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For the last two months, I have been using Culturelle Vegetable capsules twice daily. It has Lactobacillus GG 10 billion and Inulin (chicory root extract) 245 mg. It is GF/DF.
I looked up Inulin and have read conflicting reports regarding whether it does or does not cause D, and wonder if Inulin is a good thing or bad for MC???
Also, I'm taking S. Boulardii + MOS from Jarrow, which is DF/GF/SF/EF. Can you take Culturelle along with S. Boulardii? Is S. Boulardii one of the probiotics that should be taken for a short time only, or can it be taken long term?
I am doing fairly okay with this and have episodes in the AM only so far, and sometimes only soft mush with no watery D. I don't know if it is helping or if it's just going GF/DF that is helping, but I don't want to continue if, in fact, the inulin is an MC bad thing.
As always I appreciate any advice.
garina
Culturelle w/inulin - S. Boulardii
Moderators: Rosie, Stanz, Jean, CAMary, moremuscle, JFR, Dee, xet, Peggy, Matthew, Gabes-Apg, grannyh, Gloria, Mars, starfire, Polly, Joefnh
Hi Garina,
I am definitely not an authority on probiotics. I do know that despite the fact that inulin, (FOS), is promoted as a prebiotic, recent research results show that it provides no benefits to Crohn's patients, in controlled studies:
However, note that in this study, (which was published only 4 months ago), FOS was given without any probiotic supplementation - the only options were FOS, and a placebo. My personal, (strictly unprofessional), opinion, is that FOS benefits the "bad" bacteria just as much as it benefits the "good" bacteria, so results probably depend on the patient's luck of the draw, more than anything else.
Tex
I am definitely not an authority on probiotics. I do know that despite the fact that inulin, (FOS), is promoted as a prebiotic, recent research results show that it provides no benefits to Crohn's patients, in controlled studies:
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/21262918CONCLUSION: An adequately powered placebo-controlled trial of FOS showed no clinical benefit in patients with active Crohn's disease, despite impacting on DC function.
However, note that in this study, (which was published only 4 months ago), FOS was given without any probiotic supplementation - the only options were FOS, and a placebo. My personal, (strictly unprofessional), opinion, is that FOS benefits the "bad" bacteria just as much as it benefits the "good" bacteria, so results probably depend on the patient's luck of the draw, more than anything else.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Garina,
The easiest way to know is to drop both supplements and see if it makes a difference.
I have taken S. boulardii from Jarrow, but I don't take it ongoingly. I try to take it for a month or 6 weeks, and then stop for a month or two. (If I don't feel I need it, I don't add it back.) It's particularly known for interrupting C. difficile infections (and I was once told I had that, though the doc wasn't convinced it was the real issue - and he was probably right).
I'd avoid the inulin if you're still having any episodes, just for now.
The easiest way to know is to drop both supplements and see if it makes a difference.
I have taken S. boulardii from Jarrow, but I don't take it ongoingly. I try to take it for a month or 6 weeks, and then stop for a month or two. (If I don't feel I need it, I don't add it back.) It's particularly known for interrupting C. difficile infections (and I was once told I had that, though the doc wasn't convinced it was the real issue - and he was probably right).
I'd avoid the inulin if you're still having any episodes, just for now.
Well, the probiotic products are supposed to add beneficial strains of bacteria to the gut, and the inulin is included in order to provide "food", (presumably), for the bacterial strains in the probiotic supplement. I'm sure the intention is that this will allow them to survive longer.Garina wrote:Hmmmm, Tex, I wonder why Culturelle is affiliated with FOS, if the whole idea of a probiotic is to benefit the "good" bacteria. If it also benefits the bad, makes you wonder.
Not sure what to think of this.
Tex
It is suspected that some of the hardest material known to science can be found in the skulls of GI specialists who insist that diet has nothing to do with the treatment of microscopic colitis.
Sara,
Alternating with one month on, one month off, with S. Boulardii sounds good. Does it disrupt your bathroom issues/schedule? The reason I ask is that when I stopped the Align (it was pointed out that it has casein) and started on S. Boulardii, my innards were all wacky for about 5 days. Not a pleasant transition, but I didn't want to take Align anymore, so I stuck it out and I do like the S. Boulardii way better.
But, I hate to take something all the time, so I will try the alternating month as suggested. I will give Culturelle a rest for the time being. I think it has been ingrained in my head for many years to always take probiotics, and I always have ever since my Lyme disease days of having had tons of antibiotics.
Tex,
I guess there's pros and cons in taking probiotics. I don't know which way is best for me. It sounds like you don't take any at all, and you've done so well for so many years. It could be something I no longer need. It would sure save lots of money!
Thanks.
garina
Alternating with one month on, one month off, with S. Boulardii sounds good. Does it disrupt your bathroom issues/schedule? The reason I ask is that when I stopped the Align (it was pointed out that it has casein) and started on S. Boulardii, my innards were all wacky for about 5 days. Not a pleasant transition, but I didn't want to take Align anymore, so I stuck it out and I do like the S. Boulardii way better.
But, I hate to take something all the time, so I will try the alternating month as suggested. I will give Culturelle a rest for the time being. I think it has been ingrained in my head for many years to always take probiotics, and I always have ever since my Lyme disease days of having had tons of antibiotics.
Tex,
I guess there's pros and cons in taking probiotics. I don't know which way is best for me. It sounds like you don't take any at all, and you've done so well for so many years. It could be something I no longer need. It would sure save lots of money!
Thanks.
garina
Garina,
I hope alternating works for you. It's possible that S. boulardii works differently for you, because it might be competing with different "bad bugs" - but I am now adding speculation on top of guesswork... I don't take them as regularly as I used to, though I do sometimes drink kombucha, which contains some probiotics naturally. It's a hard piece of the puzzle to figure out, I think. Best of luck and best of health,
Sara
I hope alternating works for you. It's possible that S. boulardii works differently for you, because it might be competing with different "bad bugs" - but I am now adding speculation on top of guesswork... I don't take them as regularly as I used to, though I do sometimes drink kombucha, which contains some probiotics naturally. It's a hard piece of the puzzle to figure out, I think. Best of luck and best of health,
Sara