Hello all....
i have many bowel issues (mostly constipation and pain) and i have a few questions that i'm hoping someone can answer. i currently take culturelle at least 4 times a week. here are my questions:
1. how many should i take a day (the package says one)
2. how long should i take this for (will i eventually not need this?)
3. will eating yogurt while taking this be overkill with the friendly bacteria?
4. anyone suggest digestive enzymes and if so, what kind and can i take them with my probiotics
5. will this stuff help with constipation??

i also take fiber (chewable tablets and citrucel)....sometimes i take a bunch and it doesn't even help at all! anyone suggest anything to help "move things along"? :)

thanks...as always!

You can take probiotics with your enzymes at each meal. They will work well together, helping digestion and boosting immunities.

How many caps depends on how many billion cells they contain. Doctors who prescribe probiotics for bowel issues recommend very high amounts: 25 billion cells a day. So, if your caps have 10 billion cells, take 3 per day. When the bowels are in bad shape it requires a huge army of friendly bacteria to correct the problem. A serving of yogurt gives you a negligible amount because there are only around 10 billion bacteria in the whole container. You can't overdose on probiotics, so eating yogurt is no problem.

The enzymes should have several kinds together such as amylase, protease, betaine, etc. to digest different things like protein, carbs, fat, sugar. Most formulas have 5 or 6 types together. This is what you want.

To move things along try a tablespoon of ground flax powder in a glass of juice or water twice a day. Works faster and way better than bran, which can constipate some people. We grind flax seed in the coffee grinder. Must be kept in the fridge because the oil in flax will go rancid. Health stores and some grocery stores carry it already ground if you don't have a grinder. The seeds can't be digested unless they are ground. It is such a good laxative and preventive if you eat it every day. Keeps me regular as clockwork and no painful movements. Good source of Omega 3 too. I put a tablespoon in my cereal and drink a glass later in the day or evening. By the way I put 2 teaspoons of unpasteurized apple cider vinegar in the water/flax mix. This helps heal the bowel's lining and contains live digestive enzymes. Raw Cider vinegar also helps the colon to grow more acidophilus, contains antibacterial, antiviral, and anti fungal properties to keep yeast from over growing.

this is great advice. thank you so much. i actually do take apple cidar vinegar a few times a week. i have flax seed but didn't know i had to grind it down (i should've known when i saw it in the toilet...haha). very interesting. i will pick up some enzymes as well. thank you again. this is very helpful!

My experience with Culturelle --- is that it works very well-- it adheres & re-colonizes the intestine with the specific stain of Lactobacillus GG and is one of the best probiotics I have ever used.

I took it twice daily for about a month before I stopped and then took it only one daily for 2 months.

You may not know there are 57 strains of lactobacillus bacteria that have been identified in the small intestines and all don't do the same thing --- L. GG is one of 4 casie strains-- It is a very good --a Culturelle capsule contains 30 billion active cells when it's manufactured & it also contains 245mg of Inulin a soluble fiber made from chicory root.

For contipation I am a big believer in using psyllium that is in Metamucil, Equate from Wal Mart as well as others. It is a natural water soluble fiber supplement that is safe to use daily with alot of water.

It does produce gas when you first start using it because it is brokendown by digestion and ferments but with continued use the gas goes away. I have been using it for 23 years.

I wish you well---Harry

I forgot to mention cayenne pepper. I put this stuff into capsules and take one in morning, one with supper, and .....bam! the next morning.

thank you again everyone for the replies. this is great. not only is it helpful but i'm learning a lot too. that's perfect. i will continue with the culturelle and fiber supplements...but i'll also get some enzymes. hopefully everything starts working properly soon! :) thank you again.

can someone recommend a good enzyme?

I like and use Essential Enzymes by Source Naturals. It is pretty complete. I also buy it online at a good discount.

thanks! i will look for that online.

Okay I'm really wanting to get off remicade!!! Worried about it!!!! I would like to know what kind of doctor to see about doing the probiotics???? I have no idea how to use this or anything????? Can you help me.......someone........please?

Christina

Chistina,

I don't know what you are taking Remicade for? But I think it would be best To start a new thread outlining your condition and asking for help.
I would certainly tell you what I know about probiotics!!
And, I think you would get better response from others.

God Bless---Harry