Best Probiotic For Food Sensitivities

Are There Probiotic Strains That You Should Avoid

Yes, definitely. I learned the hard way on this one. Trying to experiment with making my own yogurt, I purchased a culture to make my yogurt containing Lactobacillus bulgaricus. Oops

Lactobacillus bulgaricus can be found in many popular yogurt brands, i.e. Fage. Always, read the labels on yogurt and other fermented products to see what strains that they are using. Avoid products that do not properly list probiotics strains.

Probiotic strains that are histamine producers:

• Lactobacillus bulgaricus
• Lactobacillus reuteri
• S. thermophilus*

These stains should be avoided. Along with fermented products, be careful with probiotic supplements. Always read the label. For instance, S.thermophilus is commonly used in broad-spectrum supplemental probiotics.

Discovery Of The Cheese Effect

There are two main types of cheesefermented and non-fermented. To ferment cheese, live bacteria cultures are needed. The bacteria feed on the lactose in the milk, a process called ageing. This process can produce more or less biogenic amines as a by-product. In one study they found that 18 of 26 kinds of cheese had high levels of tyramine. PubMed

In the 1960s, a British pharmacist noticed that his wife developed a headache every time she ate cheese high in tyramine and at the same time taking MAOI antidepressants. It was discovered that certain drugs as MAOIs inhibit the breakdown of tyramine causing a build-up in the body leading to high blood pressure, headaches, itchy skin rashes, heart palpitations, and diarrhea. In fact, it took some time before doctors realized that patients taking MAOIs needed to avoid foods high in tyramine. There is also a rare condition where people are born without the MAOA gene and, therefore, lack the MAO enzyme.

Garden Of Life Colon Care Probiotics

For constipation, the best strains are B. lactis, B. longum, S. cerevisiae, and a variety of Lactobacillus.

Garden of Life Colon Care Probiotics has 50 billion CFUs and 33 probiotic strains, including those best for constipation.

It also contains a variety of digestive enzymes and a fruit and vegetable blend for additional fiber and nutrients.

Price: $35.99 for a 30-day supply

The Bottom Line: The Garden of Life Colon Care Probiotics is a good option for those that struggle with constipation, but it may not be ideal for those that also have lactose intolerance.

Also Check: Probiotics And Ulcerative Colitis Vsl3

Genus Species And Strain

Along with an alphanumeric, bacteria are identified by their genus, species and strain, per the World Gastroenterology Organisation Global Guidelines.

Within each genus, there are many species and strains, per the California Dairy Research Foundation. These are presented in order from the broadest category to the most specific. So, for Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, the genus is Lactobacillus, the species is rhamnosus and the strain is GG, per the California Dairy Research Foundation.

Here are some of the most common genera found in probiotic supplements, per the NIH:

• Lactobacillus: This may help with diarrhea, as well as allergies, stomach pain and constipation, per the U.S. National Library of Medicine .
• Bifidobacterium: This good bacteria may help with constipation and airway infections, per NLM.
• Saccharomyces: This yeast may be effective against diarrhea and stomach pain, per a December 2020 report from ConsumerLab.
• Streptococcus: This is effective with some forms of diarrhea, per ConsumerLab.
• Bacillus: This helps with abdominal pain, bloating and constipation, per ConsumerLab.

“The most important thing to look for is the right species of bacteria tailored to your specific health needs,” Poe Mathes says.

Warning

The world of probiotics can be overwhelming, which is why the experts we spoke to recommended speaking with your doctor before starting one.

Best Probiotics For Weight Loss

The bacteria in your gut may impact your body weight.

Several studies have found the bacteria in your digestive system can influence how many calories you absorb, how much belly fat you have, and help regulate inflammation, all of which play a role in maintaining healthy body weight.

While weight management is more complex than just taking a probiotic, certain strains may be able to help as part of a well-rounded weight loss plan.

Strains that can help include Lactobacillus gasseri, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, and Bifidobacterium lactis.

For a probiotic for weight loss, I would suggest MegaFood MegaFlora Probiotic.

Also Check: Best Probiotic Yogurt For Ibs

What To Look For In A Probiotic Supplement

Probiotic supplements generally contain one or several different strains or types of bacteria.

There are hundreds of different bacterial strains found in the human body. Each of these has a specific function.

Researchers are still trying to determine the purpose of each strain through the Human Microbiome Project. But, since there are so many, this is going to take a very long time.

There are seven main groups of probiotics commonly found in supplements. These may include Bacillus, Escherichia, Lactobacillus, Enterococcus, Saccharomyces, Bifidobacterium, and Streptococcus.

Each of these is a genus of bacteria, but then they are further divided into species and strains.

For example, you may see Lactobacillus acidophilus NCFM, which is different from Lactobacillus acidophilus KU41.

The NCFM version is great for digestion and improving symptoms of irritable bowel, whereas the KU41 may be beneficial for lowering cholesterol.

It can get quite confusing when trying to select the right product because the potential benefits of each strain do not apply to other strains of the same species.

And we are still discovering what each specific strain does therefore, I would recommend sticking with certain species of bacteria when looking for a product.

I will discuss different health conditions below and which product might be best.

That being said, there are several things that we do understand about probiotics and how to best use them for their health benefits.

Not All Probiotics Work

What I didnt learn until much later is that most probiotics on the market dont work.

After my daughter was born 6 years ago, my doctor prescribed birth control pills. I didnt think anything of it and started taking them. About 6 months later, I started experiencing all the old symptoms again stiff and painful joints, seasonal allergies, thrush on my tongue, fatigue

I did not know this at the time, but the birth control pill kills the good gut flora that keeps your digestive tract healthy. Needless to say, I stopped taking the pills, and then went to work to repair my gut again.

I went straight to the health food store and bought some probiotics. I also eliminated gluten and sugar from my diet. Thirty days later, after avoiding gluten and sugar and taking the probiotics religiously, I still had all my symptoms.

You may have found this to be the case as well. You might have tried taking probiotics and they didnt work for you. It very well may be the brand of the probiotics you are taking.

Around that time, I read the book Louder Than Words: A Mothers Journey in Healing Autism by Jenny McCarthy. In the book, Jenny told the story of how she reversed her sons autism by keeping him off gluten and casein and giving him therapeutic grade probiotics.

Thats when I knew that not all probiotics work. You see, back when I was in my 20s, my naturopathic doctor was special-ordering the probiotics I was taking. These were not your run of the mill store-bought probiotics.

Recommended Reading: Is It Possible To Take Too Much Probiotics

The 4 Best Probiotic Brands For Leaky Gut

As research continues to support the importance of a healthy microbiome, people are rethinking sterilized diets and instead opting for foods and supplements, rich in beneficial bacteria. The best probiotic brands for leaky gut is a regularly searched topic â especially since the microbiome’s inner workings are still largely a mystery. In short, it’s not always easy to know how to find the best supplements.

In order to clear up some common questions, Donese Worden, NMD, who specializes in alternative and traditional medicine, weighed in on the matter. “Probiotics can help leaky gut by assisting in the maintenance of normal mucosa function and also protecting the lining from injurious factors such as toxins, infections, and allergens,” says Dr. Worden. “One of the important effects of probiotics is to strengthen the epithelial tight junctions. These junctions must be tight so substances donât leak in or leak out inappropriately.”

That said, not all probiotics are created equal â according to Dr. Worden, “As a general rule, a probiotic supplement should provide a minimum of 1 billion CFUs , with adult doses typically ranging between 1 billion and 100 billion CFUs.”

A Comprehensive Review On Natural Bioactive Compounds And Probiotics As Potential Therapeutics In Food Allergy Treatment

• 1Molecular Allergy Research Laboratory, Discipline of Molecular and Cell Biology, College of Public Health, Medical and Veterinary Sciences, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
• 2Australian Institute of Tropical Health and Medicine, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
• 3Center for Molecular Therapeutics, James Cook University, Townsville, QLD, Australia
• 4Faculty of Veterinary and Agricultural Sciences, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia

Also Check: What Is The Best Type Of Probiotic

Garden Of Life Raw Probiotics 5

Garden of Lifes Raw Probiotics 5-Day Max Care Pack really performs well for those seeking only a temporary, restorative boost to the digestive and immune systems. This pack offers the consumer five days of pre-measured probiotic doses with each of those doses containing 34 probiotic strains at a CFU count of 400-billion. Additionally, this product is 100% USDA-certified organic as well as 100% non-GMO.

Immerse Yourself In Nature And Be Outside Daily

The opposite of toxins is nature and fresh air. Nature is the true antidote to unhealthy environments that are inside of buildings . Imagine, if you will, that bacteria in our digestive tracts help to detoxify the body, making us less likely to get colon cancer, heart disease, diabetes, depression, and more.

A serene outdoor walk with fresh air, sunshine, and exposure to countless microbes just maybe what the doctor ordered. In fact, experts suggest that our air and environment may be the biggest predictor of our bacteria content.

People living in urban environments spend a staggering 90% of their time indoors , and this is a contributor to a change and also likely a reduction in gut bacteria diversity .

Even the air we breathe indoors and around us affects our bacterial diversity to a large extent .

Natural environments also de-stress the body, allowing for more healthy bacteria to thrive.

Read Also: Do You Take Prebiotics And Probiotics Together

Gut Health And Allergies Are Connected

An allergy can be diagnosed and treated with medication prescribed by a doctor, but there are ways to prevent our risk of developing allergies, starting with a healthy gut. The gut microbiome consists of bacteria that live in our gut in a mutually beneficial relationship with us – they feed us and we feed them.

New research is increasingly finding evidence that a healthy and diverse gut microbiome is associated with fewer allergic symptoms. The rates of allergies have been rising steeply in the last few decades as humans settle in comfortably in urban environments.

Indeed, eating habits have become more homogenised with less variety of food sources. People get outdoors less and do less exercise. Families are also having fewer children and taking more antibiotics. In particular, antibiotics are a potent disruptor of microbial balance in the human gut.

All these factors cause our microbiomes to lose precious diversity, decreasing the number of species in the database that our immune system can recognise as foreign, yet not overreact, because it knows that they are not harmful.

In fact, this idea is not new. As far back as 1989, the hygiene hypothesis of allergy was proposed, stating that the greater our exposure to microorganisms, the lower our risk of developing allergies. This doesnt refer to how often you tidy your room or wash your hands, but rather to factors that affect your level of exposure to microorganisms.

If You Suspect Fermented Food Intolerance

Here are a few things people have found helpful.

• Get an overall understanding about food intolerance this helps a lot. Here is one food intolerance review.
• Keep a food log/diary to keep track of foods you consume and to discern any pattern as to which foods seem to trigger a reaction.
• Fermented food intolerance is very personal and each individual have their own cluster of symptoms.
• It can be difficult to determine your individual threshold tolerance to specific BAs.
• Consult with a specialist who understands biogenic amines.
• Consume fresh produce: buy fresh, cook fresh, eat fresh.

Determine the role amines play in your symptoms:

Also Check: Culturelle Vs Nature Made Probiotic

Additional Strains Of Importance

Ive found these strains that are either still being evaluated or have been effective in treating specific symptoms.

• Lactobacillus reuteri Although many low histamine foods lists put this bacterial strain in a histamine producing category, Lactobacillus reuteri is an interesting case. In addition to raising histamine, it also is helpful in increasing levels of anti-inflammatory cyclic adenosine monophosphate .
• Saccharomyces-Boulardii This is a low histamine probiotic that also helps regulate digestive issues, like diarrhea.
• Lactobacillus lactis This strain is still being debated by scientists and medical professionals.
• Lactococcus Lactis This is a strain used to make some high-histamine foods but some studies found it to be histamine-neutral.
• Lactobacillus acidophilus This strain has been heavily studied by medical professionals and lower doses appear to be histamine neutral while reducing inflammation and improving gut health.

Natren Understands Gluten Sensitivity

We have many customers that appreciate our gluten free probiotics because they have very uncomfortable side effects after consuming wheat. These include diarrhea, abdominal pain, bloating and a feeling of sluggishness. Although the reasons for gluten sensitivity are not fully understood, and definitive treatments have not been found, avoiding gluten is generally a good way for these people to stay symptom free. Of course, for anyone who needs to avoid gluten, they know that this can be incredibly burdensome. Although gluten-free products have become more popular recently, even having a bite of a friends meal, or picking up a quick snack can lead to substantial symptoms. Gluten can also hide in locations most people wouldnt suspect, like in makeup and supplements.

Read Also: Does My Baby Need A Probiotic

Agreements And Disagreements With Other Studies Or Reviews

The results of this systematic review is somewhat in agreement with the results of the previous systematic review conducted in 2013 , which stated that probiotics have not been proven helpful in treating food allergy. The conclusion of the 2013 review was based on studies with contrasting results showing benefit and no benefit of probiotics.

Subgroup analysis in this systematic review, however, showed significant benefit of LGG administration in inducing tolerance, as well as a duration-dependent effect with significant benefit in inducing tolerance noted after at least 2 years.

Diagnosed With Arthritis At Age 25

When I was 25 years old, I was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis, a degenerative disease that doctors could do nothing to heal. They offered me drugs for the pain, and said the only thing that I could do is have surgery.

But they couldnt cure me. I was told that I would probably end up in a wheelchair one day. Not fun to hear when youre only in your 20s.

In addition to the arthritis, I also suffered from chronic fatigue, chronic sinus infections and seasonal allergies, and chemical sensitivities.

Read Also: Do Probiotics Help With Fertility

What Nutrients Improve Leaky Gut

Many foods and nutrients can affect the gut barrier wall-some can help and some can harm this lining. A balanced diet including adequate protein, fats, vitamins, and minerals is a key to recovery.

Early research shows that the following nutrients and food extracts may help enhance the strength of the tight junctions. These nutrients include :

• Vitamin A

• Temporary leaky gut, even in healthy people

Non-celiac gluten sensitivity results in improper digestion of the protein in some grains called gluten.

People with non-celiac gluten sensitivity are more likely to have anemia, skin rashes , and IgG to gluten than those who have celiac disease or irritable bowel disease . Estimates suggest that around 30 percent of the population has this disorder.

The only way to know if you have non-celiac gluten sensitivity is to fully eliminate gluten for 3-4 weeks.

Enzymes in the gut often are not able to completely digest gluten.

Even in healthy people, gluten can cause an immediate increase in gut permeability or leaky gut. Gluten causes an increase in zonulin, which then causes the tight junction to open up more .

Gut healing diets almost universally try an elimination period of gluten for at least 3-4 weeks.