Lactaid/Probiotics for Indigestion

[Kate333]

Has anyone tried these?  I know many either have dairy intolerance in general or related to onset of celiac disease.  Am wondering if anyone finds these "products" helpful? I also saw a story on CBS' "60 Minutes" last week which implied ALL probiotics are essentially "snake oil".  Yet my gastro doc recommended them...So hard to know WHAT to think these days...🤔

I LOVE dairy (but it doesn't love my gut).  I've tried "lactose-free" foods, probiotics but they don't seem to help much.  Has anyone noticed they can resume dairy safely after being on gluten-free diet?  How much time passed before you could do that?

As a woman, I am very concerned about protecting my bones, getting enough calcium in my diet.  No cheese?  No milk?  No ice-cream....No #$%&ing luck!!😢   

[cyclinglady]

My friend who is Greek and naturally lactose tolerant (ah, genetics), uses those lactaid pills.  They work!  
 

I was lactose intolerant for decades.  Was even diagnosed with a milk allergy.   So, I consumed soymilk for decades.    After my diagnosis, (about a year), I added dairy back in slowly.  I started with items with the least amount of lactose (butter, hard cheeses, etc).  I now can consume any dairy.  I am lucky that I am not genetically lactose intolerant.  It seems too that I outgrew my milk allergies too.  
 

I focus on my diet and exercise to build bones.  It seems to be working.  No more fractures.  Bone scans have not worsened, at least.  
 

Probiotics?  I am Leary of them, along with most supplements.  Heck, almost all the raw materials come from China (but that is another topic).  Actually, there is not much science behind probiotics.   In theory, they can be beneficial. My old doctor thought they were useful after a course of antibiotics.  So, I have taken them in the past.  But, I think probiotics need to be individualized, but that has not happened yet.  It is a one-size fits all.  And what about SIBO?  If your gut is damage, do you really want bacteria to be populated in the small intestine?  Some celiacs have slow GI transit due to damage.   
 

I think doctors can get caught up before science really plays out.  Like wearing sunscreen and then seeing more people who have a vitamin D deficiency.  Less skin cancer, but a compromised immune system?  Balance is needed.  So, I stick with fermented foods and work in my garden that exposes me to all kinds of bacteria.  

[Kate333]

Thanks, CL for your detailed, thoughtful response (as always).  My gastro doc thinks I may have "possibly" IBS or SIBO in addition to gluten probs.  But I can tell he's not really sure.  I req. a breath test but he declined because he doubts their accuracy and because insurance co. will not cover them.  I am currently UE, so limited budget to pay for second opinions.   He did try me on 2 courses of antibiotic Rifaximin .  The first one worked like a charm but only for about 6 weeks...the 2nd R course did NOTHING and the bad digestion issues/BMs suddenly roared back with a vengeance coincidentally--or not??--esp. after CV pandemic/economic crash/quarantine orders first broke early this year....

Not saying I don't have SIBO (it would make sense, given my history of recent AB (rifaximin) + long-term PPI use).  But that indigestion timing tells me my more recent gut ("second brain") issues are perhaps largely influenced by continued CV/shutdown stress and worry about celiac disease.     I spoke with him via skype last week.  He declined any more ABs, suggested I try probiotics and psyllium husk.  Have you any experience with the latter?  I know I should "start slow" to avoid constipation.  But aside from that, I have never tried it but heard it helps with BM issues.  I think I may be having chronic D every day because of stress, but also due to a low fiber (low-fodmap) diet. 

Thanks for patiently reading/responding to SO MANY comments on this blog!!  Deeply appreciated!!

Happy, safe 4th!

[cyclinglady]

Hey, I remember that I did take some enzymes for lactose, several years ago after a gluten exposure.  If I recall, it worked.  I used Country Life which is certified and vetted by old members.  
 

 

Edited July 5, 2020 by cyclinglady

[Kate333]

31 minutes ago, cyclinglady said:

Hey, I remember that I did take some enzymes for lactose, several years ago after a gluten exposure.  If I recall, it worked.  I used Country Life which is certified and vetted by old members.  
 

 

Thanks CL.

Did you suffer noticeable weight loss before or esp. after your celiac disease diagnosis and beginning gluten-free diet?  That has become a BIG issue for me despite being strictly gluten-free for 6 months.  Yesterday, I had 2 small sirloin steaks, potatoes and veggies yet STILL lost a pound!

I am really struggling with this and esp. the muscle wasting/hunger...I know I have become rather obsessed with diet (paranoia about G exposure, esp. CC, almost makes scared to eat most foods). 😡  I used to LOVE eating before celiac disease and IBS/SIBO? ...now it's just a damn "chore".  I am afraid this problem has given me serious anorexia.  I look like a skeleton compared to my body pre-celiac disease diagnosis.....yet feel so helpless to prevent hunger/muscle wasting...😪.Do I have to wait until my gut heals before I can regain/normalize weight??

[cyclinglady]

No chance in weight.  But my husband had been gluten free twelve years before my diagnosis, so I already knew the diet.  It was a huge advantage.  I also recognized many of my intolerances and allergies long before my diagnosis.  
 

How much fat with that meal?  I live on butter.  😆
 

Also, how thin are you?   Is your BMI normal?  

Edited July 5, 2020 by cyclinglady

[Kate333]

1 hour ago, cyclinglady said:

No chance in weight.  But my husband had been gluten free twelve years before my diagnosis, so I already knew the diet.  It was a huge advantage.  I also recognized many of my intolerances and allergies long before my diagnosis.  
 

How much fat with that meal?  I live on butter.  😆
 

Also, how thin are you?   Is your BMI normal?  

Not much fat at all.  For breakfast, I usually have eggs, some potatoes (plain or sweet), a veggie.  Use to include processed lunchmeat but stopped that after I read about all the "fillers"/additives in them.  For lunch I have one piece of freshly-cooked meat (chicken, salmon, or steak), rice (or another potato), salad, veggies.  For dinner a few pieces of fruit..(dinner is light to avoid GERD).  Also, drink LOTS of water and a multivitamin every day.

I used to LOVE "healthy" fats like peanuts, almonds, pecans, walnuts, avocados, bananas...but my mouth burns a little when I eat them, so I think perhaps I'm allergic.  How thin?  I'm 5'4" and (this morning) weighed 113.5 pounds.  That puts me in the "normal" BMI range according to NIH's BMI calculator.  I haven't weighed that little in YEARS.  More concerning, my thighs and lower legs have lost a lot of their shape and I can now see my bones showing through my upper chest and feel my back bones against the bed when I lie down.  I can now see all my hand veins.  And my skin sags in elbows, knees...

I also just turned 64, so...okay...I realize some muscle loss is to be "expected" with "aging"...However these changes seem pretty sudden to me (not gradual...or perhaps I just wasn't paying attention before then).  I began noticing them right after my celiac disease/IBS diagnosis and GI issues flared up.  Ironically...my waist is the SAME: fat around the middle.  Too bad I didn't just lose the spare tire...NOT the muscles!!😡

[Havnsumfn]

On 7/3/2020 at 5:09 PM, Kate333 said:

Has anyone tried these?  I know many either have dairy intolerance in general or related to onset of celiac disease.  Am wondering if anyone finds these "products" helpful? I also saw a story on CBS' "60 Minutes" last week which implied ALL probiotics are essentially "snake oil".  Yet my gastro doc recommended them...So hard to know WHAT to think these days...🤔

I LOVE dairy (but it doesn't love my gut).  I've tried "lactose-free" foods, probiotics but they don't seem to help much.  Has anyone noticed they can resume dairy safely after being on gluten-free diet?  How much time passed before you could do that?

As a woman, I am very concerned about protecting my bones, getting enough calcium in my diet.  No cheese?  No milk?  No ice-cream....No #$%&ing luck!!😢   

I have been lactose intolerant, along with my mother, since infancy.  Finally diagnosed celiac, at 45 years old. Mom, is undiagnosed,  after we canceled her endoscopy.  She was diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma, and is now on hospice.  She had terrible problems with gas, diarrhea and, bloating.  I had bloating, after most meals. Her gastroenterologist prescribed probiotics, "Culturelle ". Her 13 bowel movements a day, dropped to 3-4x a day. The diarrhea stopped, within 2 hours of her first dose. Bloating improved. I tried it, and bloating improved, along with a 10lbs weight loss from edema. We take it every day.

I have been gluten free 2 years. We each just had a large bowl of ice cream, 2 days ago. I knew I risked severe diarrhea.  First time, in my life I have had ice cream, without any diarrhea, or pain. 

[cyclinglady]

On 7/5/2020 at 2:54 PM, Kate333 said:

Not much fat at all.  For breakfast, I usually have eggs, some potatoes (plain or sweet), a veggie.  Use to include processed lunchmeat but stopped that after I read about all the "fillers"/additives in them.  For lunch I have one piece of freshly-cooked meat (chicken, salmon, or steak), rice (or another potato), salad, veggies.  For dinner a few pieces of fruit..(dinner is light to avoid GERD).  Also, drink LOTS of water and a multivitamin every day.

I used to LOVE "healthy" fats like peanuts, almonds, pecans, walnuts, avocados, bananas...but my mouth burns a little when I eat them, so I think perhaps I'm allergic.  How thin?  I'm 5'4" and (this morning) weighed 113.5 pounds.  That puts me in the "normal" BMI range according to NIH's BMI calculator.  I haven't weighed that little in YEARS.  More concerning, my thighs and lower legs have lost a lot of their shape and I can now see my bones showing through my upper chest and feel my back bones against the bed when I lie down.  I can now see all my hand veins.  And my skin sags in elbows, knees...

I also just turned 64, so...okay...I realize some muscle loss is to be "expected" with "aging"...However these changes seem pretty sudden to me (not gradual...or perhaps I just wasn't paying attention before then).  I began noticing them right after my celiac disease/IBS diagnosis and GI issues flared up.  Ironically...my waist is the SAME: fat around the middle.  Too bad I didn't just lose the spare tire...NOT the muscles!!😡

🤣 Yep, the “meno pot”  is so frustrating  Chances are you were losing muscle mass and you just did not notice.   I have despite being very active (close to 60). If  you go below your BMI, I would worry.  Weigh loss can show up flaws.  It is a common complaint from anyone who has lost weight fast.  
 

I think people in general have forgotten what normal weight looks like.  Just take a look at high school graduation classes throughout the years.  Today, there are so many overweight kids that it is shocking.  I think it is diet driven.  All those carbs.  All that fake food.  

 

 So, maybe you could use some fat in your body and in your diet.  While your current weigh PPIs fine, maybe you could add a few ounces to smooth out those wrinkles.  I have insulin resistance, so I try to consume a low carb, high fat diet. That means chicken fat, lard, butter, cream olive oil, avocados, and more butter!  My annual blood tests are perfect.   We were brainwashed in the 80’s with that stupid Food pyramid that our government issued. Now, I try to eat like my great grandma.  Real food.  
 

Like you, I dropped weight (always was in the normal BMI range).  But with time and healing, my weight has crept back up.  Give it time.  

[Kate333]

Like you, I dropped weight (always was in the normal BMI range).  But with time and healing, my weight has crept back up.  Give it time.  

Thanks for the kind encouragement CL!!  I have only been on this gluten-free diet "adventure" for 6 months...so I will try to be patient and let my body take the time it needs to heal, regain some weight.  Thinking back, I also realize I have only been eating 2 meals per day (mostly due to fear of G exposure, but also other issues, like IBS/SIBO/pandemic (food scarcity and higher prices).  I have a Skype appt. with a dietician in a few weeks, so hopefully she will be well-versed in celiac disease/IBS and help me develop better healthy eating habits. 

I think people in general have forgotten what normal weight looks like.  Just take a look at high school graduation classes throughout the years.  Today, there are so many overweight kids that it is shocking.  I think it is diet driven.  All those carbs.  All that fake food.  

You are SO RIGHT about that!  America has become a nation of HUGE (not merely "overweight") people, even so many small children!  IMO that's a reflection of aggressive lobbying campaigns/PAC $$$ designed to influence policy decisions made by the US Dept. of Agriculture which is also PACKED with junk food corp. lobbyists, beginning in the '80s.  Interestingly, the ORIGINAL food pyramid was developed by Sweden.  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Food_pyramid_(nutrition).

It's truly tragic because you hear about, see so many small kids developing traditionally "older/old age" diseases linked to poor diets:  cardiovascular disease, HBP, metabolic syndrome, NAFL, diabetes.   Also interesting that MOST politicians avoid addressing this "not-so-hidden" crisis.   

 

[Gloria L]

On 7/5/2020 at 4:14 PM, cyclinglady said:

No chance in weight.  But my husband had been gluten free twelve years before my diagnosis, so I already knew the diet.  It was a huge advantage.  I also recognized many of my intolerances and allergies long before my diagnosis.  
 

How much fat with that meal?  I live on butter.  😆
 

Also, how thin are you?   Is your BMI normal?  

@cyclinglady hi, what brand of butter do you eat? thanks.

[Havnsumfn]

On 7/8/2020 at 12:35 PM, Havnsumfn said:

I have been lactose intolerant, along with my mother, since infancy.  Finally diagnosed celiac, at 45 years old. Mom, is undiagnosed,  after we canceled her endoscopy.  She was diagnosed with hepatocellular carcinoma, and is now on hospice.  She had terrible problems with gas, diarrhea and, bloating.  I had bloating, after most meals. Her gastroenterologist prescribed probiotics, "Culturelle ". Her 13 bowel movements a day, dropped to 3-4x a day. The diarrhea stopped, within 2 hours of her first dose. Bloating improved. I tried it, and bloating improved, along with a 10lbs weight loss from edema. We take it every day.

I have been gluten free 2 years. We each just had a large bowl of ice cream, 2 days ago. I knew I risked severe diarrhea.  First time, in my life I have had ice cream, without any diarrhea, or pain. 

Update: I have been gluten free, at least 5 years. I am completely cured of lactose intolerance, and also, cured my allergies to weeds, grasses, trees(except cottonwood and chenopods), and even cats! My chronic, life long asthma, only flares up now with high chenopods, or cross contamination, and even when I get covid 19. I now take a couple probiotic capsules, that do not contain "inulin", with some yogurt, right before I eat some foods that often cause me gas, bloating, or loose stools. It has really helped, but been a long time figuring out what works for me. 

[Havnsumfn]

On 2/28/2021 at 7:01 PM, Gloria L said:

@cyclinglady hi, what brand of butter do you eat? thanks.

I see you asked Gloria, about her brand of butter. I wanted to also respond. I use "Land O'Lakes", butter with Olive oil. My BMI is morbidly obese, over 40. Problem with BMI, is it does not account for body builders, or heavily muscled athletes. I used to have 8-10% body fat until I hit my late 30s. Even then, was always told I was "morbidly obese", until I was visibly ripped at 8% body fat at 225lbs, and only 68 inches tall. My cholesterol levels have been between 90-104, my entire life, until I hit 45 years old. Now gluten free, 5 years later and it has gone up to 124 total. My triglycerides have never been above 90. I eat a high fat, relatively high protein diet. 

[Havnsumfn]

36 minutes ago, Havnsumfn said:

Update: I have been gluten free, at least 5 years. I am completely cured of lactose intolerance, and also, cured my allergies to weeds, grasses, trees(except cottonwood and chenopods), and even cats! My chronic, life long asthma, only flares up now with high chenopods, or cross contamination, and even when I get covid 19. I now take a couple probiotic capsules, that do not contain "inulin", with some yogurt, right before I eat some foods that often cause me gas, bloating, or loose stools. It has really helped, but been a long time figuring out what works for me. As far as the lactose intolerance, however, I still have a mild reaction to cows milk, or casein. I get itchy dry skin, and some bloating. I recently switched to the new A2 cows milk, after being on more expensive goats milk for almost 2 years. I have no reaction to the A2 cows milk, and it is cheaper, and tastes like normal milk!

 

[Wheatwacked]

100% grass fed milk does not bother me.  

Quote

 

Like the regulations around organic, a cow certified as grass-fed is allowed only to eat grasses and legumes, not grains (13), (14).

The potential health benefit here is in the fatty acid profile of the milk she produces. Grass-fed cows produce milk that is higher in omega-3 fatty acids, lower in omega-6 fatty acids, and higher in vitamin E (15). If you choose to prioritize grass-fed while grocery shopping, reach for the whole milk to maximize these benefits.   https://alexandrefamilyfarm.com/products/a2-a2-organic-100-grass-fed-milk

 

Palmitic acid is the fatty acid (FA) found in the greatest quantity in milk fat. Dietary sources of C16:0 generally increase milk fat yield  Palmitic acid is a saturated fatty acid whose blood concentration is elevated in obese patients. This causes inflammatory responses, The theory is that digestion of A1 beta-casein, but not A2, releases beta-casomorphin 7 (BCM-7). BCM-7 is an opioid peptide that’s believed to be an antecedent to various health problems like gut issues, heart disease, type 1 diabetes, autism, and cognitive decline. 100% grassfed organic dairy has significantly more omega-3s–the essential fatty acids that contribute to brain and eye health, especially in children. There is also a better balance of omega-6 to omega-3 in 100% grass-fed dairy–helping bring people’s ratio closer to the 2: 1 ratio considered optimal for human health. CLAs (conjugated linoleic acids)–the healthy fats known for their evidence-based benefits–are highest in 100% grassfed dairy.  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6813288/#:~:text=Palmitic acid is a saturated,TLR4%2C play an important role.

 

[Rick Sanchez]

On 7/3/2020 at 7:09 PM, Kate333 said:

Has anyone tried these?  I know many either have dairy intolerance in general or related to onset of celiac disease.  Am wondering if anyone finds these "products" helpful? I also saw a story on CBS' "60 Minutes" last week which implied ALL probiotics are essentially "snake oil".  Yet my gastro doc recommended them...So hard to know WHAT to think these days...🤔

I LOVE dairy (but it doesn't love my gut).  I've tried "lactose-free" foods, probiotics but they don't seem to help much.  Has anyone noticed they can resume dairy safely after being on gluten-free diet?  How much time passed before you could do that?

As a woman, I am very concerned about protecting my bones, getting enough calcium in my diet.  No cheese?  No milk?  No ice-cream....No #$%&ing luck!!😢   

It's sad, but you can't trust "new study shows". A lot of people promoting agendas, for a whole lot of reasons. It can be from justifying grant money, pharma kickbacks, to just wanting to sell ads.  Probiotics do wonders, which ones are best, I have no clue. Just plain old "real" lactofermented foods, homemade kraut, pickles, dilly beans, etc.... might give a fresh belly a couple extra trips to the restroom the first day, but after a week, I've never met anyone that doesn't feel better eating them daily.

It's so weird reading these sometimes, I gave up all dairy for over a year. The thing is, actual physical symptoms went away, rashes, headaches, extra belly issues. I've put it back in, drinking coffee with milk right now, and am fine.  Particular gut cultures? Dunno.  But it's good to see others who have experienced similar that isn't in the books. Not a misery loves company kind of thing, just an affirmation.