Posted 11/7/2007 8:11 PM (GMT -6)
I think I am going to write a book and call it "Listen to Your Butt." Sorry, I felt obligated to say it and I am sure someone has said this before. Actually, the book sounds good and the probiotic enema seems like a good idea, since some bacteria cannot handle the various acids in stomach and small intestine. Makes me wonder if that is why VSL#3 doesn't seem to get as quick of results as some of these other brands that are enteric coated. One of the VSL3 studies spoke of using, I believe, 3.6 trillion bacteria/day to get remission in certain individuals within 6 weeks, which is 8 packs a day. Just so you know, we have about 100-200 trillion microbes in our gut typically, so even this amount seems small in comparison. I don't know how well these guys survive the trip and there is some competition for space. However, microbes can double as quickly as every half hour, though some take hours. So on the one hand there is something about the numbers that should help, but other factors are also at work.
Something else to note is that Reuteri (along with being enteric coated) has a couple different bacterial species than VSL3, which may work better for some--also they claim on their package that it helps extend the villi or microvilli, that aid's digestion. From what I have read: get variety and try different sources. This seems to be helping me, but of course it is hard to pin point when you try so many things. So if you are concerned about potency, take it more times a day.