Comments on: Can Probiotics Improve Your Brain?

By: Stephanie

Stephanie — Mon, 03 Jun 2019 06:31:53 +0000

Very informative! I’ve heard that probiotics balanced the gut health which is important to reduce stress and other issues in our body. That is why I also keep on taking probiotics and as of now, it’s awesome. Thank you! You made it clearer now. 🙂

By: Wellness Mama

Wellness Mama — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 15:33:42 +0000

In reply to Brandi.

Yes, I wrote about it here: https://wellnessmama.com/2261/water-kefir/

By: Brandi

Brandi — Tue, 15 Dec 2015 14:14:39 +0000

Have you ever tried kefir? It’s an amazing probiotic. It is sold in stores. The brand I am familiar with is Lifeway, however I choose to make my own kefir fresh every morning by using the milk kefir grains. This way I can make sure it is natural an healthy at possible. It has been so wonderful. I have been drinking it since august. I do not have diabetes but Indo have hypoglycemia and I have not had any problems regulating my blood sugar. The recipes for the kefir are endless. The group on Facebook is also a big help.

By: Sarai

Sarai — Sat, 28 Nov 2015 03:16:04 +0000

I really enjoy reading all your posts! I’ve learned so much! I’ve been taking the probiotic BioKult since reading about it on one of your posts. Is this still a good probiotic that would continue to recommend? Or is Radiant life better?

By: Denise

Denise — Wed, 22 Jul 2015 19:24:13 +0000

Great article

It is amazing to think that we are 90% symbionts and 10% human cells. If that ratio represents the ratio over what controls our bodies and minds – then it is even more mind-blowing.

I just finished an interview with Prof Lowry of Univ of Col, where he discussed some studies that correlate higher levels of IL-6 (interleukin 6 – a marker of inflammation) at a young age with depression and psychosis symptoms years later in early adult life ( http://www.healinghacker.com/talking-microbiota-everything-from-allergies-to-depression/ ). We also discussed other environmental saprophytes (like m vaccae found in the orange slime of a hippo-feces infested lake in Kenya) that modulate the immune system towards the anti-inflammatory processes and help ease everything from asthma to depression.

I would add that probiotics are super – as are fermented foods. They are, in my opinion, key. However, and I say this from our experiences, I’ve found that using probiotics for specific issues – say something like crohns or allergies – requires intensive research because results are super strain specific. Meaning, it’s not just l. acidophilus – it’s l. acidophilus xyz123. Different strains of species have different impacts on the immune system. If you’re just looking to add to existing health, I don’t think you need to be as diligent in your strain research. But if you want to shift something existing, you need to find the research behind specific strains and then be willing to do self-experimentation.

This is my experience and opinion. I’m not a doc or scientist – just an obsessed mom looking for answers and healing.

Best,
Denise
healinghacker.com

By: leia

leia — Fri, 19 Jun 2015 22:27:12 +0000

can kiefer water be good for my baby? how can i give him some? or should i say how much?

By: Kerstin

Kerstin — Sun, 07 Jun 2015 18:42:21 +0000

Love this article! Complete and concise!

By: Katie - Wellness Mama

Katie - Wellness Mama — Sun, 31 May 2015 23:51:34 +0000

In reply to Deena. I used Bio Kult and also gave to baby... I'd also highly encourage you to watch Micrbirth, a documentary, as it has a great protocol for culturing your baby to your healthy gut bacteria if you have a c-section. Best wishes for a wonderful birth and congrats on your pregnancy.

By: Jenny

Jenny — Wed, 27 May 2015 18:21:20 +0000

About this time last year I accidently found kefir which is a great source of probiotics. I struggled with sever hand dermatitis (eczema) since I had my first daughter in 2008 – to the point I literally couldn’t use my hands at all – and after starting to drink kefir regularly, my eczema has completely healed up. I just use the Lifeway brand and add it to our smoothies, and we try to have the smoothies about 3 times a week. Also, my oldest daughter started her first year of school this past school year, and her doctor warned me that since I stayed home with her and she never went to a daycare/preschool/babysitter, she would probably get sick a lot. I am happy to say that she only missed one day from being sick (which she actually was fine and should have went that day – haha!). She was directly exposed to Type A influenza at least 3 times that I know of, not to mention stomach bugs, and multiple viruses, yet I believe she missed the least amount of days of anyone in her class. I give the credit to regularly consuming the kefir.

By: Deena

Deena — Sun, 24 May 2015 17:57:07 +0000

Hi Katie,

I’m kinda new to the “Wellness Mama” world but being naturally curious I watched an interview with you on the Randy & Christa show and it really struck home with me how I too had a c-section and my son was diagnosed with GERD then later in life diagnosed with Leaky Gut Syndrome. (I contacted you earlier about that- thanks for the bone broth suggestion!) I am about to have another c-section in July and I will be sure to up my probiotic intake and super charge my diet so hopefully it doesn’t happen with this lil guy too. Do you suggest a specific probiotic , the one I have is 3 billion I believe…..

By: Katie - Wellness Mama

Katie - Wellness Mama — Sun, 24 May 2015 03:24:33 +0000

In reply to Nichole. I just noticed the most difference from it in my digestion and how I felt, but it comes from soil based strains, which some research shows may survive longer in the digestive system and do more good

By: Katie - Wellness Mama

Katie - Wellness Mama — Sun, 24 May 2015 03:20:36 +0000

In reply to Abha.

Good question …here is part of my daily routine, though it varies by season quite a bit https://wellnessmama.com/55187/morning-routine/ I usually take a soil based probiotic before bed

By: Amy

Amy — Sat, 23 May 2015 15:29:44 +0000

Katie, thank you so very much for this article!! My daughter was diagnosed ASD Level 1 last year. We saw intense issues of hyperactivity and the inability to focus or impulse control delays. It was frustrating because we were constantly trying to point at our own faces to get her to look at us so she could process what we were saying. We started ABA therapy as soon as we had the diagnosis, but change was slow. I ended up reading articles about the use of probiotics in Europe as a means to help children focus not only with ADHD, but those on the Autism Spectrum as well. So instead of giving them these intense prescriptions that can harm the developing neural pathways in the brain for hyperactivity and stunt growth, the probiotics don’t do that. We give her culturelle for kids in the chewable tablet (it contains xylitol). It has not only made her bowels more regular, but she is much calmer. The calmness is more in the sense to take a moment and process information. She still runs around, screams, plays, and can still produce a good amount of tears, but her ability to control impulsive behavior (especially with guidance) has improved greatly. Another improved issue is her ability to maintain eye contact. We had very little of that and had to introduce a lot more signs to get her to look at us and try to understand what we were saying. We noticed such a direct effect when her insurance needed a new prior-auth this year for the probiotics. She didn’t have her doses for a little over a week and ABA could not get her to sit still. We lost a therapist because she just couldn’t handle my daughter. After the first day back on the probiotics, we saw significant improvement which progressed back to where we were completely within a few days time. I know the probiotic we use isn’t as high quality, but if this is working for us, I can only imagine what using a higher quality probiotic could do for someone. I’m trying to find someone in my area who can pass along a scoby at some point and teach me how to make kombucha. I would love to give that a try for my daughter and see how effective it works for her!

By: Abha

Abha — Fri, 22 May 2015 00:36:21 +0000

Hi Katie, this is a interesting post. What type of supplements do you take on a daily basis. I read your blog on a regular and just confused on how many different supplements should be taken on a daily basis. Currently I am only doing sole water in the morning and fish oil after breakfast.

By: Rainah Ness

Rainah Ness — Thu, 21 May 2015 04:23:38 +0000

Katie, This was THE. MOST. EXCITING. POST. I have read from you to date. I’ve wondered what is known about what turns genes on and off, but have not taken time to really look into that *successfully*. In the meantime, I’ve been gearing up to try to organize my immune system yet again (several recluse bites and various tick bites later, and all that after liver dysfunction for some#of years, and now I’m much older to boot…. BUT…. it’s time to try again…..). I’ve not put enough emphasis on probiotics, in great part because the ones I had tried from time to time were (apparently) not high enough quality for my needs and/or etc. — I have finally been on a better probiotic (along with various other changes which I’m slowly turning into habits), but at this point, I might switch to whatever probiotic you recommend. This really is absolutely and utterly exciting news! Thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!

By: karla

karla — Thu, 21 May 2015 01:03:00 +0000

My son’s stomach is havoc.
candida
high histamine
bacteria
he has methylation problems
has gotten lactic acidosis
iga defficiency
mitochondrial
oxidative stress.
how on earth can help him I’ve tried everything

By: Nichole

Nichole — Wed, 20 May 2015 22:25:17 +0000

Is prescript-Assist the only probiotic you take? What is it about this particular brand that stands out to you as opposed to the countless others out there?