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Probiotics - Which ones and what dose?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 11/20/2008 8:04 PM (GMT 0)
Today i finally went for a wander in the vitamins aisle in the local supermarket and was OVERWHELMED by the variation in types of vitamins and probiotics on offer. So... my question is what do i need to look out for on the ingredients and what kind of dosage?

The best combination of multivitamin and probiotic i found was the Seven Seas "multibionta" brand but I just couldn't decide which to get!

They have a normal, high performance, Immune Support, Advanced Formula Extra which contains Pure Omega-3 Fish oils. It's so confusing!!

What do i need to look for?!
Posted 11/20/2008 8:36 PM (GMT 0)
Generally the more effective probiotics are those that require refrigeration. I take Primadophilus Reuteri, which has lactobacillus acidophilus, l. rhamnosus and l. reuteri. In addition to the GI benefits, it helps with vaginal yeast, which is common in women taking Azathioprine or Prednisolone.
Posted 11/20/2008 11:02 PM (GMT 0)
Here's an article you might find helpful on selecting a quality probiotic.

http://www.supplementspot.com/aguidetoqualityprobiotics.html

If you do a search, you'll see the top brands members here have recommended. This topic comes up alot.

As to dose, you're going to want to start off slowly and work your way up to the manufacturer's recommended dose. Anyone with IBD is going to need billions of colony forming units per day.

Although Mercola is touting his own probiotic formula, you may find this education video informative. He gives alot of general information before getting into the specifics of his formula:

http://products.mercola.com/probiotics/

Posted 11/21/2008 3:07 AM (GMT 0)
I don't yet have a long track record of success with it, but for 2 months I've been taking nothing but VSL3 (http://www.vsl3.com) & have had no symptoms...except for when I went out of town for a weekend & forgot to take the stuff with me. I think the VSL3 is the best probiotic available. It's not cheap when you order it from the website, but I recently learned that you can get a prescription for VSL3 DS (double strength version of VSL3). I checked with my insurance & it is on their drug formulary, so it will be covered for me, which will make it cheap.

I can't help you with vitamins.
Posted 11/21/2008 6:25 AM (GMT 0)

I also take VSL#3.  I think it helps the symtoms a bit.  It is true, it is not cheap!  I tried to get it through my insurance, but they wouldn't go for it even when the Dr called it in to the pharmacy.  They said it was ovet the counter so no luck, maybe it will be covered for you!

Good luck.

Jen

Posted 11/21/2008 3:50 PM (GMT 0)
I doubt if insurance is going to cover any probiotic. And yes, the best quality, most effective formulas aren't cheap.
Posted 11/21/2008 10:01 PM (GMT 0)
Try and experiment with different probiotics and different doses. After my experiences I can say its something you must customize.
Posted 11/21/2008 11:08 PM (GMT 0)
     I take powerdolphilus by country life and order it from the net.
Posted 11/21/2008 11:19 PM (GMT 0)
I take Ultimate Flora - 15 billion. I take one in the morning and one before I go to sleep. I started taking it two weeks ago and MIGHT be helping with my flare. It's too soon to tell. I can say that I have been more bloated recently, but it seems to have finally calmed down over the past couple days....so maybe it's actually providing some relief??
Posted 11/22/2008 4:49 AM (GMT 0)
When you are starting a new probiotic, it is not uncommon to feel bloated and gassy. This should go away after a couple of weeks. If you start thinking that whatever probiotic you are taking isn't working, don't give up on pro-bs...try another formula, brand, etc. There are so many out there that the odds are good you find one that helps, but it takes patience, and trial and error is a given. I've taken Florastor successfully when recovering from a c diff infection, Flora-Q2 as a free sample from my doc, and now take VSL#3. All of them gave me a reduction in symptoms, but they are also some of the more expensive ones.
Posted 11/22/2008 6:15 AM (GMT 0)
I'm breastfeeding my 3 week old son and have a strong feeling he has a dairy and/or soy protein intolerance like his big sis did.  As such I am on a no dairy/soy diet.  I have read that probiotics will likely help him as well.  Can anyone recommend a brand that is not made with any dairy?  I heard something about some of them being farmed with dairy or something like that.  Also, are any that Whole Foods carries worth it?  I would like to go and pick some up tomorrow vs. waiting for an online purchase/shipment especially with this week beging thanksgiving.  Thanks in advance!  I'm starting to flare a bit so I'm hoping this might help me out as well.

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