Ask HN: What probiotic supplements do you use?

[lai-yin]

Heading to the Zimbabwe bush soon for an extended period of time. My travel nurse recommended bringing a supply of probiotic supplements with me. Any recommendations? I keep a steady diet of fermented vegetables at home, but that's not practical where I'm going. Thanks in advance!

[PaulHoule]

You know that song by Jefferson Starship?

   One pill makes you larger
   and one pill makes you small
   and the ones that mother gives you
   don't do anything at all

I think probiotics are way overhyped and are in the "ones that mother gives you" category.

[t-3]

Probiotics at this point are mostly snake oil AFAICT. We just don't have the tech or knowledge to properly culture most relevant microbiota, and pills aren't a very effective way to supply them. "Prebiotics" AKA forming good eating habits looks to be far more effective for gut health, but it doesn't offer the opportunity to sell yeast pills for $/mg.

[elmerfud]

I agree with this entirely. Until more is known about the gut microbiome and how to properly seed and replace it the most effective home thing to do is prebiotic fiber and medium chain triglyceride oils. These have both been shown to sustain known healthy bacteria of the gut and reduce known unhealthy bacteria.

The best sources to get these from is not supplements either it's from a natural foods that they come from.

[lai-yin]

Never heard of that song! Sounds awful.

[elmerfud]

I seriously hope that you're joking. That song is a totally amazing one of the best of all time. It is one long crescendo.

[bartchamdo]

https://youtu.be/WANNqr-vcx0