VSL#3

guitarlover · Post by **guitarlover** » Thu Feb 07, 2013 12:58 am

Hello Folks,

I just started taking the probiotic VSL#3 today in the capsule form. I had expected it to arrive with directions detailing when to take it and under what conditions relative to food. But its directions merely suggest how many capsules per day, depending on your condition. I sort of am ignoring that, given the expense of each tablet. Two per day seems as if it ought to work if I'm doing other food-avoidance things to intercede in the problem... and if I keep at it long enough. Hopefully.

But I wish I knew whether it would be more effective to take these precious few capsules on an empty stomach, at the start of a meal, or at the end of a meal. Does anyone here recall their dosing experience with VSL#3? And did you reach any conclusions as to the best timing on taking the capsules?

Thanks for any info.

mbeezie · Post by **mbeezie** » Thu Feb 07, 2013 8:42 am

Hi Mary,

I am not aware of any special instructions, except don't take at the same time as antibiotics. Keep the product refrigerated. I am currently back on VSL3 for symptoms of SIBO and it is helping.

Mary Beth

guitarlover · Post by **guitarlover** » Thu Feb 07, 2013 11:41 am

mbeezie wrote:I am currently back on VSL3 for symptoms of SIBO and it is helping.

Hi Mary Beth,

I'm sorry you had to go back on! But at least it's good news that it is helping. Assuming you're taking the capsule form, how many are you taking each day to get that help? Or perhaps you're using the higher dosage (even more expensive) kind?

mbeezie · Post by **mbeezie** » Thu Feb 07, 2013 11:44 am

I am taking 2 capsules /day. I paid $50 at Walgreens (1 bottle/60 capsules).

Mary Beth

gluten · Post by **gluten** » Thu Feb 07, 2013 4:05 pm

Hi, I take the capsules 30 to 60 minutes before I eat. Now, I take one a day and also take a Primal Defense Ultra from Garden of Life 60 minutes before the VSL on an empty stomach. The Primal Defense is only 18 billion cells but contains some different strains of probiotics. Jon

guitarlover · Post by **guitarlover** » Thu Feb 07, 2013 6:18 pm

mbeezie wrote:I am taking 2 capsules /day. I paid $50 at Walgreens (1 bottle/60 capsules).

I looked into that through the manufacturer's search thing and was surprised to find no drugstore selling it within maybe 40 minutes of my house. So I did it the amazingly expensive way. You've convinced me to check into convincing the local Walgreen's to carry it! Thanks for the information!

guitarlover · Post by **guitarlover** » Thu Feb 07, 2013 6:29 pm

gluten wrote:Hi, I take the capsules 30 to 60 minutes before I eat. Now, I take one a day and also take a Primal Defense Ultra from Garden of Life 60 minutes before the VSL on an empty stomach. The Primal Defense is only 18 billion cells but contains some different strains of probiotics.

Hi Jon,

Thanks so much for this information! I had never heard of this particular one. It looks great, and I'm likely to get it soon too. (I am trying to do a lot in a hurry to make the problem better, as I guess you are too.)

mbeezie · Post by **mbeezie** » Thu Feb 07, 2013 7:31 pm

My Walgreens's will special order it, so talk to the pharmacist.

Mary Beth

brandy · Post by **brandy** » Fri Feb 08, 2013 4:28 pm

My CVS had the VSL3 on the shelf back in the pharmacist area. I had to ask the pharmicist for it. Brandy

Gloria · Post by **Gloria** » Fri Feb 08, 2013 9:11 pm

Do you need a prescription for VSL3?

Gloria

Post by **tex** » Fri Feb 08, 2013 11:06 pm

Gloria,

Both versions are available (or at least they used to be). If I recall correctly, the prescription version has at least twice as many active bacteria.

From their website:

13. Can I take VSL#3 if I am allergic to casein (a milk protein) or soy protein?

Although the broth used to grow bacteria in VSL#3 contains digested milk protein and digested soy protein, the amount of casein and soy proteins and peptides in VSL#3 is expected to be extremely low due to digestion of the protein to peptides, consumption of the peptides by the bacteria, and separation of the broth from the bacteria before freeze-drying. Although the broth does not test positive for casein, there could be casein or reactive casein peptides present in extremely small amounts.

Notice that they confuse dairy intolerance with lactose intolerance:

11. Can I take VSL#3™ if I have an intolerance to dairy products?

Yes. VSL#3™ contains 4 strains of lactobacilli and 1 strain of streptococcus, all of which produce lactase, the enzyme that lactose-intolerant people are deficient in.

http://www.vsl3.com.au/common_questions.php

Tex

gluten · Post by **gluten** » Sat Feb 09, 2013 4:53 pm

Hi, The best price for the VSL-No 3 capsules is at Walgreens. I always call to check if they have it instock. If they do not have it they will order it and will keep it in stock if you continue to buy it there. I used the double strength but had to get a script from my PCP for it. I had to educate the nursing staff and my PCP about the use of probiotics. Walgreens had the lowest price on the double strength. The Garden of Life Primal Defense Ultra I found on Amazon . Jon

Gloria · Post by **Gloria** » Sat Feb 09, 2013 9:19 pm

13. Can I take VSL#3 if I am allergic to casein (a milk protein) or soy protein?

Although the broth used to grow bacteria in VSL#3 contains digested milk protein and digested soy protein, the amount of casein and soy proteins and peptides in VSL#3 is expected to be extremely low due to digestion of the protein to peptides, consumption of the peptides by the bacteria, and separation of the broth from the bacteria before freeze-drying. Although the broth does not test positive for casein, there could be casein or reactive casein peptides present in extremely small amounts.

Well, that probably settles it for me. Ghee isn't supposed to have any casein in it, either, but if I eat even 1/4 tsp. of it, I notice a difference the next day.

Gloria