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National Radio Host Says Probiotics Helpful Aid Against E. Coli

Posted on: Monday, 9 October 2006, 12:01 CDT

LOS ANGELES, Oct. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Nationally syndicated Radio Host, Dr. Gene Steiner says taking probiotics to combat the outbreak of E. coli is a good prescription. "I am receiving thousands of calls and emails from my listeners who are concerned about this recent E. coli outbreak," Dr. Gene said.

Natasha Trenev, world renowned probiotic expert and co-host with Dr. Gene on their national radio show, The Power of Health Radio Show, sponsored by Natren(R) Inc., adds, "I am not surprised. I see the increase of food-related bacteria as a continuing and escalating problem. Early in the 1980s, E. coli were just benign bacteria. They evolved into pathogenic bacteria as a means to protect themselves from antibiotics. E. coli have always been part of our resident bacteria and entered our bodies regularly through food. However when they changed their make-up in the 1980s, the relationship became deadly. This is to say, the new deadly strains were able to enter our bodies through the food we eat, but now as few as five cells of E. coli O157-H7 could cause serious illness and even death."

Since the 90s E. coli has involved more than spinach. According to the Center for Science in the Public Interest (CSPI), from 1990 to 2003, seafood caused 720 outbreaks leading to over a 8,044 cases of illness, produce caused 428 outbreaks and 23,857 illnesses, beef caused 338 outbreaks and 10,795 illnesses, and eggs caused 306 outbreaks and 10,449 illnesses. The incidence of food poisoning is greater now from vegetables such as spinach, lettuce and cilantro then it is from meat and eggs.

Clearly, our government agencies are overwhelmed with this growing problem. As the E. coli problem has been increasing, our government agencies' budgets have been squeezed drastically, reducing their efforts. Compliance with safety guidelines on the handling of produce is voluntary and federal inspectors conduct fewer and fewer check-ups, according to government documents and interviews with consumer groups and a top former Food and Drug Administration official. For example, since the FDA hired inspectors in the wake of bioterrorism concerns after the September 11 attacks, the government has been steadily thinning their ranks. The number of FDA staff in field around the country reduced from 2,217 in 2003 to 1,962 currently. This is according to their budget documents.

In the 1970s, the agency conducted about 35,000 food inspections a year. More recently, that has fallen to about 5,000 annual inspections with state officials carrying out another 4,000 per year.

"All this points to the need for individual responsibility and protective action, we have to become the first line of defense for ourselves and our families against this growing bacterial attack on our food supply," says Natasha Trenev.

"There are two main questions our listeners are asking us, 'How do I know I have been affected by E. coli and what can I do to protect myself and loved ones?' Dr. Gene and I are advising them to wash their foods and hands thoroughly, clean their food-preparing areas, like tables and cutting boards, thoroughly, and fortify their digestive systems by taking a quality probiotic that is continually refrigerated and has a guaranteed potency through a printed expiration date."

E. coli symptoms include digestive disorders, diarrhea and stomach aches that could lead to increasing fever and vomiting. You should alert your doctor if you are concerned with continuing diarrhea or if the symptoms continue without relief.

Dr. Gene Steiner and Natasha Trenev host the nationally syndicated health show called The Power of Health Radio Show sponsored by Natren(R) Inc., the probiotic specialist recognized worldwide(R). You can find more information on Natren's Web site at http://www.natren.com/.

Natren Inc.

CONTACT: Aileen Murray of Natren Inc., +1-877-962-8736 ext. 2104

Web site: http://www.natren.com/

Source: PRNewswire

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