I have an upset digestion system after illness and antibiotics, (finished 2 days ago) would a course of probiotics help ? Any recommendations on what to look for. I've tried searching the net and just ended up confusing myself. I asked my G.P and she said it probably wouldn't hurt but she didn't seem really interested.
Is a course of probiotics useful.
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I had some stomach problems and came off gluten for a while to see if that helped. I am taking a course of probiotics (started 2 weeks ago) called BetterVits, although I don't know if you can get them where you live. I googled and they got the best reviews. I usually take a probiotic after being on antibiotics as well, although I haven't taken them for quite a while.
Lou
Forum Legend
of course I'm not a professional health professional but I have done some research on this. I've also spoken to some physicians.
IMHO, probiotics are a huge scam. However the one time they Might actually do some good is after a course of antibiotics.
As far as I can tell there are no studies proving that show probiotics are helpful. One researcher gave an interview and he even went as far as saying that among his patients they might have actually been harmful. (keep in mind that these were his patients because there were already things wrong with them).
He also pointed out that a lot of these bacteria probably don't even survive passing thru the stomach. their intended living area is the intestines which is not as acidic.
I also like to point out that our guts have hundreds (maybe thousands) of different species of bacteria. All living together and competing, cooperating, and in some cases devouring each other in complicated relationships and ratios. It's actually a little ecosystem that probably is as complicated as any forest.
I read that the bacteria in our guts are so unique that there is an emerging forensic science that hopes to identify people with them. Like fingerprints or blood types.
I know analogies have their weaknesses but I love them. So let's take a forest and burn it down. (your gut on probiotics). and then you come in and plant a dozen different plants, animals and bugs. (that's the probiotics) Well, you can't expect it to be the same. but just like the forest, the other species will find their way into the forest.
Keep in mind that your gut has all those different species. The best probiotic has no more than 60.
But like when a forest fire is over they do come in and give the forest a jump start by planting some trees and grasses.
Anyway, if I was looking to take a probiotic I would look for the one that has the most number of species.
I've know that there is a lot of correlation between the number of species and the price. And I would be very hesitant in spending really big bucks on something that may not even work.
BTW, I don't take them unless I've taken some antibiotics. But then I'll buy a bottle and take the recommended dose till its gone.
Jarrow Formulas Jarro-Dophilus EPS Probiotics aren't too expensive and have eight strains. you can order them. on Amazon.
www.healthline.com
IMHO, probiotics are a huge scam. However the one time they Might actually do some good is after a course of antibiotics.
As far as I can tell there are no studies proving that show probiotics are helpful. One researcher gave an interview and he even went as far as saying that among his patients they might have actually been harmful. (keep in mind that these were his patients because there were already things wrong with them).
He also pointed out that a lot of these bacteria probably don't even survive passing thru the stomach. their intended living area is the intestines which is not as acidic.
I also like to point out that our guts have hundreds (maybe thousands) of different species of bacteria. All living together and competing, cooperating, and in some cases devouring each other in complicated relationships and ratios. It's actually a little ecosystem that probably is as complicated as any forest.
I read that the bacteria in our guts are so unique that there is an emerging forensic science that hopes to identify people with them. Like fingerprints or blood types.
I know analogies have their weaknesses but I love them. So let's take a forest and burn it down. (your gut on probiotics). and then you come in and plant a dozen different plants, animals and bugs. (that's the probiotics) Well, you can't expect it to be the same. but just like the forest, the other species will find their way into the forest.
Keep in mind that your gut has all those different species. The best probiotic has no more than 60.
But like when a forest fire is over they do come in and give the forest a jump start by planting some trees and grasses.
Anyway, if I was looking to take a probiotic I would look for the one that has the most number of species.
I've know that there is a lot of correlation between the number of species and the price. And I would be very hesitant in spending really big bucks on something that may not even work.
BTW, I don't take them unless I've taken some antibiotics. But then I'll buy a bottle and take the recommended dose till its gone.
Jarrow Formulas Jarro-Dophilus EPS Probiotics aren't too expensive and have eight strains. you can order them. on Amazon.
The Best Probiotic Supplements of 2023 and How to Choose
Probiotics are friendly bacteria that offer many health benefits. Here's a complete guide on how to choose the best probiotic supplement for you, as well as the 11 best probiotic supplements, according to registered dietitians.
www.healthline.com
Thanks for the feed back, I'm starting to think just eating better might be the better way to go.
My understanding of probiotics is that they are next best thing to useless. You can, to a small degree, aid your existing friendly bacteria by eating some oats every day but even that isn't going to be a miracle cure. If your G.P. wasn't interested, it is probably for a good reason.
I don't think it would hurt to try if you have been on antibiotics. I have read how important gut health is, especially over the past few years. You could try fermented foods as they are supposed to help with digestive issues, although I can't stand most ones I've tried!
Lou
Forum Legend
that's a good suggestion. even if you aren't haven't any troubles, including some fermented foods in you diet is a good plan.
9 Fermented Foods and Their Benefits
Fermented foods may be beneficial for your health. Learn more about nine of the best fermented foods to add to your diet.
joinzoe.com
You have got me researching fermented foods and it seems the science is pretty good on this. I have started looking at miso recipes and will look into other things such as natto. It's a new adventure for me and I have discovered that the beginnings of agriculture may have been partly encouraged by the discovery of beer.
I tried kimchi, kombucha and miso paste and I didn't like any of them, I liked kimchi at first and then went off it.
Saying that, I did find a kombucha in Holland & Barrett that was fairly okay the other day. The brand was called Remedy and it was cherry plum flavoured.
Saying that, I did find a kombucha in Holland & Barrett that was fairly okay the other day. The brand was called Remedy and it was cherry plum flavoured.
I haven't looked into kombucha properly but according to Wikipedia, there are risks associated with it.
Kombucha - Wikipedia
Lou
Forum Legend
Just more of the same.
fortune.com
This gastroenterologist says probiotics are 'a waste of money.' Here’s what you should be doing instead
“This time-tested recommendation remains one of the strongest-studied ways to promote and preserve a healthy microbiome and improve your overall health.”
Years ago I bought my son probiotics as he was suffering from digestion problems, and probiotics were highly touted. He wouldn't take them, so, I figured why not try them myself? Well, I don't have issues. I took one a day and in the same week I was miserable! Got bloated, gassy, blechy....all kinds of stomach problems. I quit and went right back to normal
There are soooo many different probiotics, and don't forget probiotics....I'd be super careful of what you take. I know I got him a low level type.
Food is where you get both pre and probiotics, they're formulated from the types of food you eat, why changing diets often results in some upset, why people need to adjust to more fiber, or beans, or why people that don't eat junk often get tummy aches while junk food eaters dont'.
I do use probiotics to make yogurt
There are soooo many different probiotics, and don't forget probiotics....I'd be super careful of what you take. I know I got him a low level type.
Food is where you get both pre and probiotics, they're formulated from the types of food you eat, why changing diets often results in some upset, why people need to adjust to more fiber, or beans, or why people that don't eat junk often get tummy aches while junk food eaters dont'.
I do use probiotics to make yogurt
I've just finished a course of antibiotics (a few weeks ago) and didn't take any probiotics and I was fine. However, the pharmacist
wanted to sell me some. They make huge bucks on these kind of supplements:
www.bbc.com
wanted to sell me some. They make huge bucks on these kind of supplements:
Is it worth taking probiotics after antibiotics?
Taking a course of antibiotics could harm the beneficial bacteria living inside us. So should we be taking probiotics after we finish them? The answer may not be so simple.
www.bbc.com
Yogurt that contains culture is beneficial to having a healthy gut. I really miss dairy yogurt and do not find plant based products as tasty.
Lou
Forum Legend
That is a good question.
I do not know the answer, however I am skeptical on the usefulness of probiotics in general.
One thing to keep in mind is the eating yogurt has a long history. And the amount of ancillary and testimonial evidence can not be easily discounted.
Despite a lot of research, most of the claims made by yogurt industry are unsubstantiated.
But if you are looking for scientific fact based evidence - it is slim. and most of the positive results are limited. There are some, thought.
also the milk that is used to make yogurt is good source or vitamins and minerals and that alone has benefits.
So far, the FDA hasn't approved any probiotics to treat specific health conditions, but that hasn't stopped some yogurt companies from promoting the health benefits available from their brand's unique probiotics. Until we have clinical studies that offer the evidence we need, be skeptical of specific health claims made about various products.
- Your complete guide to choosing a yogurt to meet your needs - Harvard Health
The Benefits and Side Effects of Probiotic Supplements | NutritionFacts.org
Probiotics can actually interfere with microbiome recovery after antibiotics, rather than facilitate it.
nutritionfacts.org
