The Power of Probiotics: Improving Your Health with Beneficial Microbes

Get information you can trust to make the right decisions about probiotics The Power of Probiotics is a consumer-friendly guide to the selection and use of probiotics that have been proven effective in the prevention and treatment of human diseases. This jargon-free reference resource provides practical advice on how and when to use probiotics and how to select the best commercially available products, based on usefulness, quality, and safety, to lower the risk of disease and maintain a positive health image. The book offers objective information on evaluating product claims, making sense of regulations and labeling, and sorting through manufacturing and marketing issues. The Power of Probiotics presents an expert review of the scientific evidence for probiotics, illustrated with summary tables and diagrams for quick reference. Each chapter starts with a series of FAQs with clear and concise answers before moving into more in-depth analysis from the book’s authors, who combine more than 20 years of research from the patient clinic and the bench laboratory with extensive experience in writing and translating medical articles for consumer-oriented publications. This unique book presents definitions and descriptions of probiotics and a history of their uses, a review of medical conditions prevented and/or treated by probiotics, available products (with brand names), uses with other medications, and risks and side effects. The Power of Probiotics examines the treatment and/or prevention of: allergies cancer colds and flu constipation dental health diarrhea high cholesterol indigestion inflammatory bowel diseases pseudomembranous colitis stomach ulcers stress urinary tract infections vaginal infections weight loss and much more! The Power of Probiotics is an essential resource for health-conscious consumers who are interested in natural alternatives to conventional medicines. Health professionals, educators, and students will also benefit from the book’s extensive references.

Table of Contents:
Foreword Preface Acknowledgments Chapter 1. Introduction Frequently Asked Questions What are Probiotics? History of Probiotics Medical Conditions for Probiotics The “Ideal” Probiotic Properties of Current Probiotics How to Evaluate Scientific Studies Regulations for Probiotics The Future of Probiotics Chapter 2. Traveler’s Diarrhea Frequently Asked Questions Risks for Traveler’s Diarrhea Prevention of Traveler’s Diarrhea Treatments for Traveler’s Diarrhea Conclusions and Observations Chapter 3. Acute Diarrhea Frequently Asked Questions Acute Pediatric Diarrhea Acute Adult Diarrhea Overall Conclusions Chapter 4. Antibiotics-Associated Diarrhea and Colitis Antiboiotics-Associated Diarrhea Clostridium Difficile AAD Conclusions Chapter 5. Vaginal and Urinary Tract Infections Bacterial Vaginosis Candidal Vaginitis Urinary Tract Infections Summary Chapter 6. Inflammatory Bowel Disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and Digestive Problems Crohn’s Disease Ulcerative Colitis Pouchitis Irritable Bowel Syndrome Lactose Intolerance Constipation Summary Chapter 7. Allergies Atopic Dermatitis (Eczema) Adult Allergies Chapter 8. Miscellaneous Disorders Rheumatoid Arthritis Cancer High Cholesterol Dental Health Diabetes Hepatic Encephalopathy Hospital Infections Hypertension (High Blood Pressure) Immunity Sexual Dysfunction Stomach Ulcers Stress Weight Loss Conclusion Chapter 9. Probiotic Products on the Market Frequently Asked Questions Alphabetical Listing of Probiotics Conclusion Chapter 10. Buying the Best Product Frequently Asked Questions The Five Questions Where to Find Information Conclusion Chapter 11. Safety of Probiotics Frequently Asked Questions Risks in General Reported Adverse Effects Quality Control Contraindications Special Concerns Drug Interactions Conclusions and Observations Notes Index