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[maxell]

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I'm thinking about purchasing Konstantin Monastyrsky's products from his Website (gutsense.org). Monastyrsky wrote "Fiber Menace," which takes to task conventional medicine and gastroenteroligists who routinely recommend fiber as a means of relieving constipation. The book itself is not very balanced and amounts to a polemic against doctors and low-carb advocates (who do not consider the possibility of constipation). However, I do agree with the main points of his argument.After reading the book, I'm convinced that I suffer from "acute disbacteriosis" and need to repopulate my "intestinal garden". Apparently, my gut flora has been decimated and I've been suffering from constipation going on over 12 months (I can't remember when I last had a normal BM).Monastyrsky is selling a product called, AGELESS HYDRO-C, which amounts to an amalgalm of supplements consisting of Vitamin C, calcium, magnesium and potassium. He also sells a probiotic called, AGELESS ENTEROPHILUS, which has 7-8 strains. Both products purportedly address the condition of disbacteriosis by "reinoculating the large intestine with synergistic bacterial strains". Has anyone tried these? How effective are these? Or based on ingredients and strains that are disclosed, how effective do you think they are in treating constipation?

[songbird]

I'm thinking about purchasing Konstantin Monastyrsky's products from his Website (gutsense.org). Monastyrsky wrote "Fiber Menace," which takes to task conventional medicine and gastroenteroligists who routinely recommend fiber as a means of relieving constipation. The book itself is not very balanced and amounts to a polemic against doctors and low-carb advocates (who do not consider the possibility of constipation). However, I do agree with the main points of his argument.After reading the book, I'm convinced that I suffer from "acute disbacteriosis" and need to repopulate my "intestinal garden". Apparently, my gut flora has been decimated and I've been suffering from constipation going on over 12 months (I can't remember when I last had a normal BM).Monastyrsky is selling a product called, AGELESS HYDRO-C, which amounts to an amalgalm of supplements consisting of Vitamin C, calcium, magnesium and potassium. He also sells a probiotic called, AGELESS ENTEROPHILUS, which has 7-8 strains. Both products purportedly address the condition of disbacteriosis by "reinoculating the large intestine with synergistic bacterial strains". Has anyone tried these? How effective are these? Or based on ingredients and strains that are disclosed, how effective do you think they are in treating constipation?

[jetboy]

I know this was a while ago but I am curious to find out if you tried it and if so what happened?

[lowimpact]

I know this was a while ago but I am curious to find out if you tried it and if so what happened?

Me too, i stumbled on that web site and am curious if anyone here has tried it.

[KCleary]

I've heard from a couple of people who have tried the products he is selling that they did NOTHING.Thats not to say his book/message is bad though. In fact, a lot of what he says I believe it spot on.In my experience, and the experience of helping many many others heal their constipation for good, it all starts with changing the diet with REAL foods. Supplements like what he selling never really work.Proper diet changes is where real change starts.Kris Cleary

[oceannir]

He has a very convincing argument but alot of what he says is very twisted to suit himself without any impartiality.I've read his site, and he says that Fiber has no scientific evidence of helping, quoting weat bran as being similar to placebo. Which is correct, but he fails to mention there is evidence that other fibers are effective and show positive correlation with reduction of symptoms.I also don't necessarily agree with him that its all to do with bacteria. In many ways the probiotic trend is as ridiculous as the fiber trend, in that neither are the cure all people claim them to be.His website certainly makes very good arguments, but surely some of the GI doctors have considered this? It seems unlikely out of the tens of millions of doctors worldwide that only he would be correct and see the light.His website also takes significant attack on osmotic laxatives and magnesium supplements. Which as many with IBS knows are lifesavers, we could not operate without them.Whenever I read anything I always question "What do they have to gain from this?" and with him, he has constructed a very effective argument to sell his 'cure all' expensive medicines.Now look at the flip side, you have Heather Van Vorous, who cites that many IBS stomach's need up to 70g of Fiber a day to operate normally.... See the absolute conflicting views here? So you again ask, "what do they have to gain" and surprise surprise, Heather sells Fiber supplements.The one kicker here is that Heather in my view seems honest, genuine and wants to help people whilst growing her company. Heather also advocates other brands and doesn't put them down, she even lists all the other options and claims that they all work well. I'm not sure if Konstantin REALLY wants to help people or just created a very effective marketing strategy to sell his product.Take it all with a grain of salt of course, but it seems when it comes to IBS 'anything goes'.

[Lineara]

I've purchased and tried Konstantin Monastyrsky's "Hydro-C" product (but I haven't tried his other products.)Basically, it works more or less as advertised... but, don't get your hopes up - it's not like some miracle that will rid you of all symptoms.Essentially, Monastyrsky's solution is:1) Low fiber diet2) Take Hydro-C in the morning before eating to flush out stool and avoid constipation3) Take Probiotics and other supplements for long-term healingI tried doing (1) and (2). Hydro-C basically acts as a laxative. It has a similar effect as taking an osmotic like Milk of Magnesia, except you need a larger dose of Hydro-C to actually cause diarrhea. Usually, a teaspoon of it will just cause loose to slightly watery stool.All in all, my experience with Hydro-C was initially promising, but unfortunately it hasn't in any way solved my overall problem, which is that my colon just seems totally incapable of completely emptying. Even with osmotic laxatives, my colon usually only partially empties, leaving me feeling bloated and uncomfortable. Hydro-C had a similar effect: it does usually trigger a decent bowel movement if you take it before eating first thing in the morning, but if you suffer from constipation or incomplete evacuation like I do, it probably won't solve your overall problem.As for the low-fiber thing, this SOUNDS like a very convincing argument. Monastyrsky's logic goes like this: fiber adds bulk and size to the stool, and so it actually makes stool more difficult for your bowel to move, leading to nerve damage and other problems. This is obviously contrary to conventional medical advice, which is that the extra bulk actually makes stool EASIER to pass. I really don't know if Monastyrsky is right, but I imagine it varies from person to person. He's probably not lying - it might actually work very well for him. But I've tried both low fiber and high fiber diets, and for me, I've found that I suffer the LEAST when I have a moderately high fiber diet. Too much fiber causes extreme cramping and constipation for me, and too little fiber usually gives me a very horrible feeling of incomplete evacuation after a bowel movement.