3 ms·

> Probiotics are a cheap and risk-free. Not entirely risk-free, but the side effects of a negative reaction don’t last too long at least. I felt notably worse

> Probiotics are a cheap and risk-free. Not entirely risk-free, but the side effects of a negative reaction don’t last too long at least. I felt notably worse for about a week after trying one of the mainstream probiotic brands with strange brain fog I couldn’t shake. This effect was repeatable and I could start the malaise again by resuming the probiotic. The same effect didn’t happen with another antibiotic with different strains. Probiotics could be worth trying, but you have to go in with the understanding that the possible outcomes are more than just “no effect” and “improved health”. Worsening is also a real possibility.

jessermeyer 4y ago
The brain fog could have been a consequence of the ensuing biological war you started by introducing a new strain of bacteria to your digestion for which your metabolism had yet to adapt to.
- PragmaticPulp 4y ago
  More likely that it’s the case that more bacteria in your stomach isn’t necessarily a better thing. These negative effects have been noted in the literature, too, so I’m not alone: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6006167/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6006167/
  - jessermeyer 4y ago
    I did not imply probiotics were a panacea. Difficult to imagine such a biological war playing out in every host beneficially. Although the study you mention is concerned with an unusual fermentation process, which may be caused by a different biological mechanism.
    - PragmaticPulp 4y ago
      The link was about probiotics causing or contributing to intestinal bacterial overgrowth. It’s a real risk.
      - jessermeyer 4y ago
        I read the study. The risk is real tho uncommon, but the study was unable to determine if bacterial overgrowth was the underlying condition responsible for the symptoms, because they appear the same as those from D-lactic acidosis, caused by the same bacteria as found in common probiotics. So whether the issue is too much bacteria or poor compatibly with a host remains unanswered by your linked study.
SaintGhurka 4y ago
Thank you. I should have said "low risk" instead of "risk free".
toshk 4y ago
It's hard to believe something can be as powerful as to relieve depression, while at the same time not having any downside or risk.
challenger-derp 4y ago
I believe it's not risk-free. For example, I read that immuno-suppressed people should avoid consuming kombucha, kefir, etc.

jessermeyer 4y ago

The brain fog could have been a consequence of the ensuing biological war you started by introducing a new strain of bacteria to your digestion for which your metabolism had yet to adapt to.

PragmaticPulp 4y ago
More likely that it’s the case that more bacteria in your stomach isn’t necessarily a better thing. These negative effects have been noted in the literature, too, so I’m not alone: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6006167/ https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6006167/
- jessermeyer 4y ago
  I did not imply probiotics were a panacea. Difficult to imagine such a biological war playing out in every host beneficially. Although the study you mention is concerned with an unusual fermentation process, which may be caused by a different biological mechanism.
  - PragmaticPulp 4y ago
    The link was about probiotics causing or contributing to intestinal bacterial overgrowth. It’s a real risk.
    - jessermeyer 4y ago
      I read the study. The risk is real tho uncommon, but the study was unable to determine if bacterial overgrowth was the underlying condition responsible for the symptoms, because they appear the same as those from D-lactic acidosis, caused by the same bacteria as found in common probiotics. So whether the issue is too much bacteria or poor compatibly with a host remains unanswered by your linked study.

SaintGhurka 4y ago

Thank you. I should have said "low risk" instead of "risk free".

toshk 4y ago

It's hard to believe something can be as powerful as to relieve depression, while at the same time not having any downside or risk.

challenger-derp 4y ago

I believe it's not risk-free. For example, I read that immuno-suppressed people should avoid consuming kombucha, kefir, etc.