<<4.  BTW, she's also been taking probiotics, grapefruit seed extract 
(used it
> both topically and orally) and her mother is a professor of clinical
> nutrition who has loaded her w/ all the right foods.  Anything else to 
> think
> about it in this arena?>>

i'd probably quit the GSE since it's not helping and would lean toward 
bromelain to help with the inflammation.  Bromelain won't help the 
infection itself, but will help speed healing by mitigating the 
inflammation.

here is some good evidence based information on bromelain:
http://healthinfo.healthgate.com/GetContent.aspx?token=e0498803-7f62-4563-8d47-5fe33da65dd4&
chunkiid=21619

The dose tends to be 2 tablets of the 2000 GDU strength, 3-4 times per 
day *on an empty stomach*.  If taken with food, it simply digests the 
protein portion of the food.  If taken on an empty stomach, it crosses 
the gut wall and digests inflammation causing proteins in the body.  
It's very effective.

while the abx are the right route as pamela mentioned, i'd still be 
doing all of the supportive things that i do when there is an infection, 
viral or bacterial.   immune supportive herbs, 
antibacterial/antimicrobial herbs, zinc, vitamin a, protein.

Zinc is very beneficial as tissue stores of zinc are depleted very 
quickly whenever there is severe stress - physical or emotional:  cut, 
burn, surgery or any other injury that damages skin integrity....and any 
huge emotional stressor real or perceived.  She's had all of those.

Low levels of zinc seem to be a common problem in the post partum 
period.   Here are some basic functions in which zinc plays a role:
<<Zinc is an essential mineral that is found in almost every cell. It 
stimulates the activity of approximately 100 enzymes, which are 
substances that promote biochemical reactions in your body (1,2). Zinc 
supports a healthy immune system (3,4), is needed for wound healing (5), 
helps maintain your sense of taste and smell (6), and is needed for DNA 
synthesis (2). Zinc also supports normal growth and development during 
pregnancy, childhood, and adolescence (7, 8). ......

snip

........Breastfeeding also may deplete maternal zinc stores because of 
the greater need for zinc during lactation (23). It is important for 
mothers who breast-feed to include good sources of zinc in their daily 
diet and for pregnant women to follow their doctor’s advice about taking 
vitamin and mineral supplements.>>

That info is from:
http://ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/cc/zinc.html

Here is some more good information on zinc:
http://healthinfo.healthgate.com/GetContent.aspx?token=e0498803-7f62-4563-8d47-5fe33da65dd4&
chunkiid=21654

The cool thing about zinc, is that sufficiency can be tested by taste 
perception of some preparations of zinc.    Some people can test 
sufficiency by using a regular 23 mg zinc lozenge.   Some ppl, incl me, 
have difficulty assessing zinc status with a flavored lozenge.   There 
are 3 preparations on the market that test zinc status.  Here is one:
http://store.yahoo.com/iherb/zincstatus.html

it's amazing how clear it is with such a product.   Zinc need varies 
from individual to individual.  Enough zinc is very very important.  But 
more is NOT better.    Because of this, it is unwise to take 'extra' 
zinc without knowing how to test status with a liquid preparation or a 
lozenge.

Here is some information about the Upper Limit of safe intake of zinc:
Zinc toxicity has been seen in both acute and chronic forms. Intakes of 
150 to 450 mg of zinc per day have been associated with low copper 
status, altered iron function, reduced immune function, and reduced 
levels of high-density lipoproteins (the good cholesterol) (34). One 
case report cited severe nausea and vomiting within 30 minutes after the 
person ingested four grams of zinc gluconate (570 mg elemental zinc) 
(35).

if she chose to do any of these supplemental therapies, they would be in 
addition to, and not in place of,  appropriate medical therapies.....

:)
katherine in atl

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