Probiotics

[Pusph]

Just wondering how many people also take a probiotic now and any suggestions for a good brand as there are so many to choose from and some must be better than others. Thanks.

[PMRpro Ambassador]

My personal favourite is VSL3 - and it has been recommended to a patient on the forum by a gastroenterologist. It isn't cheap but you shouldn't need to take it continuously.

vsl3.com/

[piglette]

There was a programme on TV recently saying that probiotics, prebiotics and postbiotics were better got from food.

[Oh-my]

I make my own kefir. Very easy to do. To feed the good microbes in your gut - oats, leeks and onions are good.

[papadapadoo in reply to Oh-my]

I don't think there is anything that approaches kefir as a probiotic. It's cheap and easy, as Oh-my says. If it's too sour for you, blend in a banana.

[Broseley]

I use these. They seem to help! I get them on Amazon. Tap on the photo for a full size image.

Probiotics

[Viveka]

I use optibac if I feel I need it - they have a great range eg for after antibiotics, for women, and different strengths.

[Pr0jection]

I have been taking Healthspan UK Probiotics for years. It was the only product that got rid of my gastritis. I've also been taking 3 sips a day of goat's kefir since diagnosis, as it has Vit K2 and also lines the stomach. I can't take a K2 supplement for some reason.....

[Menno1525]

my gastroenterologist recommended Biokult which I’ve been using for several years alongside the Omeprazole I take for acid reflux and other gastric issues. Seems fine to me but it’s worth checking out the formulation of that or any other Vit supplement you may be taking with your GP or Rheumatologist to check for proper dosage and any unhelpful interactions with your main meds and to check quantities - some supplements have far more than you need of of some components and not enough of others.

Deal of the day for Prime Members: Bio-Kult Advanced Multi-Strain Formulation for Digestive System 120 Capsules, 30 g amzn.eu/d/eIhwHZJ

[Griggser]

I have Yeo valley live Greek yoghurt, with homemade Kefir mixed in with overnight oats and fruit, sunflower seeds and chia seeds with a drizzle of honey. Makes a great desert.

For breakfast I mix muesli with the yoghurt and kefir. I do try to have one or the other each day.

I also add sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds and a hemp and flax seed mix to most meals. As well as this we do try to have a good range of vegetables every week and include chickpeas and beans where we can.

[Mayadill in reply to Griggser]

Yeo Valley organic strawberry kefir, liberal quantity stirred in milk (simple version of the milkshake from heaven) or all in the blender with frozen strawberries (actual milkshake from heaven) or deluxe version with addition of a couple of teaspoonsful (truly all it needs) of Haagen Dazs strawberry and cream ice-cream.

[Griggser in reply to Mayadill]

Oh dear, all sounds good but I do wonder what the sugar levels are in that combination? Sugar being an inflammatory.

[Mayadill in reply to Griggser]

I need some calories! No weight problem. Don't eat a lot else and not really interested in carbs, might buy 500 g new potatoes every couple of weeks, Don't eat bread or pasta, occasionally brown rice, the occasional biscuit, have a cake once a week because my cousin brings it from the coffee shop, don't buy cakes or have packet sugar in the house. Meat, fish, fruit and veg. It's actually quite easy if one doesn't need to lose weight to find oneself in a situation where one is barely eating enough calories to sustain life. Been there, done that. Then I wondered why i was tired.

[Griggser in reply to Mayadill]

I’m not judging just saying what I eat and I try to avoid sugar as it is an inflammatory. It’s mire about gut health for me rather than trying to lose weight. I make biscuits so I can control the amount of sugar and know they’re not ultr processed. Sure we all like cake occasionally.

[stonecreek]

I send for probiotics from LIFE EXTENSION

[AyJayBass]

I believe I got this from Zoe (Tim Spector) but I can't be 100% certain and I don't have a reference. Tests have shown that the most effective Probiotics are Symprove and VSL3. They are both expensive. I use VSL3 for a month after a course of antibiotics.

Zoe do say: At ZOE, we believe that the best way to get these probiotics is through food. Since everyone’s gut microbiome is different, there is no one-size-fits-all recommendation.