Welcome to Debate Club! Please be aware that this is a space for respectful debate, and that your ideas will be challenged here. Please remember to critique the argument, not the author.

Probiotics

245

Replies

  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
    pondee629 wrote: »
    pondee629 wrote: »
    So, a live culture Greek yogurt is not sufficient?

    I don't think so, you'd have to eat a ton and then hope there are actual live cultures left in there. The probiotic i take claims that one capsule = 22 tubs of yogurt.

    And this is not too much?

    Nah I doubt it. I've been taking probiotics for years with no negative side effects. Each capsule has 25 billion "good bacteria". I've seen some with 50-60 Billion levels.
  • Need2Exerc1se
    Need2Exerc1se Posts: 13,575 Member
    pondee629 wrote: »
    pondee629 wrote: »
    So, a live culture Greek yogurt is not sufficient?

    I don't think so, you'd have to eat a ton and then hope there are actual live cultures left in there. The probiotic i take claims that one capsule = 22 tubs of yogurt.

    And this is not too much?

    Nah I doubt it. I've been taking probiotics for years with no negative side effects. Each capsule has 25 billion "good bacteria". I've seen some with 50-60 Billion levels.

    While it may not be too much, it may be overkill for a lot of people. Not everyone needs to take a probiotic. If you aren't experiencing any problems then you probably don't need it.
  • senecarr
    senecarr Posts: 5,377 Member
    pondee629 wrote: »
    pondee629 wrote: »
    So, a live culture Greek yogurt is not sufficient?

    I don't think so, you'd have to eat a ton and then hope there are actual live cultures left in there. The probiotic i take claims that one capsule = 22 tubs of yogurt.

    And this is not too much?

    Your gut contains more bacterial cells than your whole body contains human cells. Kind of hard for a pill to hold too many of them, so long as they're of the well behaved variety.
  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
    pondee629 wrote: »
    pondee629 wrote: »
    So, a live culture Greek yogurt is not sufficient?

    I don't think so, you'd have to eat a ton and then hope there are actual live cultures left in there. The probiotic i take claims that one capsule = 22 tubs of yogurt.

    And this is not too much?

    Nah I doubt it. I've been taking probiotics for years with no negative side effects. Each capsule has 25 billion "good bacteria". I've seen some with 50-60 Billion levels.

    While it may not be too much, it may be overkill for a lot of people. Not everyone needs to take a probiotic. If you aren't experiencing any problems then you probably don't need it.

    The main reason I started taking them was because they kept me regular, plus Thrush is non existent when I'm taking them, howeeeever I only get that when I take antibiotics which happens maybe once every few years.
    But you're right, I probably don't need them,It's just become an ingrained before bed habit now.,
  • MommyMeggo
    MommyMeggo Posts: 1,222 Member
    zcb94 wrote: »
    I do, for, uh, maintained flora and fauna.

    Poor little Merryweather. Always a bridesmaid never a bride. :)

    I take them each AM. Currently looking for a stronger one now that I am not supplementing daily with Greek yogurt due to digestion issues. Sniff sniff.
  • hopeandtheabsurd
    hopeandtheabsurd Posts: 265 Member
    I discovered their benefits after I was hospitalized and given strong antibiotics, which led to a lovely bout with c. diff and more meds, and it was pretty bad after that for months until I started taking a probiotic suggested by a friend (Garden of Life). I'm not sure there is any reason to take them if you are not having gut problems, but if you are, it's definitely something to look into.
  • rhtexasgal
    rhtexasgal Posts: 572 Member
    Personally, I believe a lot more people should take them. Many people do not eat right, consuming too many sodas, sugary products and things high in artificial flavors and colors. The bad bacteria in your gut love it. This is likely why more people are susceptible to every little illness that they run across. If the gut is in tip top shape, your immune system gets a boost too. I work with 150+ boys every week and have been exposed to strep, colds, flu ... you name it and I don't get any of it and have not for several years.
  • Christine_72
    Christine_72 Posts: 16,049 Member
    rhtexasgal wrote: »
    Personally, I believe a lot more people should take them. Many people do not eat right, consuming too many sodas, sugary products and things high in artificial flavors and colors. The bad bacteria in your gut love it. This is likely why more people are susceptible to every little illness that they run across. If the gut is in tip top shape, your immune system gets a boost too. I work with 150+ boys every week and have been exposed to strep, colds, flu ... you name it and I don't get any of it and have not for several years.

    I agree
  • senecarr
    senecarr Posts: 5,377 Member
    rhtexasgal wrote: »
    Personally, I believe a lot more people should take them. Many people do not eat right, consuming too many sodas, sugary products and things high in artificial flavors and colors. The bad bacteria in your gut love it. This is likely why more people are susceptible to every little illness that they run across. If the gut is in tip top shape, your immune system gets a boost too. I work with 150+ boys every week and have been exposed to strep, colds, flu ... you name it and I don't get any of it and have not for several years.

    Why do we also assume modern convenience and improvements are only loved by bad bacteria? Why do our good bacteria only like yogurt and vegetables? Why do we even assume the bacteria are good or bad in and of themselves, rather than they're just bacteria, and they grow on certain types of food, with some foods possibly being ones we think of as better for people than others, such that the bacteria present reflect that, rather than produce that?
  • BinaryPulsar
    BinaryPulsar Posts: 8,927 Member
    edited March 2016
    I was incredibly healthy. I was overprescribed antibiotics and then another med that severely injured me. Antibiotics can severely change your life (sorry I don't want to go into the details, but it's bad in many ways). I also agree about sauerkraut or other cultured veggies. Wildbrine is a good company with live and active cultures. Kefir as well. Some people drink kombucha as well. Lots of veggies in general. A book that has been somewhat helpful to me is The Microbiome Solution by Robynne Chutkan. You will often be fine with just one course of antibiotics. I was misdiagnosed as having an antibiotic resistant infection when in reality it was antibiotic side effects they were misdiagnosing and prescribing more very powerful and double strength antibiotics and destroying me with (along with severe allergic reaction and life altering adverse events). I take New Roots Probiotic Intensity because it's enteric coated and has human strains. I now also take HCP150 because it's human strains, cryoprotected, with 150 billion. But, I am undergoing testing and it's possible probiotics aren't going to be enough to recover my gut health, but I can recover (hopefully).

    Edit to add: We have a balance in our microbiome. The "bad" stuff is a healthy part of our microbiome in small amounts. They only become pathological if they over grow and then they behave differently. Bacteria is actually a very fascinating topic.
  • soulofgrace
    soulofgrace Posts: 175 Member
    senecarr wrote: »

    I am thinking she must frequent MFP...judging from some of her language and her use and explanation of our favorite word, "woo." I especially loved her use of "Woo-mongering," and I expect it will be undoubtedly be put to good use here. I like it.
  • BinaryPulsar
    BinaryPulsar Posts: 8,927 Member
    edited March 2016
    I was prescribed amoxicillin with Clavalinic Acid. Then Clindamycin (a very strong antibiotic all on it's own). Then wrongly prescribed double strength Bactrim DS (a combination of two very strong antibiotics). I had a severe reaction. Then wrongly prescribed another med that severely injured me. I have been to 13 medical specialists. I definitely have a severe gut condition now that has severely impacted my life. I had a first round of tests on Saturday. I was in excellent health before this. I am going to try and recover under the guidance of my medical specialists. It's just the most basic common sense of medical understanding. And survival mechanism to want to regain health. As she said, perhaps I won't be able to recover. But, I have made some progress and I hope I will be able to recover. I'm married to a scientist, I studied biology in college, I am surrounded by scientists (including biologists and doctors). I am an atheist, etc, etc. If you require details: certain foods cause my belly to swell to pregnant size and a few hours later the food is in the toilet fully intact. And I now weigh 95 pounds. Also eating foods causes debilitating nerve pain in my face and eyes.
  • soulofgrace
    soulofgrace Posts: 175 Member
    I was prescribed amoxicillin with Clavalinic Acid. Then Clindamycin (a very strong antibiotic all on it's own). Then wrongly prescribed double strength Bactrim DS (a combination of two very strong antibiotics). I had a severe reaction. Then wrongly prescribed another med that severely injured me. I have been to 13 medical specialists. I definitely have a severe gut condition now that has severely impacted my life. I had a first round of tests on Saturday. I was in excellent health before this. I am going to try and recover under the guidance of my medical specialists. It's just the most basic common sense of medical understanding. And survival mechanism to want to regain health. As she said, perhaps I won't be able to recover. But, I have made some progress and I hope I will be able to recover. I'm married to a scientist, I studied biology in college, I am surrounded by scientists (including biologists and doctors). I am an atheist, etc, etc. If you require details: certain foods cause my belly to swell to pregnant size and a few hours later the food is in the toilet fully intact. And I now weigh 95 pounds. Also eating foods causes debilitating nerve pain in my face and eyes.

    You might be a candidate for a fecal transplant.
  • BinaryPulsar
    BinaryPulsar Posts: 8,927 Member
    I was prescribed amoxicillin with Clavalinic Acid. Then Clindamycin (a very strong antibiotic all on it's own). Then wrongly prescribed double strength Bactrim DS (a combination of two very strong antibiotics). I had a severe reaction. Then wrongly prescribed another med that severely injured me. I have been to 13 medical specialists. I definitely have a severe gut condition now that has severely impacted my life. I had a first round of tests on Saturday. I was in excellent health before this. I am going to try and recover under the guidance of my medical specialists. It's just the most basic common sense of medical understanding. And survival mechanism to want to regain health. As she said, perhaps I won't be able to recover. But, I have made some progress and I hope I will be able to recover. I'm married to a scientist, I studied biology in college, I am surrounded by scientists (including biologists and doctors). I am an atheist, etc, etc. If you require details: certain foods cause my belly to swell to pregnant size and a few hours later the food is in the toilet fully intact. And I now weigh 95 pounds. Also eating foods causes debilitating nerve pain in my face and eyes.

    You might be a candidate for a fecal transplant.

    Maybe. But, I am hoping it won't come to that. And that I will be able to recover. Seems risky. But, it's life saving in severe circumstances like with C.diff infections. I'm making progress. And I was so healthy to start. Hopefully I can get things back into the right balance. I am just so used to being healthy. Thanks.
  • CharlieBeansmomTracey
    CharlieBeansmomTracey Posts: 7,682 Member
    I've been taking antibiotics on and off since December....which has resulted in extra infections(women know what I mean)...I have a feeling I will be put back on them again this week' Does anyone know, if I took a probiotic, would this avoid those infections? I'm dreading going back to the doctor just thinking about it....

    I know for me If I take them when Im taking an antibiotic(not at the same time of course) it seems to prevent those nasty little itchy infections. if you have the infection as the dr for the one time pill and from now on when you take antibiotics take some probiotics during and for like a week after and see if it makes a difference. everyone is different though.
  • CharlieBeansmomTracey
    CharlieBeansmomTracey Posts: 7,682 Member
    pondee629 wrote: »
    So, a live culture Greek yogurt is not sufficient?

    wasnt for me. I try to take probiotics that have like 10 billion or more active cultures in them,the ones that need refrigerated after opening seem to work better(at least for me) kefir is another good product that can help
  • soulofgrace
    soulofgrace Posts: 175 Member
    I was prescribed amoxicillin with Clavalinic Acid. Then Clindamycin (a very strong antibiotic all on it's own). Then wrongly prescribed double strength Bactrim DS (a combination of two very strong antibiotics). I had a severe reaction. Then wrongly prescribed another med that severely injured me. I have been to 13 medical specialists. I definitely have a severe gut condition now that has severely impacted my life. I had a first round of tests on Saturday. I was in excellent health before this. I am going to try and recover under the guidance of my medical specialists. It's just the most basic common sense of medical understanding. And survival mechanism to want to regain health. As she said, perhaps I won't be able to recover. But, I have made some progress and I hope I will be able to recover. I'm married to a scientist, I studied biology in college, I am surrounded by scientists (including biologists and doctors). I am an atheist, etc, etc. If you require details: certain foods cause my belly to swell to pregnant size and a few hours later the food is in the toilet fully intact. And I now weigh 95 pounds. Also eating foods causes debilitating nerve pain in my face and eyes.

    You might be a candidate for a fecal transplant.

    Maybe. But, I am hoping it won't come to that. And that I will be able to recover. Seems risky. But, it's life saving in severe circumstances like with C.diff infections. I'm making progress. And I was so healthy to start. Hopefully I can get things back into the right balance. I am just so used to being healthy. Thanks.

    Man, so much negligence. I am so sorry you are suffering. I wish you the best.
  • BinaryPulsar
    BinaryPulsar Posts: 8,927 Member
    I was prescribed amoxicillin with Clavalinic Acid. Then Clindamycin (a very strong antibiotic all on it's own). Then wrongly prescribed double strength Bactrim DS (a combination of two very strong antibiotics). I had a severe reaction. Then wrongly prescribed another med that severely injured me. I have been to 13 medical specialists. I definitely have a severe gut condition now that has severely impacted my life. I had a first round of tests on Saturday. I was in excellent health before this. I am going to try and recover under the guidance of my medical specialists. It's just the most basic common sense of medical understanding. And survival mechanism to want to regain health. As she said, perhaps I won't be able to recover. But, I have made some progress and I hope I will be able to recover. I'm married to a scientist, I studied biology in college, I am surrounded by scientists (including biologists and doctors). I am an atheist, etc, etc. If you require details: certain foods cause my belly to swell to pregnant size and a few hours later the food is in the toilet fully intact. And I now weigh 95 pounds. Also eating foods causes debilitating nerve pain in my face and eyes.

    You might be a candidate for a fecal transplant.

    Maybe. But, I am hoping it won't come to that. And that I will be able to recover. Seems risky. But, it's life saving in severe circumstances like with C.diff infections. I'm making progress. And I was so healthy to start. Hopefully I can get things back into the right balance. I am just so used to being healthy. Thanks.

    Man, so much negligence. I am so sorry you are suffering. I wish you the best.

    Thank you so much!!!
  • Fit_Happens_2021
    Fit_Happens_2021 Posts: 303 Member
    So the Yakult I have been buying at the grocery store probably is just wasting my money then? Seeing the numbers here I suspect the smaller amount in Yakult maybe isn't really doing much for me. I have had GERD and been on Nexium for several years, I worry about taking Nexium but can't seem to come off it, the GERD symptoms just come straight back and it is really painful.
  • redraidergirl2009
    redraidergirl2009 Posts: 2,560 Member
    Probiotics made me worse - I had sibo so they weren't helping. I took something to kill the bad bacteria which helped immensely. So I'll never be taking probiotics again.
  • CharlieBeansmomTracey
    CharlieBeansmomTracey Posts: 7,682 Member
    So the Yakult I have been buying at the grocery store probably is just wasting my money then? Seeing the numbers here I suspect the smaller amount in Yakult maybe isn't really doing much for me. I have had GERD and been on Nexium for several years, I worry about taking Nexium but can't seem to come off it, the GERD symptoms just come straight back and it is really painful.

    yes getting off a PPI will make the GERD worse. its called rebound acid. I got off my PPIs and am taking an OTC acid reducer. its helping a lot. my ppis were making my GERD worse and giving me other health issues which is why I stopped taking it over a month ago.Im not suggesting you do this, but long term PPI use are only to be used for things like barretts esophagus and other health issues that require it long term. PPIs for Gerd is supposed to be short term use.
  • Fit_Happens_2021
    Fit_Happens_2021 Posts: 303 Member
    They looked at my esophagus to make sure there were no pre cancerous cell changes - put me to sleep and put the camera down, and they said there was damage and scarring on the lower valve that stops acid coming up. That is when they put me on Nexium, I don't recall them calling it Barretts but I just looked it up after reading your post and it sounds similar.

    I had been using OTC acid reducers for a long time and they had stopped working, the doctor told me I had gained a tolerance to them. This all started when I was very slim in my 20's, after my first pregnancy the acid just never went away. I'm thought probiotics might be worth a try.
  • G33K_G1RL
    G33K_G1RL Posts: 283 Member
    I never took probiotics in a pill, but I included fermented foods when I started my weightloss. In addition to all the previously mentioned benefits, I noticed less of a tolerance for very sweet food (candy, maple syrup and their ilk). After a portion or so I just can't tolerate another bite.

    I make my own sauerkraut, kefir and fermented carrots. I occasionally buy kombucha, but haven't ventured in making my own yet.
  • rhtexasgal
    rhtexasgal Posts: 572 Member
    G33K_G1RL wrote: »
    I never took probiotics in a pill, but I included fermented foods when I started my weightloss. In addition to all the previously mentioned benefits, I noticed less of a tolerance for very sweet food (candy, maple syrup and their ilk). After a portion or so I just can't tolerate another bite.

    I make my own sauerkraut, kefir and fermented carrots. I occasionally buy kombucha, but haven't ventured in making my own yet.

    I have found that the more I consume fermented foods and kombucha, the less bloating I get with "trigger" foods like my occasional fried shrimp or eating bread. I also feel more energetic. I also noticed like you a lower tolerance to very sweet foods. I had a waffle last week and put syrup on it ... I ended up scraping half of it off because it was just "too much" whereas before I would saturated the waffle.

    Look into making your own kombucha ... we make two gallons a week at home since I have two teenage boys, and it is quite easy. You can find someone to give you part of a scoby to start or you can purchase kits I believe. We experiment by adding different flavored organic juices and fermenting for different period of times. I like mine a little tarter than the rest of my family (which also means it contains less sugar and more good bacteria).
  • CharlieBeansmomTracey
    CharlieBeansmomTracey Posts: 7,682 Member
    They looked at my esophagus to make sure there were no pre cancerous cell changes - put me to sleep and put the camera down, and they said there was damage and scarring on the lower valve that stops acid coming up. That is when they put me on Nexium, I don't recall them calling it Barretts but I just looked it up after reading your post and it sounds similar.

    I had been using OTC acid reducers for a long time and they had stopped working, the doctor told me I had gained a tolerance to them. This all started when I was very slim in my 20's, after my first pregnancy the acid just never went away. I'm thought probiotics might be worth a try.

    it hasnt for me. they put good bacteria in your gut,. dont think it has anything to do with acid production though.you either produce the right amount,too much or not enough. sounds like you might need a different med for the GERD.they can always do surgery too on the valve. but not sure if it would be something they would want to do,or something you may want to do.I developed it when I was thin too. but that was after I had kids. never had it while pregnant so go figure
  • BinaryPulsar
    BinaryPulsar Posts: 8,927 Member
    edited March 2016
    Probiotics made me worse - I had sibo so they weren't helping. I took something to kill the bad bacteria which helped immensely. So I'll never be taking probiotics again.

    I am waiting for results from my sibo test. But, I have had improvement with probiotics. So, maybe I don't have it. But, I will treat it if I do.
  • BinaryPulsar
    BinaryPulsar Posts: 8,927 Member
    I am the opposite of gerd. I have low stomach acid (at the moment).
  • rhtexasgal
    rhtexasgal Posts: 572 Member
    I had GERD during my ulcerative colitis flares. At one point, the doc said the back of my throat looked like shredded chicken cartilage and I also had an ulcer right where the stomach meets the esophagus. Fun times. I took Prilosec for quite a while and it helped and was a good tool in my recovery. However, I had to wean myself off of them because they can weaken the bones, which I found out when I broke my kneecap in multiple places a few years back. You won't see that mentioned alot in the literature but my two doctors, a nutritionist and my chiropractor all knew this - go figure. I did find after a while of building up to my highest dose of probiotics that it helped with the GERD as well as healthy fats. I started taking a teaspoon of coconut oil 2x a day too. I believe (for me) it took a several pronged approach to heal from it. Now, I can eat anything and everything with no ill effects - as long as I keep up with the probiotics!
  • BinaryPulsar
    BinaryPulsar Posts: 8,927 Member
    My husband says they aren't probiotics unless they are getting paid to biotic. Otherwise they are amateur biotics.
This discussion has been closed.