-
Welcome to Phoenix Rising!
Created in 2008, Phoenix Rising is the largest and oldest forum dedicated to furthering the understanding of, and finding treatments for, complex chronic illnesses such as chronic fatigue syndrome (ME/CFS), fibromyalgia, long COVID, postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS), and allied diseases.
To become a member, simply click the Register button at the top right.
why can't I tolerate probiotics?
- Thread starter anniekim
- Start date
I think you need to be tested for gut problems, I was the same, much worse after taking several different probiotics, after seeing a nutritionist who prescribed me some mega money ones (delivered by refrigerated van) they still made me sick and ended up whizzing them out of date. I have been taking Culturelle on the strength of testing and I've been fine. I suppose if you can't get tested its just a question of trying different ones. Have you tried Kefir, I seemed to tolerate that but its such a pain if you aren't well, looking after that as well
.
.
Sushi
Moderation Resource Albuquerque
- Messages
- 19,935
- Location
- Albuquerque
I'd agree that gut testing is necessary to see what is actually going on there, what you are lacking, what infections might be there, leaky gut etc. When you have gut problems you have to take remedies which match what is actually going on. Probiotics vary a great deal in composition.
My doc prescribed very individualized gut protocols according to test results.
I hope you have access to some good testing!
Sushi
JPV
ɹǝqɯǝɯ ɹoıuǝs
- Messages
- 858
I think that you need to use a probiotic that doesn't contain or promote D-lactate.
JPV
ɹǝqɯǝɯ ɹoıuǝs
- Messages
- 858
You're probably fine on Culturelle because it most likely isn't doing anything. These commercial probiotics, like Culturelle and Align, just contain way to little bacteria to be effective. For instance Culturelle has 10 billion cells per dose, as opposed to Custom Probiotics which contains 200 billion cells per dose. You'd have to take 2/3rds of a box of Culturelle to even come close to a single dose of Custom Probiotics.
Waverunner
Senior Member
- Messages
- 1,079
That's simple not true. Although it is true that Align and other probiotics contain much less bacteria than probiotics like VSL3 for example this says nothing about their efficiency. When I took Align for the first time nearly all my food intolerances went away and I was feeling much better. After 3 months I slowly became intolerant to Align, had to stop taking it and my food problems returned.
The question is:
a) Is someone lacking bacteria and when yes, which strain? Do we actually know what a normal bacteria count is for each individual and which count is best for certain diseases and a certain genetic makeup?
b) Does someone have high intestinal permeability so that probiotics or their byproducts cross into the bloodstream and cause huge problems?
c) Do the probiotics reach this part of the gut where they are supposed to go to or do these bacteria settle in a place where they shouldn't?
d) We have around 400 strains in our gut. There exists a highly complicated interplay between all of these. Isn't it very childish to believe that just by ingesting a capsule with the same amount of a few strains where we don't know where they go, each day, we actually reach the right composition of these 400 strains?
For me it is much more interesting to know why our bacteria got dysbalanced in the first place and how our body can restore it.
Purple
Bundle of purpliness
- Messages
- 489
I came across this d-lactate free product in the UK:
http://www.gutdoctor.co.uk/product-list/38_d-lactate-free-powder-50g.html?page=2
(hope it's ok to post the link here)
I have not taken it but would be interested to know if others have experience with taking it.
http://www.gutdoctor.co.uk/product-list/38_d-lactate-free-powder-50g.html?page=2
(hope it's ok to post the link here)
I have not taken it but would be interested to know if others have experience with taking it.
JPV
ɹǝqɯǝɯ ɹoıuǝs
- Messages
- 858
It's hard to give a recommendations because it's all so individualized. I tried Align and Culturelle, both of which are D-lactate free, and they seemed ok. I tried the Custom Probiotics blend, that was D-lactate free, and felt that it was a better product. Some people like VSL3, but I've never tried it and I think you need a prescription. From what I can tell, these seem to be the most popular ones right now.
Sushi
Moderation Resource Albuquerque
- Messages
- 19,935
- Location
- Albuquerque
VSL-3 doesn't require a prescription but has to be shipped cold. In the States you can order it via Amazon and also through other retailers.
Sushi
I know that Align and Jarrow Ideal Bowel Support (L. Plantarum 299v) are D Lactate free. Both of these are also effective at treating IBS-D.
JPV
ɹǝqɯǝɯ ɹoıuǝs
- Messages
- 858
Yeah, I do think the key is to try a D-lactate free probiotic. I believe Kefir is D-lactate free and that might be why it was tolerated so well. I also think that you might need to switch brands every few months.
JPV - I don't agree that the Culturelle isn't doing anything for me. I've recently finished a couse of a/bx and my gut has been okay since taking the Culturelle, also no more constipation, I'm more than happy with it. I have to start another course of abx soon so time will tell if it continues, we all vary so much and I think its just a case of trying things one by one, its very expensive though as is everything with this illness.
Thanks for this link, not cheap Think I will try kefir again
JPV
ɹǝqɯǝɯ ɹoıuǝs
- Messages
- 858
This is what I buy, in the US, and it's about a 2 months supply. So, considering the strength, it's not really that much more expensive than other brands.