I just found out that they are now making a human version of this product- I have used it on animals  with intestinal problems with very good results.  Its supposed to bind to/absorb bad bacteria like clostridium and move it out.  Its also now being used in dogs for parvo, and cats as well.  Many here have used Fish Zole(flagyl) for bacterial overgrowths, maybe this stuff could have a benefit for us DSr's.  Seriously I have saved some pretty sick animals using this stuff, I'm a believer, I've got the horse paste tubes, am going to get some capsules to have on hand and give them a try.

http://www.platinumperformance.com/Human-Bio-Sponge0174/productinfo/HBIOC150/

 Rhiannon, you might want to look at all the other posts on the different boards, there are several othe entries about  thaegas issues, probiotics and  different ways to approach the problem. some of them have different web sites to check...including herbal.I wouldn't know if a horse would eat rabbit tobacco, but  the deer and rabbits love it....and it helps me.

After reading the other responders reply, I'm wondering if I'm getting the wrong gist here, but this product, if it worked in humans, sounds preferable to me over taking a periodic round of Flagyl.

I wonder if it could be applied in other ways some day. I've read about so many benefits and suspected benefits of probiotics that go way beyond just gas, and wonder if a similar product could be used some day to just release a steady stream of good "bugs" in the gut.

My friend Mr. Google helped me out again. It's an application of smectite, which is a clay mineral, that appears to bind certain kinds of bacteria. Very interesting.

What's in it and how does it work?

Thats exactly what it does, bind bacteria and flu**** out, sort of like charcoal can be used for poison.  I mentioned animals only because I have actually used this on animals who had bacterial overgrowths in their gut, and it worked rather well.  I'm not having any problems yet myself-knock on wood- but what if one could take a preventative dose of this and avoid the bacterial buildup problems that some DS'rs report, that normally result in having to take Flagyl.  I'm all for any preventative treatment, would rather try this than take antibiotics, although I must admit I do have two bottles of Flagyl sitting here if I need them.  I am going to try this stuff and report back, will give it to one of my dogs too, she's old and tends to have gastrointestinal distress fairly regularly.  I find it very interesting that they are using it for dogs with parvo, as supportive therapy. 

My main concern would be if there is overgrowth in the biliopancreatic limb, this will only partially help, because it would have to be in contact with the appropriate limb in order to sweep things out.  Same reason why antibiotics like xifaxin that stay in the GI tract tend to only help us somewhat instead of totally.  Some people seem to need an absorbed antibiotic to work system-wide in order to get into the B-P limb.

Kayla has a valid concern, BUT I just came off a serious one month round of Flagyl and wonder if I could use this to prevent rather than treat. I ordered and will be happy to report my results.

I wanted to know just what the heck is this stuff, and this is the best I could find from this link: http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=4062

Enterocolitis and the Effectiveness of Bio-Sponge (AAEP 2002)

by: Sarah L. Evers Conrad
January 13 2003, Article # 4062

 

Enterocolitis (inflammation of the small intestine and colon) caused by the bacteriums Clostridium difficile and Clostridium perfringens is a common problem for both adult horses and foals, according to Nathalie Cote, DMV, DVSc, of the University of Guelph. However, even with aggressive treatment, many do not survive the disease and treatment can be expensive. But the use of di-tri-octahedral (DTO) smectite might help according to a study which tested the brand Bio-Sponge done by Cote; Scott Weese, DVM, DVSc, Dipl. ACVIM, a microbiology specialist at the University of Guelph; and Rolph De Gannes, GV, DVM, in Equine Veterinary Sciences at the University of Guelph.

DTO smectite is a natural hydrated aluminomagnesium silicate that binds to digestive mucus and increases resistance to bacterial damage by absorbing substances in the digestive tract. This includes substances such as endotoxins, exotoxins, and organic vapors. C. difficile and C. perfringens produce such toxins. This binding action results in a shortened duration of diarrhea and fewer stools in humans. Researchers studied a commercial form of DTO smectite called Bio-Sponge and determined that it binds to C. difficile toxins A and B and C. perfringens enterotoxin in vitro (in a laboratory environment). "This suggests that DTO smectite may be useful for the treatment or prevention of clostridial colitis in horses," Cote said.

The study also showed that Bio-Sponge did not inhibit the growth of C. difficile and C. perfringens. Therefore, the use of antimicrobials such as metronidazole might still be necessary in the treatment of clostridial colitis. However, the researchers also determined that DTO smectite does not bind to metronidazole. "This study suggests that there is no contraindication to the combined use of DTO smectite and metronidazole," she continued.

Cote said that further testing needs to be performed in vivo (in the living body) to determine if the results of their study will be the same in the living horse.

Since this works like charcoal, by inhibiting absorption, wouldn't this keep us from absorbing crucial supplements as well?