Probiotics help diarrhea in HIV Women

Probiotics have been found to ease symptoms of diarrhea, as well as nausea and flatulence experienced by HIV+ Nigerian people in Sub-Saharan Africa. They were not taking anti-retroviral drugs or other supplements.

Two equal groups of 12 female study participants aged 18-44 with moderate diarrhea were given 100mL per day of either normal yogurt or probiotic boosted yogurt for a 15 day period.

Normal yogurt contained Lactobacillus delbruekii var bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus while the probiotically boosted yogurt was fermented with Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1 and L. reuteri RC-14. Results from the study showed that all 12 women in the probiotic-boosted study group had a resolution of their symptoms, while only 2 out of the 12 in the normal yogurt group experienced resolution.

They also found that an overwhelming 92% of the probiotically-boosted part of the study maintained average CD4 cell counts, compared to only 25% of the normal yogurt group. They also found the overall white blood cells counts of the probiotic-boosted yogurt increased after 15 days of supplementation and decreased to below baseline 15 days after discontinuing the study.

Another earlier study also showed positive results in alleviating diarrhea and preventing gastrointestinal infections in animal infants when their diets were supplemented with Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG. This supplementation protected the infants from rotaviral diarrhea after infection with the rotavirus.

*Study by researchers from the University of Benin, Benson Idahosa University, and the Canadian Research and Development Centre for Probiotics at the University of Western Ontario.

One Way to Prevent Intestinal Gas

8 healthy volunteers ingested, on 3 different days separated by at least a week, either 300 or 1,200 galactosidic units of the enzyme alpha-galactosidase, i.e. Beano or placebo, along with 420g of cooked beans.

Both doses significantly improved the total abdominal symptom score i.e., the cumulative score for abdominal discomfort, pain, bloating, and flatulence - compared with placebo, with no difference between doses.

The higher dose significantly decreased, and the lower dose non-significantly decreased, the number of flatus episodes.

The higher dose of alpha-galactosidase as compared with placebo significantly reduced breath hydrogen excretion, indicating an improvement in carbohydrate absorption and a reduction in gas production.

Fish-oil is good for your heart

1. A Harvard study found that women who ate fish 2-4 times weekly cut their risk of heart disease by 30%.
2. Another Harvard-affiliated study found a similar heart benefit for men.
3. Consumption of EPA and DHA omega-3 fatty acids reduce the risk of coronary heart disease.
4. The American Heart Association recommends the consumption of 1 gram of fish oil daily for patients with coronary heart disease.

Did You Know ???

• Hass avocados are rich in phytochemicals-plant compounds that have healthy and protective qualities that stop "the growth of precancerous cells in the body or they kill the precancerous cells without affecting normal cell" says S.M.D'Ambrosio of Ohio State University.



• Blueberries are very healthy antioxidants
  One serving blueberries = 1/2 cup = 1/2 baseball or a cupped hand
  • Calories: 41
  • Carbohydrates: 10.5g
  • Fat: 0.2g
  • Protein: 0.5g


• Ovarian cancer has been associated with 4 symptoms:
  • bloating,
  • pelvic or abdominal pain,
  • frequent or difficult urination, and
  • feeling full quickly or having difficulty eating

The symptoms must have no obvious cause and persist almost daily for at least 2 weeks.

The Gynecologic Cancer Foundation, the Society of Gynecologic Oncologists and the American Cancer Society's recently issued advisory.


In Good Health.
Pamela Nathan

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Can Fucoxanthin help your Weight Loss efforts?
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