I began writing this entry by thinking “This topic has a one word answer. How will I create a full blog post for it?”
You see, the elimination diet I followed provided the perfect opportunity to find out what worked, and conversely what didn’t work, for my body. So the one-word answer is simply “Test”!
The World Health Organization determined that a probiotic supplement must be living and able to survive the digestive tract in order to be effective. That means it’s important to choose a high-quality supplement from a reputable company. Do your research, and consult your trusted naturopathic doctor.
It’s also important that the probiotic has been shipped in a way that ensures that the good bugs arrive alive. They should be refrigerated throughout shipment, as heat can kill and therefore neutralize them. Also ensure that the retail shop where you purchased them has kept them cool.
And then … test! During my first elimination diet, I completed several 3-day tests related to probiotics. I tested three different brands. Two of them showed neutral results, and one had very positive results. My digestion improved.
Once I selected my brand, I also tested increasing my dose from one capsule per day to two capsules. This test had neutral results, so I returned to taking one capsule with the last sip of my morning smoothie.
On my next elimination diet, I plan to try several other variations. Will I observe better results if I take them in the evening? On an empty stomach rather than with food?
The supplements are great, but I also try to include at least one food source of probiotics every day. Some of the delicious choices are kombucha, kimchi, sauerkraut, and kefir.
Have you seen results from taking a probiotic? Let us know on Facebook or Twitter!