Probiotics, Enzymes Confusion

[cathzozo]

Hello! I have a couple questions about probiotics and digestive enzymes.

First, are probiotics and digestive enzymes different things or are they just two names for basically the same thing? If so what is the difference? And how do you use them - daily, at meals, etc.?

Second, if I have too many probiotics (either a couple capsules during the day of acidolphilus supplements, or one "Culturelle" brand, or a little bit of Stonyfield Farms yogurt), I get D bad. Does this happen to anyone else? Is this indicative of something else I should be concerned about? It just seems that these are supposed to be so good for you, and they make me sick. I can, though, eat moderate amounts of Brown Cow yogurt, and all of the Dannon yogurt I want. The plain Dannon just list L. Acidolphilus so that seems to be OK, but it's one of the other active cultures that bothers me. Any thoughts?

Thanks!

Catherine

[marciab]

It's been awhile since I researched and tested probiotics and enzymes,but I had problems with these too.

I use Helios plain Kefir for probiotics (even though it is dairy, it calms my stomach ) available health food stores and is gluten free and I eat papaya, mango or pineapple for the other enzymes. I'm not up on all of the kinds of enzymes, but these worked for me.

Marcia

[cathzozo]

Marcia,

Thanks! It's good to know I'm not the only one with problems with the supposedly good for you probiotics. I'll try to pick up kefir sometime. While I was reading your reply, my husband was looking over my shoulder and was quite impressed at your recent improvements in health. Congrats!

--Catherine

[marciab]

Thanks, I am still grinning from ear to ear. And still walking normally

Be careful which kefir you get, I know plain Helios is gluten free.

If you decide to try the papaya, I found out somewhere along the lines, that the seeds in the papaya when dried are also good digestive enzymes. Just clean them up a little, wipe away the fruit pieces. Spread them out on a roasting pan. cook for 1 - 1 1/2 hours on 250 degrees until completely dried. Sticky seeds will not work.

Let them cool completely. I usually put them in a paper towel after they were cool to ensure they are dried. Then put them into a pepper grinder. Use them anywhere you would use pepper. I really like them ... I used these back in my days where pepper was too harsh for my stomach.

Kind of a pain, but it's a good way to heat the house during the winter.

Marcia