I was wondering if any of you take probiotic supplements and if so what kind do you take and what mg. I have read that  it helps with weight loss after WLS. Any feedback on this? Thanks

Judy, I haven't heard of them.....what are they exactly??

Pat R.

Hi Pat, here is what I found about probiotics:

Probiotics help gastric-bypass patients lose weight more quickly, Stanford study shows

 

STANFORD, Calif. — New research from the Stanford University School of Medicine and Stanford Hospital & Clinics suggests that the use of a dietary supplement after Roux-en-Y gastric bypass surgery can help obese patients to more quickly lose weight and to avoid deficiency of a critical B vitamin.

In a study published in the July issue of the Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery, John Morton, MD, associate professor of surgery at the medical school, showed that patients who take probiotics after the gastric-bypass procedure tend to shed more pounds than those who don't take the supplements. Probiotics are the so-called "good" bacteria found in yogurt as well as in over-the-counter dietary supplements that help in the digestion of food.

"Surprisingly, the probiotic group attained a significantly greater percent of excess weight loss than that of control group," said Morton, who wrote the paper with lead author Gavitt Woodard, a third-year medical student, and five other medical students at the Surgery Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation in Stanford's Department of Surgery. Morton has performed more than 1,000 of these bypasses at Stanford Hospital & Clinics.

The researchers followed 44 patients on whom Morton had performed the procedure from 2006 to 2007. Patients were randomized into either a probiotic or a control group. Both groups received the same bariatric medical care and nutritional counseling, as well as the support of weight-loss study groups. Both groups also were allowed to consume yogurt, a natural source of probiotics. In addition, the probiotic group consumed one pill per day of Puritan's Pride, a probiotic supplement that is available online and in many stores. Morton has no financial ties to the company that makes the supplement.

The study showed that at three months, the probiotics group registered a 47.6 percent weight loss, compared with a 38.5 percent for the control group.

The study also found that levels of vitamin B-12 were higher in the patients taking probiotics — a significant finding because patients often are deficient in B-12 after gastric-bypass surgery. The probiotics group had B-12 levels of 1,214 picograms per milliliter at three months, compared with the control group's levels of 811 pg/mL.

Morton said he now recommends probiotic supplements to his patients, and he plans to continue to look for ways to enhance the outcomes from the procedure.

Roughly 15 million Americans are morbidly obese, and bypass surgery is becoming an increasingly common treatment for the problem. Some 150,000 Americans who have a body mass index of more than 40 — who are typically at least 100 pounds overweight — have the procedure each year.

Morton said the study was prompted by the fact that some patients have problems eating after gastric-bypass surgery. "For some reason, the food doesn't go down right," he said. When no anatomical reasons could be found for blockages, he hypothesized that a build-up of bacteria in the intestine — bacterial overgrowth — might be the culprit.

"Bacterial overgrowth can be bad in that it changes your motility, how you empty," Morton said. "A lot of people aren't aware that we all carry about a lot of bacteria in our intestines and that they're extremely helpful in aiding digestion. And I thought, 'Well, if we give these patients probiotics, then maybe we can improve these symptoms.'

"Part of the obesity puzzle may be due to the kind of bacteria you have in your intestine," he said.

Hi Judy,

I take probiotics whenever I have to take antibiotics. It helps keep me from getting yeast infections. I've never heard of it used in conjunction with weight loss though.

Maybe someone else can shed some light?

Aloha Judy........About a month ago, I began taking a probiotic drink every morning. It's called Dan Active and comes in a package of four tiny little bottles so easy to chug down when you are in a hurry. It is in the yogurt section of your grocery store. A nurse friend of mine told me about it, and it is for strengthening your immune system. Most of the hospital faculty drinks one of these at least a day. They are delicious and only 3 oz. With all the flu and other stuff going around these days, I try to be as strong as I can to fight everything off.

Aloha nui loa,

Maui Karen

Karen thanks for the FYI. I have heard of the Dan Active but have never tried it. When I go to WalMart tomorrow I am going to buy some. This sounds great.

Karen i take two probiotics daily for my bowels. i was always constipated until i started taking these and now im regular as clockwork....mine are pills that i buy at wal mart

Jan - can you be more specific what you buy at Walmart.  I too am always constipated and willing to try anything.
Thanks!
Randa

Randa, I got mine at CVS last night. They are the Nature Made brand and are called Acidophilus Probiotics. 500 million live cells per tablet. Says to take one tablet daily. 10.99 for 48 tablets. I didn't find them at my WalMart and haven't looked at Wallgreens yet but they may have them as well. Hope this helps. Judy

I have been taking probiotics for bowel issues too. Haven't been constipated since taking them. I never read that they help in weight loss and I haven't lost any additional weight since starting to take them. I bought Phillips brand at Wal-mart in the beginning but now found a better deal at the Vitamin Shop.

Mary