Which probiotic supplements should I buy?

Fire_Fox

lostinrates wrote: »

I have hypothyroidism too, and a growing collection of neurological problems, from quite serious to rather minor. And a couple of other things. . I would quite like a body transplant

Some of the things I am recommended to avoid are my favourite foods....e.g. I was advised to cut down on the brassicas for the hypothyroid control.....but I adore cabbage. . I have several things which have combined to impact severely on BMR so things like cabbage were great for 'comfort food' without huge calories. Where as avocado, which I am meant to eat, and I adore, is so calorific it has significant impact on what else I can eat. .

I take so many bloody supplements along with my actual pills I rattle, and I am not surprised that my GIT has started playing up:o. If I accept that the yogurt drinks are most helpful form for me I have to factor them into an already heavily calorie restricted diet so that's the main reason I would rather take the pills, so I can get some other nutrition from food.

I have to say, I learn more from your posts on here than I have with either the NHS or private referrals I have had about diet. I always appreciate your posts, whether relevant to me or not:)


Can I ask what you mean about magnesium? Are you meaning you find it hard to take or that you think its poorly advised on taking?

I was taking a magnesium (and something else) on recommendation until these IBS type symptoms, because it makes one of them (I am guessing you can guess which ) worse. But I do feel its one of the few supplements that made a difference I can 'feel' (the other being the iron and c I take,...both make me feel more noticably 'perky' more than the broad spectrum ones).

Ugh, that sounds like a complicated mix, I can see how you could end up with a restricted diet and deficiencies. There certainly are links between hypothyroidism and IBS type symptoms, increased risk of both coeliac disease and off balance gut flora IIRC. It's a devil trying to get a supplement regime right because the micronutrients work synergistically and in opposition, it's far better to eat right than supplement but sometimes that is impossible.

There's stuff out there if you want to drive yourself insane reading dry science
http://jcem.endojournals.org/content/92/11/4180.long
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3336286
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3167967/
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2699000/
http://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/070112p40.shtml

I am quite certain I have been magnesium deficient on and off for years, I have multiple conditions (many minor) that relate to it, from mental health issues to restless legs syndrome. I had a lightbulb moment the other day linking my widespread trigger points (muscle knots) with magnesium .... why I have not linked that before I have no idea, it's blooming obvious.

Don't help myself really: drink too much alcohol, eat too much dairy, I'm naturally a sweaty betty (borderline hyperhidrosis) and have a history of drug use (legal and not). I can tolerate it, but the last batch I bought was H&B and the tablets were appallingly made so made me gag ... so I didn't bother. :doh:

Probably the most common dietary deficiencies are long chain omega-3s, magnesium and vitamin D in winter. We Brits just don't eat enough oily fish nor mineral rich foods as a nation. Low carb isn't helping, I see many eating muscle meat and veggies, but not having fish, seeds or organ meats all of which we evolved eating. Rarely see doctors recommending the right diet modification or supplements, sometimes telling people they are eating fine when I can see glaring omissions.

Lifestyle modification/ nutrition is really not taken seriously enough and patients are not viewed holistically but each condition treated separately. And so some rattle, as you know from experience. Could you tolerate a much lower dose of magnesium IF that has been prescribed/ recommended by your medical team?

lostinrates

Fire_Fox wrote: »

Ugh, that sounds like a complicated mix, I can see how you could end up with a restricted diet and deficiencies. There certainly are links between hypothyroidism and IBS type symptoms, increased risk of both coeliac disease and off balance gut flora IIRC. It's a devil trying to get a supplement regime right because the micronutrients work synergistically and in opposition, it's far better to eat right than supplement but sometimes that is impossible.

There's stuff out there if you want to drive yourself insane reading dry science
http://jcem.endojournals.org/content/92/11/4180.long
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/3336286
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3167967/
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2699000/
http://www.todaysdietitian.com/newarchives/070112p40.shtml

I am quite certain I have been magnesium deficient on and off for years, I have multiple conditions (many minor) that relate to it, from mental health issues to restless legs syndrome. I had a lightbulb moment the other day linking my widespread trigger points (muscle knots) with magnesium .... why I have not linked that before I have no idea, it's blooming obvious.

Don't help myself really: drink too much alcohol, eat too much dairy, I'm naturally a sweaty betty (borderline hyperhidrosis) and have a history of drug use (legal and not). I can tolerate it, but the last batch I bought was H&B and the tablets were appallingly made so made me gag ... so I didn't bother. :doh:

Probably the most common dietary deficiencies are long chain omega-3s, magnesium and vitamin D in winter. We Brits just don't eat enough oily fish nor mineral rich foods as a nation. Low carb isn't helping, I see many eating muscle meat and veggies, but not having fish, seeds or organ meats all of which we evolved eating. Rarely see doctors recommending the right diet modification or supplements, sometimes telling people they are eating fine when I can see glaring omissions.

Lifestyle modification/ nutrition is really not taken seriously enough and patients are not viewed holistically but each condition treated separately. And so some rattle, as you know from experience. Could you tolerate a much lower dose of magnesium IF that has been prescribed/ recommended by your medical team?

Thank you. You say exactly how I feel.....I wish I could eat my nutrients rathe than swallow them! Trying to stay balanced seems much harder with pills.

Magnesium definitely impacts beneficially on some of my neurological stuff so yes, I want to take it, and it really helps with feeling bloated and while I have no diagnosed mental health issues, those wrong side of the bed days are easier with magnesium, and maybe even less common. i am quite a 'highly strung ' person by nature, which is ok, but i like the way magnesium makes me feel a little less 'taut'. nothing earth shattering, but still noticeable to me. But until I sort out my stomach I dare not take it because ATM the side effect that I get, and read is common with overdose of magnesium) is just compounding a problem which I have been messing about with probiotics for.

I just cannot seem to get it right ATM. I do need to talk to my doctor about the stomach but I just feel overwhelmed by the other stuff (which I am also guilty of undertreating, I developed iatrophobia in recent years) and it seems like yet another failing to join the others. .

My mother is also hypothyroid and has 'ibs type' symptoms. I will certainly read the links, thank you so very much for your time and knowledge.

Fire_Fox

Yes I am 'highly strung' too! Topical/ transdermal magnesium *might* be an option, I can't pretend to know much about it's efficacy or side effects but IIRC there is *supposed* to be reduced/ no GI symptoms. Would anyone from your medical team advise via e-mail?

Not exactly the best study since it is small and doesn't appear to have been published, but maybe something to discuss with your team?
http://www.epsomsaltcouncil.org/articles/report_on_absorption_of_magnesium_sulfate.pdf

The only other 'research' I can easily find is here but it refers back to a commercial nutrition book written by a holistic therapist (honorary doctor!) so I'm skeptical
http://www.ancient-minerals.com/transdermal-magnesium/#studies

lostinrates

Fire_Fox wrote: »

Yes I am 'highly strung' too! Topical/ transdermal magnesium *might* be an option, I can't pretend to know much about it's efficacy or side effects but IIRC there is *supposed* to be reduced/ no GI symptoms. Would anyone from your medical team advise via e-mail?

Not exactly the best study since it is small and doesn't appear to have been published, but maybe something to discuss with your team?
http://www.epsomsaltcouncil.org/articles/report_on_absorption_of_magnesium_sulfate.pdf

The only other 'research' I can easily find is here but it refers back to a commercial nutrition book written by a holistic therapist (honorary doctor!) so I'm skeptical
http://www.ancient-minerals.com/transdermal-magnesium/#studies

Wow, I never knew that might be an option. I will ask. My last doctor was great about the phone, and actually, we have become friends and she was treating me as a visiting patient a lot. This new gp is nice, really kind, but there are loads of organisational problems which gets me edgy.

I am doing quite well ATM, I went in this week to discuss a couple of things about treatment and ask for a new thing for my eyes and it went ok so I have booked a smear next week. .

Tbh, despite the nerves I am not a bad patient. I am very good, better than average with most procedures, and my gp friend admits I am a rather good diagnostician....(I have a researching animal science background, and no hypochondria )

deb68_2

anybody on here with MS that takes any vitamins ? thanks in advance
xx

SadBunny

deb68 wrote: »

anybody on here with MS that takes any vitamins ? thanks in advance
xx

I love coconut oil - it even makes healthy fried bread!
"Does not form harmful by-products when heated to normal cooking temperature like other vegetable oils do." - I think it is very efficacious .

"If a person with multiple sclerosis has an allergic reaction to coconut oil, they should avoid it. If they don't have an allergic reaction to coconut oil, it would be beneficial."
"...best used in conjunction with a healthy, anti-inflammatory diet that helps promote healthy immune function."

Pure virgin coconut oil is a white paste at room temperature... You do not want processed or hydrogenated oil."
I buy Tiana and I love the coconut water too.

clairibel

khampson wrote: »

Just seen that these only have 2 billion bacteria. Is this a little low compared to others on the market? Ive seen 50 billion so are these better for you. Feel sorry to ever has to do a batteria stock take!

Keith

Hiya Keith, I know what your saying about the billion markers but after research I found that some of the so called 10 billion formulations a lot of the bacteria did not survive digestive juices anyway.

I went off good reviews and information I found online as I can't afford to chuck money around on supplements that don't work. Plus I have tried many 10 billion types and none have cleared my skin, bloating etc.

http://www.biokult.com/userfiles/file/how_do_you_choose_a_good_probiotic_-_aileen_green_final_lowres.pdf

I also take Multibionta Vitality which had probiotics in a multivitamin form and has a coating to protect the probiotics from being wiped out by acid.

I also read on MSE that good quality supplements don't usually say take with food and can be taken on an empty stomach of which I do and probiotics must be taken away from hot drinks.

The supplements that say take with food are supposed to be filled with synthetic stuff and not really any good, this was said by a person who was in the know 'apparently' on a post ages ago.

There are lots to think about when buying supplements, I have ME or thats what they tell me and need an extra boost to my health but I find lots of supplements too strong for my system and they can cause side effects for me usually they stimulate my immune system which makes all my normal symptoms worse.

clairibel

SadBunny wrote: »

I love coconut oil - it even makes healthy fried bread!
"Does not form harmful by-products when heated to normal cooking temperature like other vegetable oils do." - I think it is very efficacious .

"If a person with multiple sclerosis has an allergic reaction to coconut oil, they should avoid it. If they don't have an allergic reaction to coconut oil, it would be beneficial."
"...best used in conjunction with a healthy, anti-inflammatory diet that helps promote healthy immune function."

Pure virgin coconut oil is a white paste at room temperature... You do not want processed or hydrogenated oil."
I buy Tiana and I love the coconut water too.

I saw this in the paper yesterday about a man who has alleviated some of his alzheimers by taking coconut oil. I will have a look at your link, thanks.

I have been taking a tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil a day and find it has helped with my dry skin and eyes. Also my joints as its anti inflammatory and is supposed to act like ibuprofen but it has to be a good quality. You should get a kick in the back of your throat if its quality. The strongest kick I've had is from Aldi's specially selected, tastes the nicest too

Its supposed to boost your metabolism as well and I do feel its helping.

Bennifred

deb68 wrote: »

anybody on here with MS that takes any vitamins ? thanks in advance
xx

I have PPMS. I take vitamin D3 - 5000iu per day during the winter and 1000iu per day in the "summer".

bigmondy

Sorry to resurrect an old thread - couldn't find one that could advise which is best for the elderly.

Yoghurt, priobiotic pills such as acidopholous or both?

Can you overdose on live cultures?

Thanks guys.