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yogurt vs. probiotic supplements?

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Ulcerative Colitis
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Posted 1/16/2008 12:24 PM (GMT 0)
I've been struggling with diagnosis for several months now.  We've had two colonoscopies in just a couple months with 2 different docs & labs.  I definitely have proctitis & colitis, now I'm awaiting approval of the mini camera test to look at inside my small intestines to rule out crohn's disease, &/or surgery.  My doc told me to eat yogurt.  Then I stopped for awhile & have started eating it again, pain appearred to be lessening for a spell, now it's coming back.  Could it be the yogurt?  I just wonder about the supplements, I always understood it's best to get vitamins &minerals, etc. naturally from foods...
Posted 1/16/2008 3:29 PM (GMT 0)
If you suspect you have any problems with dairy - and alot of folks with IBD are unable to digest it properly, then yogurt could cause problems. I prefer to stick with probiotics. Natren and Custom Probiotics are the brands I recommend. A powder is also better than a capsule for a compromised digestion.
Posted 1/16/2008 3:30 PM (GMT 0)
Yes...yogurt has always given me stomach and gut pain if I eat it daily...but it could be the brand. Experiment.

I same milk product use for coffee..lol!

Probiotics give you choices to a variety of strains to be used together...no yogurt can give you that.

I think yogurt is what's "known" out there....that's why it's suggested.

quincy
Posted 1/16/2008 4:31 PM (GMT 0)
Personally I think yogurt is great, but honestly I don't feel like eating it everyday so I find it much easier and more importantly, much more EFFECTIVE taking a probiotic pill rather than just relying on yogurt alone.

I use primadophilus reuteri made by natures way with success for my crohns-colitis and IBS issues as well.

:)
Posted 1/17/2008 12:23 PM (GMT 0)
you guys are the best thank you! We have a compounding pharmacy in town, might they be a good source for these supplements?
Posted 1/17/2008 1:33 PM (GMT 0)
wildfire, you should be able to buy probiotics from a health food store or many pharmacies. It's best to buy the ones that are refrigerated to keep the little buggies alive. I also take Natures Way Primadophilus Reuteri, and I order it off the internet. It was about $28 for a three month supply.
Posted 1/17/2008 3:10 PM (GMT 0)
It's also difficult to get the volume of good bacteria you need from yogurt. And many brands don't have the viable bacteria they claim to have.

As Judilyn says, most pharmacies and health food stores (Wild Oats, Whole Foods, etc.) carry many brands of probiotics. You can also order online. The ones I use can be ordered here:

http://www.customprobiotics.com

http://www.natren.com
Posted 1/17/2008 6:18 PM (GMT 0)
Activia made me very sick. I don't know why
Posted 1/17/2008 8:49 PM (GMT 0)
Most yogurts are full of sugars, which could be a problem and the quality brand.  I add my own sweetener.  But of course there are many people that are sensitive to milk products, even if it is cultured (I have a harder time with milk, but luckily take well to yogurt, kefir, cheese, etc.).  You can try soy yogurt, but taking a supplement is also a good idea.  Whatever works best for you.  There was much written on this in another post, similar in topic, on kefir vs. probiotics:

https://www.healingwell.com/community/default.aspx?f=38&m=1012753

 

Posted 1/17/2008 9:32 PM (GMT 0)
It is harder and harder to find a yogurt with out sugar and corn syrup.
Posted 1/17/2008 10:29 PM (GMT 0)
I stick to yogurt, eventhough I really am burnt out on it. I tried probiotics with no positive results.
Posted 7/30/2009 3:34 PM (GMT 0)
Your idea of taking natural probiotic supplements is definitely the best option. I'm suffering the same pain before when i eat lots of yogurt until my doctor suggested to just take probiotic supplements from licensed distributor.
Posted 7/31/2009 8:02 AM (GMT 0)
yogurt is one of the few foods that really doesn't set me off... but I make my own.  I ferment it for 24 hours, so its lactose free.  Also I had a bit of vanilla and honey to sweeten.  Yogurt maker are super cheap on amazon.com and it is very easy to make it!
Posted 7/31/2009 1:48 PM (GMT 0)

jars05 said...
I stick to yogurt, eventhough I really am burnt out on it. I tried probiotics with no positive results.

Hope you experimented with a few different brands before you gave up. There are alot of cheaper products out there with inferior strains that do little to nothing. The more expensive brands are usually the better bet. I also suspect we all find different brands work differently for each of us, due to having different combinations of bad bacteria and other gut organisms.
Posted 7/31/2009 3:45 PM (GMT 0)
You could have issues with dairy, if yogurt seems to bother you. If that's the case try supplements.
Posted 8/1/2009 3:06 AM (GMT 0)
I tried some probiotic yogurt and it made me poo too much. Activia didn't seem to do anything. Probiotics didn't seem effective either. Now I drink a cup of kefir before bed and I'm like clockwork again. But yeah, if you end up having dairy problems, I'd go with a supplement.
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