Would like to share my research with you...

Wow amazing reading! I have been looking all over the place for info on probiotics and helping normalize my digestive system. I was diagnosed with Stage 3 anal rectal cancer (Squamous Cell). I received radiation treatment for 5 weeks and 2 rounds of chemo, FU-5 and Myomiticin. I also had a high diverting colostomy for almost a year. It was just reversed 4 weeks ago. Thank goodness, as well no evidence of the cancer.

I am trying to figure my way back to some normalcy regarding my bowels. A quick question or two, that hopefully you can answer, or point me in the right direction. I am aware that the chemo basically stripped my GI tract to infancy stages (I remember the gut wrenching cramps too well). I am also aware my descending colon, rectum and *kitten* have not been used in over a year.

I eat Greek Yogurt with live cultures every morning. I also take acidophilis every day.

I'm having a lot of gas. What can I do, or take to reduce the amount of gas? I also want to know, what can I do to promote healthy "flora" in my gut? It is like I have the gastro intestinal tract of an infant...

Thanks for any help!

You are amazing! Really incredible that you pulled through.

I would recommend that you take a mutli-strain probiotic...they generally have eight or so different kinds of bacteria. What you're taking now isn't bad, but each bacteria has a different purpose, like mucous production versus fermentation of fiber to methane or fatty acids. Have you ever heard of VSL-3? It is an FDA-backed clinical-strength probiotic. I can't say what I'm using in my research, but I will say I know a lot about VSL-3 and its uses. It's prescribed to people with severe inflammatory bowel conditions and contains 450 billion cells per pack. If you can get your hands on that, I think it will make a world of difference.

The gas is from the bacteria that you do have. So you do have some and they are functioning! They ferment fiber and make gas. You can take a gas-reducing pill with meals for now. As you enrich your gut with better bacteria, the gas should subside. Also try aiming for soluble fiber rather than insoluble. Soluble fiber is in oats and anything that becomes mushy when you add water. Insoluble fiber is found in apple peels and the outsides of beans.

I hope this helps!

I would recommend that you take a mutli-strain probiotic...they generally have eight or so different kinds of bacteria. What you're taking now isn't bad, but each bacteria has a different purpose, like mucous production versus fermentation of fiber to methane or fatty acids. Have you ever heard of VSL-3? It is an FDA-backed clinical-strength probiotic. I can't say what I'm using in my research, but I will say I know a lot about VSL-3 and its uses. It's prescribed to people with severe inflammatory bowel conditions and contains 450 billion cells per pack. If you can get your hands on that, I think it will make a world of difference.

Would this VSL-3 be too "strong" for those of us with decent digestion already (and so I assume a fairly healthy zoo in our gut)? Or possibly just more expensive for what we need?

I think it would be more expensive than what most people would need. But on the other hand it has gone through very rigorous research and clinical trials so it's guaranteed. Get what you pay for, know what I mean?

I agree with it all except the high-fat thing. I eat a high-fat diet and I have suffered digestive problems my whole life. Every doctor told me to eat more whole grain and more fiber. It never worked so I dealt with it. (stomach aches as a child, constant gas as a teen - embarassing at school. IBS, hiatal hernia, bloating, gas, stomach pain as an adult).

I followed a high-carb low-fat , calorie restricted diet. Made sure to get plenty of fiber. This didn't help.

I ditched grains, legumes, commercial milk, and sugars/flours and all that fiber every digestive issue I had went away within 6 weeks. When I went high-fat. I lost the bloat, I lost the belly. I have a flat belly for the first time in my life. I am the healthiest I have ever been. This is after switching to a high-fat diet (mostly saturated). I ditched processed crap. I ditched "heart-healthy" processed crap. Saturated fat is in mother's milk. Saturated is the most stable fat (less prone to oxidation). Nature didn't get it wrong.

But I am inclined to believe that most of todays chronic illnesses could be stemming from the gut.

I had to check and make sure I was still in my seat, I could have written this exact post.

Ckmama brought up a good point-- have you been tested for celiac? (gluten intolerance)

SO interesting! This post was informative and your answers to other posters were likewise thoughtful, informative, and research-based. I'd like to dream that in another life I'd do research that involves biology and nutrition.

Thank you, too, for validating my obsession with goats' milk yogurt, ableit indirectly, haha.

Thank you for the lovely compliment!

Thanks for the info and all the replies.

You're welcome!