Probiotic, what is this guy on about?? Never heard of a Probiotic?

Now is the time to find out what they are.

Your body needs bacteria.
Yep!! it sure does.
Not all Bacteria is bad. Some is very very good and even necessary for your intestine to function correctly.

So guess what happens when you take an Antibiotic??
Well, Antibiotics are exactly what they sound like. ANTI BIOTICS. They kill bacteria.
The trouble with Antibiotics is they kill ALL bacteria. Good and Bad.

So what happens to your intestine after a round of antibiotics? Well it struggles, it has trouble, the good bacteria are no longer there. They are all dead. Your body will replace them over time. But how quickly they are replaced depends on all sorts of things.

The PROBIOTIC, basically helps replace all the good bacteria. You are sending fresh troops so to speak. Your body will replace the bacteria over time, but the best thing to do is to help the natural replacements along by adding some directly.

You need to be careful which probiotic you choose as not all are created equal.

There are hundreds out there, and some are better than others. You can just ask you local health food store for advice if you like, they can help. Make sure you tell them you have been on antibiotics (if you have). That will help them determine which ones are the best suited for you.

What to look for in a probiotic

In summary the things to look out for are * Lactobacillus - bacteria * Bifidobacterium - bacteria * protease, amalyse, and lipase - digestive enzymes (help break food down)

STOP PRESS
IS THIS THE PERFECT DIVERTICULITIS PROBOITIC??
I stumbled across this little gem from Purity Products. It could be the perfect supplement for Diverticulitis.
From a Diverticulitis point of view, I think the two daily must haves are, fiber and probiotics.
And guess what?? That is exactly what Purity Products have done with Fiberboitics. It is a neat combination of Proboitics and Fiber in one, with a few antioxidants and some other things as well.
I saw this and thought that it simplifies the adding both fiber and proboitics to your diet so much that is was worth a mention. As far as I'm aware this is unique, and makes things simple.
Check it out, it is worth it. Fiberboitics

I would like to say that there are lots of other product combinations out there that will do the same thing. I personally think that the simpler things are the more likely you are to remember which is why I liked the Fiberboitics so much.

If you wish to check out your local supermarket or health food store. Then read the label and make sure it is suited to you and has the right bacteria in it and you will be OK. Also make sure it is a good quality brand, if the bacteria are dead in the capsule then it is no good taking it. All good brands have a guaranteed level of live bacteria in them. not just a quoted live bacteria at point of manufacture.

Make sure the brand specifies a quoted live bacteria.

To help you out here are some products available on line from Carol Bond Health Foods.. These guys are a good online vendor and supply good quality products.
There are three options all are fine it is just up to you as to what you prefer.
Liquid Proboitic - ACIDOPHILUS LIQUID
Capsuals Proboitic - PRIMADOPHILUS OPTIMA
Chew Proboitic - BIFIDOPHILUS CHEWS

You can also get things called complete digestive supplements, or all digestive supplements. These are OK as well, and usually have other ingredients in them that help with digestion. If you use one of these type, just make sure they are still quoting live or active bacteria.

I'm going to leave you with a quote from a newsletter reader. (If you haven't joined the newsletter you can at any time. Just enter your name and email address in the form on the right, it is free to join and you can leave at any time.)
" Just to let you know that everything is going very well for me at the moment. I have not had any problems since I changed my diet . I am still experimenting with the foods to see which works for me so far I am taking lots of vegs and fluids so far I am feeling very well. I hope that this continues for me I do not have to take any medicine so far . I am so happy it has changed my life I could not have done this without all the support you have given to me. I still worry some times that I might get a flare but I think that I will be able to cope if I do. It is great that there is someone out there who a person can turn to if things gets bad. Again thank you so much for all the help you have sent to me."

Thanks for your kind words Hilary.