems.

For me, finding and implementing the best methods to beat sugar addiction seem to be the hardest and last of the big challenges in my effort to conquer Fibromyalgia and Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. Thousands, if not millions, of people struggle with a condition called Candida that is brought on by large-scale consumption of sugar and a weakened immune system.

Although I don’t believe I have candida (Dr. T may prove me wrong!), I still struggle with sugar addiction. That’s why I’m buying the book for myself, just like I’m suggesting that you do for you!

Take a few moments to check out this potentially valuable book.

As quoted by Steven Sponaugle, Research Director, Florida Detox and Wellness Institute on Amazon.com:

Carbohydrate craving is a major cause of obesity. Dr. Teitelbaum is the world’s foremost chronic fatigue and fibromyalgia expert and has encountered the four main causes of sugar and carbohydrate addiction in many of these patients. The four main types of sugar addiction are easily identified with the questionaires in this workbook. More importantly, effective treatments for the four main causes of sugar addiction are explained.

I was especially pleased to read the explanation of estrogen deficiency as a cause of low serotonin and carbohydrate craving. Estrogen is needed to open the female Serotonin receptor and many estrogen deficient women are self treating their Serotonin deficiency with carbohydrates which provide a brief Serotonin increase.

Sadly, over publicized, poorly designed studies using overdoses of horse estrogens (Premarin) have misled many people to overgeneralize problems with horse estrogens, to human estrogens.

We frequently encounter the hypoglycemia, adrenal exhaustion, fungal overgrowth (my word- candida) and Estrogen deficiency versions of sugar addiction at Florida Detox and Wellness Institute and agree with Dr. Teitelbaum that they are hidden causes of sugar addiction.

Thank you, Cinda Crawford
Host of the Health Matters Show