VSL#3 dosage?

I take the packet you mix with water, one per day, though my GI has said he would nto mind me taking two. I think one pill per day would do you, but two would likely not be overkill. Might consult the VSL-3 website for dosage info.

Here is what the VSL insert reads:

# bowel movements #VSL packets per day
< 5 1-2
5-8 2-4
>8 4

Keep in mind the packets (powder) have twice as many bacteria as the pills so you'd need to double that in pills (if that's what you've got)

All that said, I take 2 each morning, though they recommend more.

gumby44 said...
E-mom, I thought I read that psyllium is GOOD! I'd love to read that article if you can find it. I have had IBS since being a kid, but I didn't get diagnosed with Crohn's until now (age 49) Metamucil has helped me in the past, but with my new problems with the Crohn's I seem to cycle quite quickly between the D and C. I've been taking the Probiotics for about a week and things seem to be getting better, so maybe it is helping. I noticed that you said that your son takes digestive enzymes - what is that? Thanks

Digestive enzymes are just another supplement you can buy. They aid digestion. They're enzymes made partially from plant-based ingredients, like bromelain from pineapple. The thinking is that our diet is so lacking in naturally occurring enzymes from plants and other sources, that we need to supplement them for normal digestion. I've read many articles that recommend them for CD. Though I don't have CD or IBS, I've used digestive enzymes for 15 years or so for indigestion. They make a world of difference! Like probiotics, there are many good brands of digestive enzymes out there. I use Ultra-Zyme by Nature's Plus, but I've tried other brands and thought they were good, too.

As for psyllium, I dug and finally found the website where I read about it for IBS. It seems like a really good website. They sell their own products and make recommendations about other products as well. I KNOW I remember reading about that fiber supplement I mentioned (Fiber Smart) above on this site, but cannot find it anymore (it was several years ago...I guess they re-vamped the site). In any case, I was looking for a fiber supplement that would relieve my mom's IBS symptoms which were mainly C and *major* bloating. If you scroll about 1/3 the way down on this page it tells you "If you're at all prone to bloating or gas (and many folks with IBS are), please avoid both psyllium and inulin (the main ingredients in Metamucil, Konsyl, Fybogel, Fibersure, and FiberChoice), which can seriously worsen these problems in some people with IBS." This is why I remember psyllium is not for IBS in my mom's case. She DEFINITELY did NOT want anything that would increase the bloating! (This site also does an excellent job of explaining why sugars and artificial sweeteners are not good for IBS, too.)

After reading this page again just now, I see they allow that, just as with Crohn's, each person's IBS is unique and may respond differently to different fiber supplements. It could be that psyllium is what you need. It is really interesting how they stress the importance of soluble fiber for C and D, though. I bet their product is really, really good...

Anyway, here is the website! Happy reading!

http://www.helpforibs.com/supplements/sol_fiber1.asp

FWIW, my GI says that, in his opinion, psyllium is the best soluble fiber out there. He said that is the number one question he gets asked as most of his patients have read all the IBS, CD, UC sites out there, and there are quite a few saying "our fiber is the best! don't take psyllium!" They're just trying to make a buck. He says you can't beat Metamucil for bang for the buck (no pun intended). That's just about word for word how our soluble fiber converstation went. Yes, he does have a sense of humor.