I was over in England and one of my friends (married with 3 kids) wanted to know which probiotics she should order for her family. She didn’t want to know why or how they worked – and no one has a gut disorder – she just wanted to get her whole family on probiotics.
After her probiotics arrived, I got another text from her:
That’s when I realized that I really needed to make things simpler for people! My friend doesn’t have the time or desire to read one of my books, or even my eBook on What You Need To Know About Probiotics. She already knows beneficial bacteria are crucial and she wants to keep her family healthy.
So I created this Probiotic Cheat Sheet to answer her (and anyone else’s) question as succinctly as possible…
WHICH PROBIOTIC SHOULD I TAKE? Use this Cheat Sheet!
If you’re a child:
If you’re super picky, then get the Megadophilus, Bifido Factor, and Digesta-Lac in CAPSULE form. Empty the contents of the capsules into your milk, yoghurt or diluted fruit juice, applesauce or pudding and mix well. Consume on an empty stomach.
If you’re not so picky, then get the Megadophilus (dairy-based or dairy-free), Bifido Factor (dairy-based or dairy-free), and Digesta-Lac in POWDER form. The powders contain more supernatant (culturing medium) per serving, which has beneficial elements. Stir the powders into your water, milk, yoghurt, or diluted fruit juice, applesauce or pudding, and mix until smooth. Consume on an empty stomach.
If you’re an adult:
Use the Healthy Trinity capsules.
BUT if you tend towards diarrhea, then get the Megadophilus, Bifido Factor and Digesta-Lac in POWDER form. Mix with water and take on an empty stomach for maximum potency.
IF you tend towards constipation, then take ONLY the Megadophilus, and Digesta-Lac in CAPSULE form until your constipation has resolved. Take extra Digesta-Lac as needed. Then gradually add in the Bifido Factor.
IF you tend towards heartburn, take the Megadophilus and Digesta-Lac in POWDER form. Mix with water and sip slowly on an empty stomach for maximum potency. You don’t need Bifido Factor for heartburn, but it’s good for your colon, so mix it in too – if you’re not already taking Healthy Trinity.
IF you don’t tolerate probiotics, then start with only 1 species in POWDER form, start with only a pinch or 1/8 tsp of one species and gradually build up. If you tend towards constipation, then start with Digesta-Lac. If you’re normal, or tend towards diarrhea, then begin with Life Start (dairy-based, vegan, or goat-milk based). Gradually add the other species once you tolerate the normal dose of the first species.
IF you have had a total colectomy and have a J pouch, probiotics are still highly beneficial and recommended! I went directly to Natasha Trenev of Natren Probiotics for her input, and after having these discussions with Dr. Zuri Murrell, a prominent colorectal Surgeon at Cedars Sinai Hospital, both agree that anyone who has had any kind of Colorectal needs to take Natren Probiotics daily. She recommends taking Healthy Trinity two times a day, or the Healthy Start System (dairy-based or non-dairy).
p.s. If you look at my friend’s photo, she neglected to order any Digesta-Lac for her kids – proving to me just how much this simplified Probiotic Cheat Sheet is needed!
Any thoughts on XOS or phages, which are claimed to assist probiotic therapy?
Hi Jon,
Thanks for reaching out! While Jini has not written anything on phages, she has written a couple blog posts which touch upon prebiotics.
Here is an interview with Jini and Natasha Trenev, founder of Natren probiotics, regarding probiotics and prebiotics: https://blog.listentoyourgut.com/probiotic-dosing-for-normal-people/
And here is a blog post in which Jini shares her thoughts on prebiotics for people with predominantly bad bacterial flora (as most, if not all people with IBD do): https://blog.listentoyourgut.com/how-to-choose-a-potent-probiotic/
Best,
Savannah B
Customer Care
These are the best probiotics, for many gut issues!!
Hi Magdalena,
Thanks for your comment! I am happy to hear you’ve had good results using Natren probiotics. =)
Best,
Savannah B
Customer Care
Hi,
I am buying in Health Store Natren Proboitics Start System which includes veggie capsules of:
1. Mega Dophilus
2. Bifido Factor
3. Digesta Lac
I take them all 3 together at the same time.
Should I take them on empty stomach or any time before meal or with food or at the bed time?
I couldn’t find any clarity to how to take them correctly and I did watch interview with Natasha Trenev.
Thanks,
Anatoly
Hi Anatoly,
Thanks for reaching out! You can take them on an empty stomach or before bedtime, however it is best to take with food & at least 2 hours before or after any other supplements.
Best,
Savannah B
Customer Care
Hi Jini
I have to take probiotics. I have colitis which is in remission for 5 yes now.
I am not sure which Natren probiotic should u start. I read yr post carefully..but still can’t come to a conclusion. With my condition I can get constipation or diarrhea.
I don’t know.
Please help.
Hi Rachna. Glad you reached out. If your inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is in a very active state, or you are highly sensitive to probiotics, then you need to start out with small amounts and very gradually build the dose up. In these cases, it is often best to start with an infant species of bacteria called B. infantis and then gradually work your way up to the adult species like L. acidophilus, B. bifidus and L. bulgaricus.
I would recommend reading this home remedy page for colitis: https://listentoyourgut.com/ulcerative-colitis/
There it goes into detail about how best to repopulate your gut flora when your are in an active state (or sensitive to probiotics), and you can also download a free Colitis Quick-Start Guide which also includes a podcast with more info on probiotics. I hope this helps!
Were can I buy these probiotics from in the UK please
Thank you
Hi Christina,
Thanks for your question. You can either purchase them from Natren’s website, or we will also be carrying them once our UK shoppe opens this month.
Best,
Savannah B
Customer Care
One word , Symprove. Check out the tests conducted by imperial college London on a variety of probiotics currently on the market. Examining which actually managed to arrive alive /active in time to start colonising the small and large bowel
Symprove hands down the only one worth spending money on
Hi Toby,
Thanks for sharing! Although we have no experience using Symprove, as Jini and her family only use Natren brand, I am glad you have found something which works for you. =)
Best,
Savannah B
Customer Care
I like the sheet , can you add the dosage for each. Thx
Hi Rick,
Thanks for reaching out! The dosage will be on the bottles themselves, should you choose to give Natren probiotics a try.
Best,
Savannah B
Customer Care
Hello, I have a question about this part of the article:
“IF you tend towards constipation, then take ONLY the Megadophilus, and Digesta-Lac in CAPSULE form until your constipation has resolved.”
First time I read about taking only the capsule form if I tend towards Constipation. I have read the book of Jini and listened to several of the interviews she did about the Natren probiotics.
In my case, sometimes I tend towards constipation and sometimes towards diarrhea but not so serious issue for me. My main issues are bloating, gas, joint and muscle pain and I am underweight. So I am beginning with the wild oregano protocol and also the absorb plus.
My question is What probiotics form should I buy?
I live in Peru and I am using the help of some friends to bring the probiotics to Peru, but as it is not easy to find someone to bring them and I dont have much money to pay the international dellivery now, I am trying to buy a quantity to last for until six months.
I already tried the dairy form and the lactose was so bad for me. So now I willl try the vegan form, even though I am afraid of the garbanzo ingredient to cause me more gas.
I have already ordered the capsules form in the vegan healthy start system and also the powder form in the bottles (but no trying them yet, stilll waiting for my friends to arrive).
But for my third order now I am doubting about requesting more vegan probiotics in powder or in capsules. I understood that it is always better to use the powder form to try different quantities options. In my case the diarrhea is not a big issue, it is from time to time.
Another question: in the case of the capsules, if I open them and just want to use a portion of the powder inside, is it possible to keep the rest of the powder in a separate dark glass bottle for the next use?
Hi Gloria, well you have several different issues here so…
Let’s start with the delivery method and allergies – based on your info, the most highly tolerated preparation would be the Healthy Trinity capsules. BUT these cannot be opened or resealed.
So your next best option would be the Vegan Capsules – the capsules contain LESS powder supernatant (so less garbanzo bean medium) than the powders. But there is still some there. And yes, you can open the capsule, shake some out and put the capsule back together again.
Personally, my body doesn’t like beans or lentils very much (but I am not allergic) and I tolerate the Vegan capsules just fine.
You only need to avoid capsules if you’re having more than 3 bowel movements per day – the transit time through the GI tract is too fast for the capsules to dissolve and be utilized properly.
The only reason I recommend capsules for people with constipation is that they’re easier to take and most people prefer them – but of course you could use the powders instead. But in your case, this doesn’t apply since you’re trying to avoid the growth medium.
So I don’t really know what to advise you. It would be best if you could TEST first and see what your body tolerates before ordering a large amount. If you can tolerate the high CFU in the Healthy Trinity that would be the most hypoallergenic product for you. On the plus side, if you didn’t tolerate them, your family or friends would certainly benefit from Healthy Trinity 😉
Thanks for the reply Jini.
I didn’t think of the Healthy Trinity as an option because of the amount of CFU. I thought of beginning littlle by little with the powders. But I would like to give it a try now after reading your comments.
For now, I have lots of the vegan probiotics in capsules and in powder, so I will begin trying them little by llittle. My patience is being challenged in all this process but I am learning to stop, breathe and ask my guts. Listening, believing what I listen and taking action on what my guts say is quite challenging for me.
Thanks for all your support, it is encouraging for me.
Gloria
Jini and Natasha (from Natren) are the only experts who have properly warned us about potential problems with prebiotics! They can cause extreme problems with gas and bloating, and that actually happened to me. Long before I started taking probiotics, I experience some very painful episodes of gas and bloating. It was so bad, I was going to go to the emergency room. But then the pain subsided. The same exact thing happened about two weeks later. I had to go back and re-trace my steps. The common link between the two episodes was that I ate some cottage cheese that had large amounts of fructooligosaccharides (FOS). Once I discovered that, I quit using that particular brand. However, it was too late as the gas and bloating remained. It turned out that I had developed a hernia, and I NEVER had any problem or symptoms before that. Eventually it required surgical repair. That formula of cottage cheese was taken off the market.
So I would beware of taking anything with prebiotics in it.
The WOO and Natren probiotics kept the gas and bloating manageable until I could have the surgery. I really believe if it weren’t for those products I would have had a ruptured colon or strangulated hernia.
Roger, thank you so much for this! And what a story, wow – we have SO many well-intended people write in asking about prebiotics who are surprised to hear this!
Would you mind if we shared your comment? I can keep you anonymous – but we don’t often have people writing in about the possible side-effects of prebiotics. In contrast, we have people writing in who are either thinking of using them or already using them, and I think this information would be valuable to others. 🙂
Hi,
I am asking for my sister, she was on only elemental diet(Absorb plus) for 6 months and started adding food based on the food chart from Jan 2021. And was experiencing chronic constipation with normal BM’s for 2 days and straining for the next 4 days.
She’s been taking Bifido 1cap, DigestiLac 1/2 tsp mixed in water daily on empty stomach.
Now going towards stool impaction. Can you please suggest what dosage is best for her to get relief from this server constipation. (She has a history of chron’s and perianal fistual and abscess)
Hi Sarmishta – happy that you reached out! Here are some resources for you and your sister regarding constipation and impacted stool:
Home Remedy Page for Constipation: https://listentoyourgut.com/constipation/
Hot Castor Oil Pack for Stool Impaction: https://blog.listentoyourgut.com/hot-castor-oil-pack-saves-sisters-life/
Castor Oil Pack “How-To”: https://blog.listentoyourgut.com/hot-castor-oil-pack-for-ibd-or-ibs-pain-spasming-bloating/
If you visit the home remedy page above, you can also download Jini’s free Report (a book excerpt from Ch.2 of Listen To Your Colon) Constipation Triggers & Treatments.
As far as probiotics go, if your sister is often constipated, here is an excerpt from this post that should help:
“IF you tend towards constipation, then take ONLY the Megadophilus, and Digesta-Lac in CAPSULE form until your constipation has resolved. Take extra Digesta-Lac as needed. Then gradually add in the Bifido Factor.”
And a few videos on constipation pooping positions to help with the straining:
Constipation Pooping Positions: https://youtu.be/W3r3J3mIegI
Constipation Pooping Positions #2: https://youtu.be/DP858-ME7Lg
Self-Administered Colonic Massage for Constipation: https://youtu.be/DBdWbYakqGo
I hope this helps!
I am having a lot of issues trying to add the probiotics. I started with Digestalac in capsule form for constipation and that helped quite a bit. I increased dosage slowly until I finally was able to take 3 capsules a day. I then tried Megadophilus and it made my constipation worse. I also tried Life Start, and it also constipated me. I started both with very small amounts, less than 1/8″ teaspoon, but they both made me so constipated I had to stop taking them. I had to give up on those…fast forward 1 year and now the digestalac is not helping at all (tried increasing dosage again but did not work). Not sure what to do next…..
Hi Michele,
I hear you on this! I had similar reactions like this HERX video discusses:
https://blog.listentoyourgut.com/how-to-reduce-herxheimer-reaction-detox-sensitivity/
When I had a probiotic reaction, I would discontinue that particular strain until the reaction calmed and then slowly reintroduce – even if it’s just a pinch more, or adding more every other day as opposed to daily. Do what your body can tolerate, and don’t push yourself too hard.
Often reactions and symptoms occur because the microbiome is readjusting and pathogens are dying, so this is not an uncommon reaction.
This is a very important video (see below) I think would be great for you to watch because Mrs. Trenev (of Natren) is interviewed by Jini and they discuss the two bacterias found in the Digesta LAC and Megadophilus and how they can be used for some of the symptoms you stated. They also discuss HERX reaction and what occurs with the bacterium when it happens: https://blog.listentoyourgut.com/using-natren-probiotics-with-sibo/
As for constipation and the different strains, have you introduced the Bifido? Because maybe switching up the strains would also be helpful. I had to try that too, at times. I had to stop the other strains and try one on its own, one at a time.
For constipation remedies, while you figure out a probiotic regimen, take a look at this home remedy page:
https://listentoyourgut.com/constipation/
Also, the constipation may depend upon whether you are using a anti-pathogen treatment or not to kill off pathogens and replace the bacteria with good bacteria from probiotics. Its a tricky balance of all these components and finding what your tolerance threshold is: https://blog.listentoyourgut.com/anti-pathogen-treatment-the-fundamental-way-to-heal-your-gut/
I also used binders a lot and Castor oil pack for constipation: https://blog.listentoyourgut.com/the-benefits-of-binders/
This blog speaks on a lady who used it on her sister’s impacted gut and saved her life:
https://blog.listentoyourgut.com/hot-castor-oil-pack-for-ibd-or-ibs-pain-spasming-bloating/
I hope all of this info helps!
Thank you for all of the resources. I am going to watch these videos tonight. I did try introducing a tiny amount at a time, but then raised it about once a week again by tiny amounts….maybe I will start with this amount every other day and wait longer between increasing it. I also only took 1 product at a time as I am careful to track how I react to things…
Had not tried Bifido because this article advises if you tend toward constipation stick with Digestalac and Megadophilus. Sounded like Bifido may not be right in this situation. Actually after I stopped all of the natren products the constipation has started to resolve, and I do use castor oil packs frequently….
I have not introduced Oil of Oregano or any anti pathogen yet….I am too sensitive and am working my way slowly through all of this whole thing….
Hi Michele,
Yes, you are correct on the Digesta Lac and Megadophilus for constipation. 🙂 I was just mentioning it because as the microbiome shifts, sometimes a change is needed in the probiotics to get things shifting and flowing better. When the other strains stop working for some readers, it’s sometimes helpful to them when they completely switch up the regimen.
Just trying different options – but do what your body asks for! 🙂
And I think that’s great if you discontinued them for now, take a break and reintroduce them when symptoms calm down, amazing job! I do that all the time!
This part from Jini’s book may be helpful for you:
“When you first begin probiotic supplementation, I recommend proceeding
slowly. This is due to a phenomenon called the Herxheimer Reaction where the die-off of pathogens in the gut causes various unpleasant symptoms. Bloating, gas, headaches, colds, diarrhea, etc., can result as these toxins die off and your body tries to expel them as quickly as possible.
To avoid or minimize this temporary reaction, start with only ¼ tsp. of each
Bifido Factor, Megadophilus, Digesta-Lac, 1– 2 times per day. Or, you can start with 1 capsule of Healthy Trinity every other day. The powdered probiotics must be taken on an empty stomach 15-20 minutes before food, or 2 hours after food, however, Healthy Trinity capsule should be taken with food as it is encapsulated and needs to be digested.
Some people’s guts are so toxic, they are only able to tolerate 1 capsule every four days, so listen to your gut and proceed at the pace that’s right for your body. Eventually work your way up to 1 tsp of each powder (Bifido Factor, Megadophilus, Digesta-Lac), 3 times per day, or, 1 capsule (Healthy Trinity) 1-2 times per day on an empty stomach.”
Continue on the low and slow, and keep truckin! 🙂
All my best!
Hi,
I have Crohn’s disease and would like to know how to start taking probiotics and how to introduce other strains. I don’t have many symptoms, but my tests indicate that my inflammation levels are high.
Should I start with a pinch of Bifidobacterium infantis and then gradually increase to which probiotic? To the Healthy Trinity immediately or any of the 3? If so, after how long should I make the transition?
I’m really confused.
Hi Vera, when it comes to probiotic supplementation, it’s important to remember that everyone’s body and condition are different, so there’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Jini provides detailed guidance on probiotics in her books, Listen To Your Gut and Listen To Your IBS, which are both comprehensive resources. We also offer a complimentary Probiotic Report to help you get started. Feel free to reach out if you have any more questions – we’re here to help!