Probiotics

[olive27]

Hi,

I have Hashimoto's disease and wanted to know what the best probiotics are for it.

Many thanks,

Lydia

[Jaydee1507 Administrator]

As far as I am aware probiotics are pretty individual as to what works for each person. I saw a Gastro doc once and there are only a few that are proven such as Symprove, VSL3 and Bio-kult but they can work out quite pricey. Some people make their own kefir from either dairy or water can also be used.

[olive27 in reply to Jaydee1507]

thank you so much, that’s really helpful !! Xx

[Buddy195 Administrator]

If you have time (and patience) try organic water kefir grains. Amazon sell these. There are plenty of YouTube videos on how to cultivate them. It really is good, but I’ve got to confess I got a bit lazy (eg going on holiday) and stopped growing them. I’m now using Biokult capsules, which work well for me (but are far more expensive than the water kefir).

[Jaydee1507 Administrator in reply to Buddy195]

I did water kefir for a long time, found it quite tasty too. Like you though I have lapsed. Might get back to it when I have more go in me.

[Farrugia]

If you aren't vegan then you could try milk kefir, this has even more good microbes than water kefir. It's good to eat a range of different fermented foods if you can eg yoghurt, sauerkraut (must be live), Kimchi etc - if you can find some you like then it's easier and more interesting than taking a probiotic pill. I think studies have shown that the microbes in milk kefir survive the digestive process better than most in pill form. Tim Spector talks about this. It's worth checking out his Zoe Science and Nutrition podcasts, he does one about fermented foods as well as lots of other interesting stuff.

I make my own kefir using goat's milk (I prefer the flavour to cow's milk and I find it easier to digest), I bought the kefir grains online from Cultures for Health. You can buy live kefir in most supermarkets now if making it is not for you. Since I've been drinking milk kefir my digestion has felt much better.

I tried a course of Symprove a few years ago, it's really expensive, tastes disgusting and didn't help me at all. Apparently having Hashimoto's negatively affects your gut microbiome so we have to work a bit harder at keeping ours healthy. I now make sauerkraut as well as kefir - I like the flavour and I enjoy cooking so that works well for me. I hope you find something that works for you.

[LucyYoga]

Hi,

I currently use a brand called smidge- it a powder and as I’m extremely sensitive to even traces of dairy that are usually found In most probiotics, this one is good as it’s formulated for sensitive people.

Also another good brand is called vivomixx- the sachets are best.

[Honeybee66]

Hi

If you can tolerate dairy, ‘Tims dairy’ kefir is really good & very tasty.

[grumpyold]

I find Alflorex are brilliant. I get the chewable banana and strawberry flavoured ones. You can take them at any time of day, doesn't have to be first thing on an empty stomach.