Healthy Pet Boutique Educational Article 11

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Probiotics

We have often mentioned the "good guys" that are destroyed with the use of antibiotics and the need to replace them at the earliest opportunity. This can be vital in the case of our old friend Lactobacillus Acidophilus. These tiny bacteria are much more than just your friendly intestinal flora.

Research and clinical results show that many diseases may be influenced, not by the presence of a pathogenic agent, but rather by the absence of the normal intestinal flora. Important roles played by lactobacillus acidophilus include:

Production of important digestive enzymes.
Keeping both constipation and diarrhea under control.
Counteracting lactose intolerance.
Detoxification, or "cleaning out" the system by binding to unwanted substances and causing them to be excreted.
Protecting the surfaces of intestinal mucous membranes.
Suppression of undesirable bacteria by helping to maintain an antibacterial and antifungal environment.
Reduction of bad breath by replacing organisms responsible for unpleasant odors with neutral organisms.
Reduction of intestinal gas by breaking down the sugars (including lactose) that are consumed by and promote "bad guy" bacteria.
Cholesterol control by promoting normal absorption of dietary fats and facilitating elimination of unwanted cholesterol before it is absorbed.
Compensation for the decreased motility of the gastro-intestinal tract, decreased mucous secretions and muscular atrophy of the small and large intestine, and even changes in the nervous system--all products of the aging process.
Production of additional supplies of vitamins and other trace nutrients. Many of the B vitamins (including riboflavin, B-12, Thiamin, folic acid and panthenic acid) in addition to certain proteins, are produced by lactobacillus acidophilus.
Suppression of candidiasis, as well as a number of other intestinal disorders.

It goes without saying that commercial pet foods are totally lacking in viable organisms. Thus any combination of antibiotics (which effectively kills off these friendly bacteria) and "dead" food (no replacement of the good guys), can have devastating consequences. At least with a raw diet we can have the assurance of feeding flora-rich food.

Nevertheless, you would be wise to utilize a supplement whenever antibiotics are used. If you are still feeding kibble, it would be appropriate to supplement with live lactobacillus on a regular basis.

Supplements can be purchased from a number of different sources, including your local drug store. Please make sure you are getting good quality. It should be refrigerated. Some of the powders, capsules, tablets, sitting on the shelf simply don't contain enough live lactobacillus acidophilus to be effective.

Marina Zacharias has been using natural methods of health care for all her dogs for over twenty years and is a breeder and handler of Basset Hounds. Marina is a Natural Rearing Consultant (holistic practitioner), author, editor of the "Natural Rearing Newsletter," and founder of the Natural Rearing Breeder Directory. She has been a noted guest speaker at a variety of functions including the 1995 "Educational Symposium for Alternative Veterinary Methods" and has been published in a variety of periodicals including the AKC Gazette, Dog Fancy, and The Natural Pet and International Homeopathic Veterinary Society. She is a certified Homotoxicologist (homeopath) and is a member of a variety of Holistic Health organizations in North America and Europe. Marina is also a certified N.A.E.T. (Allergy Elimination Technician) and BioSET™ Practitioner and utilizes a variety of modalities including Western and Chinese herbs, glandulars, vitamins and nutraceuticals.

Reprinted with permission: Copyright 2006
www.NaturalRearing.com

Disclaimer: Unless otherwise noted, individual articles are based upon the opinions of the respective author. The information on this website is not intended to replace a one-on-one relationship with a qualified holistic veterinarian or alternative practitioner and is not intended as veterinary advice. It is intended as a sharing of knowledge and information from the research and experience of Healthy Pet Boutique, its owners and our community. We encourage you to make your own health care decisions for your pets based upon your own research.