This is a product-provided, sponsored conversation that contains affiliate links. All opinions, text and experiences are my own.
If you suffer from Ulcerative Colitis (UC), irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) or ileal pouch you are going to want to check out my three week journey with VSL#3, the serious high-potency probiotic medical food for serious digestive issues
Good morning! It’s been three weeks and it’s time to check-in!
I can’t believe it’s been 3 weeks since I shared my struggle with ulcerative colitis (UC) and began my journey with VSL#3. I was really excited to begin this journey because if you suffer from UC, IBS or ileal pouch you know that the struggle is real and that any relief is MUCH welcomed. So I was game to try it, especially after learning more details about what makes VSL#3 different and such a great choice for UC sufferers. There are so many studies to support its use! Not all probiotics are created equal so it’s so important to research.
For those of you who are new, ulcerative colitis is a serious digestive condition that requires a serious approach in symptom management. When combined with traditional therapies, VSL#3 is the only high-potency probiotic medical food that has been recommended by the Triennial Yale/Harvard Workshop for the past 10 years showing benefit for patients who suffer from UC. You can read about the beginning of this journey and more about UC and VSL#3 in my blog post here.
In the management of UC, a high-potency probiotic medical food like VSL#3 may help maintain remission when added to traditional therapies.
Reference 14 Sood et al., Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol. 11:1202-9 (2009)
My Experience with VSL#3
The first thing I did was check out their series of videos packed with helpful info about IBS & UC at www.youtube.com/user/VSL3Probiotic. For anyone who is considering taking VSL#3, I highly recommend it! I was able to use this information to help me get the most out of my experience and also make it fit easily into my lifestyle.
The second thing I recommend doing is to check out their recipe section. You can find delicious IBS-friendly recipes at http://www.vsl3.com/discover/ibs-friendly-recipes/. While I do NOT suffer from IBS, I have found that our dietary needs are very similar. So I looked for a few new recipes to add to our menu. If you choose to take VSL#3 in their unflavored powder packets, you can mix it into some of these cold recipes to take like their delicious smoothies. Just make sure you don’t mix VSL#3 with any hot food or beverage as it can kill some of the live beneficial bacteria. I have the capsules and I just keep them in my fridge and take with a glass of water.
The third thing I recommend is to keep a journal when you begin. It really helped me track the different things that were going on. Not just my diet but also stressful events. Ha! It also helped me see the experience as a whole and for me; I saw just how many travel days, special events and parties we attended. All without a hitch.
What I Have Learned While Taking VSL#3
I realized I do best when I eat a lot of green veggies, salads and fruit. I do better on natural foods. The less processed foods the better. I also learned that delicious, super spicy, curry in New York City is still not going to be a good option for me. But it might have been worth it. 😉 Ha!
A few things that I have learned since taking VSL#3 is that the strain and number of CFUs you are taking are really important when it comes to managing serious digestive issues. I honestly thought a probiotic is a probiotic. Boy was I wrong. And I am not alone.
Did you know that while many people are familiar with the general term “probiotics,” most do not understand the importance of knowing which specific strain of organism should be used for which specific disease or condition?
Did you know that it is suggested that adults should take at least one billion cells (also called colony-forming units or CFU’s) daily. VSL#3 has at least 112.5 billion CFU’s.
To share my experience with you firsthand, I also did a video check-in each week for 3 weeks.
INSERT VIDEO
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/wq4m2ziifq48ty9/AAD_yEQvBZ5GodOPCAXL9Bwda?dl=0
As you can probably tell by my experience to date, I will be continuing my use of VSL#3 medical probiotic food. Life has its ups and downs and sometimes unexpected things happen, but takingVSL#3 was a constant that helped me have the relief I needed to get through each day, no matter what unexpected adventures came along! 😉
If you are suffering with IBS, UC or ileal pouch and interested in trying VSL#3 (and I really hope you do) you can purchase VSL#3, by visiting http://vsl3.com/pharmacy-locator/ to find a VSL#3 in local pharmacy near you or order it online at https://shop.vsl3.com/vsl3-c2.aspx.
You can also join VSL#3 on Facebook for giveaways and exclusive offers www.facebook.com/vsl3probiotic
Interested in trying VSL#3? Now you can take part in VSL#3’s new Patient Savings Program. Simply print out this VSL#3 Patient Savings Card and bring it to your pharmacist, along with a prescription from your healthcare provider, to save up to $80 each month on your purchase of VSL#3 DS and up to $40 a month on VSL#3 unflavored packets. This is the largest savings ever offered for both VSL#3 and VSL#3 DS. Visit here for more information and talk with your healthcare provider today to take part in the savings program!
Are you suffering with a serious digestive issue such as IBS, UC or ileal pouch? When we share best tips and practices we all win, so leave a comment below. I would LOVE to compare experiences and notes! Education is power!
More Reference Information to Help You Along Your Journey
For more information on VSL#3 please visit www.vsl3.com
This is a product-provided, sponsored conversation that contains affiliate links. All opinions, text and experiences are my own. VSL#3 is a high-potency probiotic medical food for the dietary management of IBS, UC and ileal pouch and must be used under medical supervision. Please speak with your healthcare provider for any specific questions. These statements have not been evaluated by the FDA. The product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
