Probiotics

Gee_24 · January 2016

Hi all!

I have been feeling really lethargic and run down for a long time since regaining 30 lbs quickly. I recently started drinking the Nutri-Blast detox, drinking more water and want to try some Probiotics. I have had a very very light throbbing under my belly button for years now. And now its gotten to the point where I don't pass solid stools often if at all any more. I realise this may be a mild allergy or IBS, and will see the Dr again eventually. But I've been turned away before as the symptoms are so mild. I want to try cutting out diary, and a daily pro-biotic. My sisters symptoms are identical and had some trouble getting diagnosed. She had an allergy test last year and was finally diagnosed with IBS and some specific allergies.

I'm trying to decide whether to start Actimel, Yakult or Activia. I done some research tonight, but the internet is packed with articles saying it works amazingly, or saying its a scam and the bacteria isn't even strong enough to reach your guts. Then forums from Digital Spy to Health forums are all arguing the same things too. Some peoples Doctors are recommending it, other Doctors are saying not to touch it. Never been so confused after researching something.

Anybody drink any of these things, are they worth trying?

Thanks!

MamaMc3 · January 2016

I haven't taken any of the ones you have mentioned, but I started taking a probiotic supplement (Culturelle) a few months ago to see if it would help control my IBS. It has helped me SO much. I'm not sure if my results are typical or not, but I have been feeling much better. I think it's definitely worth a try.

Gee_24 · January 2016

Thank you so much for your suggestion. I see these are around £25 on Ebay for a months supply, which I can assume I'd probably be spending on the yoghurt drinks which I was considering. I'll be bookmarking this for sure, and if I see anything similar whilst in Asda tonight I'll pick it up.

I'm having a discussion about probiotics with a few friends on Facebook tonight, and someone mentioned as these haven't been around a terribly long time, what if there is a chance they inhibit our bodies own natural ability to produce these bacteria ourselves?

For me, I don't think it can harm me to give these a try. I have forgotten what it feels like to have good digestive health. So I'm definitely up for it!

mockchoc · January 2016

No need to go buying anything fancy. You can make your own yogurt easily. There are other things like kimchi and sauerkraut that also have good bacteria in them.. many fermented things do. Google about it. No need to spend a ton of money unless you want to.

Gee_24 · January 2016

Thank you very much! This has been suggested to me by a friend this evening also. I'm spending tonight asking friends with similar problems what has worked for them, and it makes sense for me to try the cheaper options first and if they help then I'll be happy, job done!

@MamaMc3 I'm reading some reviews on Culturelle and I have to say they sound fantastic.

d_thomas02 · January 2016

I take the probiotic PB8 for my lactose intolerance, much much better that the lactase pills. (I swear by this.)

I'm also an IBSD sufferer, but don't know if probiotics really help that much. Granola in the mornings seems to have helped that issue more than anything else I've tried.

Gee_24 · January 2016

Thanks @d_thomas02 for another suggestion. As I'm unsure of the root of the issue, I'm not sure if its a lactose intolerance, but it very well could be. It's safe to say however that my diet for most of my life has been just awful. Mostly carb based with too much sugar - the usual story.

I've never tried granola. I have a feeling I would find it difficult to eat unless its naturally quite sweet, is it?

d_thomas02 · January 2016

My niece had similar symptoms as your's. She cut out gluten and her symptoms disappeared.

Found this snippet while surfing the web just now on http://scdlifestyle.com/2012/08/13-causes-of-ibs-d-most-doctors-never-test-for-but-should/
---
Gluten Sensitivity: New research shows that a group of people still have measurable inflammatory reactions to wheat even though they are negative for Celiac disease.

Patient Translation: Wheat contains many problematic proteins and chemicals that can cause significant diarrhea, brain and skin issues. It’s not just Celiac disease anymore. Research is still emerging, but suffice to say this is a much bigger problem than most thought.

Gee_24 · January 2016

Thank you so much @d_thomas02 This article is wonderful. I haven't read it all as I'm at work, but I definitely seem to fit into the IBS-D category . ( which I never even knew was a thing! ) I chuckled to myself as I read "if you suffer from diarrhea or loose stools weekly, then this is the label you get." - I'd be happy with weekly. Daily isn't fun. And it had become so normal for me I really had forgotten to get it seen to.

Since I mostly eat rice, bread and pasta it could very well be a problem digesting carbs. I'll be bringing this up with my Doctor when I go for my top up of pain meds for mu hip next month, as although I'm trying a few things right now to tackle it, it wold be nice to know the specifics. I always put it down to simply a bad diet in general. Time will tell after a few more weeks testing these things out for myself.

Thank you again, that article is fantastic.

iammelli · January 2016

I grow my own coconut water kefir, it's so easy!! Just buy the starter grains, grow, drain repeat, it's honestly already helping me and super cheap
I have incredibly bad digestive problems despite eating a mainly plant and legumes based diet, with little dairy, I also take the super potent acidophilus from H&B daily x

alienette · January 2016

If you are going to experiment with the probiotics, please keep in mind that the drinks and yoghurt types are dairy based and not a good choice if you are trying to go dairy free.

A note from my partner who is a scientist in the food industry and researched probiotic drinks:
Yes they might help boost immune system if you are suffering from autoimmune diseases, however it will never cure your allergies or make them less. The one exception they found was that it does help people who have suffered heavy antibiotics medication or chemo that need help restoring there gut flora with specified probiotic pills. If The previously mentioned does not apply, your gut contains thousands of bacteria, that one extra bacteria is not going to change much. Also most bacteria in probiotic drinks the brands advertise with, are found naturally in yoghurts. So as @mockchoc said, don't go for the fancy stuff.

As for figuring out what makes you feel sluggish you might want to try the elimination and introduction diet.
Don't just eliminate 1 foodgroup or product.
For 6 weeks eliminate gluten (this does not mean cut all carbs!), alcohol, sugar and dairy (if you want to do it thorough exclude nightshade produce and nuts also). After 4 weeks you body will have disposed all, if there were any, toxins and you should be feeling better: two more weeks to go. After the 6 weeks every week introduce a food back into your diet and see how you respond. No difference? Great news: this is not your trigger! Feeling worse that week? This might be what's slowing you down and can help you GP or specialist find treatment or diet changes faster.
Source: My dietricion, personal experience

Gee_24 · January 2016

Thanks very much! Well I suppose I'm lucky in the sense that I don't drink alcohol often if at all, only at special occasions which is maybe twice a year. So cutting alcohol for me requires no effort at all. For other this is difficult as most people have a social life that involves a lot of nights out!

I need to make a good plan of what I can and can't eat so I'm not caught out. Since drinking my Nutri Toxin blasts for a week, taking my Perfectil Hair Skin & Nail supplement and drinking water, this morning was the first morning I sprung out of bed in over a year! I'm usually lying there with all sorts of aches and pains and can hardly bear to get up till around 12 pm on days off college and work.

I think for me the best way to eat fruit, veg and nuts is to do it in my Nutri drinks. The reason I have such a poor diet is because I just hate the texture of fruit. Hate it! And I dislike (but don't "hate") most vegetables apart from broccoli and carrots. So it looks like I may be juicing mostly for the foreseeable. I'm fine with this, feeling the way I do 'd rather feel hungry than lethargic! And Fat Sick and Nearly Dead has taught me you may be hungry, but your body IS receiving all of the nutrients it needs and more. The hunger is unfortunate, but will subside once your body realises it is being fed exactly what it needs. And God knows, I have never given my body what it needs. So off I go!

yellosasha · January 2016

Awesome, so inspired me to make the choice to get a ninja. Thanks

Gee_24 · January 2016

yellosasha wrote: »

Awesome, so inspired me to make the choice to get a ninja. Thanks

Do it!! We adore ours. Its our baby until we get a cat. Or a baby. No...a cat.

hgycta · January 2016

I took P28 every day for several months and didn't notice any difference

I also consume quite a bit of activia and other probiotic yogurts and never noticed any huge difference. I believe most of it's hype, but then again, maybe it affects people differently or maybe I just don't notice

Probiotics

Replies

Categories