fiber and probiotics

I saw a post about fiber making the probiotics work better.  If I take a fiber supp. I get super constipated, although I have never tried psyllium seed powder.   Does the fiber source need to be a bulking fiber like psyllium, or if you have fiber in your diet via vegables, fruit, etc, is that sufficient?   If I took my probiotic with a  1/2 teaspoon of psyllium seed powder, do you think that would be enough?

Thanks,

L

Generally fibre aids with D or C, were you drinking enough water with your fibre supplements when you were taking them?

psyllium is a better form to take, easier on the system and effective at the same time...with the fact that you're probably dealing with D from your UC then a bulking fibre is best (Insoluble fibre).

If you have fibre in your diet on a regular basis then you might not find it necessary to use fibre supplements, that is if yu can pretty much guarantee you'll be alb eot eat some form of fire every single day....if not then a fibre supplement daily and indefinitely (flaring or not) is a good idea, that's what I've been taking for the last 5ish yrs and I'm able to eat all fibreous foods without getting bloated/gassy.

You don't have to take your probiotic with your fibre supplements, infact, it's better if you take your probiotics on an empty stomach (first thing in the am/day before you eat).

I take my fibre supplement right before bed every night, with plenty of water.

1/2 tsp to start with is fine, it's always best to start with a small amount and increase only if necessary and after your system adjusts to the initial amount as it may cause increased gas/bloating which is normal and happens to healthy people so just stick with it so your system can adjust to it.  that seems to be a big reason why people don't stick with it, the adjusting period can be uncomfortable, but it's well worth it.

:)

Ideally people should consume both soluble and insoluble fibre for maximum results....fibre supplements are still a good way to go if you have issues with the certain foods the are soluble or insoluble.

:)

In a flare I cannot use psyllium husk fiber or other bulking type fibers as they cause severe pain. I came off all fiber during this last flare and am going back into remission. I'll add fiber gradually once the colon heals a little more. I've started eaing some foods with a little fiber already; just not supplements.

My daughter takes her psyllium seed powder mixed with VSL#3DS and applesauce. This is by far the best (easiest to eat) method we have found for the psyllium seed powder and VSL#3DS. We also think the psyllium seed has a prebiotic effect. The studies I have read show an increase of butyrate (short chain fatty acid) in the colon from psyllium seed powder. As I understand it, butyrate is a by-product of healthy bacteria in the colon digesting prebiotics. Butyrate is essential for healthy lining of the colon and has been an effective treatment for some UC sufferers when given in enema form. These two food supplements have really helped. We also think the zinc and vitamin supplements have helped along with the curamin which is a combination of curcumin and boswellia. We believe the traditional meds (lialda and rowasa enemas) are working, but that these supplements also help a great deal.

By the way we have purchased organic pysllium seed powder at an online site called frontier coop. Here is a link for those interested.
http://www.frontiercoop.com/isearch.php?s=psyllium+seed&gobtn.x=0&gobtn.y=0
We used to grind our own seeds up, which was very messy and took a long time in a very powerful blender. We are very happy with the quality of this pysllium seed powder. I am not associated with this site in any way. Just trying to help folks looking for psyllium seed powder.

PB4 - You've said it took your system 3 months to get used to the fiber. How long did it take before you were having a lesser amount of stools? Did it take the entire 3 months?