UC, Probiotics and Fish Oil

Yes, you can buy probiotic supplements in powder or cap form, the one I've been having success with (less daily BM's) is called Primadophilus Reuteri made by natures way, it's affordable and only one/day is needed (many require you to take up to 4/day and they're usually pricey) this one has guaranteed intestinal release, not all do, it also aids with high cholesterol, lactose intolerance and for women, vagina health and I can confirm it has aided me on all those counts as well...The only down fall is it must be kept cold, even purchased at a health food store that keeps it in their fridge.

I buy omegas 3-6-9 from Puritans Pride online, it's the only one I've ever used and it has helped loads with my moods/emotions for sure (as this DD can do a number on your mind as well) and being a natural anti-inflammatory that your body does not produce I feel confident that it also aids my gut as well.

:)

Probiotics are different strains of helpful bacteria and yeasts that we take as supplements to help populate our digestive tracts with good bugs.  A lot of IBDers have an imbalance of good and bad bacteria in their tracts, so taking supplements helps to regain the balance. 

There are so many different probiotic brands, and everyone has different experiences with them.  It is useful to get recommendations from people on what they take, but if one brand doesn't work for you, don't give up, just try a different type.  What I've noticed is that brands that contain a good variety of bacteria strains are more helpful, as well as ones that contain a large quantity of bacteria. 

Some brands that have helped me are Florastor, FloraQ2, and VSL#3.  Unfortunately all 3 brands are on the expensive side, but they all helped reduce my UC symptoms.  Fewer bms, better digestion of foods, less gas, less pain in my gut. 

If you go to just about any health food store (Whole Foods, Nature's, Wild Oats, Sunflower Markets, GNC, or a local food co-op), they'll have a decent selection.  Just ask the supplements person to point you in the right direction.  Something else you can do is to do a search of the HealingWell forums to get ideas.  The search function is located just below the site banner...just type in probiotics...you'll find tons of info.  you could also ask your doc, although many don't know about pro-bs or believe in their usefulness.

Good luck on the search. 

One thing that is very important to remember is that Probiotics is not FDA approved, so without regulations, there are alot of products out there that do not contain the bacteria that is stated on the label. I have always been taught that in order for live bacteria to remain alive and be beneficial is that it has remained cold from the time of manufacturing to the time it is sold and ingested. So first, you should look at a reputable health food store and then only shop in the the refrigidated section. Unfortanately, that is where you are going to find the most expensive probiotics. I have used VSL #3 b/c my GI told me that is the only probiotic that has been tested in trials. I currently take Natren brand probiotics. They have different strands, but I take the Healthy Trinity which contain a mixture of strands with 30 billion CFU, which is the most I have seen per pill, excluding VSL. For a maintenance, it is recommended that a person ingest 10-12 billion CFU daily. I am relatively well, just rebounding from a flare and I am currently taking just one Healthy Trinity at 30 billion at bedtime. I was taking two pills at 60 billion when I was sick to speed up my recovery and build up the good bacteria after taking an antibiotic.

As for fish oil, I only take Omega 3. Research shows that Omega -3 assists with inflammation. When I buy my omega 3s, I look at the amount of EPA and DHA. I take a higher amount when I am sick and a lower amount when I am good just for maintenance. I am currently taking Metagenics brand that has a combo 720 EPA & DHA per pill....the most I have seen in pill form.  I take between 4-6 pills daily currently. You can also buy liquid and mix in protein shakes etc b/c that is more concentrated and contains more for less. I couldnt do it b/c I couldnt bear the consistency. Taste wasnt too bad b/c I bought the lemon flavor, but I also didnt mix with anything.
Hope this information helps...I will be honest...my supplements and diet has helped me in many cases more than my "medical" treatments have.

Thanks so much to everyone who replied - It's very confusing when there is so much available out there, it's so helpful to hear from people what actually worked for them.

I'm printing all of your answers and taking them with me to the health food store later today! 

Thanks again!

Well I use one called Primadophilus Reuteri made by natures way, it's found in the fridge at my health food store but it's affordable and only one/day is needed, many require you take up to 4/day and that alone can get expensive... I pay 29.00 (in Canada) for 90 pills which lasts me 90 days, it has 5 billion live cultures, guaranteed intestinal release, aids with high cholesterol, lactose intolerance and for women, vaginal health (all of which I had issues with but no longer do since using the primadophilus reuteri).

You must take probiotics daily and indefinitely (flaring or not) and when you're on antibiotics it's important to take your probiotics at least 2 hours after you're done taking your antis for the day or they'll just get destroyed by the antis.

:)

No problems taking probiotics and Asacol or fish oil. Also, not all probiotics are destroyed by antibiotics. If you find a brand you like look it up online. Some strains/brands of pro-bs, like Florastor, can be taken with antibiotics effectively. But pb4 is right, once you start taking them, you are basically hooked indefinitely. Without being replenished, they are lost by our bms.

hey, about the fish oil... i dont know about the states, but over here in australia, i found ENTERIC coated fish oil caps and they are made especially to get all the way to the colon.
my GI recommended them and i found them recently.

our medicines for UC are usually enteric coated so it gets past the stomach acids and through the small intestines.

hopefully they are available wherever you are. ENTERIC COATED FISH OIL (omega 3)

Tap -

Personal experience has told me this.  There are numerous people here at HW that will concur. 

I looked for some literature to provide a more substantial and scientific answer for you.  I couldn't find any general info sites, but a couple of specific brand sites verify that probiotics need replenishing or they go away. 

http://www.florastor.com/article.asp?id=2164

http://www.vsl3.com/VSL3/about-faq.asp#faq-13  question: How long does VSL#3 take to work?

http://www.activia.us.com/pdf/Act_scientific_summary.pdf?v1  topic: Clinically proven to survive in the GI tract

 

emory said...
Metamucil is one thing that CAN conflict with oral medicines by potentially affecting absorption; it shouldn't be taken within two hours of oral meds.

I assume that any kind of psyllium tablets would require the same consideration? 

I was told at the health food store that probiotics should be taken 2 hours away from medication as well - does this mean I'll be trying to remember different pills every couple of hours?? 

Ya, my probioitc doesn't even specify if it has to be taken with food or not so that generally means it makes no difference, some do specify so which ever you choose you'll have to go by what the bottle recommends....and don't always hold the recommendations as gospel either, some people might do better not taking with food even if it suggests you do, remember they are likely basing recommendations on healthy people not those with bowel issues. So you do have the option to play around and see what works best for your system.

:)