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Discussion Starter · #1 ·
A friend of mine brought back a bottle of GT Kombucha Tea from our Whole Foods store for me to try out. She said that she thought it might be helpful (I have IBS-C)since it has Viable Probiotics, Active Live Enzymes among other things. It thought it was very sweet of her to think of me so I tasted it (reminded me of apple cider) and it was not bad. I was wondering if anyone was familiar with this Tea and perhaps had some feedback?Thanks!
 

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Never heard of it. Looked it up and it appears to be a fermented tea drink where you use a starter to ferment it that does have bacteria and yeast in it (where they may get the probiotic claims).Most of the websites talked it being a miracle health drink, and the medical lit (one site says the FDA studied it, therefore it must work without saying why they looked into it) seems mixed as to whether it is helpful or not, there are a few reported cases of side effects like allergy, and in some countries it looks like sometimes the culture used to make the tea may sometimes get contaminated (so probably home brewed versions can have that happen as well, the commercial stuff usually has to adhere to some standards).So, don't know if it would help or not, probably won't hurt, may be worth a shot.K.
 

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SterreDerZee,Thanks for sharing. I would be curious how it goes for you! I'm seeing a homeopathist tomorrow, she mentioned pickles were good because of fermentation, perhaps that is similar to the fermenting process of the tea?I'll write it down and ask her if she knows anything. I'm very interested in the homeopathy, just started yoga.. I'll be damned if this thing kicks my butt as it SO wants to do. Thanks, Jen
 

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Discussion Starter · #5 ·
quote:Originally posted by Jenona:I'll be damned if this thing kicks my butt as it SO wants to do. Thanks, Jen
Amen to that, sistah! I read up on the tea online and I did read that you should start with small quantities, so that is what I am going to do.. if nothing it is always nice to have a nice new tea drink with health benefits.Let me know what other suggestions you homeopathic dr has. I also take pancreatine (enzymes) with all my meals as it helps me digest my food better. Good Luck!
 

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Sterrdee.. wow.. so you take the enzymes too? I'm excited to talk w/ you. I was given the enzymes due to an incorrect diagnosis of pancreatitis (thank goodness) and now my doc says if you want to take them I could continue. But I kept thinking?? is this ridiculous? since I don't have pancreatitis. I alos get oily stool which freaks me out... ugh. I somehow think its possible these enzyme are helping. its pancrease. Hmmm.. I don't get all of this.. Great talking w/ you!!!My homeopathist appt went great.. of course, I forget to ask about the tea. She did a 2 hour intake of my life.. and then looks for a thread and will call me in a week and give me a remedy. she said we'll try one at a time. She's highly recommended so I trust her. And she is the only one that offered me relief. the primodolphius pills are SO making a real difference. And I started yoga again.. NAMASTAT IBS!!! haha.. if I spelled that right!J
 

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Discussion Starter · #9 ·
Hi Jenone, I have been taking the suppliment pancreatin 1300 for years. On a visit back to my family in Europe, I saw my mother's naturopath and he recommended pancreatin 1300 with my meals and aloe vera (pure) and hour before my meals. With my home/work schedule I was not able to take the aloe vera in time but I did stick to the pancreatin. It did help but it started helping more when I starting higher doses depending of the amount of food. I must say that at the same time I started a new diet as well (per his recommendation) and cut out all wheat, dairy from cow, red meat, pork, refined sugar, processed foods.. I was taking Bentyl at the time (mainly for my pain colics) and I kept taking this. It resulted in feeling much much better. Unfortunately it did not cure my C- but again, I felt so much better. Now years later, I am still on the same diet (has become a bit more restricted since I can tollerate less food - no citrus fruit, raw brocolli, salads etc.)and I have switched from Bentyl to Zelnorm which kept my pain attacks away and helped my C in the beginning but now only minimal. So unfortunately for the last couple of years I have been taking dulcolax for my C- but recently started on Amitiza (story on that in the IBS-C BB)Due to side effects I stopped but am planning to start again on a lower dosis. I am looking for another suppliment that will compliment the amitiza (my C- got really bad last week and as a last resort I took dulcolax one night which caused tremendous swelling in my legs)but again that is for my C. As far as my IBS, I find that the zelnorm and taking pancreatin 1300 with meals works very well. I experience occasional pain after diner (larger meal) and that is when I tried the K-tea. I have only tried it for a couple of days but I will definetely let you know how that goes. At the same time, let me know what your dr suggest. Sorry for the long story, if you ever want to send a email, please feel free. Good Luck!
 

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Thank you both Kathleen and Sterre! Both very helpful. I think the pancrease does help but what is so weird.. if I may be selfabsorbed for asecond, is that when I don't take it the stool is that "foul odor stool with oil" which is what malabsorption is? so my burning question is 'does ibs cause malabsorption?" the docs know I get this but seem unconcerned.. also the stool is different looking and very unhealthy looking.. ick its so horrible its like not even a stool? sorry.. this is gross. but when I see that I get scared thats its something other than IBS. I am getting an upper gi series on May 11. my doc hasn't ruled out crohns.. although a highly recommended specialist told me I don't have crohns. So .. we'll see. In the meantime I'm dying for a cup of coffee! I almost want one and be sick all day!!The aloe vera is interesting, I bought it but I hven't been taking it. I need to perfect my diet a bit.Ah.. thanks for listening!!! I'll definitely keep you posted on homeopathic route. I live in NYC and I just have a good feeling about her insights. So important share. I havent taken any other drugs yet.. no doc has prescribed me with anything so not familiar with Bentyl Zelnorm. I'm afraid I'll complicate the diagnosis.This is so much fun?! haha.Jen
 

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Discussion Starter · #12 ·
Originally posted by Jenona:I havent taken any other drugs yet.. no doc has prescribed me with anything so not familiar with Bentyl Zelnorm. I'm afraid I'll complicate the diagnosis.I totally understand, I thought I would provide with my complete picture just in case... I definetely would recommend to keep prescription medicine as last resource. I wish I could help myself with my diet and suppliments....Hang in there Jen!
 
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