Do you take Probiotics?

[B&J2008]

I take them everyday, usually twice daily. After lots of problems and my grandmother died from colon cancer, I got scared. I've tried everything you can think of and since I've been taking acidophilus, I've seen a huge difference.

[MsShelley]

I am so glad I have this forum, I had no idea about probiotics. Maybe I should start on them too, what the heck, lol

[BarefootBride]

I rather take yogurt with probiotics but I also found some chewable ones at GNC. I actually like them. I tried these 20.00 ones when I went back to the states - Culturelle I think they were called. Needless to say, I wasnt consistant with them and ended up having to trash them because they were out of date. What a waste. They did give me GAS! Hated them!

[BlingBride]

This is a great post. I give my horses probiotics and I guess it just never really donned on me that it might be good for me to take them too. I do try to eat yogurt, but would this be enough or would you need to take more?

[Alyssa]

thanks girls - i have some digestive issues, off and on and have been told by a number of Docs and natural practicioners to take probiotics. i am researching for a good brand - i think i would like to go with the shelf stable ones so i don't have to keep them in the fridge

[AmyInMI]

I was taking probiotics while I on IV antibiotics and they really helped my gut. I was under the impression that unless they are refridgerated, they are not very effective.

[Alyssa]

Amy - i have been doing some research and there are 2 types - refriderated and shelf stable that you do not have to keep in the fridge

[BrittneyD]

I don't take them yet, but I do try to get them naturally. I used to eat a lot of yogurt, but I really can't handle a lot of dairy. Brown bananas are one of the best natural sources. I just mix it in with my oatmeal, so I do feel disgusted from the mushy texture.

[fogdog]

I take them occasionally, but agree that the best thing to do is try to get them naturally through diet. I have chronic sinus problems that require me to be on antibiotics regularly for long stretches of time. When I finish the antibiotics, I take the probiotics for an equal period of time to "repopulate the colonies" of good bacteria. I go to a natural pharmacy and this is what they have recommended.

I take New Chapter Pro Flora 1st thing in the morning with a big drink of water and don't eat for 30 min (not sure why but they advised taking them on an empty stomach). The one advantage to probiotics over yogurt, etc. is that you can get several strains of bacteria - I think mine has about 15 - whereas yogurt typically has 2-4. The only side effect I notice is increased regularity, not necessarily a bad thing.

I'm a big fan but probably wouldn't take them regularly if not for health issues, they're a bit pricey.

[Rhonda]

I am a Registered Dietitian and I typically recommend probiotics to individuals with digestive issues, but, they may also be useful to keep your digestive system healthy. The important thing to keep in mind is the quantity of bacteria in a probiotic because the reflects the effectiveness. For example, one that I recommend is called Yakult. It has 8 billion bacteria in a 2.7 ounce container!

Many food products claim probiotics, but, often, they don't have enough to be effective.