Hi all,

I have gotten LYTG and am starting to incorporate some of the treatments...am pinning allot of hope on probiotics and need some advice, please.

Breifly, here are my long-standing symptoms: IBS, a 'slow functioning' digestive tract, though not technically constipated. I call it 'overproduces and undermotivates'. Also---allot of trouble with descending colon gas/spasms. I have been diagnosed with fructose intolerance, so I stay away from fruit. LTYG suggests psyllium, Vitamin C and magnesium for constipation (very common wisdom). Those have worked somewhat for me at different stages, but for the past few years, mostly just make me extremely gassy; if I am lucky I will have multiple bowel movements (never diarhhea), but usually not, usually just very 'stuck' with left side cramp/gas.

I have been taking Align (B. Infantis )for almost 2 months. At Chris' suggestion, have just now quit Align and started Life Start II at 1/4 t. x once/day...same amount of bacteria as Align.
This is my third day on it. LYTG/Jini recommends for 'constipation' as well as gas and bloating, the full spectrum of probiotics, and to increase the amount gradually and then take consistently until 'C' dissappears.(one more thing--I only weigh 90 lbs.) The findings on B. Infantis for IBS are fairly new and perhaps she would now change her thinking to emphasize that strain alone? She does reference it in the book, but still goes with 'full spectrum' as opposed to B. Infantis alone. Also, the Natren folks say regarding constipation--that probiotics don't work like 'take it til you poop'---they should more 'normalize' the process.

SO....here are my questions---should I stick with Life Start alone for awhile and see what happens, or add the other Natren strains to this now (replacing Bifidum, of course, with Life Start). Also---any thoughts on time of day? I know Jini favors before bed---that would be tough for me and I wonder if it really matters, as long as you follow the 'away from food/meds' guidelines.

One more thing: for 20-30 years, I have been 'forcing' a BM in the morning either with hot tea, decaf, etc. and/or a large breakfast. (I get increasingly gassy starting around 4 a.m. on and so when I get up, I really want to relieve that with a BM) I realize now this is counterproductive, not working 'with' my body and am trying hard to break this habit and let my body find its own rhythms. This is really tough and is one area where the emotional part of things really comes into play. Also am working on breathing/relaxing sphincter muscles, etc...thinking thats where the 'undermotivate' part comes from---tight, tight, tight. If anyone has any suggestions at all, I would really welcome them!

Thanks so much; this got awfully long-winded. I appreciate your time and experience so very much.

Hi Susan,

In the interest of clarity, I'd recommend sticking with LifeStart2 until you can build up to 1 tsp./day. At that point it should be fairly clear whether you tolerate it or not, and then you can add acidophilus next. Acidophilus and bifidus are lactic acid-producing bacteria and have extensively documented health-promoting effects.

Have you tried acacia fiber (if you've heard of Heather Van Vorus's "Eat for IBS" books and website http://www.helpforibs", she advocates and sells it). It is a soluble fiber that creates a mucaliganous gel in the digestive tract, which helps move things along. Acacia is unique because it also has a prebiotic effect, which means it will selectively stimulate the growth of lactic acid producing bacteria like bifidobacteria and acidophilus. It's also very different from other fibers and prebiotics in that it doesn't tend to produce the gas and bloating that is often a side effect of increased fiber/prebiotic intake.

The acacia fiber and Natren probiotics would probably make a good combo. If you choose to try this, make sure to follow the instructions on here site and build up your dosage very slowly.

Do you get regular exercise? Exercise has a powerful effect on peristalsis, which is the wavelike contraction of the intestine that promotes elimination. I've found regular exercise to be absolutely crucial for my digestive health, and I'm much worse off without it.

Finally, I think you're on the right track exploring the emotional issues surrounding your constipation and response to it. I would recommend writing letters to your gut. The technique is as follows: first, write a letter to your gut and express everything you (you're conscious mind, that is) wants to say... your fears, frustrations, anger, confusion, etc. Then let a few hours or a day pass. Do something to quiet your mind, whether meditating or walking in the woods or whatever. Then write a letter back to your "conscious mind" from your gut. Let your gut tell you what is going on for it... what it's like to be your gut and what it needs from you.

My sense our guts need a lot of compassion, love and acceptance from us... but what they often get is coercion, violence and anger. It's only natural for us to feel frustrated and want to improve our health, but beating our gut up and trying to force it to be the way we want it to probably isn't the best method. No judgment here... I tried that approach for a long time myself and it just made me (and my gut) miserable!

Hope this helps,
Chris

Great response Chris - you really nailed everything.

And I agree with your probiotic recommendation too. Once you can add the acidophilus (Megadophilus), then next add the bulgaricas (Digesta Lac) and then when tolerating that well, add the Bifido Factor. It's important to get the full spectrum to derive as much benefit as possible since each target different areas and perform different functions.

take care,
Jini

Chris,

I love your comment about how our guts need compassion, love and acceptance from us, but that they often get coercion, violence and anger.

Soon after I purchased Jini's book and learned to dialog with my gut, I used to imagine holding my guts in a rocking chair and basically just cuddling them, as you would a baby. Strange as it sounds....and disgusting as it would be in actual practice....somehow, that image worked for me.

It can indeed be very difficult to give our guts patient nurturing and acceptance in their damaged state, when we just want to improve our health and the sooner the better! But I agree that they respond so much better to this than to impatience, frustration and anger....

Nicole