Please talk to me about probiotics!

[Onewildandpreciouslife]

Has anyone used them and find them helpful? My stomach gets quite bloated in the evenings - I’ve had various investigations over the years and don’t think it’s anything serious. I wondered if it might be worth giving probiotics a go but I’m baffled by the choices on offer and haven’t found any online reviews that have helped.

Some of them are really expensive and I can’t work out if it’s just a good way of getting money out of me! I’m giving yakult a go at the moment on the basis it’s a cheap way in!

I’m menopausal, if that makes any difference?!

I use Kefir which is fermented and gives a much higher concentration of 'good' bacteria that drinks like Yakult. It's a bit of an acquired taste but I have found it really helpful.

I’ve given up with Kefir, it upsets my stomach.

I use probiotic capsules - the ones I have on repeat buy from Amazon are Incite Biocultures Complex. I take two every night. Like you, OP, I have niggly digestion issues which don't seem to be anything serious (I've had tests) and I suspect IBS.

I'd been quite a bit better for a good while and was wondering if the probiotics were part of the reason. Then my delivery got delayed and I didn't take any for a week. Digestion noticeably worse, more bloated etc!

I realised that my stomach issues were better after taking dairy free actimel (milk disagrees with me) but then got fed up of traipsing around for it when usually out of stock. I did a bit of research and found that one actimel is supposed to contain 10 million count of probiotic cultures. And then I bought some probiotic capsules from amazon. I read the reviews first, and found that most contained at least 40 million per capsule. Which is far better amount and also a lot cheaper than buying actimel!

Health Plus Acidophilus Probiotic Digestive Health Supplement - 90 Capsules www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B004JTZ7YM/ref=cm_sw_r_apan_glt_i_W8S60XKN94DJKWC266K8?_encoding=UTF8&psc=1

After 3 lots of Heliobacter pylori treatment & system Candida treatment that I needed afterwards. I have tried everything...Kefir, sourdough & the likes gave me gout I'm a practically teetotal healthy eating freak as it turns out to be high in purines. I've tried several brands of probiotics with little success. This one however helps a huge amount. I order a different one for my dad who was having awful gut problems after being hospitalised with a gut infection, that in his words has "been life changing" I'll pop back with that one too. Though this one is cheaper & very effective too...



Oops, photo didn't post. Trying again...

These are good ...

I think it would be best to get probiotics in food rather that capsules.
I have this every morning on an empty stomach before breakfast.
You need to start of with a teaspoon and build up. It will make you poo a lot.
This is the only one I like:
www.ocado.com/products/raw-organic-fresh-kraut-classic-crunch-sauerkraut-sea-salt-99505011?ds_rl=1291531&ds_rl=1291426&gclid=cj0kcqia3fipbhccarisafq8qzumhmr_yzcwvallt19smxcxbqtoyfspyev9ley8msm3ga8gen9aot0aanqtealw_wcb&gclsrc=aw.ds

I also have kefir with sliced apple in the afternoon. This is the only one I like:
www.ocado.com/products/biotiful-kefir-348783011?ds_rl=1126321&ds_rl=1164972&ds_rl=1291426&gclid=Cj0KCQiA3fiPBhCCARIsAFQ8QzVzFVVbnx1GInSDaVS8XRPbC2ele4zZGZWNlon7SxwS94xdzzghrHwaAk8aEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds

It's only best if you can tolerate those sorts of foods @ILoveAllRainbowsx. Unfortunately many of us can't

Kefir cherry flavoured really helped my gut. I drink one several times a week.

@RockinHorseShit

It's only best if you can tolerate those sorts of foods *@ILoveAllRainbowsx*. Unfortunately many of us can't

Yes, good point.

I have IBS and have wanted to try probiotics for a while now. I have done endless trawling the internet find the Bio-Kault and Alflorex ones seem to have good reviews. Symprove does too but that is very expensive.

If you’re not already on it then HRT may help with the bloating.

I have severe autoimmune issues and suffer with recurrent oesophageal thrush and find that Bio-kault work quite well. Oddly enough out of all the yoghurt drinks the Aldi ones are the ones that seem to keep thrush out of my throat the best.

Try kombucha. They're dairy free and come in lots of flavours. They're fizzy but from fermentation so you won't feel bloated.