What probiotic should I take while going through cancer treatment?

Good question, but very important to always consult your team about taking any supplement.

@jakofin I had radiation therapy for endometrial cancer. I have not had chemotherapy or immunotherapy. Since my diagnosis (actually recurrence) 5 years ago I've been working with an integrative medicine physician. As we discussed my diet she did not mention take probiotic supplements. She tends away from supplements and wants me to get my nutrients from food sources.

I'm seeing my integrative medicine physician today and I will ask your question.

One suggestion is yogurt. I eat yogurt most every day and did so during radiation therapy. I had just two bouts of diarrhea during the 25 sessions.

I'm tagging @denisestlouie as I believe she saw a functional medicine physician.

Have you asked your oncologist this question? Is there an integrative medicine or functional medicine physician you can consult?

i just ate Fage 5% yogurt with some honey

Thank you. I do eat yogurt regularly so I'll continue that. I told my oncologist I wanted to take probiotics if he approved and he is fine with it. He didn't give me any direction though on how much or what kind.
I don't really know an integrative/ functional medicine dr to ask. I will research that.

@jakofin I asked my Mayo Clinic Integrative Medicine physician the question about probiotics today. While she sees patients the majority of her time is spent in research. She told me the following. In research, the amount and type of probiotic is very specific. It's next to impossible to replicate what is in the research to any OTC probiotics. In addition, there is tremendous variability among these products. She advises her oncology patients against any probiotics during chemotherapy because chemo lowers the immune system. If you introduce any probiotic (basically a gut bacteria) this can introduce a "bug" into one's system that your immune system cannot fight off. For radiation therapy, the goal is try and reduce diarrhea. My Integrative Medicine physician said that how much and how often one experiences diarrhea depends on the size of the field - just how much of the pelvic area is being treated with radiation. She recommends that her patients eat more fiber as in vegetables as the fiber will help to offset the diarrhea. She also said that eating yogurt every day can be helpful.

Does this help? If your treatment includes chemotherapy you might like to run this past your oncologist.

Here is a description of Integrative Medicine and Functional Medicine:

Mayo Clinic: Integrative Medicine

-- https://www.mayoclinic.org/departments-centers/integrative-oncology/overview/ovc-20542190

Aurora Health Care: Integrative Medicine & Functional Medicine FAQ:

-- https://www.aurorahealthcare.org/services/integrative-medicine/faq

Does this help?

@naturegirl5
Thank you so much for this thoughtful reply and asking your integrative doctor! I will definitely ask my medical oncologist about this too. I'm having both chemo & radiation at the same time.
This was helpful!

More on supplemental probiotics from BC Cancer:https://www.bccancer.bc.ca/pharmacy-site/Documents/Pharmacy%20FAQs/Pharmacy-FAQ-Probiotics.pdf
Generally, not advised until more research is completed. Food sources encouraged, though;)
Kombacha tea, while a great source, will probably irritate your digestive system since it is fizzy.
Yogurt is soothing and is what I eat every morning. I still experience diarrhea, but it corrects itself after about a week. It's the chemo and there's nothing you can do about that.
Hope this helps