VSL and Align
#343238 - 03/14/09 07:27 AM
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birtha
Reged: 02/05/09
Posts: 44
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Why are they so expensive??? Anyone find them for cheap?
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The reason they are expensive is that they have been clinically tested on IBSers.
The important thing to look for in a probiotic that is effective for IBS is one that contains probiotics from the Bifidobacterium family such as Bifidobacterium infantis and Bifidobacterium longum. Lactobacillus probiotics have not been shown to be effective for IBS.
Since neither VSL or Align are available in Canada, I have taken Natren Life Start. It contains the same probiotics as Align - Bifidobacterium infantis. There is another product made NSI that also only contains Bifidobacterium infantis. Both of these probiotics contain small amounts of milk. Both products are much less expensive than align or VSL#3.
-------------------- STABLE: ♂, IBS-D 50+ years - Science of IBS
The FODMAP Approach to Managing IBS Symptoms
Evidence-based Dietary Management of Functional GI Symptoms: The FODMAP Approach
FODMAP Chart & Cheatsheet
The Role of Food & Dietary Intervention in IBS
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Thanks for that! The NSI looks great. It's a pill which works better for me. Have you taken the NSI? Any side effects? I saw the one person reported cramps which I am deathly afraid of.
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NSI probiotics are not available in Canada. I don't know how well it works. Many probiotics may cause an increase in bloating and gas for the first couple of weeks. I only experienced it for a few days. I did not experience any cramps.
-------------------- STABLE: ♂, IBS-D 50+ years - Science of IBS
The FODMAP Approach to Managing IBS Symptoms
Evidence-based Dietary Management of Functional GI Symptoms: The FODMAP Approach
FODMAP Chart & Cheatsheet
The Role of Food & Dietary Intervention in IBS
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Thank you!
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Hi Syl, just thought I'd note that VSL is now available in Canada. I ordered mine from www.vsl3.ca and received it in refrigerated packaging the next day. Although sounds like you'd found success with Life Start.
-------------------- IBS-C, lots of spasm and trapped gas.
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Thank you for the info. I noticed a week or so ago when I was doing a search for VSL#3 that they had a Canadian web site. Maybe someday Align will be sold in Canada too.
-------------------- STABLE: ♂, IBS-D 50+ years - Science of IBS
The FODMAP Approach to Managing IBS Symptoms
Evidence-based Dietary Management of Functional GI Symptoms: The FODMAP Approach
FODMAP Chart & Cheatsheet
The Role of Food & Dietary Intervention in IBS
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I found the NSI Probiotic 15 - 35 (120 Vegetarian Capsules) for $27.77 on the Natren website. Is this the product you reference? It does contain infantis, but also other prebiotics. I can't find a single product on their site with only infantis. This price is much better, if it works the same as Align.
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Check out Life Start and Life Start 2 . They contains only Bifidobacterium infantis and they come in a powder form that needs to be kept in the refridgerator.
-------------------- STABLE: ♂, IBS-D 50+ years - Science of IBS
The FODMAP Approach to Managing IBS Symptoms
Evidence-based Dietary Management of Functional GI Symptoms: The FODMAP Approach
FODMAP Chart & Cheatsheet
The Role of Food & Dietary Intervention in IBS
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How much of this powder do you take? 1/4t or 1/2t? Also, how long does one bottle last? Do you add to food or just with water/juice? It says something about capsules at the bottom, but doesn't give an option to buy the capsules. Does is always stay refrigerated?
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1/4 tsp dissolved in warm water each morning before breakfast. The label says that 1.25 oz jar contains about 70 servings. It must be refrigerated. Each serving contains a small amount of skim milk and whey.
-------------------- STABLE: ♂, IBS-D 50+ years - Science of IBS
The FODMAP Approach to Managing IBS Symptoms
Evidence-based Dietary Management of Functional GI Symptoms: The FODMAP Approach
FODMAP Chart & Cheatsheet
The Role of Food & Dietary Intervention in IBS
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