FitSugar

Jamba's Going Probiotic

Susannah Chen — Wed, 05 Jan 2011 09:49:30 PST

Will probiotics still be big in 2011? Smoothie chain Jamba Juice is counting on it. Today it launched a new line of smoothies called Probiotic Fruit & Yogurt Blends.

The drinks, which are made with nonfat yogurt, soy milk, whole fruit, and a "specially formulated" probiotic boost, are high fructose corn syrup- and artificial flavor-free and geared toward strengthening immune and digestive health.

Three flavors are being rolled out in the nationwide launch: Vibrant Blueberry, with blueberries and strawberries; Thrivin Mango, with mango, peach, and passionfruit; and a probiotic version of the popular Strawberries Alive, which is blended strawberries and bananas.

This is just the latest in a slew of Jamba product releases that run the gamut from hot blended drinks to frozen yogurt. The smoothies don't come cheap - they range from $3.39 for 12 ounces to nearly $5 for 22 ounces - but they'd be worth checking out if probiotic's your thing. Do you think they'll catch on?

Source

Acidophilus Pearls: The Goodness of Yogurt Without the Spoon

FitSugar — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 09:00:00 PDT

I'm sure you've all heard about how the live active cultures in yogurt are excellent for your digestive tract. If you have a hard time fitting in a cup of yogurt into your diets everyday or if you just don't eat dairy products, then Acidophilus Pearls, a type of probiotic supplement, were made for you then. It offers the benefits of acidophilus without the calories, cholesterol, sugars, or lactose found in yogurt. If you have tummy troubles, taking one capsule a day can help alleviate occasional gas and constipation plus symptoms of lactose intolerance. Plus these Pearls don't need to be refrigerated like other probiotic pills - and they even made the list of the best probiotics for your money.

Want to know what else probiotics are good for? Then

read more When it comes to your belly, probiotics assist the body's naturally occurring gut flora (useful microorganisms that live in the digestive tract) that often get out of whack because of the foods we eat, and they help maintain a balance of healthy bacteria. Not only that but they also support your immune system and benefit your skin. Taking probiotics can also reduce inflammation, lower cholesterol, lower blood pressure, improve mineral absorption, prevent yeast infections, and improve symptoms of Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and Colitis. Wow. All I know is that when I take them, I feel so much better. Who knew they did all that. Do any of you take Acidophilus Pearls or another kind of probiotic?

How to Put Good Bacteria Back in Your Gut With Food

Heather Dale — Mon, 14 Nov 2011 00:13:36 PST

A healthy gut is a happy gut. To keep your intestinal tract in optimal working order, it needs lots of "good" bacteria - no, that is not an oxymoron! There are only three types of basic bacteria in our digestive systems, so boosting the "friendly bacteria" with probiotics can help balance the pH of the intestinal tract, creating a less desirable environment for pathogenic bacteria (the bad stuff). Research has shown that probiotics can help in the battle against a wide variety of medical conditions including: allergies, cholesterol (it helps raise the good kind), colon cancer, high blood pressure, irritable bowel syndrome, and diarrhea. Probiotics can also boost your immune system, which is especially important during cold and flu season.

Today, probiotic supplements - which often contain members of the lactobacillus and bifidobacterium groups of bacteria - are popular, but unfortunately many of these supplements fall short on bacteria content. But with the help of a few common foods, we can increase the number of beneficial bacteria in our digestive tracts and skip the supplements altogether. Learn these foods when you keep reading.

Many Probiotics Short on Bacteria

FitSugar — Fri, 20 Nov 2009 03:00:09 PST

With claims that they improve digestion, bolster immunity, and fight acne, it's no wonder that probiotic supplements are big business. Newsweek reports that sales of these supplements have more than quadrupled in the last 10 years. I will admit, I'm a fan these friendly bacteria found in yogurt and miso, but it's the quality of the supplements that's raising eyebrows.

Many popular probiotic supplements were tested by Consumer Lab, an independent agency that monitors vitamins, herbal remedies, and supplements not regularly tested by the government. The lab's findings are a bit startling. Some of the products contain as little as 13 percent of the amount of "viable bacteria" claimed on the products' labels, although most products do contain one billion organisms - the amount needed to register some health benefits.

When it comes to misleading marketing with these supplements, much of the problem stems from the fact that the term probiotics has no legal definition and can be used loosely by manufactures. Of the supplements tested, ConsumerLab ranked Advocare Probiotic Restore, GNC Nature Brand Best Super Acidophilus, and Jarrow Formulas Jarro-Dophilus as having the highest quality. You can buy a full review from Consumer Lab for $12.

What's the Deal With: Probiotic Hummus

FitSugar — Tue, 04 Aug 2009 03:00:00 PDT

Predicted to be a food trend of 2009, Probiotics, those beneficial bacteria, are being added to all sorts of foods, from dairy products to energy bars. Probiotics have been found to support both the digestive and immune systems, prevent constipation, benefit your skin, and lower blood pressure. Yogurt is naturally chock full of the bacteria, but I just found a probiotic hummus made by Wildwood Organics.

To find out if its worth buying

read more. The list of ingredients reads: "garbanzo beans, garlic, probiotic cultures (L. acidophilus, Bifidobacterium ssp., L. casei) . . ." The label, however, doesn't list the amount of cultures. Many of these enhanced products don't contain enough bacteria to provide health benefits, so they're not worth paying the extra cash. Studies show that doses between 100 million and 1 billion colony-forming units (CFU) are effective for improving immune function, intestinal infections, and digestion. So if you want the benefits of probiotics, it's best to take them separately in supplement form, such as Acidophilus Pearls.

Help Balance Your Digestive System With a Free Sample of Align Probiotic*!

Sponsor — Mon, 20 Jun 2011 03:00:00 PDT

Being healthy and eating a well-balanced diet is the most important thing we can do for ourselves. Align, the number-one gastroenterologist-recommended probiotic supplement**, wants us all to maintain overall digestive health, which is why it's giving away samples of its amazing probiotic*. To receive your freebie, simply answer the poll question below. Be sure you're logged in, and act fast - you're not the only one who loves free samples!

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

**Among gastroenterologists who recommended a brand of probiotic in a Wolters Kluwer 2010 survey.

Don't Forget to Take Our Poll For Your Free Samples of Align Probiotic*!

Sponsor — Fri, 10 Jun 2011 03:00:00 PDT

The time has come to maintain your digestive balance, and thanks to Align and the power of its amazing probiotic*, you can. Align is giving away free samples so all of you can have a happy digestive system*. Answer the poll question below after logging in and you'll automatically be entered to win. Act fast - 4,000 samples are sure to go quickly!

You can also email us at freesamples@sugarinc.com to receive a free sample!

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Rules

DrSugar: Antibiotics, Probiotics, and Yeast

DrSugar — Wed, 07 Jul 2010 08:00:14 PDT

DrSugar is in the house! And she's answering your health-related questions.

Dear DrSugar,
I am on antibiotics (Clindamycin) to clear up an infected tooth before having a root canal. Good times, I know. I haven’t taken antibiotics in years, but know that they give me a serious yeast infection. I have upped my yogurt intake to twice daily and have been taking a probiotics pill twice a day too. Is that overkill? Should I be doing more? And if so, what do you recommend to keep the secondary yeast problem at bay. Thanks!
- Possibly Over-proactive

First off, I’d like to give you well wishes on a speedy recovery from your recent root canal! I’m really glad you asked this question, because antibiotics are some of the most commonly prescribed medications and for women, taking antibiotics can definitely lead to yeast infections. To see why antibiotics can lead to yeast infections and what you can do to try and prevent it, keep reading.

Why Bacteria in Your Belly Is Important

Heather Dale — Mon, 07 Mar 2011 05:00:26 PST

When I used to get sick as a kid (picture vomiting, diarrhea, fun times), my mom would serve me up bowl of yogurt while going on about the benefits of re-populating the good bacteria in my gut. Fast forward twenty-something years later and it dawned on me after a recent bad bout of bronchitis that I may be running low in the bacteria department. Here's why.

My doctor prescribed antibiotics for the bronchitis. Fine. I can handle antibiotics. But on day four I started feeling a bit off. My stomach was constantly in knots, and I knew something was up. I stopped taking the antibiotics and seemed to be progressively getting sicker (the bronchitis had cleared up, but now I was dealing with lots of new fun symptoms). I put on my Andrew Weil thinking cap and did the math - it was after the antibiotics that things went awry. My appendix was removed in 2004, and although this organ is said to be useless, it really does have a purpose - it provides a safe haven for good bacteria to hang out in the stomach until they are needed. I don't have an appendix, therefore, my appendix can't open its floodgates to my intestines when the good bacteria are needed for backup. Throw in some antibiotics that kill all of the good bacteria alongside the bad bacteria, you're intestinal flora isn't going to be happy.

I've never been a big probiotics person, but considering that they can help regulate the digestive system by managing lactose intolerance, prevent colon cancer, lower cholesterol, lower blood pressure, improve immune function, prevent infections, reduce inflammation, improve mineral absorption, and prevent harmful bacterial growth under stress, why was I so late to jump on the probiotics train?

Keep reading to learn more about my breakthrough with bacteria.

Homemade Tart Frozen Yogurt With Raspberries and Dark Chocolate

Anna Monette Roberts — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 11:47:09 PDT

During Summer months, you might find yourself splurging on $5 froyo almost every day to keep cool. That's an expensive habit, especially when it's so simple and inexpensive to make homemade frozen yogurt. Additionally, you might not be aware of the additives and mysterious ingredients within the store-bought stuff that you are consuming. Instead, dig into our FitSugar original tart frozen yogurt recipe.