Pro biotics, microbiome and such?

twopenny

So, I've got a bad sinus/ear/throat infection and am on anti biotics which I know you need to take care of your diet because they destroy the flora in your gut.

My problem is that I can hardly eat and 2 days from the end of the anti biotics I'm due a procedure with a restrictive diet and my whole digestive tract emptied.

I know I have to build up the gut microbes and in this case it's very important as it's been one thing after another and I need my immune system tip top.

I did some research and know it's pro biotics and fermented foods but - aparantly supermarket ones may be boiled or not exactly as promoted. So much trying to be sold as it's popular and cheap to make.

So at last my question is, has anyone studdied this?

Have you tried various fermented foods and which are palatable?

Any way of know which are the real thing?

I've asked the medic, read the documents sent I saw and people who've had the procedure but they weren't on anti boitics prior and say no information from the hospital on restoring health.

downshifted

Sorry, I’m a bit late with this reply. I too have had an illness and op which meant no food for almost 3 weeks and lots of antibiotics so I’m keen to repair my microbiome.

as you probably know the most important thing is to eat a wide range of veg, fruit, herbs, seeds, nuts etc. Around 30 different types every week. In addition I have invested in a course of Symprove, one of the only probiotics proven to survive stomach acid. It is water based and you drink it at least 10 mins before anything else in the mornings. I knew about it because it was recommended by a nutritionist at Grayshott spa before it closed, but I felt my system was ok then. I’ve been taking it just over a week and ahem my “habits” have become very regular, which is, I think, a sign something is working. They recommend a 12 week course but it is quite expensive. Worth it though, in my opinion.

twopenny

That's brilliant Downshifted. Thank you.
I have been through the whole shebang now and began with a light diet and probiotics plus vits and minerals but it's kicked off a lot of other stuff that I'd easily dealt with on a day to day basis so I'm willing to give anything a go to return to health.
It never rains but it pours and dental treatment means I can't chew properly so I'm willing to give any options a go.
I grow my own fruit and veg but nuts and seeds are something i can't do.
So I'll check your advice for sure 

Katiehound

The advice is to eat as many food products that are fermented as possible.

You can easily make kefir.
You buy the kefir grains online (about £5) , mix them with full fat milk and leave in a jar to ferment- in this weather only takes a couple of days. You then strain off the kefir and keep in the fridge but put the 'grains' back in the jar (unwashed) and start the process again. I use a small Doue Egberts coffee jar for the 'growing'- cover with kitchen roll & elastic band.
key things- don't leave uncovered, don't use metal items. Tesco have plastic/nylon sieves.
You just repeat the process- more live goodies I think than yoghurt. 
I started making it for one of my dogs but we have a T spoonful every day. Tastes like old fashioned natural yoghurt.

Another thing you can try, especially if you have warm temps, is to make Kombucha. Fermented black tea. Doesn't taste like tea at all- is naturally fizzy. Health food shops, H&B sell it- different flavours. A bit like dandelion & burdock.
My house isn't really warm enough but I have made some and it was pleasant. I hate tea!! Again you need a starter- a 'Scooby'- I was given mine.

sourdough bread

the 'Good Gut diet book' by Michael Moseley is an interesting read- lots of recipes including home made sauerkraut. he also has ways of expanding diet such as chocolate brownies made with aubergine (or beetroot)

If you interested in the kefir please pm me. I am very happy to send you some grains as mine grow regularly and I have run out of people who want them!!- for the price of the postage- not £5!

I just reread your post- what's palatable?
kefir- only a tad sour, as I said like original yogurt before it got fruited, sugared etc.
kombucha- pleasant
sauerkraut- a bit of an acquired taste but hide with stronger flavours!!
kimchi- can't cope with spicy, so don't know
sourdough bread- yum

twopenny

Oh thats lovely Katie, really helpful.
I love dandelion and burdock so that is encouraging. And sauerkraut but the health food shop has it with spices. Sounds great unless you have a didgy digestion.
Was doing well but soon as i got busy got exhausted again. It's exasperating, expected but still.
I'll go through the suggestions and plan an actual diet I think may be the way to go. Had thought of making my own stuff as with shop bought you don't know if it's been kept at the right temperatures etc which I've learned is important.

downshifted

I too have made kefir in the past, best made into smoothies I found as I didn’t like the taste. It’s very easy to do. I also make sourdough but less often now as the oven needs to be on at 230 degrees for almost an hour. 

twopenny

Sounds good.
Can you add ice cream, honey etc with no harm?
The pro biotics make me feel better for a day I take them but as soon as I stop I go backwards so it seems to be something that doesn't encourage growth within. A possibility that my own good stuff isn't encouraged to grow - or maybe it's just too soon.
Sourdough I have with olives but can only eat the middle waiting for more dental work.
Off to the health food shop for fermented greens though more roughage may be a step too far! And kafir seeds.

downshifted

I’ve asked a question on the Symprove Facebook page about why people continue to take it beyond the initial recommended 12 week period (despite the cost) I reckon once you have good bacteria thriving in your guts and providing you have a good varied diet you shouldn’t need to continue. From the replies it seems many people who continue have severe bowel diseases of different kinds and feel they need continued support, it’s an individual thing.

I’m still getting good and bad days, no idea if it’s to do with the op or  the Covid I caught from hospital or the effect of the probiotics 

As for mixing kefir, I don’t think there’s a problem with natural fruits, not so sure about honey 

Katiehound

sauerkraut available from Polish shops or the Polish section in supermarket- but, might be pasteurised which defeats the object! pretty sure it is easy to make. I suspect slightly bubbly coleslaw would be good because all these things are fermented / fermenting.

you need to have as wide a diet as possible to keep the gut flora happy- think a rainbow of colours for fruit & veg. i really would recommend that Good Gut diet book- maybe available second hand?

The offer for kefir 'seeds' is for anyone. I can easily divide what I have into 3 as they grow fast- especially this weather. Might have to put in fridge to prevent it from becoming a triffid!

silverwhistle

I've had medical treatment which required picolax, so some of you may know the impact of that!

After a time on liquid and gel diets I resumed a normal varied diet, but when recovered I added a few pints of real ale, the live cask conditioned stuff from a barrel down the pub. Not only good for the morale, preferably drunk in a pub garden, but it helped me recover and keeps me regular. Try different ales as they have different yeasts and flora. Not for all maybe, but just another aid to varied gut flora.

I'm just reactivating my sourdough today to do some baking at the weekend, so that also helps.

twopenny

Thank you all for your ideas 

I have a wide and varied diet it's just that multiple life events including medication one after the other that would affect this and continued stress has really messed me up.

Following some of the advice and taking things slow (not my normal habit), gentle exercise (not normal) is beginning to work.  Steering clear of stress is going to be tougher. I'm happy to add real ale to the mix 
I could possibly live off real ale and sourdough.

Silverwhistle, I think that's what I had and after 10 days on antibiotics plus dehydration because of the timing and exceptional heat. Those two were just the highlights after a string of events. I was healthy before I saw the dentist and doctor! 

I'm taking B vitamins and C also to supliment. It maybe I'm excreting excess but happy to take that chance rather than this go on longer.

Hopefully the real people advice will help others too. I couldn't find any when I searched.