Insofla and slippery elm update

Hi,

As promised an update.... I def think there have been positive changes since taking the slippery elm. It is still early on, but I am feeling positive about it.  Thanks InSoFla and everyone else who helped out w/ great advice on how to take it. 

For anyone who is curious.....I am taking organic slippery elm powder mixed w/ VSL 3 in a small amt of water. 

B

Lol...I agree, so not delicious, but mixing in a little honey helps. I take it at night before bed about a teaspoon and mix w/ VSL. It has a weird consistancy, but I guess that is what helps. I have been taking it around 2 weeks.
B

Hi ItsAlwaysSomething,

I use Mountain Rose Herbs in Oregon...InSoFla uses Pacific Botanicals in OR as well. Insofla knows the most about this and gave both places the stamp of approval:) I use the organic powder (I understand powder is better than capsules so it can coat the digestive track) I have found no side effects so far and it isn't too bad to gulp down...I recc. adding a bit of honey.

Let us know what you decide to do. Good luck!
B

hateuc

Thanks for the info. Very much appreciated...


Pat

Mary A.

I order mine online direct from VSL because that way I know how fresh it is and that it has not been sitting in a store's warehouse, etc. It arrives in 1-3 days usually 2 (I'm in Florida). I don't use insurance coverage because I have a high deductible so I don't get the VSL#3DS which is the only one covered by some insurers.

vsl3.com

Cost is $86 for 30 sachets/packets, shipping costs included no add-ons to total price. You can order more at a time but they don't give much price break so the only time I order extra is before it gets too hot here I'll order enough to get through the summer.

No it's not cheap but if you compare the quantity of probiotics in each packet to over-the counter probiotics it's equal and the studies that showed probiotics being helpful all used high quantities of probiotics not just a couple a pills per day.

DBwithUC said...
ItsAlwaysSomething said...
Hi hateuc and InSoFla-

I'm interested in trying slippery elm and L-glutamine powders and have been looking for info on dosage. Here's some advice from the UMM website:
Slippery elm has no serious side effects. Because it coats the digestive tract, it may slow down the absorption of other drugs or herbs. You should take slippery elm 2 hours before or after other herbs or medications you may be taking.

Read more: http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/slippery-elm-000274.htm#ixzz1j43J2nxm

How about L-glutamine?
Also do you use specific brands?
Any info would be appreciated before I buy the wrong thing(s).
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It makes perfect sense that anything which "coats" could block other substances (i.e., drugs, supplements) for contacting the mucosal lining or from being absorbed.

I would think taking slippery elm and VSL3 together would be like flushing VSL3 down the toilet. One of the main ways it looks like VSL3 works is by adhering to the mucosal wall and preventing undesirable bacteria for doing same. A 2nd way is that proteins on the surface of the VSL3 bacteria strains are thought to evoke/suppress/alter the chemical signaling of parts of the immune system embedded in the mucosal lining. BOTH OF THESE PATHWAYS REQUIRE CONTACT, and this is hampered by the "coating" action of slippery elm.

I think it would make 5-asa less effective too. 5-asa acts topically and need to contact the mucosal lining. Possibly the 2 hour separation mentioned would take care of things. Maybe not. I raised this question on another thread and nobody seemed to give it much consideration.

I do not think there is enough consideration of interactions and/or suppression effects in some of the advice offered here.

Here's how I look at it, if you are mixing the VSL together with the elm bark. Then the gelatinous substance that is formed is absolutely engorged with beneficial bacteria. So when it coats the intestinal wall, its essentially pushing the beneficial bacteria up against it. Personally, I don't see a problem with taking them together.

Bacteria doesn't need to be "absorbed" to worked since bacteria is never absorbed by the colon.

Post Edited (greenuc) : 1/10/2012 8:29:25 AM (GMT-7)

Does anyone find that taking slippery elm they have a urgent bowel movement at some point like the next day and it's like jello? I do. I tried it before and it's like taking a laxative for me, how come? Is the "gel-like" substance not sticking to my colon walls or should i give it more time and take a little less of it to start?

I used a powder form, do you put in a full glass of water?

Me again-
Was browsing around the Vitacost site and found Starwest products.
1 lb. of organic slippery elm powder - $30.55
1 lb. Marshmallow - $14.70.

FYI: Found a critique of VSL#3. Opinion at the site was that VSL#3 is lacking in a few ways; no enteric coating to ensure it reaches the entire tract, contains no prebiotics and contains no S. Boulardii. Noticed on Vitacost that S. Boul has to be refrigerated when shipped. Doesn't seem to be included in most probiotics probably because of the shipping issues.

hateuc,

The honey certainly will help the taste too. And you know that honey is an anti-bacterial as well?

I take mine after dinner. Before remission, I used to take it 3 x per day, after meals. I kinda got used to the taste of this concoction.

ItsAlwaysSomething,

Like hateuc said, I've ordered from both Mountain Rose and Pacific Botanicals - they both carry reliable organic products.

They're about the same price, around $20. per lb. which lasts a long time, btw. I wouldn't recommend the capsules, as they do not  work as well.

You'll need to dissolve the slippery elm powder in some water to ge the "coating effects", and I add VSL to it as well. It works great!

Which one did you end up by getting finally?

 

I have found slippery elm powder, together with VSL #3, to be much more effective than any of the 5asa's and without: side effects or big $$ ticket!

greenuc,

I've had it both ways, but I prefer to drink it when it isn't too thick. I think it's effective however you drink it, but it's a matter of personal preference.

Personally when it gets very thick, like the consistency of thick oatmeal, it's a bit much for me, so I add water and it becomes smoother and less thick, I guess like the consistency of apple sauce that's been watered down a little - and it goes down more easily. I hope this makes sense?

therearemiracles,

That's good, did you order it as a powder, tea, or capsules?

When I was flaring I used to make marshmallow root tea (organic) and it seemed to soothe and quiet things down a bit.

Let me know how it works for you.