Probiotics after long-term antibiotics

[klmama]

A relative has been on antibiotics for many months, taking Florastor most of that time.  The doctor said to take a multi-strain probiotic going forward to replenish good gut bacteria, but apparently didn't suggest a specific product.  My suggestion was to take Primal Defense, but then I wondered if you all knew of a broad-spectrum probiotic that's considered as good or better AND that's easier/more pleasant to take.  Primal Defense is really gross!  Any suggestions?

[Katy]

Elixa fixed my antibiotic-induced food allergies.  I also ate a yogurt mixed with a tablespoon of potato starch after each dose.

[Ottakee]

Florastor is what my daughter's gastroenterologist suggested.

[matrips]

Florastor is what helped my dad with first first bout with cdiff. It’s good.

otherwise, I’d look at refrigerated probiotics at Whole Foods type store. You’ll be able to see the differences in what they contain.  You can probably search online.

[popmom]

I would suggest looking into prebiotics along with probiotics. There is a line of products called Heather's Tummy Care. There is an Acacia Senegal fiber powder. Being a prebiotic, it feeds gut flora. I'm dubious of any positive effects of taking a probiotic w/out a prebiotic supplement as well. I think they are both important. The prebiotic may be more important. Best wishes to your relative. 🙂

Edited December 3, 2020 by popmom

[kbutton]

I took Renew Life before switching to a probiotic with the same strain as Florastor, though my antibiotic use wasn't for a long period of time. I feel like the Florastor strain has been more beneficial, but the Renew Life was good too. I switched because I seem to have some degree of histamine overload, and I read about strains that produce and reduce histamine. Renew Life has a mix. Florastor's strain reduces histamine.

[Spryte]

Five straight years of abx here. I didn’t get all things right (had recurring C Diff at one point), but if I had to do it all over, knowing what I know now - 

Florastor, of course.  Always.  Apart from the abx and apart from other probiotics.

I like to mix up my probiotics, taking a different one every few months.  Right now I’m on Visbiome.  That may be too much for some, and it’s expensive, but very good.  

Before that, I did a round of Culturelle.

I have a history of gut issues, so I have a lot of other things I take for gut health.  Restore is in my current rotation, too.

[klmama]

3 hours ago, Katy said:

Elixa fixed my antibiotic-induced food allergies.  I also ate a yogurt mixed with a tablespoon of potato starch after each dose.

What was the potato starch for?  ETA:  I read online it's used to help feed the probiotics, is that right?

Edited December 3, 2020 by klmama

[popmom]

1 hour ago, klmama said:

What was the potato starch for?  ETA:  I read online it's used to help feed the probiotics, is that right?

yes. it is a prebiotic. one among many. See my above comment. Inulin is another.

Edited December 3, 2020 by popmom

[mathnerd]

3 hours ago, Spryte said:

I like to mix up my probiotics, taking a different one every few months.  

This is the strategy I use when my son goes on antibiotics. Jarrow brand has products that have prebiotics mixed into the probiotic capsule and that makes them easier to take and one less thing to remember. A natural way to incorporate probiotics in addition to supplements is to add probiotic foods into the diet everyday. Our doctor said that probiotic foods have higher rates of good bacteria than packaged supplements and hence urged us to include them in our diet for the diversity of good bacteria.

Some things to include in daily diet: kefir (plain or flavored), kombucha, pickles, sauerkraut, miso soup, Labneh cheese (this is made from kefir). Some of these are easy to make but I buy them if I am busy and cannot keep up.