HealingWell
Search Close Search
☰

Which Probiotic is best?

Support Forums
>
Crohn's Disease
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply
❬ ❬ Previous Thread |Next Thread ❭ ❭
Posted 12/24/2009 12:18 PM (GMT 0)
I'm using Align right now, becuase my GI gave me a bunch of samples. I have about 2 weeks' worth left and I am going to probably switch to something else. I don't feel like Align is doing nothing, but I also feel like it could be doing more. I know I've heard people say there has to be a certain number of bacteria or something, but I don't remember what it was.

Anyone want to recommend one? I don't want to have to spend lots of money...I don't mind ordering it online. Diarrhea is my predominant problem, if that makes any difference at all.

Thanks in advance, guys!

Posted 12/24/2009 2:32 PM (GMT 0)
I take Primadolphilis Reuteri by Nature's Way. It was recommended by another member PB4. She has had better luck with it than I have with things such as helping lactose intolerance and vaginal health, but other than that I do like it. It does have to be refrigerated and has 5 billion CFU in it. Good luck!
Posted 12/24/2009 5:16 PM (GMT 0)
SCD yogurt (if you can tolerate it), is a great probiotic. It is fermented 24 hours to convert all the lactose into galactose, which usually even lactose intolerant folks can take. My husband has 2 helpings of SCD yogurt every day + VSL3 along with the yogurt. VSL3 has 450 billion cfu, and is probably the most potent probiotic supplement on the market (but it is expensive, for 2 packets a day, it costs around $150 a month).

I put a lot of stock in fermented foods like yogurt, so I highly recommend taking the time to make the yogurt, if you can tolerate it. It also has the added benefit of being pretty cheap.
Posted 12/24/2009 8:50 PM (GMT 0)
*listens in* I've been wondering this too.
Posted 12/24/2009 9:40 PM (GMT 0)
Culturelle is the one that has the most research supporting its benefits, but the ones recommended above are all among the best.
Posted 12/24/2009 9:47 PM (GMT 0)
I have had good results using the CVS brand capsule form of acidophiles. It also needs to be kept refrigerated. It does little to help with my pain but has without a doubt helped with the frequency of my bowel moments.
Posted 12/24/2009 10:28 PM (GMT 0)
VSL#3 has the most different types of bacteria: 7 or 9 I recall.
Posted 12/25/2009 4:48 AM (GMT 0)
My doc suggested Flora-Q2 - it's pretty expensive (around $50 for 30). Apparently I can't live without it now. I tried going to Align and on day 5 had to go back to the Flora-Q2 because I started getting symptoms.
Posted 12/25/2009 9:22 AM (GMT 0)
If Align isn't work, and I'm really sorry to hear that, then you might look into Culturelle or VSL#3. I've heard great things about those two, but Align worked for my so I never had much incentive to try them out and see.

Best of luck in finding one that helps you!! It's great once you do.
Posted 12/25/2009 3:42 PM (GMT 0)
If you have a good prescription plan, you can get VSL #3 that way for a lot less money. I got a box of double strength VSL #3 FOR $24. That's a lot less expensive than if you purchase on the internet. I got the capsules there for ~~69 and they were single strength. Sometimes you just have to try several brands to see what works for you. Align did nothing for me, absolutely nothing. I think VSL #3 worked best for me.
Posted 12/25/2009 11:07 PM (GMT 0)

jeanneac said...
If you have a good prescription plan, you can get VSL #3 that way for a lot less money. I got a box of double strength VSL #3 FOR $24. That's a lot less expensive than if you purchase on the internet. I got the capsules there for ~~69 and they were single strength. Sometimes you just have to try several brands to see what works for you. Align did nothing for me, absolutely nothing. I think VSL #3 worked best for me.


Thanks for the tip! I will ask my doc to write a script for that stuff and see what happens.
Posted 12/26/2009 5:25 PM (GMT 0)
I like dr ohhira but it is not cheap. I also like fermented foods and kefir.
Posted 12/26/2009 6:38 PM (GMT 0)
I am very interested in this, I use VSL#3 and its excellent. I have to say that the last batch was not as effective. It tastes different, not so sweet. also they have changed the packaging, its now easier to open but I wonder if there is a connection? Apart from that I would reccomend it
Posted 12/27/2009 1:31 PM (GMT 0)
I use VSL#3 and its available as a prescritpion in the UK so we get it for next to nothing. Ithas 250 billion bacteria, the most of any. It is very very good.
Posted 12/27/2009 4:32 PM (GMT 0)
I was curious about this too. To piggyback on this question, is there a difference as far as effectiveness between the VSL#3 capsules and the packets?

Post Edited (basil) : 12/27/2009 9:35:58 AM (GMT-7)

Posted 12/28/2009 3:11 PM (GMT 0)
The packets I have are double strength with 950 billion bugs in it. I think the capsules have 450. You can get them online, just google it. If you can't get a prescription for it, it will cost more, like $65. I think it is good to get the pharmaceutical stuff because you know the quality control is there. Otherwise, it can be luck as to how much is in there. In the instructions of the VSL, it states that it is used to treat pouchitis and UC. I know when I had a specialized stool test, they said I had NO acidophilus bacteria. That sounded bad to me. Good luck.
Posted 12/28/2009 9:27 PM (GMT 0)
Just as a post note here. What works for someone, may not work for someone else. Please keep trying different ones until you find one that works for YOU. I have tried most of the ones listed plus PB8. Only Align and PB8 have worked for me. To the point that most made things worse and I had given up probiotics entirely and thought that they were a bunch of crap. But if you find the right one, it can make a huge difference. It also can take several weeks to notice any effect, so give each one a good month before you give up.
✚ New Topic ✚ Reply