Drinking Kombucha (fermented tea)

Hi Renee, just curious if you are still finding success with this approach? I'm interested in consuming more pro-biotics myself after iron deficiency issues and waiting 6-12 months for a pouchitis dx. I've been following the Auto-Immune Protocol, which recommends probiotic foods and drinks but not specifically Kombucha. 

Did you take any medication, such as antibiotics, in addition to iron supplements and kombucha?

Thanks!

Meg

Hello Meg, Please forgive me for taking so long to reply to you! I do think the kombucha has helped me. I don't drink it every day, but just once or twice a week has been helpful, I think. Of course, what gets us in trouble is such a mystery sometimes, it is hard to know what truly helps or hurts. Kombucha can easily be made at home and there are lots of good websites to get you started. It's worth a try with at least some purchased kombucha to see if it helps you and if it does, you may want to brew your own, like I do.

Hi Renee,

I actually noticed big results once I started taking a liquid iron supplement (it seems to have stopped my monthly flare-ups of pouch issues). I think that may be playing a big role for you as well! I take Floradix Iron and Herbs, not sure what other brands are out there. It doesn't taste great, but it's been totally worth it!

I recently started drinking Kombucha, and I've actually felt a little nauseated the last two days and was actually coming on here to see if anyone has experienced the same. I know sometimes probiotics can make you feel a little off as your body adjusts to having more good bacteria, so I think I need to slow down my intake to a few times a week like you instead of almost daily. The stuff I'm drinking is not homemade, it's from a tap at my local health food store, so I believe it has more sugar which could be the problem. OR it could be totally unrelated, and just coincidental to the fact that I've been drinking more kombucha lately

Hi J9 Pouch,

I have not experienced nausea after kombucha, but it does make a little sense. However, I recently starting mixing my kombucha with water. I don't think we need a whole bunch of it. Also, thank you for the iron idea. I do take iron supplements and have not had any episodes of bleeding since then. It really is hard to know what is causing what and what helps! I tried Floradix many years ago and could not really drink it (the taste was terrible to me!). I am glad it works for you! I take iron tablets several times a week and that works well for me.

Thanks for the tip, diluting the kombucha is a great idea! I also almost couldn't deal with the taste of floradix, but I went in for a breath test to check for SIBO within a few days of starting it, and after drinking that nasty sugar water I found the floradix waaaay easier to swallow, lol!