This is not really a sexy topic, but it comes up a lot in our discussions around the web – both here in the comments on my blog, and on my Facebook Page and in our Low Carb Group.
I’m talking about… Probiotics.
In the most perfect timing for this topic, this week is the 3 year anniversary of my “horrific hysterectomy.” 😛
Let’s start there, because that’s when I first learned about probiotics, or even heard that word for the first time. And because my downstairs is a big deal. To me, I mean. I’m sure yours is just as big a deal to you.
I’ve never been a big pill taker. I’ve never even been successful at getting in the habit of taking vitamins. I prefer to eat my vitamins – you know, in food. 🙂
Did you know an avocado has more potassium than a banana? Or that avocado and salmon top the list as “super foods” that provide healthy fats (brain food), potassium AND magnesium? You can learn more about good low carb sources of magnesium, potassium, etc in my Super Foods post.
Anyway, so they stole my uterus. And my cervix mind you, which I did not realize they were taking, or had taken, until weeks after the fact. It was that day I was in the office for a follow-up visit with my legs in stirrups, dressed in a pretty paper gown, when Doc said, “The back of your vagina looks great.” 😯
First, I was medicated (I had a horrible recovery, a lot of complications). Second, I had no idea they removed my cervix and sewed up a “cuff” – you know, so I wouldn’t lose things in there. My response? I sat straight up and said, “Wow, that’s the best compliment I’ve had all day!!” – which made my doctor turn three shades of purple and had the attending nurse in fits. 😛
In the weeks and months following, I learned another new word: FLORA.
Flora is the naturally occurring (indigenous, native) plant life occurring in a particular region or time. In your downstairs (vagina) it means “the aggregate of bacteria, fungi, and other microorganisms normally occurring on or in the body.”
Flora is such a pretty word for your “downstairs balance”. 🙂
What’s NOT so pretty… is when your Flora balance is OFF. That’s definitely unpleasant. For you, and anyone near you. 😛 Unfortunately, it’s an issue most women experience at some time or another, and especially post-hysterectomy.
The antibiotics or whatever medication they give you to correct it isn’t pleasant either. Especially in the summer, because you cannot drink alcohol with that prescription. And what fun is a hot summer day without a cold beer?! Well, bad flora, no beer, HEAT… nevermind. That’s just a bad day all the way around. 😐
Hello RepHresh Pro-B Supplements!
I LOVE YOU!!
These supplements are not cheap. They’ll cost you about a dollar a day. They are WORTH IT. If you have had a hysterectomy, or have “frequent flora fuss” these little babies will be your new best friend. Take them, love them, be happy again. 🙂
Ooh! I just discovered they’re cheaper on Amazon!
RepHresh Pro-B Probiotic Feminine Supplement
I don’t know how they work. I call it MAGIC. They make RepHresh brand inserts too that work great, and give you “a jump start solution” along with the capsules.
On that note, there are two more things you should know…
Nevermind the “virgin” part for this next tip…
Seriously, you want UNrefined organic coconut oil. Otherwise you might as well just use plain old lard.
Anyway, it also makes a great personal lubricant. So keep a little container in your bathroom, or in your nightstand even, some in your shower, and some by your coffee pot. And if you make my low carb fudge squares, you should know… that they double as lip gloss and edible lubricant. 🙂 haha 🙂 (I’m serious! lol)
Nobody has to know. Just go touch up your hair, put on a little sexy lip gloss, and “a little dab’ll do ya” of coconut oil you-know-where. Bingo! (Trust me!)
Second – I have a love affair with Walgreens. I think Walgreens is awesome. It’s usually on the corner (“of happy & healthy”) so it’s easy to get in and out of, and it’s small enough to grab pretty much anything you need in a matter of minutes.
I love the Walgreens Balance Rewards card too – I rack up points and cash them in for $$ off at the register when I shop. Free money is nice!
Every time I go in Walgreens I have a secret smile on my face. 🙂 Back when Ricky and I were dating we spent a lot of time in “Walgreens around the World”. He used to joke about chasing me through Walgreens, lol – I can be in and out and spend a hundred bucks in a matter of minutes! 🙂 Everywhere we went, there was a stop at Walgreens along the way. We bought everything from sunglasses to snacks – to beach towels & rum tumblers at the Walgreens near Okaloosa Island beach.
Anyway, at my local Walgreens one day, just a quick trip for who knows what, we walked through the fragrance aisle to get wherever we were going – and something caught his eye. He said, “here, try this” and I said, “cool, you try that” and we squirted ourselves with the fragrance samples…
I don’t know what it was. The ambient lighting of Walgreens, the combination of the two fragrances, the magic of the moment… but I felt my heart jump, my whole body respond, and in two seconds flat we were practically making out right there by the anti-aging creams. *whew* I flush just thinking about that moment! 🙂 haha, Wow. Walgreens… it’s a great place. *sigh*
Ahh, memories – that make me feel sick. 😛 Which brings us back around to…
Probiotics For Gut & Tummy Issues
Years ago, my early 30’s maybe, I went through a phase of horrible acid reflux. It was so bad that I ended up with thrush in my mouth, which was just as miserable as the reflux. Ugh! I seriously couldn’t even drink lukewarm water without having an acid attack. It was horrible.
Get Nature Made Acidophilus Probiotics, 60 Count
That’s when I discovered the power of Acidophilus. I can’t remember who told me about it, maybe my mother. I started taking two Acidophilus capsules after every meal – so six a day. And BAM, my acid reflux & thrush was cured! It started clearing up by day two, and totally fixed the problem – for good!
As you know, for the last two weeks I’ve been incredibly sick (practically dying) from viral gastroenteritis aka Norovirus. UGH. (ugh ugh ugh – double ugh!)
THANK YOU!
I finally got some on Friday, along with a refill of phenergan, and after my previous experience with “flora-biotics” and acidopholus… I felt HOPEFUL – for the first time since I was violently attacked by the noroHELLvirus.
My guts appreciate you. 🙂
After only 3 days of taking the Culturelle Digestive Health Capsules
I think at some point with this virus I ended up with “IBS” or just plain old irritation and inflammation of my entire digestive tract. I had a hard time shaking the “sick” no matter how bland I ate – including hiccups and burps at the THOUGHT of food.
I truly wish I had known about this miracle product a week ago, because that’s the best $20 I think I’ve ever spent. Seriously.
To quote The Monkees… I’m a Believer. 🙂 Probiotics WORK!
LOL, I told you it wasn’t a sexy topic. I love that we can talk about anything though, as we go through life – together – working through our health goals, health issues, and our health journey in general. Love & Hugs to you! 🙂 *cheers*
Best,
Lynn Terry,
aka @LowCarbTraveler
p.s. Make coffee, make fudge, make love, make a trip to your local Walgreens – make it a great day! 🙂
“downstairs” LOL Love it. ..and the multiple uses of fudge – I mean, who knew?! :p
Disclaimer: I’ve never actually tested the fudge “downstairs” π That might get messy… π
Omg!!! IM LOL!!! I really needed a good laugh! My poor Golden retriever was diagnosed with cancer! Thanks for the get info!!! And the visual of a make out session…good ol days…anywhere anytime!!!!
Great info***
lol yes, good ole days indeed π haha!
I’m so sorry to hear about your retriever! As you know, I’m a dog lover too – with two great danes. They’re both “old men” now, 6 and 7 years old. All my best to your sweet baby!
How well I can relate to your hysterectomy adventures. Was just wondering if a “dab down there” softens the vaginal tissues.
Good question, Sharon. It certainly can’t hurt anything, and it’s definitely better than “chemicals” you get from other products. All I know is it works great in those, um, certain situations. π
My all time favorite ever post !!! Love you
lol Thank you! π *cheers*
I hope this week is your best !! Feel all better. I enjoy reading your blog
Thank you NB! I felt MUCH better today, after almost two full weeks of total misery, so I’m anxious for a “feel good week” and really looking forward to it! π
Ugh! You’ve been through it and back, wow!
I have to thank you for the Culterelle recommendation! Will run to Walgreens in a bit to snag some. While you’ve been going through all of this stuff the last 2 weeks, my freaking tummy was messed up, too! It seemed to go from a tummy bug to IBS the last few days. I can’t wait to give the Culterelle a go. Once again, thank you!!!
You are going to be SO happy with the results, Jo. π I couldn’t believe how fast it worked! It was recommended to me several times, and I wish I would have tried it sooner. Miracle stuff!!
Wow, Lynn … you should do stand up. That was a great way to discuss an otherwise “serious” and awkward topic.
And thanks for the recommendation! 2 UTIs in the past six weeks (courtesy of a 4300 mile road trip and then the stress of a death in the family), and I need that probiotic. Already ordered.
Thanks, Deb. π I’m sorry to hear you’ve had a loss to deal with. *hugs* Stress certainly takes its toll on us…
Well I just got finished reading your post and I’m just wondering if it was for women only or if men read it too. I’m sure men wouldn’t want to hear about all the female downstairs hysterectomy flora business!! I’m just sayin.
I love your posts and you are my inspiration, but this post seemed soooo out of the ordinary for you. Maybe being sick for over a week made you lose you mind for a minute!
Love you anyway.
lol Debrah! Two full weeks + meds perhaps. π A few of my male readers commented elsewhere (instagram, etc) and had a good laugh about it. And agreed on their experience with the digestive probiotics. It’s all good – health talk is important stuff! π
OMG I thought I was the only one on the planet with an unhealthy obsession with Walgreens. I swear it’s the only store I don’t hate to have to go to. You can find anything there. I can spend hours just wandering around and I never spend less than $30.
lol Kendra, you are NOT alone! I love LOVE love Walgreens! I do almost all of my shopping online, so it’s one of the few stores I ever step foot in. I love the fun random things I find in there on my trips too – like the striped fuzzy socks I’m wearing now. π
My mother won’t even go I there with me unless I have a list, and my friends think I’m insane (but they are still my friends so whose the crazy ones really?)
Ha! That’s awesome. π I do wish they carried a wider variety of Atkins products. I don’t use many of them, but the few I like… are so hard to find in stores! Which is why I just shop online usually. π
Wow, can’t believe your hysterectomy was 3 years ago already- I remember how sick you were afterwards! So glad you’re on the mend from your virus, I happen to be home from work sick with a lousy virus myself! The people where I work are dropping like flies π
Oh no, Lisa – I hope you recover FAST! And yes, time flies. Wow. It’s really hard to believe it’s been three full years… Geez, what a horrible experience, lol. Ack!
Hi Lynne
I’m starting fresh again on Low carb living i want to feel better and get that weight off for
good. I currently weigh 142 and would like to see 120 i too had a hysterecomy about 3 yrs ago
and find it hard to lose weight. Can you tell me what Probiotic you recommend?
Tammy
Hi Tammy,
The one I linked to in this post is the one I use. The RepHresh probiotic for feminine health, and the Culturelle probiotic for digestive health. They both WORK. π
I had a Norovirus a few years ago… it was the worst. The only reason I didn’t end up in the hospital with dehydration is my friend’s husband is a doctor and he kept calling me and talking me through how much liquids I needed to drink if I didn’t want to end up in the ER. It was 10-14 days of hell… I was too sick to even try to go to the Doctors. This is when you miss old-fashioned Housecalls. I did call the Board of Health though….
I get on and off the bandwagon with probiotics…I never feel like they are doing anything… to help GI issues…
Absolutely brilliant! Made me laugh! Get better soon.
Hi I have been lo carb off and on. And am back for 6. Months. Bought your brownies and bread you recommend. Yum. Lost 35 lbs and 5 away from goal. Do you ever have any advice for constipation. Another downstairs problem. Lol. I eat veggies but lo carb always does this to me. I use prohibotics.
Hi Sheila,
How are you tracking? I ask to see about your fat/protein ratios. Are you eating at least 70% of your total calories in healthy fats? If not, try that first.
Magnesium is the main ingredient in most laxatives, and a more natural choice. Always choose real food over medication when you can! Sources for magnesium in low carb foods include: spinach, swiss chard, sunflower seeds, almonds, turnip greens, summer squash, edamame, peanut butter, avocado, salmon, halibut, chicken, beef, broccoli.
Source: http://www.travelinglowcarb.com/4393/healthy-fats-and-super-foods/