Probiotics May Help Keep Travel-Related Illness at Bay

According to a recent survey* conducted by for Florastor, 63 percent of survey respondents reported TD as a problem they've had during travel, even domestically. When preparing for a trip, one in four U.S. travelers pack an anti-diarrheal medication, but while probiotics are gaining recognition in this country as a method to manage diarrhea, only one percent of U.S. travelers say they pack probiotics.

According to board-certified gastroenterologist and assistant medical professor Patricia Raymond, M.D., people in other parts of the world have been using probiotics to combat travelers' diarrhea for decades, and it is a great way for traveling Americans to keep their intestinal tracts healthier on the road, too.

"Many people in other parts of the world, particularly Europeans, are firm believers in using probiotics to ward off traveler's diarrhea, but Americans are just catching on to the concept of probiotics in general." says Dr. Raymond. "I've actually used the yeast-based probiotic Florastor personally for this purpose as I've traveled outside of the United States and domestically with success."

Dr. Raymond's travelers tip for stomach protection? Take Florastor - a yeast-based probiotic comprised of Saccharomyces boulardii - for four days before the trip, during the entire trip, and for four days after the trip to help ward off the invading pathogenic bacteria (from water, food, etc.) that can cause traveler's diarrhea or other intestinal upset. "It's a great alternative to anti-diarrheals that simply stop the symptoms, but don't address the cause," she says.

Florastor is available in most retail chain drug stores and at independent pharmacies. It can be purchased in bottles of 10 capsules for a suggested price of $9.95 or 50 capsules for a suggested price of $39.95. Florastor Kids is available in a box of 10 powder packets (which can be mixed with applesauce or beverages, including infant formula) for a suggested price of $11.95, or in a 20-packet box for a price of $19.95.

Source: By Florastor