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Probiotics and prebiotics
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By *ee Viante OP Woman
over a year ago
Somewhere in North Norfolk |
What are your thoughts?
Do they help improve gut and intestinal flora?
Do the bacteria get killed in the stomach?
Do you take one? Have you tried one? Do you think either is more helpful than the other, they're both pointless fads, or they're both useful?
Are some bacteria better than others? Drinks, capsules/tablets or powder? What strength is needed to be useful (in terms of live bacteria count)?
Tell me your thoughts, what you know about them and your experiences please? |
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By *ee Viante OP Woman
over a year ago
Somewhere in North Norfolk |
"I drink actimel or eat probiotic yoghurt whenever I've finished a course of antibiotics. It may be psychological but I think it helps. I don't see the point the rest of the time."
Research is starting to suggest there may be a link between gut flora and weight management, which is why I'm interested.
It seems to suggest the more varied the gut flora is, the more likely it is that you'll find it easier to manage your weight. A lot more research is needed but it's looking very interesting.
[Before the eat less, move more lot start, I'm not saying it *causes* obesity to have the wrong flora but that it could make it more difficult to lose weight and keep it off, as compared with someone with different flora. It still requires actually effort to shift the weight. I'm not suggesting probiotics will make you thin by themselves.]
It looks like it might be one of the missing pieces to help understand why some people gain weight way more easily than others and have a much more difficult time losing it. |
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By *igeiaWoman
over a year ago
Bristol |
"I drink actimel or eat probiotic yoghurt whenever I've finished a course of antibiotics. It may be psychological but I think it helps. I don't see the point the rest of the time.
Research is starting to suggest there may be a link between gut flora and weight management, which is why I'm interested.
It seems to suggest the more varied the gut flora is, the more likely it is that you'll find it easier to manage your weight. A lot more research is needed but it's looking very interesting.
[Before the eat less, move more lot start, I'm not saying it *causes* obesity to have the wrong flora but that it could make it more difficult to lose weight and keep it off, as compared with someone with different flora. It still requires actually effort to shift the weight. I'm not suggesting probiotics will make you thin by themselves.]
It looks like it might be one of the missing pieces to help understand why some people gain weight way more easily than others and have a much more difficult time losing it."
That's quite intriguing. I know that there's already been some statistical evidence that those eating low fat yoghurt daily as part of a calorie controlled diet lose more weight than those on the same amount of calories/same levels of exercise so I'm now wondering if the probiotic element may make the difference. |
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By *ee Viante OP Woman
over a year ago
Somewhere in North Norfolk |
"I drink actimel or eat probiotic yoghurt whenever I've finished a course of antibiotics. It may be psychological but I think it helps. I don't see the point the rest of the time.
Research is starting to suggest there may be a link between gut flora and weight management, which is why I'm interested.
It seems to suggest the more varied the gut flora is, the more likely it is that you'll find it easier to manage your weight. A lot more research is needed but it's looking very interesting.
[Before the eat less, move more lot start, I'm not saying it *causes* obesity to have the wrong flora but that it could make it more difficult to lose weight and keep it off, as compared with someone with different flora. It still requires actually effort to shift the weight. I'm not suggesting probiotics will make you thin by themselves.]
It looks like it might be one of the missing pieces to help understand why some people gain weight way more easily than others and have a much more difficult time losing it.
That's quite intriguing. I know that there's already been some statistical evidence that those eating low fat yoghurt daily as part of a calorie controlled diet lose more weight than those on the same amount of calories/same levels of exercise so I'm now wondering if the probiotic element may make the difference."
There's some stuff on the web about the studies that have been done so far. A lot more work is needed but results so far look very interesting, (both in terms of the science and the potential it could have to help people control their weight). |
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By *ee Viante OP Woman
over a year ago
Somewhere in North Norfolk |
"If you were a horse I'd have very strong and well researched opinions - but as a human? 'Can't hurt, might help a bit' is about as far as I'd go!
 "
What would you say if I were a horse? |
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"If you were a horse I'd have very strong and well researched opinions - but as a human? 'Can't hurt, might help a bit' is about as far as I'd go!
What would you say if I were a horse?"
If you were horse I'd say they were the last thing you needed because you need an alkaline environment for the fermentation of fibre and both pre and probiotics will acidify your gut, taking you one step closer to colic and laminitis (both of which can be fatal).
It REALLY pisses me off that they are marketed willy nilly to horses just because they are in fashion for humans and dogs and pigs!
You on the other hand have an acid gut anyway, so fill yer boots..... |
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By *ee Viante OP Woman
over a year ago
Somewhere in North Norfolk |
"If you were a horse I'd have very strong and well researched opinions - but as a human? 'Can't hurt, might help a bit' is about as far as I'd go!
What would you say if I were a horse?
If you were horse I'd say they were the last thing you needed because you need an alkaline environment for the fermentation of fibre and both pre and probiotics will acidify your gut, taking you one step closer to colic and laminitis (both of which can be fatal).
It REALLY pisses me off that they are marketed willy nilly to horses just because they are in fashion for humans and dogs and pigs!
You on the other hand have an acid gut anyway, so fill yer boots....."
A boot full of probiotic might be a bit much, particularly if it was a thigh boot 
I'm still at the researching stage at the moment. It's interesting. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"What are your thoughts?
Do they help improve gut and intestinal flora?
Do the bacteria get killed in the stomach?
Do you take one? Have you tried one? Do you think either is more helpful than the other, they're both pointless fads, or they're both useful?
Are some bacteria better than others? Drinks, capsules/tablets or powder? What strength is needed to be useful (in terms of live bacteria count)?
Tell me your thoughts, what you know about them and your experiences please? "
I like Yakult. It tastes nice. I treat it as a placebo, and if it does good then it does good. But mostly I like the taste. |
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By *ee Viante OP Woman
over a year ago
Somewhere in North Norfolk |
"There was a programme on R4 about prebiotics and their efficacy. It seems they work best when they are tailored to the individual.
"
Oh god, that's just reminded me of the story of the woman who cultured and consumed her own vaginal flora.
It was interesting in its own way but I had successfully forgotten about it! |
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By *ee Viante OP Woman
over a year ago
Somewhere in North Norfolk |
"What are your thoughts?
Do they help improve gut and intestinal flora?
Do the bacteria get killed in the stomach?
Do you take one? Have you tried one? Do you think either is more helpful than the other, they're both pointless fads, or they're both useful?
Are some bacteria better than others? Drinks, capsules/tablets or powder? What strength is needed to be useful (in terms of live bacteria count)?
Tell me your thoughts, what you know about them and your experiences please?
I like Yakult. It tastes nice. I treat it as a placebo, and if it does good then it does good. But mostly I like the taste."
One opinion I read in the course of my research claimed that anything containing less than 20 billion live bacteria (per daily dose) isn't worth bothering with.
The products I've looked at so far haven't indicated how many active cultures they contain.
Until recently I'd only ever used live yoghurt for treating thrush  It hadn't occurred to me that eating it might be beneficial. |
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By *icketysplitsWoman
over a year ago
Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound |
"There was a programme on R4 about prebiotics and their efficacy. It seems they work best when they are tailored to the individual.
Oh god, that's just reminded me of the story of the woman who cultured and consumed her own vaginal flora.
It was interesting in its own way but I had successfully forgotten about it!"
#
They didn't mention that...
The programme was very heavily poo based for the testing and tweaking of the individualised prebiotics.
|
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"
One opinion I read in the course of my research claimed that anything containing less than 20 billion live bacteria (per daily dose) isn't worth bothering with.
The products I've looked at so far haven't indicated how many active cultures they contain.
Until recently I'd only ever used live yoghurt for treating thrush It hadn't occurred to me that eating it might be beneficial."
Yakult claim 6.5 billion in a 43calorie pot. Drinking four pots would be 200 calories, and I'd imagine you'd be undoing any good work that they might possibly do. |
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By *ee Viante OP Woman
over a year ago
Somewhere in North Norfolk |
"There was a programme on R4 about prebiotics and their efficacy. It seems they work best when they are tailored to the individual.
Oh god, that's just reminded me of the story of the woman who cultured and consumed her own vaginal flora.
It was interesting in its own way but I had successfully forgotten about it!#
They didn't mention that...
The programme was very heavily poo based for the testing and tweaking of the individualised prebiotics.
"
Funnily enough, poo inspired some of the research.
I can't remember the exact details but a woman who had always been slim had a fecal implant (as treatment for something or other) from her daughter, who was overweight. The mother then began gaining weight without any changes to her diet or lifestyle.
I think that was the general gist, from what I recall. |
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By *icketysplitsWoman
over a year ago
Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound |
"
The programme was very heavily poo based for the testing and tweaking of the individualised prebiotics.
Funnily enough, poo inspired some of the research.
I can't remember the exact details but a woman who had always been slim had a fecal implant (as treatment for something or other) from her daughter, who was overweight. The mother then began gaining weight without any changes to her diet or lifestyle.
I think that was the general gist, from what I recall."
I'd hate to think what you have to have to warrant a fecal implant as the treatment.  |
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By *ee Viante OP Woman
over a year ago
Somewhere in North Norfolk |
"
One opinion I read in the course of my research claimed that anything containing less than 20 billion live bacteria (per daily dose) isn't worth bothering with.
The products I've looked at so far haven't indicated how many active cultures they contain.
Until recently I'd only ever used live yoghurt for treating thrush It hadn't occurred to me that eating it might be beneficial.
Yakult claim 6.5 billion in a 43calorie pot. Drinking four pots would be 200 calories, and I'd imagine you'd be undoing any good work that they might possibly do."
Very possibly though that would probably depend on whether you adjusted your diet or exercise level to account for it.
At least 10% of an average daily calorie allowance (assuming we're talking about a woman, since I am, so we kind of are) is a lot to assign to Yakult though.
To be honest, I'm not sure friendly bacteria would survive my lifestyle. I'm pretty sure I've only got the rough, tough and unhelpful sorts. The rest just wouldn't make it. |
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By *ee Viante OP Woman
over a year ago
Somewhere in North Norfolk |
"
The programme was very heavily poo based for the testing and tweaking of the individualised prebiotics.
Funnily enough, poo inspired some of the research.
I can't remember the exact details but a woman who had always been slim had a fecal implant (as treatment for something or other) from her daughter, who was overweight. The mother then began gaining weight without any changes to her diet or lifestyle.
I think that was the general gist, from what I recall.
I'd hate to think what you have to have to warrant a fecal implant as the treatment. "
I can't remember now. I hadn't heard of it as a treatment before reading the account. |
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By *ee Viante OP Woman
over a year ago
Somewhere in North Norfolk |
"
The programme was very heavily poo based for the testing and tweaking of the individualised prebiotics.
Funnily enough, poo inspired some of the research.
I can't remember the exact details but a woman who had always been slim had a fecal implant (as treatment for something or other) from her daughter, who was overweight. The mother then began gaining weight without any changes to her diet or lifestyle.
I think that was the general gist, from what I recall.
I'd hate to think what you have to have to warrant a fecal implant as the treatment. "
Here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-31168511
It was done to treat a bowel infection that wouldn't respond to antibiotics. It did cure the infection. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"
At least 10% of an average daily calorie allowance (assuming we're talking about a woman, since I am, so we kind of are) is a lot to assign to Yakult though.
"
Even less if you are small like me. When I want to lose weight I'm on around 1100 calories a day, because I'm 5ft tall and small boned. Losing 1/5 of my calories to four milk drinks... not so appealing. |
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By *icketysplitsWoman
over a year ago
Way over Yonder, that's where I'm bound |
"
The programme was very heavily poo based for the testing and tweaking of the individualised prebiotics.
Funnily enough, poo inspired some of the research.
I can't remember the exact details but a woman who had always been slim had a fecal implant (as treatment for something or other) from her daughter, who was overweight. The mother then began gaining weight without any changes to her diet or lifestyle.
I think that was the general gist, from what I recall.
I'd hate to think what you have to have to warrant a fecal implant as the treatment.
Here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-31168511
It was done to treat a bowel infection that wouldn't respond to antibiotics. It did cure the infection."
Bowel infection vs gaining weight... I think some would choose to keep the infection.
|
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By *ee Viante OP Woman
over a year ago
Somewhere in North Norfolk |
"
At least 10% of an average daily calorie allowance (assuming we're talking about a woman, since I am, so we kind of are) is a lot to assign to Yakult though.
Even less if you are small like me. When I want to lose weight I'm on around 1100 calories a day, because I'm 5ft tall and small boned. Losing 1/5 of my calories to four milk drinks... not so appealing."
Indeed. I would feel the same way. |
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By *ee Viante OP Woman
over a year ago
Somewhere in North Norfolk |
"
The programme was very heavily poo based for the testing and tweaking of the individualised prebiotics.
Funnily enough, poo inspired some of the research.
I can't remember the exact details but a woman who had always been slim had a fecal implant (as treatment for something or other) from her daughter, who was overweight. The mother then began gaining weight without any changes to her diet or lifestyle.
I think that was the general gist, from what I recall.
I'd hate to think what you have to have to warrant a fecal implant as the treatment.
Here:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-31168511
It was done to treat a bowel infection that wouldn't respond to antibiotics. It did cure the infection.
Bowel infection vs gaining weight... I think some would choose to keep the infection.
"
Ideally I'd like to have neither but then I have always been unreasonably demanding  |
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By *ad NannaWoman
over a year ago
East London |
Yes, I know it's an old thread but I'm asking the same question.
Anyone taken them and seen any benefits?
I don't want food advice, just experiences of taking them in tablet form, before I shell out for some.
I'm desperate |
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"Yes, I know it's an old thread but I'm asking the same question.
Anyone taken them and seen any benefits?
I don't want food advice, just experiences of taking them in tablet form, before I shell out for some.
I'm desperate "
Had a quick look at peer reviewed papers. There's no conclusive evidence. This was being researched in the early 00's if there was a massive benefit to it, I would hazard a guess all the tablets would have scientifically proven on them. Sorry don't mean to be down about it, and it may be worth a try |
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By *ad NannaWoman
over a year ago
East London |
"Yes, I know it's an old thread but I'm asking the same question.
Anyone taken them and seen any benefits?
I don't want food advice, just experiences of taking them in tablet form, before I shell out for some.
I'm desperate
Had a quick look at peer reviewed papers. There's no conclusive evidence. This was being researched in the early 00's if there was a massive benefit to it, I would hazard a guess all the tablets would have scientifically proven on them. Sorry don't mean to be down about it, and it may be worth a try "
Can't hurt to try. There's so many to choose from. |
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"Yes, I know it's an old thread but I'm asking the same question.
Anyone taken them and seen any benefits?
I don't want food advice, just experiences of taking them in tablet form, before I shell out for some.
I'm desperate
Had a quick look at peer reviewed papers. There's no conclusive evidence. This was being researched in the early 00's if there was a massive benefit to it, I would hazard a guess all the tablets would have scientifically proven on them. Sorry don't mean to be down about it, and it may be worth a try
Can't hurt to try. There's so many to choose from. "
Have you looked into foods that improve your gut health? That may be a more cost effective and effective way. As you're promoting the growth of what's already there and most likely to be the most beneficial to you |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Yes, I know it's an old thread but I'm asking the same question.
Anyone taken them and seen any benefits?
I don't want food advice, just experiences of taking them in tablet form, before I shell out for some.
I'm desperate "
They’ve made a big difference to me. Gut health is linked to mental health, it’s improved my ibs and my sleep amongst other things.
You need at least 10-20 billion a day, not Ken do those rubbish yakults.
Also kefir is good for the gut, as are other fermented foods. |
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By *ad NannaWoman
over a year ago
East London |
"Yes, I know it's an old thread but I'm asking the same question.
Anyone taken them and seen any benefits?
I don't want food advice, just experiences of taking them in tablet form, before I shell out for some.
I'm desperate
They’ve made a big difference to me. Gut health is linked to mental health, it’s improved my ibs and my sleep amongst other things.
You need at least 10-20 billion a day, not Ken do those rubbish yakults.
Also kefir is good for the gut, as are other fermented foods."
I tried Kefir and I can't have it as I'm lactose intolerant now.
Gave myself a terrible stomach.
I looked for kimchi but all I could find were ones with added ingredients I can't eat.
|
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Kefir. A bottle every few days seems to keep the guts happier "
I know a woman who takes this and swears by it. Far more effective than anything she has tried before. It’s made from goats milk though and pongs a bit. |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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I take a biokult tablet with migraine relief, they’re on special for a tenner on Amazon, I haven’t noticed a difference but I had a “clean out” and the lady recommended that brand |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
|
"Yes, I know it's an old thread but I'm asking the same question.
Anyone taken them and seen any benefits?
I don't want food advice, just experiences of taking them in tablet form, before I shell out for some.
I'm desperate
They’ve made a big difference to me. Gut health is linked to mental health, it’s improved my ibs and my sleep amongst other things.
You need at least 10-20 billion a day, not Ken do those rubbish yakults.
Also kefir is good for the gut, as are other fermented foods.
I tried Kefir and I can't have it as I'm lactose intolerant now.
Gave myself a terrible stomach.
I looked for kimchi but all I could find were ones with added ingredients I can't eat.
"
Can you tolerate coconut yogurt or something else(I don’t know which ones have lactose)? I think you can even use kefir in water? |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"Kefir. A bottle every few days seems to keep the guts happier
I know a woman who takes this and swears by it. Far more effective than anything she has tried before. It’s made from goats milk though and pongs a bit."
There’s all sorts on the market  |
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By *agnar73Man
over a year ago
glasgow-ish |
"Kefir. A bottle every few days seems to keep the guts happier
I know a woman who takes this and swears by it. Far more effective than anything she has tried before. It’s made from goats milk though and pongs a bit."
Stuff I get is most main supermarkets, there’s even own brand ones but think regular milk based
I’m not great with milk and dairy but this stuff seems to work. Strawberry flavour is okay but basically tastes same |
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By (user no longer on site)
over a year ago
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"What are your thoughts?
Do they help improve gut and intestinal flora?
Do the bacteria get killed in the stomach?
Do you take one? Have you tried one? Do you think either is more helpful than the other, they're both pointless fads, or they're both useful?
Are some bacteria better than others? Drinks, capsules/tablets or powder? What strength is needed to be useful (in terms of live bacteria count)?
Tell me your thoughts, what you know about them and your experiences please? "
I recommend you watch this.
https://youtu.be/66hWntvp0_4 |
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