Paleo Diet and Paleolithic Diet Questions & Answers

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I am not sure if I believe that probiotic supplements ever make it past the stomach, much less into the colon. since starting Paleo low-carb and stopping caffeine, I am constipated, and fermented foods and drinks and probiotic supplements have done nothing. I eat veggies and they also don't help. I think the bacteria in my colon is underpopulated, and so I was wondering if I could use my probiotic supplements as a suppository or enema. This seems like it could work great, or perhaps it could go disasterously wrong.

what does thee think?

flag	asked Sep 23 at 5:24 nursling 1,509●3●11

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Theres some japanese dude I read about who had great success doing this, after oral failed him. He recommened using milder probiotics (low amounts of live bacteria), and only certain strains. – Jamie Sep 23 at 7:17

LOL! Thanks for that question, even though I'm sure it wasn't facetious or anything but it made me laugh. I would eat sauerkraut instead... – San Diego Dude Sep 24 at 2:31

this sounds possibly dangerous, i would only try it if there is some sound science behind this – zero May 10 at 22:36

Sblueyez · Answer 1 · 2012-09-23 06:33:23Z UTC

I've worked with suppositories before (med tech) and I can tell you that they will start melting right away when being handled. That leads me to think the gel caps with oral meds won't break down the way a suppository will.

Have you tried cultured coconut milk or sunsweet prunes? Prunes have become an every other day thing for me. Just some suggestions if you haven't tried them yet.

I am not exactly sure if it is what you had in mind but I wouldn't put something in your rectum that isn't designed to be there. You could injure your body or have (over)absorption problems. Also keep in mind, suppositories go in your rectum, which comes after your colon, which might cause logistics problems if you're trying to get it all the way to your colon like you indicated.

BoneBrothFast · Answer 2 · 2012-09-23 06:40:56Z UTC

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Yes, you can.

I've done it. But you're better off opening the capsule, pouring the bacteria into an enema bottle and giving yourself a probiotic enema.

answered Sep 23 at 6:40

BoneBrothFast
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Or poke a hole into the capsule so it can leak out gradually. – Nemesis Sep 23 at 16:03

Star · Answer 3 · 2013-02-17 16:44:15Z UTC

..get educated on microbiom. mayo clinic has been doing poop transplants for years to treat those with c difficule infections ( successfully ), it was first done at denver medical center in 1987, now they are doing this to treat crohns, a clinical trial is going on in MA for IBS , and another trial for leaky gut treatment.

IMO harmless to do probiotic suppository .. .if I was going to do a suppository or enema with probiotics i would make sure of what else was included in that.. probiotics are harmless.

the only way single strain is effective is if you do a test to see what bad bacteria are in the gut ( Genova etc ) and then specifically target it with the right good probiotic proven to dominate that specific bad bacteria. People are doing it.. Tests cost money.

'' future may lie in concocting specific probiotics for people based upon their individual needs and microbiomes. ' Dr. Mullin Johns Hopkins

Ambews · Answer 4 · 2012-09-23 07:31:19Z UTC

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I would avoid, as it unlikely to provide benefit and you could end up with an infection or injury. The mechanism for oral probiotics is not well understood and based in the incredible complexity and number of organisms in your gut, adding a few random varieties in random quantities isn't going to do much. If you are constipated try magnesium or something from the pharmacy...don't suffer. I accidentally took in too much olive oil the other day...that seemed to work..ymmv.

answered Sep 23 at 7:31

Ambews
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Why do you say its unlikely to provide benefit? The whole reason why probiotic pills generally sucks is because they have to pass through the stomach and entirety of GI tract to colonize the gut. Probiotic enema = DIRECT adhesion to the intestinal tract without killing any bacteria en route via digestion. – BoneBrothFast Sep 23 at 14:07

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Yeah I disagree with the lack of benefit too. It makes more sense than oral, as in the colon is where bacteria belong, and stomach acid kills bacteria. But I think that it is an unexplored area, so youd want to stick to trialled and tested strains, in lower doses to be sure its safe... – Jamie Sep 23 at 15:27

would it be a good idea to start with a single strain bifido supplement for instance? – nursling Sep 23 at 16:09

Supposedly bifidus is bad to take orally if you have SIBO, so if there ever was a good time to use a probiotic as a suppository, it would be if you have SIBO. I wouldn't waste your money on single bacterial strain probiotics though. – BoneBrothFast Sep 23 at 16:15

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Because there are many hundreds of strains in the intestine which go there through means that science doesn't understand well. The mechanisms for oral use of probiotics could have nothing to do with direct colonization. Whatever the mechanism the evidence for benefit is low. The likelyhood of influencing the gut biome through a few strains is low. Fecal transplants are the only proven method. I'm not against relatively harmless things that are regulated by normal digestion, because the risk and cost is low, and it might have some benefit, even if unproven. But directly is too invasive. – Ambews Sep 23 at 22:17

celticcavegirl · Answer 5 · 2013-02-17 20:08:43Z UTC

I'd do it, but first, see if you can get one of those enteric-coated probiotics that are resistant to stomach acid.

I do vaginal suppositories when I have a yeast infection and it works quite well.

Or you could try beetroot, roast at home in a lot of coconut oil, works well for me

dancer · Answer 6 · 2013-03-08 17:13:02Z UTC

I just started doing colonics. i highly recommend. if you can't afford/not close by try home enema. very important because you are eating the right foods. but if they are blocked by old waste, they will bloat. that is known. i was afraid to try colonic, but I LOVED IT IMMEDIATELY!! especially knowing all that old waste was leaving...

Mr.CAP · Answer 7 · 2013-04-04 12:35:26Z UTC

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Try: Probiotic Pearls Rectal Suppository

answered Apr 4 at 12:35

Mr.CAP
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Benhur · Answer 8 · 2013-05-10 19:24:56Z UTC

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Jamie, What was the name of the Japanese guy you mentioned?

answered May 10 at 19:24

Benhur
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Jason Hathaway · Answer 9 · 2013-05-01 18:24:38Z UTC

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You might consider one of those fandangled lil yogurt squirts.... Go-Gurt i believe is the name. Many flavor options for the event of "backdrafting"if such a thing could ever occur....

answered May 1 at 18:24

Jason Hathaway
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Egads! Do not put Gogurt up your rear. Those have almost no probiotics, and a shitload of sugar and weird binders. – Happy Now May 10 at 20:48

can you use a probiotic capsule as a rectal suppository?

9 Answers