Snotty little probiotics.

Probiotics.  Are they the answer to all my atopic problems?  Could it be this freakin' simple?  Well, so far, the author of the book I'm reading on allergic rhinitis (I can't remember the title or the author, but see my last post) has made a very convincing case for....I don't know what yet, because I'm not even halfway through, and since I got the Kindle version, instead of a hard copy, I can't flip ahead, because if you flip ahead on the Kindle, you'll never know where you left off reading....argh.

Anyway, it seems that we have WAY more mucus in many more bodily orifices/cavities/spaces than I ever realized.  And all this mucus is supposed to protect us/our tissues from foreign things.  And all the mucus is supposed to have what we call probiotics, which are one of the first lines of defense against foreign stuff.  And when our mucus barriers break down and our probiotics get killed off with antibiotics and don't get recolonized, we go all wonky and the bad bacteria takes over in some places, and foreign invaders get through in others, etc., etc.  Inflammation, immune system suppression, hyperreactivity, runny nose, itchy throat and itchy watery eyes, gastrointestinal "issues," and funky female flora may ensue.

Because 50 BILLION active cultures CAN'T be wrong.

Given the strong build up to the case for probiotics, I decided that I had better (a) look into taking more of what I already have on a more serious basis, and (b) stock up, which involved both a trip to Wag's (after finding out that my local Hi-Health had moved) and several Amazon orders.  And, even though I spent part of my day freely inhaling pollens and other allergens at a dog agility fiesta in Tempe this morning, and I have gone well past the appointed hour for re-Zyrtec-ing, I feel better already!  Maybe it's a placebo effect.  (Maybe it's the 1.5 glasses of champagne.)  But I'm feeling fine.  And optimistic.

And, just in case probiotics (or a lack thereof) are what's wrong with the entire universe, I ordered some for the dogs and the cat too.  

You can not be too careful.

Here's to your intestinal fortitude.  And to the health of other mucosal-lined areas.

And now, back to A Man for All Seasons, nominated for I-don't-know-how-many Oscars, or frankly, why any Oscars.  But there it is.