How to Find the Right Probiotic Supplement
Probiotics sales exceed 3 Billion dollars annually, and are estimated to increase significantly in the next decade. Though they can be miraculous, they can also be dangerous. The one thing the industry does NOT tell you is that probiotics CAN be harmful if used incorrectly. In this article, I will explain how to avoid common mistakes when purchasing probiotics. In addition, I will teach you how to find the probiotic that best suits you. First things first, let me tell you brief story.
My Story – Probiotic Disaster
After a strong course of Augmentin, I took high doses of lactobacillus thinking I was replacing “good bacteria”. Little did I know, Augmentin doesn’t kill lactobacillus, but it does kill bifidobacterium.(1) Looking back on it now, I should have replaced bifidobacterium NOT lactobacillus. This may sound like an innocent mistake, but for someone who was recovering from autoimmune disease, it was a disaster.
After 2 weeks of high dose lactobacillus, I developed symptoms of histamine intolerance. Even though I had good intentions with probiotics, I had actually made my problem A LOT worse. This started a battle against histamine that lasted for several months. Finally, after using the tools described in my article 11 secrets to beating histamine intolerance, I escaped the histamine trap!
With so much confusion out there about probiotics, I wanted to set the record straight. Refer below for 8 tips that will help you find the right probiotic supplement.
8 Tips for Finding the Right Probiotic
Comprehensive Stool Analysis
Test your stool to see which strains you’re deficient in, then replace those strains ONLY. This stool test is NOT a necessity, but it helps you determine your bacterial imbalances much easier. Please note, your success will only be as good as your stool test. In my experience, the GI Map is the best stool test to determine infection and overall gut health.
Research Antibiotics You Use
Google scientific studies on the specific antibiotic(s) you used to determine which species of good bacteria were most susceptible. For example, type in “amoxicillin bifidobacterium study”. Once you figure this out, buy probiotics with ONLY those strains. Keep in mind, there are only 3 real groups of beneficial bacteria: lactobacillus, bifidobacterium, beneficial yeast. This should help to narrow your searches.
Replace Bifidobacterium First
Start off with a bifidobacterium dominant product since they are the most sensitive to antibiotics. Do NOT start with lactobacillus/bacillus ONLY products after antibiotics. By doing so, you can further a bacterial imbalance which can lead to histamine intolerance, mast cell activation, and more.
Determine if Probiotic is Working
You should notice SIGNIFICANT benefit when you first start taking a probiotic, if you DON’T, you probably already have plenty of that strain in your gut, and therefore, are wasting your money. Don’t just take probiotics because you think they’re good for you.
Avoid Probiotics with Bacillus Species
Avoid probiotics with bacillus species (ex. bacillus coagulans, b. subtilis, etc.) and ALL spore based strains. Spore based probiotics are not normal inhabitants of the human GI. Therefore, there is no real reason to supplement with them. Though they may help change the environment of the GI (2), in my experience, they don’t sit well in the stomach. The only exception to this rule is strain bacillus subtilis DE 111.
Choose Species which Reduce Histamine
If you have an chronic illness or autoimmune condition, you have ELEVATED HISTAMINE already (3). For this reason, ONLY select probiotics that reduce histamine. ex (bifidobacterium (4), lactbacillus rhamnosus (5), etc.) You do NOT want to use a broad spectrum lactobacillus or spore based products. By doing so, you could set yourself up for histamine intolerance and mast cell activation syndrome.
Read Reviews on Amazon, Ignore Sale Pitch
Read reviews on Amazon/Google to make sure PLENTY of people confirm quality! See what they are saying about it. Make sure their reviews on its “effects” match what you’re seeking. Do NOT rely on scientific explanations by the company due to bias, ONLY consider reviews.
No Probiotic is Better than the Wrong Probiotic
No probiotic is better than the wrong probiotic! Remember, this is not a vitamin that gets flushed out in 24 hours. You are putting billions of live organisms in your gut so play it smart!
Common Questions about Probiotics
What is the Best Probiotic for Daily Use?
Each person has a different genetic makeup and has been exposed to different environmental stressors. For this reason, there is no one size fits all probiotic. Despite what supplement companies want you to think, probiotics should be customized to each individual’s needs.
In my experience, bifidobacterium species is the most susceptible to medications, poor diet and stress. For this reason, I personally use a bifidobacterium dominant probiotic 3x week, then use REAL kefir once every 7-10 days to replenish lactobacillus/beneficial yeasts. There are 3 main groups of good bacteria: lactobacillus, bifidobacterium, and beneficial yeasts. As long as you are feeding them with a healthy diet, and then replenishing every couple weeks as I do, your gut health should be excellent.
Which Probiotic Should I Take After Antibiotics?
Bifidobacterium species are the most susceptible to antibiotics. For this reason, I choose a bifidobacterium dominant product (ex. Probiota Bifido) after antibiotics. The good thing about bifidobacterium is, they “cross-feed“, which means by replacing a few strains of bifido, it helps the rest of the species grow. On another note, if you were put on anti-fungal medication, you may have decreased your beneficial yeast population. In my experience, the best way to restore beneficial yeast is through REAL kefir. Believe it or not, there are 61+ strains of beneficial bacteria in kefir,(6) many of them being yeast.
Do I Really Need to Take a Probiotic?
The answer to that depends on your diet, lifestyle, history, genetics and health status. If you are already very healthy and eat a diet high in plant fiber, there is no reason to take a probiotic. In contrast, if you are fatigued, dealing with mood instability, fighting chronic illness, have inflammatory issues, or just don’t feel well, probiotics may be invaluable. As I have stressed prior, the key is picking a probiotic that resolves your bacterial deficiencies.
Does Diet Effect Probiotic Supplementation?
Yes, plant based fibers feed good bacteria (7). This means if you take probiotics and then provide them with the fiber necessary for replication, they have a much higher chance of survival. If you eat a diet high in processed foods and low in fiber, you do just the opposite. Remember, your bacterial balance shifts due to your diet. For example, the bacterial balance in someone eating meat is completely different than someone following a plant based diet.
What Probiotic Supplements do You Use?
I personally use Probiota Bifido by Seeking Health, and then real kefir grains. I use the bifidobacterium supplement primarily to regulate mood, allergies, sleep and stress response. Though it does help with digestion of starches/plant fibers, the other effects are far more appealing. In respect to the kefir grains, I use this once every 7-10 days to enhance lactobacillus and beneficial yeast in the gut. This seems to help me break down proteins and fats better.
Why are Prebiotics Important to Use?
Prebiotics are the food which probiotics use to replicate. If you take probiotics but do not give them the food they need, your success will be limited. The best prebiotic supplement I have used is FOS (fructooligosaccharides). It is a preferred food source for all sources of bifidobacterium (4). In addition, it has been shown to feed other beneficial species. If you want to feed good bacteria the natural way, eat as many plants as possible. As mentioned prior, plants contain prebiotic fibers (7) which are used by good bacteria to replicate.
Conclusion about Probiotic Supplements
As you can see, probiotic supplementation is not as simple as it appears. To be effective, it must be customized to each individual based on their history, health, diet and bacterial balance. Without considering ALL variables, you are in effect, “shooting in the dark”.
For more information on how to customize your probiotic strategy, get in touch. Happy healing!
Matt Nedin
EndSickness.org
Phone: (734) 846-8619
Email: endsickness@gmail.com