I recommend some probiotic supplements that people can use to repair their gut, and Smidge is one that I recommend. For example, I am one of the few dissenting opinions on recommending “probiotic” HSO supplements. I don’t recommend probiotic HSO supplements due to the lack of efficacy and safety studies. I stopped recommending many different bifido and lacto-containing probiotic supplements because some contained strains that either made too much D-lactate or too much histamine, which can cause problems for many people. Is Every Probiotic Supplement Perfect For Everyone? Sadly no. Some people can still experience side effects when taking Smidge, just like anyone else can have problems with probiotic supplements. However, for most people, Smidge can be beneficial, and I recommend it.
Why I recommend Smidge
One of the leading probiotic supplements that I have successfully recommended is Smidge. The strains of bacteria in Smidge do not produce histamine, and most strains do not produce large amounts of D-lactate. It is safe for most people who have these issues, and hopefully, reap the digestive benefits of a quality probiotic supplement. Smidge powder is free from common allergens like milk, casein, fish, shellfish, eggs, gluten, tree nuts, peanuts, corn, gluten, yeast and soy. Smidge also tests each batch of probiotics for potency, strain integrity, and contamination. Smidge is also free of prebiotics, which can cause negative digestive symptoms. Depending on the prebiotic, they can encourage overgrowth and worsen symptoms.
Smidge’s probiotics are freeze-dried and technically stable when stored at room temperature. However, Smidge states that the strains in Smidge lose effectiveness at temperatures above 95 ° F. They offer dry ice shipping and cold packs at an additional cost. If you live in an area with temperatures above 70 ° F, I recommend using the dry ice shipping service to ensure that your probiotic supplement stays cold throughout the journey for maximum effectiveness. I would also keep the smidge powder in the refrigerator when you receive it. For a surcharge, they also offer measuring spoons, which I recommend to get the right doses. After all, Smidge is made in the USA and manufactured and shipped in a GMP compliant facility with filtered air systems and temperature controls to keep their supplements working.
Health Concerns Smidge Can Improve
Breakdown of individual tribes in Smidge
Bifidobacteria bifidum – A strain of Bifidobacteria that is normally found in the colon and vaginal flora of humans. The probiotic has been shown to help maintain healthy flora, strengthen the immune system, and help digest carbohydrates. Recent studies have shown that bifidum can relieve allergies by decreasing Th2 immune responses and suppress allergic responses by restoring proper immune regulation.
Bifidobacteria breve – A strain of Bifidobacteria found in the colon and vaginal flora of humans. Cases of people with IBS have been shown to be deficient in this important probiotic. In breastfed infants it has been shown that Breve makes up a large part of their intestinal bacteria. Breve ferments oligosaccharides in the digestive tract and also helps in the production of L-lactate.
Bifidobacteria infantis – A strain of Bifidobacteria found in both infant and adult human intestinal flora. Infantis helps in the production of acids that prevent opportunistic bacteria from colonizing by lowering the pH of the colon. Studies have shown that it is beneficial in eliminating symptoms related to IBS.
Bifidobacteria longum – A strain of Bifidobacteria found as flora in the large intestine. Bifidobacteria longum is also known to be one of the first colonizing probiotics in newborns. Bifidobacteria longum is important for the metabolism, fermentation, and digestion of some carbohydrates in the intestinal tract, including oligosaccharides. Bifidobacteria longum can break down and ferment amino acids. The probiotic strain can also metabolize bile salts and bile acids so that they can be deposited in stool and others properly reabsorbed during enterohepatic circulation, thereby improving liver function, fat digestibility and detoxification.
Studies have shown that Bifidobacteria longum improves lactose intolerance, prevents diarrhea, alleviates some food allergies, and fights the colonization of opportunistic bacteria. Finally, studies have shown that Bifidobacteria longum helps scavenge free radicals in the gastrointestinal system and prevent colon cancer.
Lactobacillus gasseri – A strain of lactobacilli found in the upper intestine and vaginal flora. It appears to help maintain a healthy microbiome in weight maintenance and competes with H. pylori to decrease its colonization.
Lactobacillus plantarum – A strain of lactobacilli found in the human small and large intestines. It is used to make sauerkraut, kimchi, cucumber and sourdough bread. Plantarum is an excellent probiotic that has been shown to eliminate the symptoms associated with IBS. It can reform the gastrointestinal mucous barrier and inhibit opportunistic bacteria by producing bactericidal peptides. It can produce D-lactate, which can cause problems in people with poor D-lactate metabolism. Lactobacillus plantarum also prevents allergies, especially to soybeans. Finally, Lactobacillus plantarum stimulates the immune system by producing the amino acid L-lysine in the intestine.
Lactobacillus salivarius – A strain of lactobacilli typically found in the oral cavity and upper intestines of humans. It can also be found in the human intestinal system. Salivarius keeps opportunistic bacteria in check in the oral cavity to prevent dental caries from occurring.
Smidge conclusion
I recommend probiotic supplements to some people to help improve their digestive health, although the jury is still unaware of their effectiveness and implantation. Studies of people taking probiotic supplements show that the amounts of probiotics cultured in their stool return to normal in the CFU (colony-forming unit) a few weeks after supplementation. These results suggest that taking probiotic supplements may not cause them to be implanted into the lining of the digestive tract and increase the total amount of probiotic bacteria in our microbiome. The intake of probiotics can only modulate the immune system and, depending on the exposure, can be very beneficial to people. However, others may experience different immune responses that make their symptoms worse. For people with severe Th1 / Th2 dominance, I find it difficult to recommend Smidge or a probiotic preparation.
Also, those with severe D-lactate metabolism problems may not be able to tolerate Smidge. The strain of bacteria used in Smidge, Lactobacillus plantarum, produces D-lactate, but most produce L-lactate, which can balance levels of lactate in the digestive tract, reducing problems. Some people with D-lactate problems can tolerate Smidge, while others may not. It’s worth a try to see if it improves your digestive health.
I recommend trying Smidge Infant if you have severe digestive problems or severe D-lactate problems. It might be better tolerated if half of the probiotic was Bifidobacteria infantis (a well-tolerated strain) and removed L. plantarum, which can produce some D-lactate during the plateau phases of the growth cycle.
People with severe immunodeficiency should take any probiotic supplement, including Smidge, with caution as it can cause sepsis. Although Lactobacillus is considered a probiotic genus, infections of the probiotic have been found. These “infections” may not occur through colonization, but through increased Th1 or Th2 responses, worsen symptoms due to increased cytokine production by the immune system.
Start with small doses when you take probiotic supplements first to see how you react to them. Increase the dosage as needed and when you can tolerate it well to see if your digestive health continues to improve. The best time to take the probiotic supplement is to wake up in the morning on an empty stomach with a glass of filtered water. I suggest waiting at least an hour after breakfast so that the probiotics can hopefully survive passage through the stomach without struggling with lowered gastric pH while eating to increase the chances of survival.
Smidge has posted information about the integrity of the probiotic supplement, and I respect that. They test each batch for integrity and provide the ability to keep the probiotic cold and fresh from time of manufacture to delivery. While I have minor reservations with Smidge, my reservations could be applied to most, if not all, probiotic supplements. If you want to take a probiotic supplement, you need to take one that you can trust and that has the proper loads necessary to restore your digestive health. That is why I recommend Smidge and have recommended it to a few clients whom I have coached with great results.
