Changing probiotic - any problems?

[andygates]

In summary: I changed from my regular probiotic, Actimel, to Yakult.  A handful of days later I've got a gutspocalypse.  Part of me thinks there's a turf war going on between the Casei Immunitas and the Shirota. 

Now, I've reverted to the Chemical Cork, but in the meantime does anyone know of brand-changing drama, or did I really just have a bad butty the other night?

[Jaded]

oooh Danone.

[Kathy]

I've never been sure about probiotics. On the one hand, all the studies I've seen tell me that none of the bacteria are likely to make it through the stomach acid to colonise the lower intestine. On the other hand, they're nommy, and make me happy.

Possibly the prebiotics (not bacteria, but stuff "good" bacteria likes to live in) make it through, and there's a slight difference in the chemistry enough to upset the gut fauna..?

[andygates]

I was sceptical until I found a study on endurance athletes that showed they got significantly fewer lurgies if they took a daily probiotic.  I've always been a sucker for little, silly, opportunistic two-day lurgies and though anecdote is not data, I'm convinced.

They also make me happy, and are a nice gloopy thing to take morning pills with. 

I only changed because the local recyclers don't take Danone bottles but do take Yakult ones.

It feels like there's a turf war going on in my innards. Casei Immunitas vs Shirota, a sort of bacterial Kurosawa movie. Gah.

[Mrs Pingu]

I read somewhere (can't remember where) someone had done a review of a lot of these probiotic preparations and found a lot of them didn't actually contain any viable bacteria. (This included some yoghurts and capsules etc).
Perhaps you're just sensitive to something else in the new yog?

[Jaded]

I'd give it a settling down period.

Take the ring strain for a few more days.

[Charlotte]

[andygates]

 

[MSeries]

I have been taking probiotic in capsule form for a few months and feeling much much better. Daily download, no bloating which really helps me use my stomach muscles properly in the gym.  I changed brands no ill effects.

[Charlotte]

Daily download

^^  Loving this phrase  ^^

[Moloko]

My local shop usually does the 12 x Danone ones for 99p.
I nominate 3-4 a day*, spurt free.

*Not 'cuz I think they're doing me any good, they're just nomish.

[FatBloke]

More likely to work if you use them as an enema!   

[Mike J]

I think it was Yakult that tried to sell their wares during an open day at work.  Tried it  .  Then they told me that its basically made from fermented milk, which totally confirmed why it is so disgusting.