Hi all, first of all thanks for the suggestions to my first post, I realise that I am actually very lucky compared to the trauma some of you are experiencing, its so easy to feel alone in dealing with this. I am now feeling much more positive.
Some of you recommended Alforex, so today I visited Holland & Barrett searching for it. They had neverheard of it, but googled it for me, and commented that it only contains 1 type of bacteria. Their suggestion of "Gut Powered" has 4 blends of bacteria, plus several vitamins to support the whole immune system. I currently have a bad cold, so it doesn't seem like a bad idea. One month supply was around £16, but there was a BOG offer so I got 2 months supply for £16. I might be being a cheapskate but the last time I showed my doctor a well known brand of IBS relief she said they were junk and I was being ripped off. I also use loperamide daily, the generic variety, not the brand name Immodium.
I'm not expecting great results, I have used these types of supplements before, and didn't notice an improvement, but its worth a try😀
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The people at Holland and Barratt are only going to want to push their own products, plus they are not scientists and won't necessarily know what they are talking about. Plus, if you are managing to eat a broad enough diet, you don't need supplementary vitamins.
The bacteria in Alforex is "Bifidobacterium infantis 35624".
Bifidobacterium are normally passed from a mother to a baby during a natural birth to prime the gut's defences.
It is a particularly strong strain and good at fighting off bad bugs, helping to reduce their numbers. It is the dominance of bad bugs in the gut that can contribute to IBS symptoms.
Bifidobacterium also help to digest complex carbs, which many IBS sufferers struggle with.
Bifidobacterium infantis 35624 has been scientifically studied for IBS and has been proven to be helpful for many IBS sufferers. Everyone is different, though, but based on evidence it is worth a punt in the first instance.
The Bifidobacterium infantis 35624 in Alflorex has been scientifically proven to reach the gut.
Its makers, Precision Biotics, suggest that it is a single strain since multi-strain probiotics can compete with one another, when all you want them to do is to help you.
Alflorex contains a low number of CFU (colony forming units i.e. the amount of it). It has been proven that IBS suffers tend to fare better on probiotics with a lower CFU (less that 10 billion).
I took a high CFU multi-strain probiotic once and I think my immune system thought I was under attack and I had a really bad reaction to it.
I am no way affiliated with Precision Biotics, but the benefit I gained from Alflorex was dramatic - far more than any other probiotic I have tried over the years and I have suffered from IBS for 27 years.
Prior to Alflorex my diet was extremely limited - I could only eat low fibre, low FODMAP and avoided many other foods, which was very unhealthy. You need as diverse a diet as possible to improve the microbiome, so these types of dietary limitations actually make IBS worse, so it is catch 22. After taking Alflorex, I am now able to eat vast quantities of fibre, an array of fruits, a few more vegetables, pulses, nuts and seeds. I still have quite a few intolerances, but I have a much more balanced diet.
There is still a lot of research needed into IBS and there may be many different reasons for it. However, trying a good probiotic, such as this one, statistically has a good chance of helping although it doesn't help everyone, it is worth a try.
I prefer the original version. You can reduce the cost of it by subscribing or via their initial 3 month trial (the time needed to really test it out).
I know it is expensive, but I would rather put money aside for this and give up on other things due to the benefits.
Update:
I've just looked at the Holland and Barratt product:
It has 50 billion bacteria! I would not touch it with a barge pole. As yet I haven't seen any scientific studies on this product in particular whether it helps IBS and secondly whether it reaches the gut in tact. This was by doing a google search for "gut powered" + scientific study.
Hi, thanks for the info, you may be right. I have a vague recollection of the consultant telling me 5 years ago to use a high dosage, can't remember exactly what it was. I tried to send a photo of the product yesterday but couldn't, but here is the link. It isn't the ultimate 50 million one. hollandandbarrett.com/shop/....
I've no idea whether it will work, but I think my immune system has taken a battering recently from restricted diets. I'm supposed to increase my calcium intake due to a recent osteoporosis diagnosis. I've got 2 months supply, so I will try it and give updates.😀
I so agree with everything you have said, Alflorex has been my saviour and I highly recommend it. I buy mine from Amazon at a very good price. I have tried many other makes of probiotics with no success including Holland and Barrett. Thank you for your comments, so good to read
A gastroenterologist, working at the University Hospital Leuven 🇧🇪 I did see last friday, wants me to try Alflorex+ for 30 days because of my IBS C symptoms if my urease breath test is negative for an active helicobacter pylori bacterial infection (probably not, there are no clinical signs at the moment). I remember I tried alflorex some 3 years ago but don't remember it was effective in my particular situation. By the way, the bifidobacterium infantis is also named bifidobacterium longum subspecies infantis to my knowledge. But maybe in general it's still called bifidobacterium infantis, but on my product it's named bifidobacterium longum 35624®, 35625® is a trademark of PrecisionBiotics Group Ltd., so is Alflorex+. That also does me remember that I wasn't breastfed and had several courses of penicillin during my early childhood because of asthmatic bronchitis. So my gut microbiome hasn't had the best start it could have had. Could be the cause, together with other factors, of a chronic disrupted gut microbiome with all its consequences for my health.
I have tried several probiotics in the past but with no substantial effect. I take Alflorex now following the recommendations of people on this site, I found that my symptoms have been reduced by around 40%. I get mine from Amazon so it's delivered the next day. It's worth a try. All the best.
Alflorex certainly seems to get good reviews, however I have heard many Docs say that getting probiotics naturally ( youghurt, kimchi, sauerkraut, kefir etc) is as good as pricey supplements.
On this subject I am a bit confused, am sceptical about probiotic pills , as I have taken some that made me worse ( ill) , I understand the theory, but now prefer to take my bacteria naturally.
I Do believe that things like antibiotics mess with our digestive flora , and whatever method of getting that back on track is worth it, however we do not need being ripped off for something that may or may not work. Nature knows best.
Many thanks, that's helpful info. I have tried sauerkraut and found it very vinegary. Kimchi I've never heard of, it doesn't look very appetising. Do you eat all 3 every day, in what quantities, just spoonfuls? The kefir in bottles , I've just seen 21 bottles for £50! What brands do you buy? Sorry for all the questions.
Sorry for late reply, some things that don’t look appetising are actually very good for you, I understand what you mean about Kimchi, my kids say it smells like bin juice 😂, which it probably dose , an acquired taste but fantastic when you get used to it, most supermarkets sell it now , as with anything start with a small amount.
I don’t see why you couldn’t have kimch and kefir as well, but i wouldn’t pay as much as you said, just get it from supermarket. Again just start with smallish amounts, add it to cereals or drink it.
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I feel like Im never going to find the solution!!!
Private clinic IBS testing and treatment. 
