acidophilus supplements

[sadiemartha.livejournal.com]

I recently bought some acidophilus capsules to help in yeast infection prevention. I wouldn't say I'm prone to yeast infection - I've only had one, but, well... one was enough :) Also, I was on a course of Metronidazole for a BV infection, and my tummy still feels like it's not quite recovered from the antibiotics, so I suspect my natural flora populations aren't right yet.

I know I ought to just eat yogurt regularly, but I simply can't swallow things of yogurt/pudding/applesauce consistency. My gag reflex won't be reasoned with. So, I've got a few questions about these supplements: 1) how does the acidophilus "dosage" compare to that of a yogurt regimen? 2) we tend to buy 1% "Sweet Acidophilus" milk - I don't drink much milk every day, but is there a possibility that I could get too much acidophilus? I assume that swinging the balance too far towards the good bacteria could be harmful, too. 3) if I stop taking the supplements (I'm kind of stupid about remembering to take vitamins & such), will my body have a hard time keeping up since I've been spoiling it by spoon-feeding it acidophilus?

Thanks for your help, ladies (and possibley a few gents)!

Comments

[jasminelily.livejournal.com]

I know I ought to just eat yogurt regularly, but I simply can't swallow things of yogurt/pudding/applesauce consistency. My gag reflex won't be reasoned with.

Me too! One way that I've tried to get around this is to have yogurt with other stuff mixed in, like granola or blueberries, because it changes the consistency enough for it to be bearable to me. But to answer your questions on acidophilus (because I also try to do that because of the yogurt problems): I'm not sure on the dosage comparison, but taking one or two a day seems to do the trick for me. I don't take it all the time, just when I start to get paranoid that I have one coming on (or before going on a trip or something, as ultra prevention), and I take more when I start to feel at all itchy, and it's been fine.

[sadiemartha.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I've tried yogurt mixed into things until you could scarcely call it yogurt, but... my damn epiglottis is not having any of it!

I just went and checked the bottle, and it claims there are half a billion active cells (at the time of manufacture) each of acidophilus and bifidus. I wonder if anyone has any figure as to how many acidophilus cells are in an average serving of yogurt? I suppose this is where google could help...

I guess I could take it for now until my body starts feeling normal again, and then just take it when I think I might be getting yeasty. Thanks for your input!

[sadiemartha.livejournal.com]

From Dannon's website:

Most DANNON cup yogurt products carry the National Yogurt Association's Live and Active Cultures (LAC) seal. This seal identifies those products that contain significant amounts of live and active cultures (at least 100 million active cultures per gram at the time of production and at least 10 million at the end of shelf life).

Now, if I only had any idea how many grams are in an average container of yogurt. Jeesh, I'm hopeless...

The normal size yogurt is.....

[supaduck.livejournal.com]

Light 'n Fit Creamy Blueberry
Serving Size: 6 oz; 170g

Re: The normal size yogurt is.....

[sadiemartha.livejournal.com]

Thanks! Now, if only someone would do the math for me...

Naw, I think I can figure it out : ) 170 grams X (we'll guess) 50 million li'l acidophilus critters = 8.5 billion acidophiluses per container. That is way more than the half-billion per capsule. Okay, I guess I'm not worried about acidophilus overdose, then. Rock'n'roll!

[jennifer0246.livejournal.com]

smoothies? (fruit, yogurt, ice in a blender)

i'd say one a day, two if you feel itchy. i'd not worry about overdosing unless you ingest the whole jar.

[cryslea.livejournal.com]

There are also new Yogurt Smoothies by a bunch of different manufactureers... Old Home, Dannon, etc. That might help you get around the consistency issue.