Probiotic drinks?

LilacLillie

For the last 10 or 11yrs, we have been drinking Yakult, 1 each a day. In the beginnning I felt the benefit, but now wonder if its an area where I can "tighten the belt". I do miss it when we are on holiday, but fear it may just now be a habit. My husband swears by it, so I don't think he'll be willing to give his up. At £2.80 for 7 (1 person for 1 week), and I buy 3 packets a week, it soon adds up.
Anyone given up?
LL

PS. Just to mention................have tried cheaper versions and they are horrible, no comparrison.

Magentasue

This is interesting because I have always felt these were a con. Not for any good reason, just because they're so expensive for so little. Can't you just have live yogurt or am I missing the point?

jaybee

I used to have Yakult too. At first I was convinced that I felt better (maybe I'm just an advertiser's dream ) but after a while I realised that nothing had changed (or got better) so I don't buy it now. Too expensive I think but I do understand how easy it is to let it become a habit and almost be afraid to stop.

mrcow

I don't really understand what they are supposed to do?

For three packs a week at £436 per year, I think I'd rather have the money

Glad

on the last 'Infection control' Seminar I attended we were told of the benefits of these drinks by some of the leading infection specialists in the UK,
rather than repeat everything here, this site puts it quite clearly how they can help

Magentasue

Have skimmed that article, it seems to suggest that live yogurt would be just as effective. I go through phases when I make my own especially when we're stressed.

jaybee

Thank you Glad. Maybe I'll start getting them again and stop being so cynical. I could do with feeling better than I do.

Jay-Jay_4

Amongst other 'benefits' they are supposed to encourage the friendly bacterial flora in the gut....fair enough....but if you're having a good diet then you really shouldn't need any help in that department.

Babies who are breastfed are passed the same sort of thing through their mothers milk which is why they are less likely to have colic, constipation and tummy upsets.

People with irritable bowel syndrome can benefit as the gut is given a helping hand with digestion.

Another time that these products are any use is if you suffer from thrush after having antibiotics. The antibiotics kill all of the bacteria including your friendly bacteria, leaving you susceptible to the nasty yeast infection. A supplement will replace some of the friendly stuff and may help to stop a flare up if you're prone.

If this is the case for anyone then dispense with the expensive drinks and invest in some Acidophilus tablets which will sort you out faster and more effectively than drinking the drinks.

Each tablet of Acidophilus Plus from the health food shop contains 36mg of Lactobacilli Culture, and 2 billion L.acidophilus, L casei casei and L casei rhamnosus.....just out of interest, what's in a drink?

Magentasue

Yes, that's another time I make yogurt - when anyone is on antibiotics. That;s rare in our family but if it happens, I make the effort and make sure I start with live yogurt.

Ted_Hutchinson

Although there are some 2000 research papers mentioning probiotics at Pubmed
it is difficult to find many papers which demonstrate conclusively that improvements to health can be demonstrated although clearly their is a lot of excitement at the potential which is offered. Typical is [size=+1]The effect of fermented yogurt on the prevention of diarrhea in a healthy adult population.[/size]
and further comments such as

Although these strategies hold great promise and appear to be useful in some settings, more experimental and clinical studies are needed to firmly establish their relevance.


More clinical studies are required to convince authorities and the public of the value of microbial therapies.

I'm happy to stick with my homemade yoghurt which combined with my linseed and omega juice are supplements for which there is plenty of conclusive research evidence.

Has anyone tried using Yakult with a starter as a homemade probiotic yoghurt? It might be worth giving it a try. If no-ones done it I'll experiment.

LilacLillie

We started taking it when hubby was diagnosed with Diviticular disease. He swears by it, so do I, but wonder if it can be cut from the shop bill. Something I never thought about before joining this board!
LL