Re: supplements from kirkman's/Culturelle

[Guest guest]

The issue of two different potencies of Culturelle (same box) at

about the same price came up on the enzyme board. I called Kirkmans,

www.culturelle.com, my pharmacy, and www.vrp.com. All of them said

some version of " Golly gee, I didn't know there were different

potencies. We just sell what we got from the manufacturers. "

Here are the products that are actually sold and I verified that this

is what the box actually says [# denotes active colony forming units]:

www.vrp.com 30 caps 20 billion $21.95

www.kirkmanlabs.com 30 caps 20 billion $18.65

my pharmacy in Iowa 30 caps 10 billion $16.57

www.culturelle 30 caps 10 billion $14.79

---(a bit higher if you buy less than 4 boxes)

I have written the parent company Valio and asked about the

differences in potency for the same price and will convey whatever

response I get. Otherwise these products do exist as posted. The only

reason I can guess for a capsule at half strength is that for

children, a half capsule of the 20 billion is recommended, so it may

be for convenience. With this information, Kirkmans looks like the

best deal. Culturelle works very well for us, much better than 4

other brands we used. My youngest son has persistent gut/bowel

problems.

A long thorough description on the benefits of Culturelle can be

found at: http://www.valio.fi/lgg/research.html

and a short one is given below from www.vrp.com. Thanks to whoever

notified the board on the difference.

.

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Name:Culturelle, Lactobacillus GG (LGG)

Health promoting friendly intestinal bacteria to restore & maintain a

healthy digestive tract. Culturelle is the ultimate GI tract health

aid available today. Thirty years of extensive study has shown that

Lactobacillus GG, the amazing probiotic inside each capsule of

Culturelle, can help control overgrowth of harmful bacteria,

alleviate intestinal inflammation and permeability, and strengthen

the intestine. This unique formula guarantees high potency and long

shelf-life at room temperature. Culturelle is effective for Crohn's

disease, irritable bowel syndrome and leaky gut syndrome.Culturelle

is a new probiotic dietary supplement which provides health-

promoting " friendly " bacteria that normally live in the intestinal

tract, but which can be destroyed or depleted by stress, aging,

taking antibiotics, changes in one's diet, or contracting foreign

bacteria from traveling. Helpful for diarrhea caused by antibiotics

and bad bacteria. Each capsule contains a guaranteed 20 billion live

cells of Lactobacillus GG -- a quantity sufficient to restore and

maintain a healthy bacterial balance in the digestive system when

taken daily. Culturelle capsules are lactose-free and dairy-free;

safe for use by those who are lactose intolerant. Studies have shown

that Lactobacillus GG can prevent immune inflammatory responses in

milk-hypersensitive adults who suffer from gastrointestinal distress

after consuming milk, but who tolerate lactose, thus may be used by

those who are hypersensitive to milk. Recommended dosage: Adults -

one or two capsules per day; Children - 1/2 capsule daily.