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Test revealed ZERO healthy bacteria/probiotic help

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Crohn's Disease
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Posted 7/31/2009 2:26 AM (GMT 0)
Hi all,

Last month I took a stool test that revealed that I have absolutely none (zilch, nada, zero) of the lactobacillus healthy bacteria in my gut. You are supposed to have billions. My acupuncture suggested I get tested for leaky gut and other deficiencies. Insurance wouldn't pay for it, but my acu had a UC patient with a pretty severe case who also lacked the bacteria and she thought it might be valuablel info for me to have in my case. Guess she was right. My husband is a pharmacist and he was stunned to learn that I had absolutely no growth of this particular bacteria. I now know exactly which probiotic would be most beneficial to me and we have started introducing it into my system. I am feeling pretty well since starting acupuncture a little over two months ago and on the prescriptive supplement regimen I am on. It has thus far enabled me to avoid Remicade and Imuran. Compared to many on here, my flare has been pretty mild, but the arthritis was quite disabling before starting this regimen. Perhaps this is something others of you could benefit from?

Blessings,

jhicks

Posted 7/31/2009 2:45 AM (GMT 0)
Where have you been to get bacterias count??

I never heard of a hospital going that far in testing.
Posted 7/31/2009 2:51 AM (GMT 0)
Traditional docs don't perform the tests to my knowledge. I know my GI wouldn't. My acupuncturist ordered the CDSA test from Genova Diagnostics. Find a description of the test here: http://www.genovadiagnostics.com/index.php?option=com_gpanel&Itemid=2&task=view&id=2

Dr. Andrew Weil, a highly respected alternative therapy expert, speaks of leaky gut and other such issues. I think the test was worth the investment.
Posted 7/31/2009 4:35 AM (GMT 0)
When you use the term "leaky gut" you get no respect from the traditional medical community (that's just some flaky alternative medicine mumbo jumbo). They call it "increased intestinal wall permeability" which is so much more scientific.... In either case, it is a part of Crohn's flare development and probably is the cause of Crohn's - indirectly. Permeability is caused by inflammation - another way to say your immune system is becoming triggered. The cause of the triggering of the immune system is the key to the puzzle. However, just reducing gut permeability has the advantage of possibly calming down the cycle of inflammation. Probiotics can help to do just that.

What supplement do you take for the lactobacillus? The one that I usually suggest is Culturelle because it is a strain that has a lot of research behind it and has documented benefits for Crohn's disease and other IBD's.
Posted 7/31/2009 1:42 PM (GMT 0)
I have taken Culturelle before. Right now I am taking a vegetarian version by Pure Encapsulations. I am trying to get away from all non-natural formulations.
Posted 7/31/2009 2:03 PM (GMT 0)
By the way, alternative therapies have been giving me the best, noninvasive results during this flare. I was a little skeptical, but the proof is in my ankles!! My swelling is down considerably and I can walk again without a limp! It's not perfect, but it is a vast improvement over what my GI and Primary Care docs were able to suggest to me. I still have Remicade and Imuran in reserve, and won't rule them out should I need them. But right now, the alternative route is providing the relief I need. I wouldn't trade my acupuncturist or her prescribed regimen of supplements! So leaky gut may sound quacky, but the practitioner who told me about it is the one who has offered me the best results. I am becoming a firm believer in alternative and complementary meds along side traditional approaches. I believe there is room for everything.
Posted 7/31/2009 3:16 PM (GMT 0)
I don't think you'd be alive with zero healthy bacteria in your gut.
Posted 7/31/2009 3:20 PM (GMT 0)
Sorry, I obviously have other healthy bacteria - bifidus, etc. I just had 'NO Growth" - I assume no detectable growth - of the Lactobacillus. Maybe zero isn't correct, but no growth was detected. Which is significant b/c you usually have billions....
Posted 7/31/2009 3:30 PM (GMT 0)
Hello

I am new to this site and trying to find some answers to help my 19 year olds son with his Crohns.  I keep hearing about Probiotics.  Everything I have read seems to say that taking this supplement will help with his flare ups.  He is currently in a month long flare up.  There seems to be so many names....so much confusion with me any way on which one to purchase.  Any suggestions on what would be a good choice?  Are the instructions on the bottle on how many to take?  Where do I buy these?

I appreciate any guidance

Thanks,

Just a concerned Mother.

Posted 7/31/2009 3:47 PM (GMT 0)

Worriedmom1,

I am currently taking 3 different probiotics/enzymes in various amounts per day. Inflammase, Bio-dophilis, and Caprylate complex. I get all of them through my chiropracter (who is a family friend) who also does applied kinesiology and reflexology. You may be able to go to there website to see if they can be purchased online. He has also told me I have a leaky gut and these have helped me tremendously.  All are from Biotics Research Corporation. All other supplements I take are from Metagenics. They are not inexpensive but are referred to me by a very trusted source (my father-in-law who is also a chiropracter). Instructions are on the bottle....but if you can find a Dr to work with you more closely the doses may be different than the instructions and thus hopefully more beneficial. He (the family friend Dr) was able to send out a stool sample for testing and the results were quite interesting. We are now able to treat more specifically. I always had wondered the past 10 years why a GI Dr never did that. It never made sense to me.

I hope this is helpful. Good luck!

Posted 7/31/2009 3:55 PM (GMT 0)
Yes, you can get an acupuncturist or other complementary therapist to order the specific testing for your son to see what would benefit him most. Prior to the test, I was taking Align, which you can get over the counter at Walmart, CVS, etc. It's about $30 for a month's supply, so it isn't cheap. But I felt pretty well on it. I am now taking a lactobacillus product b/c the specific testing revealed that's what I'm deficient in. Align is a bifidus bacterial product. Many swear by it.
My best to you.

Post Edited (jhicks) : 7/31/2009 9:59:15 AM (GMT-6)

Posted 7/31/2009 6:56 PM (GMT 0)

worriedmom1 said...
I am new to this site and trying to find some answers to help my 19 year olds son with his Crohns. I keep hearing about Probiotics. Everything I have read seems to say that taking this supplement will help with his flare ups. He is currently in a month long flare up. There seems to be so many names....so much confusion with me any way on which one to purchase. Any suggestions on what would be a good choice? Are the instructions on the bottle on how many to take? Where do I buy these?

Hi worriedmom, my son is 17 and has Crohn's, too. I truly believe in probiotics! We alternate between VSL#3 and Theralac. You can google them both and read about them. My local Walgreens ordered in VSL#3 for us and I order Theralac online.

When I've spent time reading about probiotics, it seems experts agree that the lactobacillus strains offer the most benefit for Crohn's, so check your label. Beyond lactobacillus, articles I've read say to invest in a brand with several strains or families of beneficial bacteria and a cfu (colony forming unit) rating of at LEAST 10 to 15 billion (survives the stomach acid and makes it to the intestines). Also consider making home made SCD legal yogurt. One cup of this purportedly has 800 billion beneficial bacteria. My son eats some nearly every day! Actually, our whole family does! It's good for everyone's immune system!

Lastly, you can try making other fermented foods for their beneficial bacteria. The awesome book, "Nourishing Traditions" by Sally Fallon explains how to make real sauerkraut and fermented fruit chutneys (a lost art of our grandmothers and great-grandmothers). Believe me, I'm no whiz in the kitchen, but this darn Crohn's has given me a new perspective on food: consume what will HELP!!!

Also, remember when starting a probiotic, some people have an adjustment period of several days (possibly more gas and bloating). Some experts say this is due to the die off of bad bacteria (there's a WAR in there!!!) and call it the Herxheimer reaction. If it doesn't subside, try another brand until you find one that works for you! Good Luck!!!
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