Parasites/Pathogens affecting treatment

So last month I did a comprehensive stool test with a nutritionist that specializes in dealing with autoimmune diseases and in particular IBD. In the results it showed high levels of certain bacteria and paraites as well as high levels of Candida and low secretory iGa. She said she was not surprised my meds weren’f Working and set out a protocol to follow over the next 6 weeks including using the following;

Silvercillan
Saccharomyces Boulardi
Oregano oil
Toxaprevent
NAC
Curcumin & resvertrol
Butyrate
Collustrum

Has anybody used any of these with any success? I spoke to my GI about it and he was completely dismissive saying the only thing he was interested in from the test was the calprotectin level.

Yeah there is quite a bit to it. There is a fairly detailed protocol that nobody here really wants to hear but they are not all taken together. The first 3 weeks is focusing on breaking down and flushing out all the “bad guys” and the second phase then is all about replacing and repairing. She broke it down well and explained it in some detail. I will try anything I suppose so here’s hoping.

The test was called ‘GI Map DNA Stool analysis’ by a company called diagnostic solutions. The sample was actually sent to the US for testing.

I do think that some nephropaths use these tests to give impression of more solid science or treatment.

There is no real research support for these protocols doing what is claimed, or improving performance of IBD meds. Maybe in future there will be more support. The role of probiotics, and their ability to make the changes described, is still a very open question.

Trying some probiotic protocol is a reasonable thing to try, but I am concerned how diagnostic/definitive the naturopath sounds. Your meds may work better if you are able to shift you gut microbes into a more healthy pattern. Thats "if" they can be shifted, and "may" work better. Any stronger statements are likely quackery.

Sounds like you've already invested in the test and supplements, so do give it an honest try and report back on results. The others are perhaps bit more curt than I, but get the same point across none-the-less. There's a variety of test that tell you what the various bacterium makeups are within your stool but the hows, whys, and whats to do are all big unknowns (there's a bit of a chicken and the egg thing going on too, is the wacky bacterium a cause or a symptom and there's advocates for both possibilities). There's things to try that might do something, you can always see how you feel and if any results occur (might, might not, who knows and only time will tell).

Hi IrishGuy,

I am actually a bit surprised that your GI was not even interested that there is a parasite, but hard to say more without details. I have worked with many GI's over the years that do parasitology testing as part of the initial workup for new patients. I would either face down your GI and ask why he is dismissive of the detection of a parasite or perhaps talk to your regular doctor if you feel more comfortable, but I would be concerned about ignoring possible parasites.

I have used some of the supplements you have listed and am a big fan of Saccharomyces Boulardi for example. The supplements I recognize in your list make sense to me for what your test results show. My problem with most knowledgeable well-intentioned holistic doctors is that they want to throw a whole kitchen sink of supplements at you to use all at once. This is likely gonna do more harm than good because it only takes one of those supplements that doesn't agree with you to cause a major GI event.

Dysbiosis is common with UC as stated, particularly when we are in a flare but not something to be dismissive of in my opinion. My 2 cents would be to consider starting a diet to starve the bad bacteria as part of a Weed, Seed, and Feed strategy used by holistic doctors to regain the balance of your microbiome. A large part of the success of the Specific Carbohydrate Diet (SCD) which I would recommend, is that it starves out the bad bacteria. Starting a diet like this shouldn't interfere with whatever protocol your GI gets you started on, but you can ask first before starting.

Beave, I would be happy to give a sincere answer. But I don't think you have any real interest in hearing it with an open mind, so why waste my time. Since moderators don't seem to want to curb your jumping on posters who have an interest in alternative medicine I am just going to put you on ignore. Sincerely though, I wish you and everyone the best of health.

I can understand some of the questions being asked here. Most of what I take is from alternative medicine. I do however cringe when I see bad bacteria versus good bacteria theories. Lack of dysbiosis does not mean having only what's considered good bacteria but that the biome is balanced appropriately to allow the biome to be kept in check competitively. It's hard to kill off a strain entirely, typically you are rebalancing.
I do believe that probiotics are often used inappropriately but I also believe in their vast potential with the acknowledgement that we don't know enough. I think we will be more successful using probiotics when we start also modifying the environment of the digestive tract simultaneously to be more receptive of the alterations we are trying to apply. Controlling the bacterial environment may be more effective than the probiotics themselves.

Let's play nicely ladies and gents. And be respective of people's treatment choices. Anything that could work is worth pursuing, and sometimes it helps and other times not so much. Try and see with no guarantees for anything, unfortunately.