Actimel

[sp1814]

There's a long running campaign on television for a product called Actimel, described as"a delicious probiotic drinking yogurt which contains the unique culture L.casei Imunitass�"

My quesrtion is - why are only women interviewed in the ads???

I'm not accusing the makers of sexism...I'm just curious that it's aimed solely at women.

[Ethel]

What makes me laugh is the 'culture' is a registered trademark of Actimel. There has been no independent scientific studies in to this and it has no health benefits that ordinary yoghurt do not have.

And the advert is so coy - no mention of constipation or bowel movements.

I don't think many men would be interested in this waste of money.

[tonymclark]

I imagine only women are interviewed as that is the target audience.

[sp1814]

Ethel

You're on the same page as me....I understood the subtext to the advert to be "If you're a bit bunged up this product will help"...which is why I was confused about it being aimed solely at women.

And yes...trademarked compound names are very funny...such as 'Boswelox'.

[littleoldme]

It's because only women get "bloated". Men just need a good s***. ;-)

[4getmenot]

I wondered exactly that too, and also adverts for trapped wind are always aimed at woman. My conlusion - Men just fart

[Haggisdj]

4getmenot - what do you mean 'just fart'!!! This is an art form that takes may years to perfect...

[sp1814]

I 'spose you could argue that men are full of wind....?

[4getmenot]

yes but compared to scientifically founding out about probitics and stuff it is just farting :-)

[4getmenot]

No that would be hot air or poo sp1814

[Nosha123]

Actually Actimel is not to aid digestion but to build up your bodies natural defences and in trials in the NHS has been proven to reduce the risk of contracting C.Diff.

Increasing the body;s natural defences also helps prevent against other viruses too.

So there have indeed been scientific studies and they are proven!

[Nosha123]

Visit:
http://www.actimel.co.uk/scientific_evidence.p hp

[Nosha123]

and this was in the National Press...
Actimel drinks stop superbug
A YOGURT drink can fight off a killer hospital superbug, a study has revealed.

Healthy bacteria in Actimel has been shown to beat the dangerous C.Diff infection.

C.Diff is rampant on UK wards and hits more than 52,000 patients each year, causing one in 250 hospital deaths. In trials all of the patients given a daily dose of cheap Actimel, manufactured by Danone, fought off the bug.

Researchers at Imperial College London and Hammersmith Hospital analysed 135 patients over the age of 50.

All were taking antibiotics for other illnesses, which lower the immune system, making people more infection prone.

They were exposed to the Clostridium Difficile bug then given Actimel or a milkshake to drink.

No patients given Actimel went on to develop the chronic diarrhoea that makes C.Diff so deadly.

It also slashed the chance of them developing other side effects from the antibiotics they were taking. The trial was published in the online British Medical Journal.

Treating a C.Diff patient with powerful antibiotics costs �4,000, but Actimel costs only �3.50 for a two week supply.

The researchers said that the Lactobacillus bacteria in the Actimel had a protective effect on the body, and could save the NHS thousands in drug bills

[Ethel]

Nosha - 'evidence' paid for by Actimel is worthless.

[sp1814]

Does it taste nice though?

[4getmenot]

yes lovely

[Nosha123]

My My Ethel is a cynic eh....

Lets hope you dont ever catch C.Diff though!!!! Its a nasty nasty bug!

I wont.. I'll be fine.. !!

[nat_84]

Funny Story - i asked my friend to pick me up some Aptamil (baby milk) for my daughter and she bought me back two packs of Actimel... not QUITE what i was after.

Is that a "had to be there" story? If so, Apoligies in Advance.

[LoftyLottie]

http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/full/bmj.39231. 599815.55v1

[Nosha123]

Well done LoftyLottie... I see there that ... and I quote...

"Funding: Once funding was agreed none of the funding sources had any role in the data collection, analysis, interpretation of data, writing of the report, or the decision to submit the paper for publication."

Kinda puts out Ethels fire eh!!!!

he he he

[LoftyLottie]

My doctor recommends Actimel and other similar products for recovery after a tummy bug or to get your system back to normal after a course of antiobotics. It is common recommended practice these days.