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Do all probiotics contain Lactobacillus?
Probiotics are a type of food supplement that contains various types of bacteria, including Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, as well as yeasts like Saccharomyces boulardii. They can have different effects, such as preventing illnesses or stimulating the growth of desirable microorganisms. Prebiotics are nondigestible food components that selectively stimulate the growth or activity of desirable microorganisms. Synbiotics are products that combine probiotics and prebiotics, providing a balanced and beneficial supplement.
Where can I get Lactobacillus?
Lactobacillus acidophilus, a probiotic bacteria found in the mouth, intestines, stomach, urinary tract, and vagina, is a vital component of the body’s microbiome. It breaks down sugars like lactose into lactic acid, providing a healthy and balanced microbiome. Kefir, a fermented food rich in beneficial bacteria like L., is a popular source of L. acidophilus. Sauerkraut, tempeh, and kimchi are other fermented foods rich in L. acidophilus. Alternatives to consuming probiotics from food include consuming fermented foods like kefir, sauerkraut, tempeh, and kimchi. These foods provide a wealth of healthy support for the body.
Who should not take lactobacillus?
People with weakened immune systems, such as those receiving chemotherapy or drugs that suppress their immune systems, should consult their doctors before taking probiotics. Artificial heart valves should not take L. acidophilus due to the rare chance of bacterial infection. Probiotic yogurt has been shown to lower cholesterol in mildly to moderately hypercholesterolemic subjects, and a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial found that long-term treatment with probiotics is beneficial in primary care patients with irritable bowel syndrom.
Which Lactobacillus is best?
The capsules contain 25 billion CFUS, including 12 probiotic strains like Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Lactobacillus salivarius, beneficial for inflammation, immunity, and oral health. They use capsule technology to prevent stomach acid and digestive enzyme breakdown, ensuring probiotics reach the gut where they are needed. However, this product should be kept cold, unlike other non-refrigerated options.
How to get Lactobacillus naturally?
Lactobacillus bacteria, found in yogurt, sauerkraut, kefir, sourdough bread, and kimchi, are beneficial for various health benefits. They live in the mouth, gut, and vagina, providing necessary nutrients and aiding in food metabolism. Some common Lactobacillus strains include Lactobacillus spp., which are beneficial for digestion and preventing the growth of harmful bacteria. To incorporate more Lactobacillus into your diet, consider consuming yoghurt, sauerkraut, kefir, sourdough bread, and kimchi.
How can I get Lactobacillus at home?
Lactobacillus bacteria are found in various foods such as yogurt, sauerkraut, kefir, sourdough bread, and kimchi. These fermented cabbage dishes are rich in friendly bacteria, including several strains of Lactobacillus. Some common strains include yeast-based kefir, which is fermented into a thin yoghurt-y drink, and lactic acid bacteria and yeast-based kefir grains. Some sourdough bread and kimchi also contain Lactobacillus. By incorporating more Lactobacillus into your diet, you can support healthy digestion and eliminate harmful bacteria.
What is the best probiotic with Lactobacillus?
Culturelle Daily Probiotic is a popular and budget-friendly probiotic supplement, containing Lactobacillus rhamnosus, a strain that can survive stomach acidity and reach the large intestine. This strain can help restore the gut after antibiotics, prevent diarrhea, and improve symptoms of IBS. Culturelle also contains inulin, a prebiotic plant fiber found in foods like artichokes, bananas, oats, and wheat.
Inulin helps keep things moving in the gut and keeps you fuller for longer as it forms a gel-like consistency as they pass through the digestive tract. Overall, Culturelle Daily Probiotic is a recommended choice for those seeking a probiotic supplement at the drugstore.
Where can we get Lactobacillus?
Lactobacilli are found in milk and milk-based foods, responsible for the sour taste of milk. They can also be found in adults’ intestinal tracts and babies fed formula. Lactobacillus bulgaricus is used in cheese and yogurt production. L. acidophilus has medically valid uses, such as controlling diarrhea and treating vaginal yeast infections. Consuming L. acidophilus helps put good bacteria into the intestines, stopping diarrhea and potentially treating oral antibiotics that kill the normal intestine flora.
Is Lactobacillus available over the counter?
Lactobacillus supplements are available over the counter to improve gut health, especially after antibiotic use for infections. Antibiotics destroy good bacteria and pathogens, leading to impaired digestion and diarrhea. Lactobacillus suppositories and vaginal tablets are used to reduce bacterial overgrowth in the vagina, while yogurt is a natural source of lactobacillus. Lactobacillus is effective for restoring gut flora and controlling diarrhea, but most other uses are not supported by adequate scientific studies.
It is not recommended for use in immunocompromised patients, those with gastrointestinal perforation, those sensitive to soy or milk protein, or lactose intolerant individuals. Lactobacillus formulations differ in composition and biologic activity, so it is important not to use different products interchangeably.
Is it okay to drink Lactobacillus everyday?
Probiotics are a natural supplement that can be taken daily as part of a daily health regimen, but they should not be taken as a quick fix. They are best used at breakfast time and can be taken alongside antibiotics in certain situations. Probiotics have been part of traditional diets for centuries, with strains like sauerkraut, kimchi, kefir, and kombucha being consumed. However, recent advancements have allowed for the consumption of specific strains in capsules, powders, or kids’ gummies.
Taking probiotics daily can provide numerous benefits, including promoting overall health and reducing the risk of certain diseases. Some people may use probiotics periodically or whenever they need support, but it is important to remember that many factors can negatively affect the probiotic colonies in the gut. It is generally safe and recommended to take probiotic supplements daily, as they are not a medicine.
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Former soil/pollutant degradation microbiologist with IBS here… 1) I’d like to understand more about the bacterial/yeast balance in the gut. Everyone seems to forget about yeasts. Maybe that’s why kombucha is popular – a very mixed culture, not just lactobacillus. 2) I used to take a probiotic lactobacillus blend every day, and I think it messed up my Ca++ balance – I got calcium oxalate kidney stones which resolved after quitting the probiotic. No proof, maybe just coincidental timing, but daily probiotic was probably too much. 3) When recovering from an IBS flare-up, limiting processes starches and sugars, adding prebiotics like oatmeal, lentils, and beans, and taking a mixed probiotic blend capsule speeds up my recovery. I’ve also begun adding a little fermented red cabbage in beet juice to savory foods, and I think that is helping. Finding lactose-free kefir is rare but good when you can get it. There are a bunch of different kimchees – cabbage, daikon, cucumber, and combos thereof. Different levels of spice and different seasonal batches mean you can find something you like. Thanks for the good article. Now let’s all say a little prayer for the C. diff patients – yikes.
I love how you always say, “you are in charge of your own health “. My dad graduated medical school in 1953 and finished his specialty (radiology) in 1964. He use to say that. I don’t remember ever having even asprin in the house. His advice, walk at least 20 minutes a day, eat lots of fruits and vegetables and take good care of your teeth. My opthomologist asked me why I was so healthy, so i gave him my dad’s advice. I am not medically trained. Lol.
You were speaking about the correlation between the brain and the gut. When our son is going to have a seizure he often has a sore tummy. He has collapsed on the toilet a few times when having a seizure. He also vomits after a seizure. We have long thought there was some sort of connection from his brain to his stomach. Great article
Align Probiotics changed my life!!! After 40+ years of bronchitis and six weeks of coughing every time, a retired Chemical Engineer told me Align probiotics changed his lifelong similat bronchitis issues. I started 10 years ago and it’s been miraculous for me!! Not a single episode of bronchitis in 10+ years. Never got Covid, either!!! I believe in Align!
Great job. 50 years ago I was diagnosed with Crohn’s. Not many pharmaceuticals back then. Prednisone for me for several years. My doc (Norman Marcon) didn’t follow the book and tried me on eating wheat bran as a supplement. That was unconventional but HUGE for me. Little was understood back then about the biome. 30 years later I had only scar tissue and 40 years later I had no signs of crohn’s. 50 years later, still great. Probiotics have been shown to be less useful after antibiotics as compared with a huge variety of plant foods with daily ingestion of fermented foods for a couple of weeks. Fermented foods have been huge for me. One correction about sauerkraut and fermented pickles. They must be home made OR purchased from the refrigerator section of the store. Shelf stable jars are pasteurized and are tasty but not containing any bacteria. Buying fermented foods must be from the fridge and try to just warm them rather than kill them with heat. Great discussion guys. This particular one covered every base that it should have.
I do take a probiotic daily but now I’m rethinking that. I also take regular vitamins, glucosamine and magnesium bysglinate. I have a really healthy diet, eat lots of vegetables too, and stay away from too many carbs, sugars and processed food. Thanks for all the information. Food for thought…I need to digest all this information 😅. Thanks for staying real docs!
I had C Diff and finished my Vancomycin two days ago. I’m left with IBS and gastric distention. I never in my life had any gut issues before this diagnosis. Clindamycin antibiotic use for a dental procedure made me susceptible to C Diff. I was told to start probiotics, and I have. I am eating sauerkraut and yogurt. Just praying C Diff is actually gone, it’s terrifying! It is life threatening. Thankyou for this article doctors! I wish FMT was easier to attain before patients are deathly ill in the hospital.
Love the Dad jokes! Keep them coming. Interesting article. I took a medical/science-based CEU course before Covid and I remember the instructor telling us taking probiotics over the counter was like adding a drop of water to a large water reserve holding tank. She told us to not waste our money with over the counter and to focus on quality food. I was lucky to be born into a family that knew the importance of quality food and that has served me well into adulthood. Food is medicine for general health.
As someone who suffered from c.diff. last year (caused by an antibiotic), I started taking probiotics after tamping down the c.diff. bacteria. Took a couple of months of rebuilding my gut biome with healthy, appropriate foods, the addition of probiotics were/are a game changer for sure. I’m better physically and mentally. 🙌🏼
Of the 10 you listed, I don’t eat any of them, partially because I am lactose intolerant and I have a soy allergy. I am a whole food plant based vegan, and besides vitamins D3 and B12, I take 3 to 4 tablespoons of ground flaxseed meal, which has really helped my gut, not to mention lowering my BP substantially. Interesting article though.
Thank you very much for the article. It is very entertaining AND informative and my husband and I really appreciate your efforts. Um, regarding eating natural probiotic foods like yoghurt, etc, how do we ensure that the bacteria survives the gastric acid in our stomach? I mean some probiotic supplements are enteric coated. Or is it not a significant issue? I would really like your opinion on this. Many thanks again! 😁👍
Dr. Paul Z YOU are wonderfully entertaining and love your sense of humour!! Really is invitro truly sterile? What about Mom’s bacteria? I grew up on a farm and my family of 13 NEVER went to a doctor nor were we ever given antibiotics. We believed in WHAT DOESN’T KILL US MAKES US STRONGER. Even my two children both born in the “80’s NEVER or rarely if ever were giving antibiotics. I did make CABBAGE/SAUERKRAUT this fall and been told it’s loaded with probiotics. I don’t take probiotics but do take supplement/vitamins.
I always have saurkraut and kimchi in the fridge. I also eat miso and tempeh but not often enough. I’m a vegan so LOTS of fibre but no yoghurt. I’m very curious about microbiome/autoimmune interaction. I recently developed a mild soreness in one wrist/base of thumb so I bought a hand exerciser which has made a difference. I have familial high cholesterol and therefore some atheroschlerosis so maybe there’s some kind of weirdness in my gut bugs. Such a fascinating and mind-blowing subject. I have always avoided antibiotics – trying to think whether I’ve ever had any – not in the last 50 years! I’ll be 80 in 12 months. Thanks for the article, they would be NOTHING without the dad jokes! NOTHING!
Hi I’m a devoted fan of your content, I enjoy your no nonsense approach and humour.Personally I didnt buy into the whole probiotic thing. I did however start using them daily when vacationing in Mexico . I was falling ill with every visit starting about ten years ago. Taking these Canadian made probiotics without fail has eliminated the gastrointestinal nightmare completely for about 5 years now.I’m 65 and I know not to over consume both food and alcohol . Overall I feel getting older has contributed to the tendency to become unwell when leaving our cocoon of First world food safety . This will be our 30 th winter in Mexico. I don’t know why they the probiotics work and don’t care, they just work.
I was just prescribed probiotics for the reason you just mentioned. After finishing a routine course of antibiotics I took for a balloon sinoplasty, my gastroenterologist recommended a probiotic. (I have Bile Acid Malabsorption, and an Interstim pacemaker for fecal urgency) He said most off the shelf probiotics are already half-dead, so he said I could get high quality live probiotics WITHOUT a prescription from behind the counter from a pharmacist. It is kept “in the back” for the purpose of keeping it refrigerated. I got mine at Walgreens (Fort Worth) and he said Costco also sells it. Two other pharmacies sell it, but I cannot remember their names. Mine is called VSL#3 Medical Food Probiotic distributed by Actial Nutrition Inc in Layfayette, Colorado
Your humour is sweet. Keep it up. As a RN, I appreciate the education on all these topics. My husband used Pre and Pro biopics everyday for 6 months, and it did help his stomach ( a bit) after Vancomycin (antibiotic). I tried it along with him, and had no change, or noted benefit, nor bad side effect. Pre and or Pro biopics are ridiculously expensive, so I like your suggestion of foods to try. Great job, you two !
I have gut issues and starting to add Kefir, Yogurt, fermented foods etc (I did my research and found which products actually have live cultures that haven’t been killed by pasteurization or the sugar added (to fruit yogurt for example). Fermented foods always need to be refrigerated. You really have research it. I had no idea.
I had colon cancer and had terrible problems after repair for 12 yrs, I have recently about 4 months ago started Greek yoghurt, lreuteri yoghurt and kefir, I make my own now and it has changed my life, I no longer have to go to the toilet 15 times a day in great pain and it’s hugely helped my reflux from Hiatus Hernia as well, I cannot even tell you the relief this has given me that no drug ever has.
I’m not a probiotic user intentionally, although (unlike Doc Paul), I do like yogurt and eat it occasionally. But I’ve learned the value of probiotics for my dog! The poor little guy started having frequent diarrhea within a couple of months after I got him—seriously enough that I took him to the veterinary clinic on a near-emergency basis, where they not only prescribed a probiotic but also a special food for awhile. After that, though, he would still have periodic bouts of diarrhea, every few days, often associated with going camping or traveling, but sometimes without any specific event that I could associate with it. For quite awhile, I thought it might be a dairy issue, because he likes ice cream and I learned that often dogs are lactose intolerant. Then I read an Internet article that suggested that dogs whose guts respond poorly to stress might benefit from probiotics. The article described all sorts of potential stress inducers, from traveling, to changes in life style, to being left alone, to guests in the home—even when the dog seems to be enjoying the event. My little guy seems to love going for rides and going camping, and he seems to have no issues with being left alone, but way too often, he’d get sick, typically with diarrhea and sometimes vomiting. So at his next visit to the veterinary clinic, I asked about trying a regular supplement of probiotics. The staff veterinarian suggested trying it for a month, and go from there. That was 1 1/2 years ago, and he’s had only one brief episode of diarrhea in all that time.
A probiotic supplement changed and improved my digestion 1000%. My digestion had gotten so bad that I was afraid to eat out because nothing I ate digested right. I mean just about nothing. The only thing i could eat out was grilled shrimp, hamburger (no cheese) and strangely wine. Thats it. I started doing some research because I really thought I had like IBS or something terrible. Finally bought a probiotic and it took 3 days and my digestion had improved soooo much!! i take it daily and wont go without
Apple cider vinegar shots, yes!!! After my gallbladder was removed I no longer could or consume oil. So over 9 years or so ago after sitting in the toilet room and having other physiological issues I discovered vinagre helps to break down the fat ( not in fried foods or stuff like pork ) this was so consuming pizza / cookies were still an option. It’s been a good thing, so many foods and shampoo, lotion contain oil. All things that caused me issues. So yes vinagre shots are a lifestyle 😂
I’m making at home Kefir which I take daily along with probiotic saurkraut. In 2007 I had cholorectal cancer and the successful treatment included radiation, chemotherapy and a portion of my rectum and colon removed. For the first 15 years afterwards I battled diarrhea such that I was in constant fear of an untimely evacuation. I adjusted diet, tried medication and increased fibre but nothing dependable resulted. In 2021 I discovered kefir on YouTube as well as fermented foods. Although occasionally I will eat the wrong thing, mostly sugar related, and I will have an issue but these are less frequent and do not last as long. Probiotics in the form of morning sauerkraut and breakfast Kefir along with 2 psyllium capsules daily are what I feel are the reason for this. Incidentally when I asked my doctors for help I received only try this medication or salve. They had no idea how to help so 8:23 8:23 I guess we as individuals are the guardians of our health.
I tried the probiotic (starts with a V) on the suggestion of my Gastro knowing I probably had Sibo and didn’t really want to do the xifaxaman antibiotic route again. Too powerful, after 4 days I stopped. Re-populating your gut is not trivial! Trying to find the right food balance, have the antibiotics on standby. Like your clever but informative articles.
Cheap probiotics; take a few of your favorite capsules of probiotic, open them and stir them with the wooden spoon into any kind of milk, and hit the yogurt button on your smart cooker. You’re both testing the quality of your probiotic, and making yogurt for a third of the price. Works every time if you start with the good quality probiotics. It won’t be quite as thick as store-bought yogurt, because you’re not adding thickening agents.
I battled extreme migraines for over 20 years and about 3 ish years ago I started taking a daily probiotic for some stomach issues and it took care of that, but after about a year I realized I hadn’t had any migraines. Now almost 3 years later (still taking the probiotic) I still haven’t had one, so just another example of the stomach biome and brain connection.
I take Align when taking antibiotics – or actually I take it at a different meal during the course plus a few days after. Was recommended by a very conservative and experienced GI who ordinarily didn’t do much too new fangled! The doctor’s brand preference was due to it being the only brand with the research behind it.
As someone who suffered from chronic constipation that seemed IMPOSSIBLE to get rid of, despite trying hundreds of things, I was thrilled to find that my digestive system became 100% predictable and regular just from taking probiotics, so for ME, I take that as an assumption that it DOES work and IS working. I find it to be a virtual miracle.
Excellent topic – much for improvement for most all of us on this topic methinks. I was first exposed to resistant starch by Dr. Mark Hyman. I do it semi regularly, I think it improves my vitality and as a bonus gives me excellent bowel movements. I am concerned about probiotic supplements. I’ve read numerous accounts of how frequently they contain a lot of dead non-functioning residue of useful bacteria. I’m trying to stay away from dairy, I think, perhaps sauerkraut and kimchi might be best. I’m going to work on that more. I’ve read some doctors have had remarkable results with the disgusting sounding fecal transplant business. They get the fecal matter of a really healthy person, encase it in an enteric capsule, you swallow it. Who would’ve thought that eating shit could actually be good for you . But like we used to say in the hippie days, it has to be really good shit.
When my youngest child had an earache (29 years ago) I took her to the clinic I had hoped to get a culture done. The Dr. prescribed an antibiotic without a culture. When I questioned her about the over prescribing of antibiotics. She made me feel like I was out of line. People always blame the “parents” but in some cases it is the doctor.
I totally recommend the art of fermentation by Sandor Katz. Fermented foods are not only healthy but they were the main strategy for food preservation for humanity for thousands of years. This wisdom has only been lost in the last generation or so. Homemade sauerkraut and homemade pickles using lactic acid fermentation are some of the simplest and tastiest foods that you can make. Loaded with probiotics
If you have no Biological &/ or hormonal issues or an auto immune disorders then eat primarily Whole Foods, exercise to build relative muscle mass & strength, and do some cardio every day and you’ll probably never need anything. Why don’t doctors tell people this when they have health complications? Is it truly just government and/or large pharmaceutical company incentives/money that keeps this whole corrupt system going? To see my family, especially my grandparents, get thrown prescriptions one after the other instead of being told to do the above is so sad to see. Edit* Get some sunlight and hydration as well!
I have IBS, and life isn’t great without taking probiotics. Was originally recommended by my (then) GP. Trouble is I don’t know which company I can trust. Was taking Renew Life, but they became inconsistent and recently switched to Webbers which seem to work well but don’t entirely trust them. BTW, I take it daily and have for a decade, if I miss one day, its a big issue (blotting, pain, irregularity, etc).
Wow! I learned a lot about the gut biome (or is it microbiome) and the use of supplements. I was pleased that you mentioned the 10 foods that can help build/sustain the biome. I eat a few of these, but I will look to add a few more to my diet. You guys are informative and cool! I don’t mind Dad jokes at all 🙂
Enjoyable article as always, a colleague of mine has been researching probiotics and dental health, a systematic review of the literature and study’s, just tipped in favour of probiotics helping prevent dental disease. So Jury’s out on that one still but something you can get your teeth into in another article. You don’t have the monopoly on dad jokes it seems.
My husband and I eat a fair number of fermented food: we make milk kefir, kombucha and sauerkraut. There is one thing you did not mention that is crucial if you want the live bacteria: it cannot be processed. There are lots of sauerkrauts on the grocery shelf, but because of the high heat of processing the jarred kraut, all the bacteria has been killed.(
In the past my gut would feel unsettled and I would ingest a tablespoon or two of apple cider vinegar and I would feel a whole lot better afterwards. As a side note,I would suffer from mild vertigo enough so that my gut would have a low grade sickly feeling to it plus I would have to keep my head perfectly vertical and again the apple cider vinegar came to my rescue
I picked up C-Diff after colon surgery and went on an antibiotic protocol, Vancomycin, and took a daily high-potency probiotic to help my gut health. I have been off the antibiotic for three months and continue using the probiotic. The C-Diff has not resurfaced, and I feel the probiotic has helped keep my gut health in balance and the C-Diff from returning.
I’m new to your website and I’m enjoying it. I’m from Australia so our healthcare system is different to yours but I’m finding that this doesn’t matter with the advice and information you provide. I like the no bull approach you take. (I don’t even mind a good, bad dad joke.) Thanks for sharing. Cheers from Aus.
Hi Docs, one important point regarding cheese for all your followers. Parmesan and Parmigiana-Reggiana are very different. The latter is controlled in Italy under their strict DOP laws. The former is made in different countries by their own methods. Parmigiana-Reggiana is the epitome of what we call Parmesan. Expensive but well worth it. Costco sells it at a bargain.
I noticed that as I started drinking alcohol to excess, that I would have nausea every morning when I woke up. Brushing my teeth would cause me to wretch and would frequently induce vomiting. My bowel movements became very loose and more frequent. I observed this for nearly a year. At some point I began to wonder if maybe the alcohol was killing the “good” bacteria in my bowel, much the way antibiotics do, so I started taking a probiotic that had 10 strains and 60 billion CFU (colony forming units) and within 4 days the symptoms went away and have stayed away for nearly a year and a half. Not drinking would probably be the better solution, but for now this is working. If I fail to resupply and miss a couple of doses, that’s all it takes for the nausea to return. I’m convinced that the loose bowels would also return in a few more days. This is anecdotal, but it’s truly what I’ve observed in my own experience, for what that’s worth.
Thanks for this article and information on probiotics. Currently I do not take any of these supplements. I would first ask my primary physician if it is helpful to take any of these supplements. One of my friends said he is taking them, but that doesn’t mean that I should. I eat allot of fruits, some meats, veggies, and many whole foods. Diet does play a big part in how we feel. Anyway, thanks for the article. take care.
Hey guys, I appreciate the article and taking the time to share information with people. That being said, there’s some major oversights in your argument. Regarding IBS there are dozens and dozens of RCTs showing benefits and even a number of meta-analyzes of said RCTs also demonstrating benefit. There’s similar data for IBD and for constipation. You have to look no farther than the comments section of this article to see people’s experiences are representative of the data. Additionally, claiming something that is not FDA regulated or FDA-approved is also a really poor argument. Due to DSHEA, The regulation of probiotics is intentionally not done by the FDA. As a thought exercise, zorazella and colleagues published a meta-analysis just in 2023 where they heat killed probiotics and still demonstrated benefit. What this suggests is even a probiotic that’s not alive has benefit and therefore I think we could reasonably speculate that even a manufacturer that doesn’t do an awesome job with manufacturing could still produce a probiotic that offers benefit. Not that I’m condoning this but just as food for thought. All this to say, I appreciate the article but with a therapy that is so well studied with collectively hundreds and hundreds of randomized control trials and many many meta-analyzes… I think you should reconsider your position to be more in alignment with the evidence Dr. Michael Ruscio, DC, DNM Adjunct professor, University of Bridgeport
I have had an immune problem since 7 yrs old. I had skin psoriasis for 50 yrs only in the last ten years do we know that it’s an auto immune problem. My friend owns a great company making live probiotics ‘Bienna’ in Quebec Canada. She recommended a probiotic to help my recovery of psoriatic arthritis. My inflammation levels and general well being have radically improved. I will definitely continue with the probiotics along with my no sugar, no alcohol, lots of green veg, gluten free diet. I want to get better and if something works why stop ? There are some great articles ‘The inflammation solution’ in which gut health and brain health are discussed. They are brilliant check them out.
You’ve got to be kidding I was born in 63 they gave me so much tetra cycling in my teeth, turned gray by the time I was 18 I’d had well over 100 courses of antibiotics. as an adult. I now realize it’s one of the most destructive things, I’ve ever taken amazing. I survived the tonsillectomy in 67. Paregoric for earaches. There’s almost nothing that’s made me more unhealthy than antibiotics. mom smoked and drank through pregnancy. They didn’t believe in breast-feeding. Yeah of course mother’s little helper Valium in the cabinet for daily use for mom and dad thank you doctors everything from the smoking to drinking to not breast-feeding was all approved by their best friend physicians they thought they were doing the right thing.
I had chronic sinus and ear infections as a child and was on antibiotics constantly, often prescribed by my own father who was a dentist. I went through all kinds of health problems probably related to leaky gut type stuff. A decade ago I had a very bad sinus and ear thing that required sinus surgery and PE tubes in my ears. That year, before and after surgery, I took at least 7 courses of antibiotics including some of the scary ones – an allergist I saw literally flinched when I recounted all of the antibiotics I had taken that terrible year. But – I took one of the rather expensive probiotic supplement every day that year and never developed any GI or GYN issues, it was amazing,
I hope that u can talk a little bit about side effects and what digestive issues it doesn’t work on. I had my gall bladder out 4 yrs ago and my bowels have never worked right since. I was regular before that. Now this was my side effect…..itchiness . Not at first because I started on a lower dose but as that wasn’t working, I went to a higher does. Then my body got itchy and I didn’t know why so I kept taking them, hoping they would help my bowels correct. That didn’t work so I went to a higher dose and then I was going crazy with itchiness. It wasn’t untill a friend of mine shared with me her reaction to probiotics….. itchiness…..that I stopped taking them and then the itching went away. I hope u will do a little research and possibly find the reason it could cause that reaction. 😊 Thanks again Docs…..another informative article.. 👍🏻
I some how got a bone infection when an incision didn’t heal from a foot surgery and i was given some very strong antibiotics to help clear up the infection. The antibiotics didn’t clear up the infection so ended up having an amputation which gave me the best chance of getting rid of the infection. I have been on a probiotic supplement ever since along with foods that help with probiotics. Doing OK now it’s been 9 years since the amputation
Great and informative article but you are missing the one big key and cause of most of these conditions; candidiasis! New book out “Unraveling Candidiasis” written by an MD with over 30 years researching and treating. He explains all the medical-science to round out your information. FYI – Medical professionals would resonate more with the full (gold) version of the book — vs. the abbreviated Patient Guide version.
i’m one of those poor schmucks that can’t take antibiotics without getting C-Diff. Probiotics help, but what annoys me is when doctors prescribe broad spectrum antibiotics even after you just told them about your various episodes of colitis, including bloody stools. I still take them, but sporadically and with caution. The moment I feel the slightest irritable bowel symptoms, I stop & resume the course of antibiotics a day or so later, with supplemental probiotics
My lame humor revolving around the probiotic craze. Think about the poor bastard/bastardett working quality control for one of those companies. Head buried in a microscope for years counting to ensure their claims of “billions” of probiotics, 1,271,499,043 1,271,499,044 1,271,499,045 someone hollers (birthday cake in the break room), ooh crap! 1, 2 3 4 5
PRO Colostrum-LD with Bovine will cure the leaky gut, much much more effective that pro biotics big pharma lol, thanks Dr. Mark Ghalili LA Regenerative medicine, peptides, collagen, glutathyone etc all these health products are things your body naturally produces that big pharma drugs inhibit why many are so ill. Stock on them before big pharma ban them all its already happening.
Interestingly enough the most beneficial form of cultured bacteria are not regulated by the fda at all. Things like homemade kefir (milk or water), yogurt and sauerkraut just to name a few. Go for fermented foods! And don’t ask the government. They’ll need to make sure all the kickbacks are in place before they can answer. 😉
I have a very noisy stomach, especially after eating my roasted veggies, very embarrassing sitting in a quiet room and your stomach makes such loud weird sounds, so I started drinking homemade kefir and eating homemade sauerkraut and it really worked, my stomach was quiet! My mom got very sick, was in the hospital for a month and died and then so busy working on her house that I quit making the kefir and eating the sauerkraut and guess whose got a very noisy stomach again.
What about prebiotic and post probiotics You did not mention anything in this area Check this out I hope you have the guts to check this out This is in the scriptures John 7:38 38 He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. I dare you go an ask Christ to reveal this mystery to you 🧐🧐🧐😬💪💪🐝🐝🐝🐝
Any thoughts on: “Clostridium butyricum is a strictly anaerobic endospore-forming Gram-positive butyric acid–producing bacillus. It is used in Japan as a prophylaxis for Clostridium difficle and to anatagonize its multiplication and is sometimes used alongside Levofloxacin. It does not carry any genes encoding any toxins or virulence factors associated with Clostridium or other enteropathogens. It also does not establish permanently in the gut, as demonstrated by PCR assay. Peer reviewed papers on the subject go back to 1963. The clinical version, clostridium butyricum miyari 855, is named for Dr. Chikaji Miyari.”
Well, I guess i won’t be buying any more of these expensive gummy probiotics when I finish them. Doctor suggested I take them when she prescribed antibiotics for a badly infected finger (punched a hole in it with a Torx bit and broke it while building my deck). It seemed like my BMs were much better when taking it but it could have been my imagination.
So glad our favourite docs say No to the suspect over-the-counter probiotics that line the shelves of supermarkets and pharmacies. Cautionary note: if you buy bottled/canned sauerkraut or pickles or kimchi off a supermarket shelf, you’re getting zilch, too. The pasteurisation kills the good bacteria. Buy only non-pasteurised pickled products that are in the refrigerated section.
I have had antibiotics for most of my life (55 years) and lots of steroids for chest infections 😢🥲😢 For the last 14 years I am a lot wiser, homemade sauerkraut in fridge, can’t stand shop bought it’s slimy 🤮L-Reuteri is in the instapot and will be ready in just under 14 hours. I mostly do low carb and use essential oils in a carrier oil at the FIRST sign of anything being wrong with me, they really work. I love laughing AND learning at the same time,thanks Docs🙏❤️🌟🇬🇧🙋🏻♀️
At the age of 29, after several rounds of antibiotics, my gut health became so compromised, I literally couldn’t eat hardly anything. I went from a weight of 220 to 175 in a very short period of time. I had severe intestinal pain and became very sick and depressed. I went to every doctor imaginable trying to get better. Their answer? More medicines, which of course did nothing. After much prayer and deciding to take my health into my on hands, I started probiotics and changed my approach to nutrition. Within 6 months, I was back to normal and doing great. No one could ever convince me probiotic supplementation isn’t helpful.
The “average person” leaves out many. I had my last chemo treatment 2 1/2 years ago – September 2021. I am convinced that the body is stripped of much need goodies to maintain it properly, what these “goodies” are, no one knows, no studies on this phenomena (no money in it). I started taking two multivitamins a day, one in the morning and one at night. Now the “average person” doesn’t need to take a multivitamin, but does a recovering chemo patient need supplements, my gut instinct says yes. And that’s just recovering chemo patients, how many other folks have been affected by medical treatments and what have you. There are millions and millions of not your “average person” out there. Would a quality probiotic help recovering chemo patients out, I don’t know but I also know, no one else knows.
Thirty years ago, I traveled to Italy, and caught a BAD case of traveler’s digestive complaint. I was throwing up and having massive diarrhea. I got down to the concierge and uttered the only Italian phrase I remember, “sto male”. He sent me to the pharmacy across the street, where I repeated the phrase. The lady behind the counter starts ticking off symptoms, which in Italian sound very like their English translation. I nodded. She reached into a drawer behind her and gave me a packet with about a dozen little plastic vials of clear liquid. She pantomimes pouring one into a glass of water and drinking it, “tre volte al giorno”, three times a day. At that moment, I would have bought the devil’s left eyeball at great price if recommended. It was fairly cheap, about twelve bucks. I started treatment that morning, and by dinner I ate a lovely carpaccio with a house Chianti and was fine. It was “Enterogermina”, the best spelling I can remember, and was “good” gut bacteria usually used to repopulate the gut after antibiotics.
very good article imo. But you should have mentioned that these foods need to be “fresh” meaning not pasteurized/heated to much. Most store bought yoghurts nowadays are pasteurized, so they do NOT contain living microorganisms. Same goes for most of the products you mentioned. So you can either check the label for something like “with living microorganisms” or “non pasteurized”, or for some of those foods (sauerkraut, probably kimchi) if they are refrigerated they most likely are not pasteurized; but if they are not, there’s nothing alive (and therefore probiotic) in there
I always mix apple cider vinegar with smoothies or flavored seltzer water- one thing I would caution- I used to take a straight tablespoon or shot until one day I accidentally coughed while taking it and it went down the wrong “pipe” and up into my nasal cavity- I couldn’t breathe. It’s a great, beneficial digestive supplement, but always dilute it with some type of liquid before drinking.
Usually love your articles, but this one missed me. Spent the entire article touting the importance of the gut microbiome. Then dismissed the notion of a probiotic supplement and acted like these probiotic rich foods are the most foreign concept ever. Dysbiosis is a spectrum and it is very common. But you CAN impact it greatly with diet and to a lesser degree, supplements.
Cured my acid reflux. I had a pain in my lower thorax around the solar plexus area. Dr scheduled a ultrasound and recommended enzymes just in case it was a gut health issue. A few weeks into the enzymes and I noticed I was not needing antacid tablets anymore and I was eating several everyday, I had some wherever I was and in every jacket pocket. Those enzymes really worked. Ultrasound showed I had cancer though. Luckily I have a treatable form of liver cancer that I am living with but it’s not killing me.
Ive tried on a number of occasions to use probiotics to heal my gut issues, but they’ve never done anything that i could tell. Recently, i saw an ad for something called a spore probiotic and wanted to see if it might ease my excessive gas. I also got regular probiotics and took them both. So guess what happened? Nothing. Absolutely nothing. And im quite disappointed.
I was born and raised on a farm, we were taught to wash our hands after the washroom, which was outside, but throughout the day, I’m sure we injested many. I don’t have any allergies, I’m 75 years, live a relatively good life. Let the kids out there and get back to the earth. We won’t need any of those products from the shelf.
I’ve tried many things, including taking Align and other probiotics, to try to reduce the supersaturated brushite in my urine since I have chronic brushite kidney stones. The probiotics didn’t seem to make a difference according to 24hr urine tests, so I went on to trying other things that have seemed to work. Recently I had to take ANTIbiotics for a tooth infection, my urinary ph skyrocketed, SS brushite went up, etc. Terrible. So there is probably SOME link between my gut biome and my kidney stones. I’m going to have to get two teeth pulled in Jan, so I’ll take probiotics to repopulate my gut. Question—Do you think I should take the probiotic during the course? Or just after? P.S. Your article on hemorrhoids a year or two ago dramatically changed my husband’s life for the better! Major game changer. Thanks a million for what you do!
I want to ask u that if we take yogurt or kefir or probiotic supplement after that do our body makes dependency on these probiotics from outside sources and wont make natural bacteria bcoz body thinks that i ll get it from outside why should i make gud microbes in gut is it true that it ll make dependency on it ….
Bad diets definitely calls for probiotic supplements. Better to correct the diet though. There is a level of certification on some brands that ensure quality and the right type of probiotic that targets specific areas of your gut. Glad you docs are finally getting up to speed on this stuff. A little late to the party and still a little behind though 🙂
Docs – it turns out Doxycycline has antiviral properties. There is rethinking now about heading off bacterial, fungal etc. pneumonias before a viral infection sets up the environment for opportunistic organisms. And remember during the emergency, because “guidance” put out in 2019″ about ‘don’t treat viral infections with antibiotics’ caused especially the elderly TO NOT BE TREATED with antibiotics when their viral infection became a secondary infection. Common sense and good medical practice went out the window and people died from pneumonias.
My gastro doctor suggested I take align. I have IBS and had a c-diff outbreak. I couldn’t get a fecal transplant because of doctors offices being closed down for covid. The only time I take them now is if I’m prescribed antibiotics because I get c- diff symptoms after 2 days or when I’m fasting. It does help in these conditions.
I am living evidence! Many medications are not fully understood how they work, yet they are at the top of doctors’ lists of choices. Unfortunately, most doctors in Canada do not include vitamins, supplements and probiotics in their treatments. I had to research for myself and the results were very interesting. Speaking of probiotics, I circulate between brands for more effectiveness and they realy comfort my stomach. In my opinion, even if the mechanism is not yet fully understood. It is a safe, promising and cost-effective treatment. Both doctors and patients should give it a try and observe the results themselves. I recommend to try more than one brand. Personally, I am avoiding dairy products, but some yogurt is good too
As a teen, I took a lot of tetracycline for acne. As an adult, I had the most awful smelling, um, gas you could POSSIBLY imagine. I began taking probiotics, and in about two weeks, NEVER AGAIN. So, now I’ve been taking probiotics for gosh, 30 years? I never have any kind of fungal infections, no athletes foot even though I used to go to the gym regularly … so I think probiotics are helpful. I know that I’m not a doctor, of course.
Speaking of antibiotics…as orthopedic surgeons how do you advise your patients regarding the need to take an antibiotic dose before any dental (or other invasive procedure) to preclude the need for a revision? After my ortho surgeon described the revision procedure I (and my better half, also a ortho replacement recipient) are firmly in the take the antibiotics before dental cleanings for sure. Is there the same tension between the orthopedic community in Canada and the dental community as is happening here in the U.S.? Thanks for another great article!
Thank you for this article! I’m a naturopathic medical student and probiotics are a hot topic for sure. What are your thoughts on personalized probiotics? If patients had their stool examined to evaluate what is “normal” for their gut microbiome, and then could take a personalized probiotic to help support their specific biome. I’m not sure that this exists at the time, but I’m curious if it could be a future advancement in the field.
I take probiotics but I am going to finish this bottle and then not take them anymore. I eat almost everything you listed that provides enough bacteria already. Thanks for providing good basic information on a variety of topics that gets us thinking about exploring and asking questions about our own health. You Docs rock!!
I started probiotics about five years ago after some antibiotic therapy. I am convinced that it has improved my digestion. It also seems to have a mild laxative effect so I might skip a day to regulate that. I give it credit for eliminating a hemorrhoid problem. I take it on a completely empty stomach. It is a part of my healthy lifestyle!
First of all, I love your humor! Bringing humor into learning is the best way of teaching!👍 I love sauerkraut! Especially on hot dogs! And there are a couple of other things you listed that I will eat. I hate taking antibiotics! They kill your body’s own antibodies and weekens your ammune system. I don’t think I had 20 rounds of antibiotics before I was 18. I had my tonsils removed when I was about 5 or 6 and had mumps and measles as a kid. I’m sure there were antibiotics prescribed with some of those illnesses. And it seems you’re always put on antibiotics after a surgery but I don’t think there were very many occasions when I took antibiotics. It upsets me when a doctor tries to prescribe antibiotics for a viral infection. It’s just knocking down my body’s defenses. Thanks for sharing another great and informative article!