TwinLab Super Acidophilus - The Super Hero You Never Read About In Comic Books
Written: Apr 10 '03 (Updated Apr 10 '03)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: Better than most TwinLab SP products, natural cure for yeast infections.
Cons: Needs refrigerated, more expensive than other brands.
The Bottom Line: Need to get rid of a yeast infection once and for all? This is an effective, all natural way to prevent it from creeping back into your life.
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| Freak369's Full Review: Twinlab Super Acidophilus 30 Capsules Specialty Pr... |
Preface
This review may contain information that may offend readers who are sensitive to topics regarding womens health, yeast infections [Candida Albicans] and the positive effects of curing this bacterial infection without harsh prescription medications. No part of this review should be used in place of seeing a qualified physician for the diagnosis of a yeast infection or the proper course of treatment. If you have a history of yeast infections and experience them on a recurring basis, the information in this product review may be helpful in getting rid of it for good.
TwinLab Super Acidophilus
While not a very popular topic amongst people, it is a fact of life that yeast infections occur. There are numerous causes that can lead up to the accumulation of yeast and the resulting unpleasant side effects of the bacterial infection but the most common are an elevated sugar content in the urine, pregnancy, douching, drastic change in diet, tight clothing [no, it is not a myth] and certain birth control methods including the birth control pill and a few brands of condoms that contain Nonoxynol-9. If the general setting of the vaginal tract is upset or thrown off balance it can be the perfect spot for the normally friendly yeast bacteria to grow out of control thus resulting in the painful and often embarrassing infection.
While acidophilus has a tremendous amount of uses as a supplement, the biggest is that of its ability to put the yeast infection in check and return the vaginal tract to a normal functioning state. Outside of this benefit of taking acidophilus it has been proven to make a dent in elevated cholesterol levels, help to protect skin [a perk for those that tan] and helps your gastrointestinal tract fight off certain strains of infection and flu. One thing to keep in mind is that this product has not been approved or researched by the FDA [Food & Drug Administration] and the packaging carries the usual disclaimer about such product: This product is not meant to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
The Goods
When compared to other acidophilus products the TwinLab version stacks up nicely however it is important to make sure that you are getting fresh product that has been properly cared for before it arrives at the store. Typically I try to purchase acidophilus that has been exclusively refrigerated but sometimes that can be a rare find. Health food stores are generally the best place to look for the traditional raw acidophilus but the TwinLab Super Acidophilus will basically do the same thing providing that it is fresh. This product contains: Lactobacillus Acidophilus DDS-1, Bifidobacterium Bifidum and Bifidobacterium Longum. Other ingredients include: Gelatin, Water, Silica, Mineral Oil and Magnesium Stearate.
But what does all that mean? Simply put, this is a beefed up version of acidophilus and the live active cultures are in the 1 2 billion range. This is usually the range that you will find in products that have the live active cultures however some of them deteriorate if not properly stored once they are open [hence the brown bottle to protect it from sunlight]. The TwinLab Super Acidophilus does not come refrigerated but the packaging states that it should be kept in the refrigerator once it has been opened. Make sure that you check the date on the bottle before you purchase it and if possible try to buy it from a health food store or supplement dealer that is not only reputable but will give you a refund or exchange if the product does not work.
Dosage
Since this isnt an approved drug and is only intended as a dietary supplement I suggest that you consult a physician or health care practitioner before you start to take this or any natural herbal blend to treat a recurring infection or as a general supplement. The manufacturer suggests taking one capsule per day as a dietary supplement however this is just the manufacturers suggestion, if you consult a physician he or she may have a different dosage suggestion for you. This is available in both a 30 and 60 capsule package however I suggest that you stick with the 30 count bottle to ensure that you will have fresh and active acidophilus on hand. When I take this for a yeast infection I usually notice results within 72 hours however each person is different. One bottle is usually more than enough to knock out and kill off the infection however just because the discharge, itching and pain may be gone doesnt mean that it is completely gone. Because the vaginal tract is a delicate and sensitive area you should not exceed one capsule per day unless otherwise instructed by a health care provider.
Side Effects
Ive never had any type of reaction to the TwinLab Super Acidophilus or any other acidophilus product but that doesnt mean that it isnt possible in other people. Make sure you read the ingredient panel to see if you are allergic to any of the contents. Since the capsule contains gelatin, vegans will want to stay away from this. As I mentioned earlier, it is important to no over do it with this product. You shouldnt try to cure it too fast but taking more than one capsule in a 24 hour time frame because this could do more harm than good.
What Else Is It Good For?
Acidophilus is a bacteria that is present certain dairy products with the most popular being yogurt. To find one that contains acidophilus all you have to do is check the label to see if it contains live cultures. Most people hear the word bacteria and automatically assume that it is bad, in this case it is something that is pretty good for your body. People just love to attach big words to products to get them to sell, in this case you might find the term probiotic tossed around quite a bit. Its a cute little term that counteracts the word antibiotic, something that most people associate with a cure for an infection. The biggest thing to keep in mind about this and all natural supplements is that they arent regulated by the FDA so checking with your doctor before you take them is a good suggestion. This goes double if you are breastfeeding, are taking any type of medication, have allergies, past medical conditions or have any concerns about the product.
There have been some experts that have claimed that taking acidophilus will help the body fight off acne break outs by leveling off the production of certain bacterias that may trigger a break out. In all honesty, if you subscribe to this theory thats great but in my opinion you shouldnt need to take a supplement to achieve this. Eating yogurt with the live active cultures should be enough to help keep your system in check and help with breakouts. If you are interested in reading more about how acidophilus can help with acne and general skin care, there is a product available called Pro-Biotic Lactobacillus Acidophilus Facial Skin Cream which is also called Acidophilus Probiotic Emulsion manufactured by Epicuren. You can read more about it here: http://www.epicuren.com/product/index.php3?Fcid=7&Fpid=44
While there are many claims about what acidophilus can do for you there isnt much actual research to back up the claims and since the FDA doesnt monitor dietary supplements its a hit or miss situation when doing research for natural cures to disease. As I stated, I have never had any type of allergic reaction to the TwinLab Super Acidophilus and have only had good experiences with it. A few of the health sales clerks at Henrys Marketplace mentioned that this is good for reducing gas after ingesting food that bloat, treating the side effects of a lactose high diet, helping to aid in the relief of constipation and associated cramps due to impaction, helping the body recover from a cycle of antibiotics and helping the body recover from a cold or the flu [in addition to the above mentioned potential uses]. After hearing this I decided to try the TwinLab Super Acidophilus when I was left bloated and extremely uncomfortable [to the point of almost crying] after drinking several glasses of ice cold milk. It seems that Ive developed a slight case of lactose intolerance and the after effects are quite gruesome [extremely foul gas, bloating, cramps, restlessness etc]. Instead of reaching for the Phazyme in my time of need I grabbed this bottle off the shelf and took a dose. It didnt work as fast as the Phazyme but I got relief in about an hour. At least I know that if I run out of the Phazyme I dont have to drive to the drug store if I get hit with a lactose intolerance moment in the middle of the night. Two points for TwinLab Super Acidophilus!
The Bottom Line
While this product might not seem like it is a well-rounded supplement it is great for keeping your internal parts functioning properly providing that you do your research and consult a physician before initially taking it. If you are a carbohydrate addict or eat a lot of chocolate this might be something that you should look into if you are having trouble with yeast infections. If you have been diagnosed with yeast infections in the past and know the tell tale signs and dont feel that conventional medications work for you, you can try adding the TwinLab Super Acidophilus to your daily routine. If you decide to go with an over the counter cream insert or pill to treat your yeast infection you should check with a doctor before taking this in conjunction with yeast infection medications to make sure that you wont be overloading your system.
There is no child safety cap on this product so please keep it out of the reach of children. Once opened please make sure that this is refrigerated to ensure product freshness. If you are nursing a child or pregnant, please consult your doctor before taking this product. If you are in a sexual relationship and do not use condoms please make sure that your partner is also checked for this infection as it is possible for both men and women to contract it or spread it through unprotected sexual contact. If your partner has contracted it, he or she may not show immediate signs of it but could pass it back to you, which starts the whole process over again.
As always, thanks for the visit!
^V^ Freak ^V^
© 2003 Freak369
Recommended:
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