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Pro biotics

TheRedQueen1981
TheRedQueen1981 Posts: 258 Member
edited November 2024 in Getting Started
Does anyone take probiotics? If so, what do you think of them? Do you think they have helped you in any way? I’ve read a lot about the link between gut health and depression and obesity so I’m curious as to what peoples’ experience of pro (and pre) biotics have been like. I personally have found them helpful in the past but I’ve never used them long term so now I’m going to aim for using them for a long period.

Replies

  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 35,277 Member
    I don't take them, but I routinely eat multiple probiotic foods every day. I do that for 2 reasons: The foods are tasty and nutritious, and - purely speculatively - the still-young research suggests that a diverse gut microbiome may be helpful to health. (Research doesn't seem much more definitive or specific than that.)

    For the same two reasons, I also eat prebiotic foods. For the second reason (and the good of my immune system more generally), I avoid obsessively disinfecting everything in my immediate surroundings. ;)

    There is no specific positive outcome that I can definitively attribute to any of these practices, other than enjoying the tasty foods. It's just a speculative play on the odds.

    I am pretty healthy and now thin, though, with a mysteriously generous maintenance TDEE . . . but don't know if gut bugs have anything to do with it.
  • generallyme2
    generallyme2 Posts: 403 Member
    I take probiotics per my PCP because I was getting random infections and we needed to balance things out. Honestly it's been the only thing to help. I did notice that I tend to get weirdly gassy the first few days I start them (sorry, TMI!) but that all evens out. I actually ran out a week ago and didn't buy more... so I should run to the store lol

    *I do eat Greek yogurt but I don't get other probiotic foods on a regular basis.
  • deonbfit
    deonbfit Posts: 75 Member
    I recently started taking probiotics. I now take 2 types (fridge type in the morning and shelf type in the evening) along with digestive enzymes twice a day, a multivitamin, and B 50 complex (I'm B12 deficient).

    I don't really notice anything yet but I think internally my body is happier than it was without them, especially if you take antibiotics periodically those things will kill a portion of your normal flora.
  • TheRedQueen1981
    TheRedQueen1981 Posts: 258 Member
    I take them in capsule form but I also enjoy Greek yoghurt and Yakult. I find them helpful but I’ll need to try it long term this time.
  • YvetteK2015
    YvetteK2015 Posts: 654 Member
    I only take them when I'm on antibiotics. I heard they were beneficial in that situation.
  • TheRedQueen1981
    TheRedQueen1981 Posts: 258 Member
    I’m not so sure it’s recommended to take them whilst taking antibiotics since...doesn’t that reverse the effect of antibiotics?
  • AnnPT77
    AnnPT77 Posts: 35,277 Member
    lcy_stewart wrote: »
    I’m not so sure it’s recommended to take them whilst taking antibiotics since...doesn’t that reverse the effect of antibiotics?

    Speaking simplistically: The antibiotics are intended to kill the bad bugs, but also kill some important good ones. The probiotics theoretically replenish the good bugs.
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