In my younger days, I traveled the world and was frequently infected with stomach bugs from the water and food I consumed. Back in the early 90s, we knew very little about probiotics, and doctors certainly did NOT prescribe probiotics after a course of antibiotics. This meant that after my first infection and subsequent treatment with antibiotics, my gut was in a very poor state; very few good bacteria were present to fight off infections, and there was possibly an overgrowth of bad bacteria. This made my gut an easy target for new bacteria, hence the recurring infections over the years.

When I first got married at the age of 34, our honeymoon was to take place in India. By this time, I had started my naturopathic studies and had new information under my belt. Here’s what I did to prevent any infections on my upcoming trip.

Prevention is the best cure

Firstly, I spent two months feeding my gut all it needed to maintain a healthy microbiome. I aimed to improve the ratio of good to bad bacteria, as the good bacteria in your gut are capable of warding off infections before they adhere to the gut lining and cause illness.

1. Prebiotics (twice daily): 5g Partially hydrolysed guar gum (PHGG) and 2.5g acacia gum. I chose these prebiotics because they have been shown to increase the good bacteria in the gut. I also learned that some prebiotics can cause bloating, but PHGG and Acacia gum are gentler on the stomach and both are FODMAP friendly.
2. Saccharomyces boulardii (500mg, twice daily): Known for its efficacy in maintaining a healthy gut microbiome and preventing and treating traveller's diarrhoea
3. During the holiday: I continued with the above ingredients once per day to maintain a healthy gut microbiome.

For the 2 months prior also ensured my diet was rich in fibre, polyphenols (found in fruits and vegetables), and low in refined carbohydrates (as bad bacteria thrive on refined carbs).

What to pack just in case

• Probiotics: Saccharomyces boulardii has the most evidence supporting its use in preventing and treating traveller’s diarrhoea. It works by inhibiting pathogen adhesion to the intestinal mucosa and modulating the immune response, producing antimicrobial substances that inhibit the growth of pathogenic bacteria and yeast. A randomised controlled trial (RCT) involving 3,000 travellers showed that those who took S. boulardii experienced fewer episodes of diarrhoea compared to those who took a placebo.
• Oral Rehydration Solutions (ORS): Pack ORS packets to help maintain electrolyte balance in case of mild diarrhoea.
• Medications: Carry over-the-counter anti diarrhoea medications. While these only treat symptoms, they may be necessary for short-term relief.

Full Naturopathic Treatment Schedule during a gastrointestinal Infection (traveller’s diarrhoea)

Probiotics for traveller’s diarrhoea

Probiotics are the first line of defence, so make sure to pack Saccharomyces boulardii:

• Dosage: Typically, 250-500 mg twice daily.
• Benefits: S. boulardii is a yeast that has been shown to prevent and reduce the duration of traveller’s diarrhoea. It helps by inhibiting pathogen adhesion, modulating the immune response, and maintaining the integrity of the gut barrier.

Herbs for traveller’s diarrhoea

Certain herbs possess antimicrobial and anti-inflammatory properties that can help alleviate the symptoms of traveller’s diarrhoea. Here are some effective herbs to consider:

1. Peppermint (Mentha piperita)
• Dosage: Peppermint tea (steep 1-2 teaspoons of dried peppermint leaves in hot water) or peppermint oil capsules (0.2-0.4 mL) 2-3 times daily.
• Benefits: Peppermint has antispasmodic properties that can help relieve abdominal cramping and discomfort associated with diarrhoea.
2. Chamomile (Matricaria chamomilla)
• Dosage: Chamomile tea (steep 2-3 grams of dried chamomile flowers in hot water) 3-4 times daily.
• Benefits: Chamomile has anti-inflammatory and soothing properties that can help calm the digestive system and reduce diarrhoea.
3. Goldenseal (Hydrastis canadensis)
• Dosage: Goldenseal tincture (0.5-1 teaspoon) or capsules (500 mg) 2-3 times daily.
• Benefits: Goldenseal contains berberine, an antimicrobial compound effective against a variety of pathogens that cause diarrhoea.

Post-infection treatment

If you ended up being treated with antibiotics, you will need to re-establish the microbiome and even if you recover without antibiotics, you still need to nurture the microbiome, as there will be a period of instability, which is a window of opportunity for bad bacteria to overgrow, leaving your gut vulnerable to other infections.

Re-establish a strong microbiome by repeating the recommendations for preparing for travels:

1. Prebiotics (twice daily): 5g Partially hydrolysed guar gum (PHGG) and 2.5g acacia gum. I chose these prebiotics because they have been shown to increase the good bacteria in the gut. I also learned that some prebiotics can cause bloating, but PHGG and Acacia gum are gentler on the stomach and both are FODMAP friendly.
2. Saccharomyces boulardii (500mg, twice daily): Known for its efficacy in maintaining a healthy gut microbiome and preventing and treating traveller's diarrhoea
3. FEED contains the above ingredients at the exact dosages: Take 8g (1 tablespoon) twice daily for 2 weeks to reset the microbiome, then stay on a maintenance dose (1 dose daily for another 4 weeks).

FEED was born out of the evidence seen in medical literature, reinforced by my personal experience, and the proven results I saw in my clinic using these ingredients. I have treated other gut infections using Saccharomyces boulardii and PHGG; they have been a staple in my clinic for years, and creating FEED means you now have access to these incredible ingredients too.

FEED {gut+immune} 

 

 

References

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