Do you have questions about your or your child's digestion and gut health? Ask a probiotics expert - £200 voucher to be won

[CeriMumsnet]

Created for Culturelle

PLEASE NOTE THIS Q&A IS NOW CLOSED FOR QUESTIONS. YOU CAN VIEW MARGARET'S ANSWERS HERE

Gut health is an important part of our overall health, but it can be hard to know how to improve it. Whether you’ve experienced digestion problems yourself, or you want some advice on maintaining your children’s gut health, Culturelle has invited expert Margaret Haldeman to answer your questions.

● Everyone who shares a question on the thread below will be entered into a prize
draw.
● One lucky Mumsnet user will win a £200 voucher.
● Margaret will be back online in the new year to answer a selection of your questions.

About Margaret Haldeman
Margaret Haldeman is the Global Scientific Engagement Leader for microbiome targeted solutions at i-Health, Inc., a division of DSM, with specific focus on Culturelle probiotics, adietary supplement. She received her B.S. and Ph.D. in Biochemistry from the University of Rochester and SUNY Buffalo, respectively. As a postdoctoral fellow at The Ohio State University, she was awarded an NIH Individual National Research Service Award to study bacterial transcriptional regulation.

With over 10 years of experience in the field, in her current role at i-Health, Margaret is focused on healthcare professional engagement and promoting microbiome education and clinical trial support to raise awareness of evidence-based probiotics. As co-chair of the Education and Communication Committee and Healthcare Professional Taskforce of the International Probiotics Association and through activities of the Council for Responsible Nutrition Probiotics Group, Margaret’s passion is to educate all audiences on the importance of the microbiome and evidence-based tools to promote overall health.

Here’s what Cuturelle has to say:
‘At Culturelle we believe that talking about the gut is still a stigmatized health issue around the world, and by opening up new conversations we can help people understand more about their bodies, the science and what we can all do to support the core of our health’

Thanks and good luck with the prize draw
MNHQ

Mumsnet Insight T&Cs Apply

Hi @Ursuladevine Too much of a good thing is possible. However, too much fruit or vegetables is typically not a problem in Western diets. Current thinking is that we don’t get enough plant-based foods. A wide variety of plants seems to be the best dietary advice today. Of course, if you have sensitivities to fructose in fruits or inulin in onions and other vegetables, you may “reach your limit” sooner than others and may experience gas, bloating or diarrhea.

Hi @AnOldCynic @littlecottonbud Talking with your healthcare provider would be a good first step. It might be a good idea to cut back and then introduce foods and supplements one by one. That way you may be able to appreciate the benefits of each and not spend more time and money on foods or products that you may not be benefiting from. I would also suggest that you choose foods and supplements that specify the strains and amounts so once you settle on a combination that works for you, you can stay consistent with that regimen.

Hi @OlympicOwl The gut microbiome is known to change over the course of the lifespan. As we age, the gut microbiota becomes less diverse. In the gut, this is a hallmark for vulnerability. Focusing on a healthy diet and adding good bacteria with quality supplements can support your gut health.

Thank you again for your interest in the microbiome and options for promoting your, and your families' health, by supporting the microbiome through healthy choices including the addition of good bacteria to your diet.

Thank you for your reply @MargaretCulturelle

@CeriMumsnet brilliant Q and A. Love to know which mumsnetter was the lucky winner of the vouchers too 😀