Tim G said...
I've been interested in the possibilities of probiotics since taking them a few years ago while on an antibiotic. But so far have not been convinced of any positive benefit, except when on antibiotics.
Jack & Diane said...
Tim,
about 4 years ago my husband somehow got a terrible case of cdiff that landed him in the hospital in isolation for a week. A big part of his treatment was probiotics and he's been taking them ever since. He says they make a big difference on how he feels. He has no more bloating and VERY rarely has gas (I hope this is not too detailed but I can tell you on the rare occasion he does have gas it does not smell for some reason) one of the biggest changes for him is he is regular almost to the hour. They've made a pretty big difference for the better for him.
I can't remember how long ago it was that I first got into Probiotics, but the most obvious
benefit which was quickly noticed was exactly what you said about
the gas and it's smell. I can't help but think, or at least hope, that is a good thing. It seems good!
Also, when I finally gave up on mouthwash and went instead with the opposite approach, oral probiotics(oral as in dissolve in mouth). My wife serves as the monitor, and I seem to have vastly fewer issues in the bad breath department. It has been many, many months since I have used any mouthwash, and it appears I actually do much better without trying to kill whatever germs(good or bad) might be in my mouth.
Recently read a book titled "The Microbiome Solution" by Robynne Chutkan, MD (Gastroenterologist) One thing I picked up from that and other sources is that at least as important as the probiotics is what you feed the probiotics so that they can easily multiply thus hopefully displacing the bad bugs, as in your husbands battle with C Diff. And/Or, of course, (hopefully)boosting the immune system as per the OP. And various high fiber and fermented foods seem to be the key to this. It is easy to see that the quantity taken in with the food for the probiotics could be really helpful in feeding the good bugs so they can rapidly reproduce once they have been consumed. Who knows, one day we might find out for sure all of this is helpful for something other than better breath and a a less stinky bathroom! Not that both of those are not worthwhile!
EDIT: observation has convince me that they(even if just via yogurt) are most assuredly helpful in battling some of the SEs of antibiotics. But how many of our doctors have told us, when prescribing antibiotics, about
probiotics? Show of hands? I have never been told that, and have numerous friends and relatives who would say the same. Our grandson just got a round of ABs for strep throat and, as usual, no mention of probiotics.
Post Edited (BillyBob@388) : 7/5/2017 7:39:53 PM (GMT-6)