This might be a really dumb question, but can you take Probiotics if you are Dairy Intolerant?

You might want to read the information about the particular probiotic your taking. The probiotics itself are bacteria, so they have nothing to do with dairy really, but they can be cultured on different things so you need to find one that is ok for your particular intolerances.

Pauliina

I'm taking Chewable Acidophilus, which is made by American Health. It says on the bottle that it is wheat and dairy free. I am doing fine with it. However, I'd feel a little bit safer if it said 'gluten free.' I really think that it is, though. You could look it up online and check.

as mentioned, you want to chech the culture medium. lactobacillus is just the species name of a type of bacterium that can consume lactose. many of them are fine, but you do need to check.

I just started taking probiotics but had a reaction to them. I emailed the people at drlark.com to ask about gluten and here is the response I received:

This product contains no added sugar (sucrose, fructose, lactose), salt
(sodium chloride), yeast, wheat, gluten or milk. There are also no
preservatives, artificial colors or artificial flavors.

They do contain soy, however, and I'm beginning to think that's the source of my trouble.

I ordered some probiotics called Natrol Free (claiming to be free of any allergens) and will see if they work.

Yay! Someone else who reacted to probiotics (now I don't feel so alone! ) I also had the exact same issue. The product was "gluten and casein free". I was sick for a week, but only had my GI issues and not my full "typical" gluten reaction response.

There is little information on the subject from what I know. I do know that in some cases people CAN react negatively to probiotics (although this is presumably uncommon and you never hear about the side effects). This probably has to do with the sudden shifting of the "good" to "bad" bacteria ratio in the gut. Perhaps those who react negatively have a markedly abnormal ratio (presumably more bad than good)?

Either way, I was sick as a dog, and although I believe that probiotics play a huge role in benefiting those with autoimmune diseases and/or intolerances, I just can't bring myself to try them again. I would love to though!

Let me know how this round goes for you!

OMG--this was my experience with them, exactly!

When I first started the probiotics - the pharmacy told me that I could feel worse for a least a week - he told me it was because the good and the bad bacteria would have a bit of a battle - but to stick with it, it would be worth it. I was to take them once in the morning and once at night. The probiotics have really helped me. The kind I take are florajen3 . NO yeast, sugar, soy, eggs, corn, wheat, gluten, coloring, or preservatives. They are to be kept in the refrigerator, and I mix my water with FOS powder, food for the good bacteria to thrive..... I never did have any trouble, but I am told a lot of people do. The pills have helped me!

The pills have acidophilus, bifidum, and longum types of bacteria - I was told the benefits would be like eating at least 10 yogarts at a time.