Which probiotic is right for me?
The Smidge brand has a range of probiotics that are formulated to be well tolerated by sensitive individuals who may have difficulty tolerating prebiotics (soluble fiber), spore-forming microbes, and who have difficulty breaking down histamine.
Smigde Infant Probiotic - powder (formerly GUTPro Infant)
Fits perfectly well to start with if you are or don't know if you are histamine sensitive. Half of the powder consists of the bacterium Bifidus infantis in a relatively low concentration. Use the small dosing spoon to get used to small doses and change to a larger spoon gradually. Smigde Infant Probiotic consists of 7 bacterial strains in powder form.
Smidge Sensitive Probiotic Capsules (formerly GutPro Capsules)
suitable for sensitive stomachs and intestines. Smidge Sensitive Probiotic Capsules have the same content as Smidge Infant Probiotic, plus an extra bacterial form; Lactobacillus plantarum. When/if you tolerate infant Probiotic well, you can try to introduce this, in a low dose.
Smidge Sensitive Probiotic Powder (formerly GutPro powder)
Contains exactly the same bacterial forms as Smidge Sensitive Probiotic Capsules. With the powder, it is easy to both dose small doses at the beginning and gradually increase at your own pace. Smidge Sensitive Probiotic Powder is also an economical option.
Smidge Probiotic Capsules (formerly Primal Gut)
Smidge Probiotic Capsules is a supplement that has many more types of bacteria than the others in the Smidge series, as many as thirteen. It suits you whose stomach and intestines have become more robust and used to probiotics, or if you can already tolerate most types of food and fibre.
OTHER SUPPLEMENTS WITH PROBIOTICS
ProBiota HistaminX from Seeking Health is specially formulated not to contain histamine-producing bacterial strains. The capsules are acid-resistant so that the probiotics reach the intestines to the greatest extent possible.
You get a higher dose of probiotics per capsule with HistaminX compared to Smidge Sensitive Probiotic.
ProBiota HistaminX suits you who are not ultra-sensitive (anymore) but still need to avoid histamine-producing forms of bacteria.
Note, the capsules around ProBiotia HistaminX contain gellan gum - a polysaccharide - which may cause discomfort for sensitive people or those with IBS-like problems. You can avoid this by splitting the capsules and pouring the powder into a little water or onto food.
Smidge® - Yeast biotic
Smidge® - Yeast biotic is a probiotic with only one benign form of yeast : Saccharomyces boulardii. It is good for restoring the intestinal flora after antibiotic courses and in cases of overgrowth of candida and other dysbiosis. This form of yeast supports other benign forms of bacteria and helps rebuild a healthy intestinal lining.
The best results are obtained if you simultaneously eat some kind of paleo diet and refrain from white sugar during the course. NOTE: Always start with a low dose and increase slowly.
Since many people with leaky gut may have difficulty getting rid of toxins and some may also have an unbalanced or impaired immune system, we have focused here on non-spore-forming probiotics as they are safer to start with.
Good luck with your stomach! And remember that your particular stomach is unique and that something works for one does not mean it works for everyone. If you have a severely weakened immune system, consult your doctor before taking supplements of probiotics.
