can you lovely people recommend the best probiotics. My consultant said to try them. Thank you.
probiotics : can you lovely people recommend the... - IBS Network
probiotics
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Laxido21
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I started on the Starpowa gummies, now I’m on Alflorex.
Vivomixx drops are good.
I have found Garden of life dr formulated probiotics critical care 80 billion CFU
I find Alflorex the best for me. The chewable banana and strawberry ones.
I use NOW Clinical GI Probiotic
I’ve tried many makes ,as I suffer with constipation these are what I find the best
Alflorex worked best for me and it has been studied for IBS. I prefer the original capsule version:
My advice would be to try Ferrocalm, if like me, you have persistent symptoms suggestive of continuous inflammation and “gut stress”. Iron is released during these periods into the gut which pathogenic bacteria utilise, but which ordinary Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium are unable to do, so that’s why they might not work.Ferrocalm, streptococcus Thermophilus, has been designed to use iron and, thus, dislodge these pathogenic, harmful bacteria. I have been taking it for some 6 months, and have been noticing adjustment symptoms from day 1, but my IBS symptoms had been intractable for 8 years! I would agree that Alflorex is worth a try, but it only partially helped me. One thing is important and that is, if you experience a worsening of your IBS, persist because this is an indication that the probiotic is working. I would also second the suggestion of Symprove, but I found it unhelpful. The polyvalent probiotic, produced by Hey Nutrition is good, as is Lambert’s Acidophilus Extrac10, recommended by Professor John Hunter who developed Juvia. But beware of claims made by some purveyors of probiotics. The essence is the delivery system, not necessarily the quantity of bacteria. Do also consider unpasteurised SauerKraut, it’s a very good source of probiotics. Don’t buy it from your local supermarket because the beneficial bacteria are destroyed during pasteurisation. I tried The Sauerkraut Company owned by Simon Arnold, a very reliable product, but start with a very small amount because it will upset you if your gut microbiome is very dysbiotic.Good luck!
LFHell• in reply to
ooh interesting. Is this another supplement that contains streptoccocus thermophilus? From my microbiome testing, that was the only probiotic i was taking that stuck to the gut and i had levels at 1% on my first private test which was also the most diverse result i had recently 
I definately rate this species of probiotic. Just ordered some as my other one has run out 
• in reply toLFHell
Yes, Ferrocalm is a single strain of streptococcus Thermophilus, but unlike other probiotics containing this bacterium, it has the action I described which is unique. I have taken Streptococcus before in other probiotics, but it had no effect.
LFHell• in reply to
excellent, can't wait to try it as it did take to my gut when i tried VSL#3 but then sadly disappeared when i stopped. Why do they think we have too much iron in our guts, do you know? Does it get taken out of our blood supply by the bacteria? If so might explain my iron deficiency too. Or it could be the iron tablets i took caused issues?
• in reply toLFHell
I think the mechanism is believed to be that iron is released into the gut from the body’s stores in response to stress, or factors which cause IBS to relapse. Iron is stored mainly in the liver. Moreover, the dose of iron taken to treat iron deficiency is much greater than the amount found in multivitamin supplements, and only a percentage of it, is absorbed, the rest is eliminated in the stool. I think it follows that individuals who are prone to IBS, or sufferers, should take Ferrocalm if they take iron prescribed to treat iron deficiency anaemia. In reality, the only group who are more prone to iron deficiency, are women who menstruate. Iron deficiency can arise through poor diet, or through a process which results in chronic blood loss .
BabblingBrooks• in reply to
I’m thinking of changing my probiotic and have been considering a few names.
Why did you change yours and what symptoms were you hoping to improve and did it work ?
• in reply toBabblingBrooks
That’s a very good question. I think it’s important to choose a probiotic which is backed up by studies which show that it is potentially effective. This means there are sufficient amounts of bacteria in each dose, quoted as billions per CFU ( colony forming units); that the bacteria survive the very hostile environment of the stomach where gastric acid is designed to kill them off, and that sufficient probiotic bacteria reach the duodenum, the first part of the small bowel where they can move onto the large bowel where they produce their effect. Ferrocalm , developed very recently, and Alflorex which has been around for sometime, are both products which have been shown to fulfil these criteria. Interestingly, both Alflorex and and Ferrocalm contain only 1 billion CFU’s. If you look at various products, you’ll find that they contain many more-VSL#3 contains 112 billion CFU’s per dose!
I think it’s reasonable to suggest, therefore, that this difference is based on the chance whether active, living probiotic reaches the large bowel, and formulations which contain more, are less likely to be effectively able to deliver good bacteria to the large bowel, so larger amounts are contained in each dose.
If you consume Kefir or unpasteurised Sauerkraut, containing huge amounts of probiotic, much more than contained in proprietary brands, they survive the transit through the stomach because sufficient survive despite the gastric acid.
I’m absolutely convinced, in my mind, that both Ferrocalm and Alflorex are the best probiotics available, and that, if like me, the problem is one of persistent intractable IBS symptoms, Ferrocalm, with its ability to utilise iron released into the bowel during periods of stress, is the one to try first. You can combine the two which I have been doing with great success. They have both relieved intractable pain and bloating for me, and relieved the constipation. My IBS was a post-viral event, brought on by lifestyle, including severe job stress, which damaged my gut microbiome.
In the final analysis, however, there is one matter to bear in mind, and that is, clinical studies are not all unanimously in favour of one probiotic or another, and some show that they don’t make significant difference. But studies have demonstrated that probiotics, containing Lactobacillus and Bifidium strains, seem to be the most effective. There are also studies which show that some strains of yeast, such as Saccharomyces Boulardi, are helpful in diarrhoea predominant IBS. Ferrocalm, interestingly, is streptococcus Thermophilus, contained in many proprietary probiotics, but has been designed to utilise iron which the ordinary strains are unable to do.
Despite this uncertainty about the efficacy of probiotics, the recommendation in the UK and the USA by most gastrointestinal physicians, is that all patients diagnosed with IBS should consider taking a reputable probiotic, containing strains of lactobacillus and Bifidium, and that they should tried for at least 8-12 weeks, and if found not to work, that another be tried. It is crucial that if IBS symptoms worsen with the probiotic, that the product be continued since this is a positive sign that they are effective.
Good luck!
BabblingBrooks• in reply to
I found Alflorex good after several rounds of antibiotics and I took that since February, unfortunately I got Covid (3rd time) and my IBS has never been so bad.
Keep getting flare ups and more recently wind so I wondered if a different pro biotic may be useful.
I read somewhere that it’s worth changing pro biotics from time to time.
Had a negative FIT and the IBD test so I know it’s not that.
I have a stressful job, easier said than done to change it unfortunately. I have a really nasty boss. It’s nothing personal, she treats everyone the same ( those she can ).
• in reply toBabblingBrooks
Sorry to hear your health, and boss tribulations! I would definitely suggest Ferrocalm. Antibiotics are very damaging to your gut microbiome, and it’s likely that these courses have built up your unfriendly bacteria, which utilise iron, but Alflorex cannot function in this situation as it cannot utilise iron, nor can standard probiotics
I’ve been taking Symprove for 4 years, had tried a few capsule antibiotics before then and they made it worse but this is fantastic
Did it cure any food intolerance/allergies you may have had?
It’s hard to say as a few years ago my gut was so inflamed and my digestion was so bad I reacted to everything. I don’t believe I had many genuine intolerances apart from gluten. I still react severely to it and I avoid foods that trigger my GERD. But in general I can eat a much more varied diet now with minimal issues!
Thats great. And thats all down to the probiotic or other changes too? Im on low fodmap diet because those foods give me reflux too.
I guess other changes I’ve made have probably helped, like exercising, reducing alcohol, and eating healthy 80% of the time! My reflux is caused by a hiatal hernia so I will have to avoid my trigger foods for life but it’s mainly high fatty/oily foods, I can tolerate onions and garlic (reasonable quantities) and I love spicy food so don’t limit myself there. Coffee wise I’m very careful, only drink one cup a day with plenty of milk and never on an empty stomach. My main symptoms are IBS-C, bloating, gas, pain, haemorrhoids, reflux and indigestion. If you suffer from IBS-D the solutions for you might be different but if you read the reviews for symprove on trust pilot you might see if people with similar symptoms to you find it helpful.
ok thanks, I used to be IBS-D but now if i eat fodmaps im C so i dont know what i am 
I also have that HH 
HH is the worst isn’t it! I am convinced years of bloating just pushed my stomach up 😂 I am more towards C but I do alternate with D sometimes, the symptoms can be very unpredictable!
Why did you change from Symprove if you don’t mind me asking ?
I still take symprove and have for the last 4 years. I haven’t switched. I tried other probiotics prior to trying symprove and they made my symptoms 10 times worse, I had a rock hard bloated tummy after trying capsule probiotics (can’t remember the brand but they were white and green/blue packaging). Had to stop taking immediately!
The other thing to bear in mind is that,taking iron supplements in the absence of an iron deficiency anaemia, is likely to damage the gut microbiome, for the reasons I have outlined above- i.e, it encourages pathogenic bacteria to multiply
LFHell• in reply to
Indeed, i found out recently iron is toxic to the gut if used in excess, so body can't use it all, it starts oxidising your tissues And i took it for 2 years around the time my symptoms got worse
LFHell• in reply to
I dont think Ferrocalm actually contains iron, confusingly, or at least its not listed on the ingredients. It just says its bacteria that can flourish in iron :S
• in reply toLFHell
That is correct. It can utilise iron which other probiotics cannot. It does not contain iron. In fact, the suggestion is that taking iron supplements in the absence of iron deficiency anaemia, can potentially damage your gut microbiome by feeding the harmful bacteria in your gut
As a postscript, I would suggest the publication by Professor John Hunter, entitled, Irritable Bowel Solutions, which can be obtained through Amazon. A very useful guide to see what type of IBS you have. He, himself, developed Juvia, which some sufferers might find useful. The bottom line, forgive the pun!, is to find one that suits you and works. I would suggest that you might try one of the ones I have listed for , at least, 6-8 weeks, and then another, if you have no reaction. If you do, as I suggested, persist!
Been using Jarrow Dophilus EPs for many years 10Billion CFU buy them now from Bigvits 👍🏻fast delivery The box contains 120 cap..
You also need to have pre biotics to have food all round bacteria for your microbiome
• in reply toTrinity7
Indeed. Inulin can be found in many foods such onions, garlic, leeks, bananas and chicory, for example. Oats, pulses and a good balanced diet are essential for everybody, of course
Hi, my Practice Nurse at my GP surgery advised that I go to a local health food shop and ask for advice there. They have some experience in listening to symptoms and advising on which probiotic to take. There are so many out there I found it difficult to know where to start until I did this.
I’m so much better now which I put down to probiotics, eating less gluten , and taking both mebervine and amytryptalin prescribed by doctor. I have lowered doses of these prescribed drugs but still continue with the probiotic and now feel able to travel , socialise and eat out without too much worry .
Wishing you all the best x
My colleague said these work from holland and barrett (i think this one gave me C tho, so shows we are all individual ) hollandandbarrett.com/shop/...
That's what I did. I love my local health food store, and the owner is so helpful!
If you have a tendency towards diarrhoea then Saccharomyces Boulardii is the one for you - I get it from iHerb.com as it’s reasonably priced.
• in reply toMissMinto
Try a good probiotic, you’ll need to find one that helps and suits you,plus the use of Enterosgel, used in the treatment of acute infective diarrhoea, but also has been shown to help IBS-D sufferers. It can be used longterm with small gaps in treatment, and doesn’t damage the gut microbiome. I have a friend who suggests that it transformed her life.
Unless you've had a lactulose breath test first to rule out sibo I'd avoid all probiotics.
• in reply toSpaceboy_60
Unless I have misconstrued your comment, I think your suggestion is rather too prescriptive, since, in healthy individuals, SIBO varies from 1-40% depending on the groups studied. In addition, results of testing vary from laboratory to laboratory. People who are immuno-compromised, or have an anatomical anomaly of there gut should certainly take expert advice before starting a probiotic, but suggesting that nobody should take one before undergoing a potentially expensive and variable result, is going a bit too far, with the greatest respect!
Spaceboy_60• in reply to
Healthy individuals? People have IBS, there are studies showing people with IBS: up to 70% have sibo. Therefore exercising caution is a good idea not saying he shouldn't take any probiotics, but maybe starting off with a teaspoon of water/coconut kefir each day would be more sensible than just taking something with 100 billion cfu which could potentially cause severe side effect if he/she does have sibo
• in reply toSpaceboy_60
May I refer you to this academic journal ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl... . Your figure of 70% is over twice the suggested maximum figure for IBS. The exact aetiology and pathogenesis of IBS is still uncertain with gut microbiome dysbiosis a likely association. If you’re suggesting that IBS sufferers might be “ unhealthy” because of possible gut microbiome dysbiosis, I wouldn’t object, but you can still be healthy with regard to other health parameters and have IBS. By the way 100 billion CFU is on the very high side for a probiotic- Ferrocalm, which I take, contains 1billion CFU per one capsule per day. In addition, I understand that standard Kefir contains about 35 billion organisms per teaspoon. There is also the suggestion that probiotics do not produce anything more than temporary colonisation of the gut, and that most are eliminated within 3 weeks of ceasing the source. As regards the lactulose breath test, I understand has it only a sensitivity of 42% and specificity of 70%
Spaceboy_60• in reply to
According to a research review published in March 2017 in Gut and Liver, as many as 78 percent of people with IBS have SIBO, compared with up to 40 percent of people who do not have IBS.
• in reply toSpaceboy_60
The range was 4- 78% in IBS sufferers , the article stressing the variation in results from studies, and variation in testing methods
Spaceboy_60• in reply to
Try them, all I'm saying is to exercise caution if you haven't taken a particular type before maybe if it's capsule form for instance you might want to take a third of a capsule initially for the first few days. Even if you don't have sibo, there's a chance that his microbiome may not be the healthiest at present and he could be sensitive to probiotics at least initially.
Tried a few such as Align which did not work for me. For last few years, been using these from Amazon:
Physician's CHOICE Probiotics 60 Billion CFU - 10 Strains +
Hi,I tried an activia yoghurt,which was recommended, never again,within half an hour I had an attack,it’s the same being told to eat roughage,don’t think so😳
Well i've started using Alflorex and after 2 tablets by IBS-D is worse than ever. Today I have been glued to the toilet. Is that normal, should I persevere ?
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