culturelle question

Hi Xingu,This is a very confusing subject. Acidophilus is the shortened name for the bacteria, Lactobacillus acidophilus, a type of "friendly" or beneficial bacteria that normally live in the intestine. All These bacteria are called Probiotics, like Culturelle. Lactobacillus acidophilus is the most common probiotic supplement. I quote from Time.com, "Probiotics are usually sensitive to both heat and moisture. Among the most promising and most thoroughly researched probiotics is the GG strain of Lactobacillus, discovered by Dr. Sherwood Gorbach and biochemist Barry Goldin, both at Tufts University School of Medicine. L-GG, as it's called, has been used to treat traveler's diarrhea and intestinal upsets caused by antibiotics. Even more intriguing, L-GG also seems to work against some viruses, including rotavirus, one of the most common causes of diarrhea in children in the U.S. and around the world. Here the effect is indirect. Somehow L-GG jump-starts the immune system into recognizing the threat posed by the virus. In October a subsidiary of Con Agra started marketing L-GG under the brand name Culturelle. (For more information, call 888-828-4242.)"I have not been able to find Culturelle in drugs stores nearby. I call the above number 1-888-828-4242, and order it with a credit card. It is then sent to me. It has helped me with excessive gas and at times with watery D when I use 2 capsules. It also seems to have prevented vaginal yeast infections for me.I hope others can add to this, and clarify further. I know a few people on this BB who use Culturelle. I hope they see this thread.I quote from the Culturelle site, "Lactobacillus GG, the active culture in Culturelle, is an extensively studied strain of friendly intestinal bacteria, discovered and patented* by leading researchers Drs. Gorbach and Goldin at Tufts University in Boston. Clinical studies at major universities in the U.S. and Europe have documented Lactobacillus GG's health-promoting benefits."Whatever probiotic you use be sure it can withstand stomach acid. Most brands have to be taken an hour before meals. Culturelle does not. It can be taken anytime.Sure hope I haven't confused you further! ------------------vikee

Unfortunately, CVS just raised their prices, it's now $l9.99 for a box, so it's probably not much cheaper than ordering it online. I emailed Culturelle twice to ask them what other pharmacies in New York sell thier product, as I can't find it anywhere, but they never responded. I guess I'll have to call the 800 number