Anyone using probiotics for maintenance?

Okay, this is what I'm trying to get a grip on. After looking into Florastor, I see it contains one strain of beneficial yeast: saccharomyces boulardii. That is all it contains from what I can tell. It sounds like it has a long history of success treating diarrhea. It is considered a probiotic yeast, while the others are considered probiotic bacterium. (I am not a scientist! Can anyone out there explain this better?)

I also see that some brands of probiotics like Garden of Life Primal Defense Ultra also contain this beneficial yeast along with many strains of beneficial bacterium. I will be checking the brand I use next.

We're new to CD, but I've had such great results in the past with probiotics for other issues that I am a believer. Therefore, wouldn't it seem that a product with a combo of all these might be the way to go? I don't know... Just throwing it out there.

As for your doc saying Florastor is the only probiotic that has shown positive results in preventing flares, I recently spoke with the folks at VSL3 and they say they have studies that show their product has a high success rate of maintaining remission in folks with UC. They also said they have a very small study out of Canada proving similar success with CD. VSL3 does not contain saccharomyces boulardii....hummmm...

I used to buy my probiotics at the local health food store but recently began purchasing them online because it seems I am getting a "stronger" product for my money. That said, my health food store is very small and doesn't carry a large inventory. Also, I have always read that the better probiotics should be kept refrigerated. Don't know if that still holds true...

Also, sanfran, probiotics have been discussed here many times in the past. Maybe try a search to see what you can learn! Good luck!

sanfran :)

Funny your doc said that about florastor because in all actuallity VSL3 is proven to be the most beneficial probioitic for IBD (if you can afford it)....here's a link regarding a study done on VSL3 and IBD..

http://www.cbc.ca/health/story/2006/10/12/probiotics.html#skip300x250

Just scroll to the top of the page when the link loads in to read the entire article from the beginning.

BTW, I use Primadophilus Reuteri myself with success.

:)

Saccharomyces boulardii is a yeast, and trials shows it's breaking down a bacteria called clostridium difficile. One should avoid this if there is any problem with fungemi.

Another thing: try to avoid bifidum bacteries if you are going to find good probiotics, or better; avoid all kind of bacteria that has a name with bidfidum in it to be sure- the SCD diet avoids it.

The three probiotics that are recommended when making your own yoghurt is:
lactobacillus bulgaricus
streptococcus thermophilus
and
if you find this, then add it: lactobacillus acidophilus - these three are working well together, again according to the SCD diet.
Other good bacteria is:
lactobacillus rhamnosus GG
lactobacillus casei
Some say that to digest and let those probiotic bacterias work you also need prebiotica. Prebiotica is things like: Psyllium.
I'm not sure if the SCD diet use psyllium, anyone who knows?


From Ingrid

...oh, and I forgot: those probioticum boosts the immunesystem......

Post Edited (Skjura) : 9/1/2007 7:31:36 AM (GMT-6)