UK Probiotics and IBS

[thelittlestranger]

I am CONFUSED to the max!

So I'm trying to understand exactly what probiotics I need. I live in the UK and there's some amazing posts on here about probiotics in the US but I can't really transfer that to what we have here. I've read articles about different types but I just don't get it. Sorry to seem stupid! But can anyone help?

I'm having a rough time at the minute. I found out my mum is moving to Spain and we're very close so this week has thrown me. My IBS has gone through the roof so I want to make sure my body is healthy again.

I'm also worried because my in laws came round yesterday. I wasn't here so I don't know what they touched. My fiancés nanny had a SV last Monday (nearly two weeks ago) but the in laws had visited her. As far as I'm aware, no one got the virus, and I'm pretty sure I would know... but I'm scared they've come round and touched everything (including my very cute twelve week old kitten!) and spread germs.

Any advice appreciated. <3

[Lola444]

I think the best probiotics in the uk are in boots. its their own brand and have pre and pro biotics. Unfortunately i'm not very knowledgable either! I took them for a couple of months after hearing about how good they were but it made me very gassy.

I have the actimel drink ones each morning and they tend to help my tummy feel settled. But wish we had access to some of the ones that the USA seem to have, they sound great! annoyingly most of them won't send abroad. Would also appreciate anyone having info on these!

And about your in laws...i wouldn't worry, they would have had it by now if they'd caught it. You'll be absolutely fine :-)

[kam00096]

I went to Holland and Barrett and they told me that probiotic acidophilus 20 billion was the best that they sold. Quite expensive though. Not sure if that's a higher level than Boots own brand or not (which is quite bad as I used to work there on the healthcare counter)

[thelittlestranger]

Thank you to both of you for your responses, I'm going to investigate both!

I go to Holland and Barrett a lot (I LOVE THAT STORE!) so I might see how much they are.

[Kazzia]

If Holland & Barrett are still doing the penny sale, you can get one tub/packet of something for full price and another one for just 1p!

I've never taken proper probiotics but you can get them (probably in smaller doses) in a lot of dairy products, like probiotic yoghurt and daily probiotic drinks like Yakult and Actimel, which I've taken in the past if I've felt 'out of balance'. I did feel more balanced taking them but not sure if it was because they were effective or if it was like a placebo effect. Still good for you nevertheless, and it's always good to take probiotics if you're taking antibiotics to clear up an infection, as some antibiotics destroy the good bacteria in your gut - which is needed for good immunity and digestion.

[cinque]

I've heard these ones: http://www.academyhealth.co.uk/shop/...st-836011.html are supposed to be the best, but they are expensive. Holland and Barrett don't carry this line of supplements, so I got mine from the local independent health food shop. However, I didn't feel they actually helped me, although perhaps taking them for only one month is not a fair test.

I think Solgar probiotics would probably also be a good brand to try and they're a little bit cheaper, but also a brand not stocked by Holland and Barrett. You're not at all stupid; it's such a confusing topic and I daresay a lot of the brands are making claims that aren't really 100% backed up by studies and such.

I have Yakult but I've no idea how helpful that is really. It's about £3 for 7 bottles also meaning it's not terribly cheap.

If you have d*-predominant IBS then a calcium supplement may help you (without magnesium in it as that negates the effects).

I don't think you should worry about surfaces and your kitten being contaminated because it doesn't sound like the in-laws were ill, or that they came directly from a contaminated house

Sorry to hear about your mum moving abroad - that must be a real shock for you! xxx

[thelittlestranger]

Thanks for your reply cinque- appreciated as always.

So I went to Holland and Barrett and think I caught them on a 'bad day.' They seemed busy and weren't able to help that much and the probiotic section was overwhelming to say the least!

I would love to take Yakult but I am also lactose intolerant and struggle with creamy/yoghurty foods otherwise I'd be on them without a doubt!

I ended up getting this 3 billion lactobillius something or other that the lady said should be more than enough for me... would they be of any use to my immune system though? xxx

[cinque]

I don't always find Holland and Barrett terribly impressive; my local independent health food shop has real expertise with some of the longer-term staff, and they also will call Solgar to discuss the best supplement for one's needs, etc.

I think any probiotic would boost your immune system and improve your general health so I do think you will benefit from taking the ones you have bought. If you don't feel any improvement, then you could buy a different brand next time?

They're all pretty much called lactobacillus I think because that's the group of bacteria that are 'probiotic' (I think). Just looked it up and yes they're the 'friendly' genus of bacteria and they produce lactic acid apparently. Acidophilus is a word you'll often see on the bottle and it just refers to bacteria who can survive/'like' acid environments which is necessary for probiotics to survive the first part of the digestive process.

Perhaps you could keep a diary of how your symptoms seem after you have begun taking them? xxx

[Lola444]

I've recently started taking prebiotics, its called biomuno and its a powder that you add to drinks (its tasteless) It claims to boost the immune system and the difference between Pre and Pro is that Pre feed the good bacteria, making it stronger to fend of bad bacteria. (i think thats it!)

Only been on them a week so we shall see!! When i begun taking them i was having stomach aches and they have cleared up. Think it was due to constipation and my pain cleared up but its sometimes difficult to distingush whether something works or not! lol

[thelittlestranger]

Thanks cinque - I'm going to give them a go and see if they work or not, and there is another health food store I know of in my city so I might pop there if I notice no improvement. How long would you recommend I take them for to give them a good chance of kicking in? xx

Lola - I'm tempted to try this biomuno if my Holland and Barrett ones don't work! Was it expensive, and can you just buy it anywhere? It's good to know they have helped with your tummy aches! My IBS has been pretty freaky lately, so it would be great to get something that works. xx

[Lola444]

It cost about £6.99 for 30 sachets and you only need one sachet a day. I got mine from sainsburys but think you can get it off the shelf pretty much anywhere! :-) I checked with the chemist that i could take it along with my probiotic drink in the morning and she confirmed that you can take it with any probiotics including the tablet versions.

so I figure, you can never have too many of these biotics, load me up!! lol