Please can I pick the brains of those of you on here who are far more knowledgeable than me. A dietician (not an expert on RD) has recommended that I drink 2 bottles of Actimel a day. I am rather confused as my understanding is that the problem is that my immune system is too active and is attacking my body. Should I therefore be drinking something that will boost my system even more?
Can any of you advise me please?
I have also been recommended probiotics. I’ve read that a healthy gut microbiome means lower inflammation and can heal a leaky gut. Some say leaky gut could be the cause of auto immune diseases. It’s also the thinking behind all the auto immune protocol diets and anti inflammatory food diets. I can’t say what is true - there’s no definite answer that I’ve seen. Doctors will say diet etc doesn’t resolve the disease but lots written out there with people who swear by healing themselves through changing their foods. I will say that one time I saw a private rheumatologist to see if he had anything more than the nhs to say. He said the only things he would definitely recommend as worth taking was vitamin d and probiotics. (Fish oil and turmeric won’t hurt)!
Agree with Skies as it took me ages to get my head round this. If for inflammation its fine and my RA team have also suggested probiotics too recently but when I discussed another product I was taking they pointed out it was boosting immunity so to stop taking it.
So I now take a pro and removed the immunity stuff.
there is a big difference between trimg to improve your gut health and internal microbiome, and taking stuff that potentislly directly affects your immune system.
Your immune system and your digestive system are entirely differemt. Connected of course, as is everything in your body, but not the same. For example, drinking a glass of milk is not going to interfere with your immune response at a cellular level. But if you are lactose intolerant it could upset your stomach.
My personal opinion is that a lot (most) of these industrial marketed products are really completely uselss for anyone that has a decent diet. A good diet full of fresh products with limited amounts of processed foods, saturated fats and sugars is far the nicest way to look after your gut, amd will give you all the probiotic elements you need. However if one’s diet is totally highly processed food then a probiotic may help.
Part of my problem is that I have lost a lot of weight and find it impossible to eat a full meal (thank heavens for doggy bags!). By the way I have had lots of investigations into the weight loss and nothing sinister has been found - hiatus hernia and diverticulitis among other things. Losing my husband last year hasn’t helped at all. He was my carer and did all the cooking and I find cooking for myself too much trouble.
Will carry on with the Actimel. Thank you. Thelma
I am sorry to hear of the loss of your husband. I hope your appetite/gut issues improve/keep steady with time. 💗 If cash allows can you get some of the super ready to cook healthier/“good for you” type meals delivered? A lady on here once mentioned/sang the praises of a farm foods shop that delivered throughout the U.K. that did excellent chilled/frozen meals for home delivery. Racking my brains to remember it! When I’m feeling more energetic I have some slow cooker casserole sessions/health veggie soup making sessions using my Ninja blender for the soups and have those ready on standby to defrost or the soups can be heated from frozen.
Just checked and HomecooksfoodhallUK and Oakhouse Foods look very good. Oakhouse have mini meals if you don’t want huge portions. Or most places like M&S (who have lots of mini meals) via Ocado, or most of not all major supermarkets will deliver their easy prep/cook meals. I use M&S via Ocado, and Ocado who have a brilliant website/easy ordering and excellent delivery and customer service. Treat yourself! There are always some good offers on so I manage to save quite a bit of money on those. All those yummy but healthy quick meals could tempt your appetite back. 💗
thank you for this. I have bought M&S mini meals from Ocado and some of those are ok. Will look into the others.
I find M&S fresh food generally excellent, but can’t say re mini meal ones and I don’t buy frozen ones. The meals which are fish and meat with prepared vegetables all ready to go in the oven in foil trays look better. Anyhow, hope you can sort something out.
I can attest to Oakhouse food as it is lovely. We only order the mini meals and the fruity curry is gorgeous and it is not burning hot either. The desserts are lovely as well.xxxx
I’m glad you enjoy them and it does give people a rest from meal prep etc. xxx
I have one every morning and it is actimel. xxxx
Me too re an Actimel, and my B cells improved after having taken it for some time, so who knows if they would have without it?! I always OK any supplement with my rheumy. I don’t have many but definitely Vit D3 drops as my level was rock bottom and needing supplementing and also zinc lozenges but not high level super zinc. Hope you are steady dear Sylvi. 💗xxx
Morning darling, i have zero levels of energy. I do ten minutes in the garden and i have to come indoors to rest. I am ringing my rheumy nurse this morning to see when i am being seen as i haven't been since last year before Christmas. I am so exhausted all the time. We have Oakhouse mini meals and they are very nice darling and the service is very good. I hope your as well as you can be darling. xxxxx
Hi Sylvi, I hope you get your appointment soon. I had my first one ftf with my rheumy end of February. Hadn’t seen her since January 2020. Spoken though on the phone. I’ve got exhaustion due to low igG and IgM and it’s hard to pace yourself I know. The person I know was also very impressed with Oakhouse. I’m still making my own meals but I’d definitely look at those if I wanted to have some in on standby. My previous doc used to say I had “unprovoked exhaustion“ when my RA was rampant, meaning I didn’t need to do anything to feel worn out. True! Keep pacing yourself and hope your nurse can find you an appointment soon. xxx
I follow Professor Tim Spector’s advice about the gut biome (he has written several books or you can follow him on Instagram) and try to include Kefir, kimchi, sauerkraut or kombucha on a daily basis along with trying to eat as many ‘plants’ as possible. He recommends 30 a week but that includes nuts and seeds.
I think they do work and protect your gut health .
My understanding is that people with RA have dysfunctional immune systems rather than immune systems that are too active.
There was research done by the UK ‘Trust me, I’m a doctor’ TV programme on which types of probiotic have the most helpful bacteria and which actually get as far as the gut.
Actimel-type yogurts didn’t score well. The best was Kefir so I generally have a small glass every morning. I have fewer chest infections these days but can’t say for sure whether it’s the kefir that makes the difference. It’s sold in the chiller aisles of supermarkets.
When I was first diagnosed Inasked 8fvI needed to boost my immune system and was told no why make the thing that is attacking you stronger. That why the pills we take damp.down your immume system. Maybe ask your consultant what he thinks.
Does Kefir and Probiotics help with RA/RD? Link attached
Probiotics when on metal and biologics for RA? 
Sore throat, head and taking mtx
Help me boost my immune system!
Prednisolone and Alcohol
