Barb's Daily Dose

Probiotics Combat Diarrhea That Results From Antibiotics

Before you read further, let me warn you in advance that some of what I'm discussing here has to do with bodily fluids and diarrhea. If you're a caregiver and have dealt with this, I hope this helps. 

Recently, I was working with a family who's elderly mother had intermittent diarrhea as a result of gall bladder issues and some antibiotics she was taking for an infection.  She wouldn't leave the house for fear of an accident.  Embarrassing, depressing and isolating.

How Much Calcium Do You Need?

How Much Calcium do You have Each Day from Milk, Yogurt, Cheese or Supplements?

This is the question I always ask my patients during their annual exam.  No matter if they're 19, 39 or 59, most answer the same way.  Maybe they have a little milk in their coffee or cereal, some yogurt a few times a week, and maybe some cheese now and then.  Broccoli and spinach are thrown in once in awhile.  It all adds up, but it doesn't make the grade.  

Moo Juice and Calcium

If you're like most Americans, you may not be getting enough calcium or Vitamin D in your diet. We know that we build most of our bone mass by our 20's.

If you have kids at home, be sure that they are getting at least 3 servings of calcium rich food a day from yogurt, cheese, milk, or calcium fortified orange juice. If they're not getting enough, consider a multivitamin or a calcium supplement.  Look for one that also has Vitamin D.  

Fish is Brain Food

New research has found that elderly people with higher levels of several vitamins and omega 3 fatty acids in their blood had better performance on mental acuity tests and less of the brain shrinkage typical of Alzheimer’s disease.

Diets with a greater amount of junk food, meanwhile, produced the opposite results, according to the study.

Diabetic on Metformin? Get more B12

A recent study from the UK found that people with diabetes who used Metformin were twice as likely to have a deficiency in Vitamin B12.  If you or a loved one is being treated with Metformin, either have your level checked or consider taking a supplement of B12 or one that has several B vitamins in it. This also applies to women with PCOS who are using Metformin.

B vitamins are found in meat, turkey, tuna, potatoes, beans, brewer's yeast, bananas and molasses. 

Eat Fish to Keep Your Heart Healthy

When I was growing up, my mother told me that fish was good for your brain. I don't know where she heard that, but it stuck with me.  Until we moved to Alaska, where we ate the salmon, halibut and Dolly Varden trout that we caught, my fish diet was limited to Fish Sticks on Friday and my favorite choice at McDonalds, the Filet-o-Fish sandwich.

What to Do for a Stomach Bug

Does NOTHING Help a Somach Bug??

I recently got this question and thought it would be great to cover it on The Daily Dose.

Here's a ICU Nurse Tip for Stomach Bugs

We use this to help people get re-hydrated. Wait at least 30 minutes after throwing up to even try to get some liquids. Then, mix water with clear juice and whatever  you do, DO NOT give more than a teaspoon at a time and wait 5 minutes between small sips. The liquids will be absorbed in the mouth and esophagus before they reach a very irritated stomach, so are less likely to come back up.

What You Need, and How to Get It - Vitamins: What to Take, What to Skip

Another Great Article from Health.com

What you need, and how to get it - Vitamins: What to Take, What to Skip - Health.com.

Planning Pregnancy: 5 Things you Need to do Now

If you're planning to become pregnant in 2012, there are 5 things you need to do to prepare:

1.  Make a pre-conception visit with your health care provider - They will go over your health history, family history and order any necessary tests to help you be as healthy as possible.  You may be surprised to learn that some vaccinations may be recommended and that a careful look at family history may reassure some worries.

2.  Start taking a prenatal vitamin - There's lots of evidence that taking a prenatal vitamin with folic acid in it 1-3 months before conception decreases the risk of neural tube defects in babies, and now recent evidence indicates that prenatal vitamins also reduce the likelihood of delivering prematurely.

Osteoporosis & Rare Thigh Fractures

I was just interviewed about bone health and osteoporosis for National Osteoporosis Awareness month. One issue that many women wanted to understand better had to do with recent reports of more thigh bone  fractures associated with the prescription medications for osteoporosis.