To ask if you take a daily probiotic?

[KeithFitt]

And if so, have you noticed if it has made any difference?

I've been reading a lot lately about gut bacteria and how important it is for your health and after a few months of back to back illnesses I think it's time I started to nourish my body rather than comfort it!

Ffg as I've been wondering about this too. I have taken kefir previously but it was very hard to put down. My dh took it everyday for 6 months and he felt much better.

We've taken Bimuno sachets for years. I was recommended them by my surgery. Pretty annoyed when they increased the price from 8.99 to 11.99 a box. Usually buy in bulk when I see a special offer. I tried Inulin as an alternative but it gave me horrendous wind, my husband tolerated it okay.

No - I tried them for a few months to see if they might help with a stomach problem I had, but they had no effect whatsoever.

The consultant said that only a very tiny number of people genuinely have problems with gut bacteria and that for most people a probiotic doesn't really do anything - although often people start taking them as a part of a wider effort to eat more healthily etc which is probably what makes a difference to how they feel, rather than the probiotic. And there's always the placebo effect of course.

No harm in trying them if you want to, though. The ones I took were quite a pleasant breakfast drink anyway to be honest!

I do having developed IBS after having my DC. I have found it made a significant difference. Very pricey though - the good ones that is - but worth it IMO.

@Cyrusc Do you take it in a tablet/powder form or a drink such as Yakult?

No. There is no evidence that Yakult and the likes have any positive health effects.

The only time I take them is when I'm prescribed antibiotics to try and avoid thrush. Which does work for me.

"Probiotic"!
I think humans have managed without them for a few million years. Nor have we needed to buy bottled water, since the public water supply has become potable.
Some people have more money than sense.

I've been taking a good quality probiotic for around 2 months, so maybe not long enough to judge. I do have a number of health complaints which make me vulnerable to infections so need to take antibiotics a lot, I had developed IBS which I don't know if it was linked.

I have maybe seen a difference in my IBS, a lot less bloating overall however this past week I've had my first flare in a few weeks with the runs.

The jury is out for me, I'm going to keep taking them for a while though.

@Onlyaman We have very different lifestyles right now than we have ever had. I know I personally don't eat loads of greens and other things good for my guts so worth giving it a try.

Yes. I asked my doctor about it and she has no issues with it. I take Lactobacillus Gasseri in tablet form.

I take a multivitamin with a probiotic built in. Seems to help health wise. Although whether it’s the placebo effect I don’t know.

Not all probiotics are good, many are a con.

Check out Liz Earls books and podcasts on the subject. I met her at an event and was incredibly impressed with her knowledge on the subject.

She takes and recommends Bio Kult so that's what I do. First thing in a morning on an empty stomach and nothing to eat or no hot drinks for an hour or so.

Also consider taking part in the British (well it's tagged onto the American really) Gut Project.

There are lots of forums on this fascinating subject and we know so much more about it now. Especially with the relationship between gut and brain health.

Don't go buying all these high sugar commercial drinks as a/ they are a con and b/ they do no good. My background is in marketing and I cringe when I walk round a supermarket or pharmacist and see just how much the general public are being ripped off with so called 'health foods'.

If you really want to get into to the subject and grow your own, consider reading Alberto Villodo's book 'Grow a new Body'.

He recommends a cleanse then a course of S. Bouloardii. You can buy it or make it yourself using a starter in soft fruits. It sounds a pain but I did it, it wasn't too arduous and you will have a strain for life if you keep it up.

His book also offers amazing insight into health and well-being.

No I take a daily prebiotic. It's good for the bacteria to keep them healthy and doing their job rather than just keeping on putting new bacteria down there.

My colon is remarkably clear for a woman was a compliment I got from my surgeon and he said I must take my digestive health v v seriously 🤓

@Bloomburger what's the difference between pre and pro biotics?

Just realised it's a prebiotic I take, not probiotic! Probiotics are live bacteria, prebiotics increase the good bacteria in the gut.

Yes I do. Made a huge difference to my eczema. I take a tablet form. There’s a lot of evidence in this. Listen to Rangan Chatttjee’s podcast Feel Better Live More - there’s a podcast on gut health.

There’s difference types of probiotics so it’s not a case of buying any old pill / drink.