I take probiotic gold daily and drink some Kefir daily works great for me.

http://www.lifeway.net/Probiotics Kefir

Here is a link that might be useful: Probiotic gold

Other than in a few specific and narrow situations where some indications of benefit have been observed, broad-based effectiveness of probiotics still hasn't been shown. The other big open issue is that like other items sold as "dietary supplements", probiotics are not subject to testing or regulation, and their manufacture is similarly not regulated.

So long as your physician knows what you're doing (and perhaps he or she suggested you try them) you should be ok. Note that yoghurt and kefir (with live cultures) contain many of the bacteria that health food store supplements have.

Here is a link that might be useful: Article from Harvard Med School

After suffering with IBS for many years, my gastro suggested I take probiotics. I have been taking them for 4 years and have never felt better. I changed nothing else in my diet. Mine are refrigerated and yes are costly. They can be ordered online at a cheaper price and arrive cold packed, but sometimes do not. I was told by my doctor that they can be left out of the fridge for a few days before starting to lose effectiveness. I usually test mine to see if the are live.

In the limited research I have done, I read that most of the probiotics in yogurt and kefir are destroyed by stomach acid. Many probiotics capsules are manufactured to withstand the journey.

Matti--how do you test your capsules to see whether the cultures are still alive?

My gastro said eating yogurt everyday is best and same benefits.

I, too have had IBS for years, and it is a horrible way to live. I started taking " digestive advantage, intensive bowel support about one year ago, and have improved about 90 percent. amazing.

I only take probiotics when I'm on an antibiotic -- gotta put back the 'good stuff' that the antibiotic kills along with the 'bad stuff'. Using probiotics is the only way I can tolerate some antibiotics.

sjerin, to test I put a half cup of reg. milk or soy milk in a container and sprinkle one or two probiotic capsules on top. I wait 8 to 10 hours. Active cultures will show some thickening, clumps or slight curdling. Thankfully I have only had one or two bottles that were inactive and I returned them.

Like Matti and others, I have IBS. I take the prescription Welchol which has really helped me. I also take a Renew Life 50 billion probiotic and a Colostrum which helps bind the probiotic in the body. Yes, that probiotic is expensive and does need to be kept in the fridge, but anything to stop that constant diarrhea I was having is well worth it to me. I'm not a Yogurt eater. Basically I've been quite healthy and am a firm believer in the probiotic. A holistic doctor told me to take it and the Colostrum.

Try saurkraut 1 tablespoon a day will give more probiotics
than anything else. The fermented cabbage will have what you need. It is good for other things too.

Sauerkraut Divulges Shocking Probiotic Count Nourishing Plot.htm
This is the site.

I am hooked on homemade kefir. Love the stuff! You can often buy the grains, or live culture, on venues like Craigslist. All you do is add milk and let the culture work for a day or two. Very healthy probiotic.

Thanks, Matti. I'll pass this info along to my daughter who has learned everything there is to learn about tummy troubles and possible solutions, seemingly. I have some now and then and find that keffir is very helpful.

For many of us with IBS, cabbage will bring on the diarrhea.

As I understand it, the cabbage must be pickled. My dd also has a similar problem and does eat saurkraut-type food.