Prebiotics and probiotics
for Crohn's disease
Researchers at Nippon Medical School in Tokyo, Japan.
used a combination of probiotic and prebiotic
supplements in the treatment of active Crohn's disease
in ten young Crohn's disease patients who had not
benefited from aminosalicylates and prednisolone.
Patients were started on both probiotics (75 billion
colony forming units daily) and prebiotics (psyllium 10
grams daily). Probiotics were mainly in the form of
Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus bacteria. After about
a year, six patients had a complete response, one had a
partial response, and three were non-responders. Two
patients were able to discontinue their prednisolone
therapy, while four patients decreased their dosage. The
researchers says. "A high dose of a probiotic and
prebiotic combination can be safely and effectively used
for the treatment of active Crohn's disease."
Comments: This was a small study of only 10 people,
but it is encouraging and hopefully studies with larger
groups of patients will be done soon. The probiotic
dosage was quite high, and perhaps lower amounts would
also be helpful. I have recently updated the web page on
Crohn's disease. See
http://www.raysahelian.com/crohnsdisease.html.
You will find a link to probiotic and prebiotic web
pages.
Noni for energy
enhancement
Noni fruit has been used by Polynesians to improve
energy levels. Researchers in China gave aged mice
Tahitian Noni Juice and then compared them in the forced
swim test to with young and aged mice who did not drink
the noni juice. The mice drinking noni juice were able
to swim longer and had more endurance, similar to the
young mice. The researchers conclude, "These results
confirm the reported use of noni juice to combat
fatigue, improve endurance and increase overall physical
performance."
Comments: Perhaps noni supplements provide the same
benefits as noni juice, however we need studies to
compare a noni supplement to noni juice to see if there
is a difference. One advantage of noni capsules is that
they don't have the calories in the form of fructose
that noni juice has. See
http://www.raysahelian.com/noni.html
Honey for cough in
children
Dr. Ian M. Paul of Pennsylvania State University in
Hershey compared buckwheat honey, a honey-flavored
dextromethorphan preparation (dextromethorphan is found
in over the counter cough syrups), and no treatment in
105 children who had sought treatment for nighttime
coughs due to colds. Among the three groups, children
given honey had the greatest reduction in cough
frequency and severity, and the most improved sleep. The
dosage was half a teaspoon for two- to five-year-olds, a
teaspoon for six- to eleven-year-olds, and two
teaspoons for children twelve and older. Archives of
Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine, December 2007.
