Anyone take Prescript Assist or other Soil-Based Probiotic?

Zizzle · Post by **Zizzle** » Mon Apr 20, 2015 10:50 am

I'm on day 3 of taking Prescript Assist, a soil-based probiotic with 29 strains. I've learned through lots of trial and error over the years that I absolutely don't tolerate multi-strain lactobacillus supplements - the kinds that include acidophillus and related strains. I had concluded that my LC must involve an immune system attack on these lactobacilli, maybe because they were leaking their way into my bloodstream at some point? But then I had a Genova CDSA stool test that showed I had an almost ideal fecal microbiome, with plenty of lactobacilli. I only lacked one whole family of bacteria - verrucomicrobes (which are supposed to be all around us).

Anyway, I've had good to mixed success with water kefir, kombucha and fermented cabbage. However, a recent overindulgence on Kumbucha with chia seeds left me almost incontinent for many days!! And the watery stool was odorless and just plain weird!

So I decided to try something new (I know, risky, but I need a re-set of some sort, and you know I'm always tinkering under the hood...) My Perfect Health Diet group and other paleo-esque groups (and the Gut Guardians Podcast I listen to) are big fans of Prescript Assist. They argue that lactobacilli are not supposed to be a major part of the ADULT microbiome, and they are usually just passing through (hence their abundance in the stool). They believe in getting back to our ancestral bugs, which would have come from dirt.

Anyway, a lot of brilliant minds in microbiome research came together to develop Prescript Assist and they claim to have studies proving its effectiveness and safety. Most people sing its praises for constipation, but it's supposed to help D as well. It's shelf-stable with guaranteed potency, and I believe it. I noticed changes right away -- D went from orange to brown, watery to thick, frequent, urgent low volume to less frequent, high volume, and no odor to "normal" odor I haven't had in years. It's also relatively affordable at $49 for 60 pills, compared to Culturelle's $30 for 30 and still climbing. I think the L. Rhamnosus (aka GG) in Culturelle is important, but I never noticed any effects from it, so I can't justify the expense.

Anyway, Prescript Assist has a couple of vocal detractors, namely the FixYourGut guy, who is a thoughtful writer.
http://fixyourgut.com/hso-probiotics-pa ... pt-assist/
He worries that 2 of the strains are theoretically pathogenic in humans and could cause a systemic infection. He also says the way the bacteria are made shelf stable is by encapsulating them in spores, which would make it difficult for our immune system to kill them (if they got out of control). I'm willing to think the many happy customers are good evidence that these risks are low, and I also think the risks might be more relevant to someone on potent immune suppressants or with UC or Crohn's with active abcesses or ulcerations.

Another explanation of the controversy, albeit old:
http://www.kitchenstewardship.com/2012/ ... n-the-gut/
Based on this, I'm a good candidate, since i'm not low on flora overall.

So, has anyone tried a Soil Based Probiotic?? Other brands are Garden of Life and Bio-Kult. Thoughts?

Zizzle · Post by **Zizzle** » Mon Apr 20, 2015 11:49 am

If I had to buy again, I'd get this one, which has fewer strains (with good explanations of each one).

http://www.primalblueprint.com/primal-flora/

ldubois7 · Post by **ldubois7** » Mon Apr 20, 2015 4:36 pm

Zizzle,

What Genova test did you do to see what bacteria was in your gut? I did the GI Effects,mount maybe I didn't read it correctly??

Thanks!

Zizzle · Post by **Zizzle** » Tue Apr 21, 2015 10:49 am

Genova CDSA with parasitology. They bought Metagenics technology recent'y and the once $699 test is now $2,000!! But my insurance paid 80%. And it caught my daughter's D. fragilis infection when no other lab did.

Zizzle · Post by **Zizzle** » Wed Apr 29, 2015 11:24 am

Just thought I'd follow up after 10 days on Prescript Assist. I am a fan!!! Started taking one pill every other day and noticed some fullness and gassiness after taking it. Had D relatively soon after the first 2 pills too. Then things calmed down and I don't experience any symptoms after taking it (well, maybe a burp and some excess gas, but nothing major) I am now taking it once a day instead of every other day. I still have D, but it's a normal dark brown (first time in months!), smells "normal", I empty completely in 1-2 bathroom trips a day, instead of multiple urgent, incomplete "squirts." Consistency has gone from watery to mashed potatoes. This is great!!

Incidentally, alternative practitioner and author Chris Kresser recommends Prescript-Assist. In a recent podcast he said many patients with IBDs and severe gut issues can't tolerate lactobacillus strains (like me!)but they can tolerate Prescript Assist soil-based strains. For them he suggests starting with 1/2 or even 1/3 pills to build tolerance.

I should also mention my remaining rash seems to be improving since I've started taking it. No idea if it's related, but at least it's not making things worse!

:manynanas:

Post by **tex** » Wed Apr 29, 2015 12:12 pm

Tex

robinc2525 · Post by **robinc2525** » Fri May 01, 2015 10:07 am

I was taking PA for a while Zizzle, and I think it helps a little but I didn't notice a huge improvement like you have. I will say I like it better than other probiotics I have used which seemed to make things slightly worse.

I am not taking it right now because I am being treated for SIBO. I took a round of rifaximin and my symptoms got better but when I retested I was still positive so I am going to do another round. My Naturopath plans to follow up with a prokinetic. I really hope this helps, I have done all the diet things plus was on Uceris for a while and I still have lingering issues. Maybe once the SIBO is gone I'll feel like a new woman (or I'd even take feeling like my old self before digestion was an issue).

ldubois7 · Post by **ldubois7** » Mon May 11, 2015 3:23 pm

Zizzle,

How's it going with Prescript assist? I want to order some, but I always hesitate due to everything I can't take!

Zizzle · Post by **Zizzle** » Mon May 11, 2015 11:01 pm

I'm still doing well taking it every other day. If I forget, the D gets more watery, urgent and malodorous. I still have loose BMs, but only 1-2/day and digestion is calm. Still experience more gas than before, but more like normal people gas. I also notice my skin has improved a lot. I can go out in the fun for hours, when before 5 minutes would cause a rash. I really think it's helping calm everything down. Is that possible? It claims to help regulate T regulatory cell function, and I think I believe it!

Zizzle · Post by **Zizzle** » Tue May 12, 2015 8:20 am

Here's a blog post recommending Prescript Assist for colitis. She recommends starting with a quarter or half a pill. I'm totally sold on it, and even though it's expensive, I think every other day makes it more doable. This probiotic has staying power!!

http://divinehealthfromtheinsideout.com ... ng-puzzle/

And here's a double-blind research study on PA for IBS.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16117982

This study identified 3 subsyndromic factors of IBS: general ill feelings/nausea, indigestion/flatulence, and colitis. In this methodologically oriented double-blind study in patients with IBS, combined probiotic-prebiotic treatment with Prescript-Assist was associated with significant reductions in these factors.

ldubois7 · Post by **ldubois7** » Tue May 12, 2015 9:18 am

Thank you, Zizzle.
The articles really help my decision.

CathyMe. · Post by **CathyMe.** » Tue May 12, 2015 11:16 am

Great news Zizzle! Thanks for posting about this product.

Zizzle · Post by **Zizzle** » Mon Jun 08, 2015 11:55 am

I'm now taking PA once a day and occasionally twice a day. Apparently they recommend starting at twice a day, then changing to one a day for maintenance. Again, it seems to calm my digestion and my skin, and I only go to the bathroom 1-2/per day. If I forget the PA, within a day I'm back to 4-6 times a day, but lower volume.

ldubois7 · Post by **ldubois7** » Mon Jun 08, 2015 11:58 am

I am taking 1/2 PA daily. It is working better than the lactic acid based probiotics for me, too, Zizzle!
I have less bloat/gas daily now.

Zizzle · Post by **Zizzle** » Mon Jun 08, 2015 12:08 pm

That's great Linda!! Many people with IBD report being able to tolerate PA when they can't tolerate other lactobacillus strains. Even though I still have loose BMs, I can barely describe the feeling of total calm the PA gives me.