Elixa Probiotic and uBiome Experiment With Me As Test Subject

Guess what’s in the works.

IMG 0002
 

The plan:

  1. Take a uBiome sample prior.
  2. Begin the 12-day Elixa hyper-biotic regimen.
  3. Take another uBiome sample halfway through the course.
  4. Take a final uBiome sample a week after the course has completed.
  5. Publish all results right here.

There’s big news about Elixa in the works, including reformulation and distribution (how about 2 U.S. distribution points, so you get your order in a couple of days—not 2 weeks from the UK?). I’ll save that for later, as I transition into a mode of promoting what so many have found important benefit from, in what I now call hyper-biotics. It needs that kind of distinction.

In the meantime, here’s the previous posts, for review, or if you’re new to all of this. Be sure to check out comments for many testimonials, 90% positive. And, the founder of the company works with those who have negative results (seriously fucked-up gut biomes).

You know, the smart way to do this would be to keep it all under wraps until done, publish results and overwhelm supply (Elixa has sold out twice already). I don’t work that way. I withhold nothing. Soon as something is relevant and you might be interested, I publish—even though a number of you for sure will wait until the results are in.

…And just so you know how dumb I really am, it’s sold out right now and won’t be ready to ship until next Tuesday. And they don’t do backorders! However, you can still put your email on a list to be notified once order fulfillment recommences next Tuesday….

That’s fine. I’ve previously taken two 3-day courses way back in March, then two 6-day courses separated by a couple of weeks in May. This time, it will be a straight 12 days, with a food log, combined with the testing.

And yes, Elixa has provided both the hyper-biotics and the uBiome testing kits for those who find such disclosures important. Personally, I’m more about building trust, but whatever.

Richard Nikoley

I started writing Free The Animal in late 2003 as just a little thing to try. 20 years later, turns out I've written over 5,000 posts. I blog what I wish...from diet, health, lifestyle...to philosophy, politics, social antagonism, adventure travel, expat living, location and time independent—while you sleep— income by geoarbitrage, and food pics. I intended to travel the world "homeless," but the Covidiocy Panicdemic squashed that. I became an American expat living in Thailand. I celebrate the audacity and hubris to live by your own exclusive authority and take your own chances. ... I leave the toilet seat up. Read More

21 Comments

  1. John Brisson on September 10, 2015 at 12:04

    Looking forward to the results Richard. It is always an ongoing discussion if Lactobaccilus and Bifidobacterium survive manufacturing, storage, and implantation.

    I like Elixa. I wish you could do one more UBiome test three weeks to a month after completion, a week might not be enough depending on MMC function.

    Good luck and I support this experiment.

    • Karl S on September 13, 2015 at 11:40

      Thank you John!

      In parallel with each of the 3 uBiome datapoints, we’ll be using a second uBiome test as detailed in Richard’s subsequent post AND an additional control in the way of 3 American Gut kits paired with 3 of the uBiome kits to establish the relative accuracy of the tests.

      Longer term follow-ups will definitely occur. We’ll arrange that once we’re happy the tests are giving useful data – which will be based upon whether the paired AmGut and uBiome test data match up.

      Because another unknown (in addition to the assumption detailed in Richard’s subsequent post) is the degree of homogeneity of the microbiotic makeup of a stool sample. Or more simply: How well mixed up are the microbes within a poop (?). Will a small sample represent the sample as a whole (?). Will 3-4 swab sites represent the sample as a whole (?).

      Are we behaving with the naivety of an alien craft that has made a quick pit-stop on earth, excavated only 1 cubic mile, and from there tried to characterise the entire ecosystem of the planet? If that is so, then a cubic mile of NYC versus a cubic mile of Queen Elizabeth National Park Uganda is a good metaphor for how differently the apparent ecosystem of Earth would be characterised!

      So it’s not that AmGut or uBiome would have inaccurate tests. In fact I am confident they are among the best two institutes for this type of testing on the planet! It just might be the case that the concept of profiling an entire stool from a small swab sample does not work out in practice.

      But that’s what experiments are for :)

      I’m very grateful for the functions these companies are performing. It’s a certainty that microbiotic health is one of the most significant factors in personal health, and these companies will allow consumers to affordably quantify the impact of various dietary/supplement strategies (in addition to the qualitative ‘measurements’ that we are all already capable of).

      It will really resonate with the growing number of people interested in ‘quantified self’. And I think of all the datapoints a QSer could measure…. profiling of the gut flora will be one of the most significant BY FAR.

      I have a feeling that FTA is going to be the leading hub for a lot of this gut QS data and discussion. A site where a tonne of like-minded, scientific, super-interested people can learn, discuss theories, run experiments, share results, and craft treatment protocols – that’s here! :)

      Kind Regards,
      Karl Seddon
      Founder
      Elixa Ltd.

  2. Nick on September 10, 2015 at 12:10

    Funny timing. I’m taking antibiotics for Lyme and just received 24 days worth of Elixa that I started 2 days ago. The plan was to do 12 days in a row, then see how I feel and either keep going with a daily dose to try to race the microbe genocide currently going on in my body.

    Looking forward to your results.

    • Allan Folz on September 10, 2015 at 20:34

      Awesome. I love self-experiments.

      I agree with John that the third test should be some longer period afterward the course of Elixia.

      Also, I don’t see particular significance in a mid-course sample, unless it’s to create a way to compare efficacy of 6 day courses vs. 12 day courses? I suppose if one is trying to treat an acute condition it would be good to know if a longer course is more efficacious, but for a general purpose supplement for one in otherwise good health, I don’t think it’s an interesting distinction.

      I /would/ humbly suggest the second sample should be on day 11 or 12 of treatment and the third sample taken 3 or 4 weeks post, or at least a minimum of 2. That is, if a 4th sample as John suggested, is a non-starter.

      Cheers!

    • Allan Folz on September 10, 2015 at 20:35

      Hmmm. Sorry, I meant that to reply to John Brisson.

    • Richard Nikoley on September 10, 2015 at 21:40

      Thanks for all the inputs. Will discuss with Karl.

  3. TPSReports on September 10, 2015 at 13:47

    Two U.S distributors will be great. Interested to hear about the reformulation…

  4. Lance on September 10, 2015 at 14:31

    I’m excited to see the results. I’ve done a 12-day and a six-day program with good results. I’m fighting chronic fatigue and have made more progress in the last two months since taking Elixa than in the previous year. I’m definitely going to have to do the ubiome test before and after, too.

  5. Peter Dietrich on September 10, 2015 at 18:34

    This morning before I read this article, I mega-dosed some probiotics based on some things I read from other posts on this blog. I took 3 VSL#3 capsules, 2 AOR-3 capsules, 2 Prescript Assist Capsules, and 1 Primal Flora Capsules on an empty stomach and then didn’t eat until ~4 hours later.

    The #1 thing I’ve noticed is the lack of hunger, and it has lasted all day. I have eaten twice since I took the probiotics this morning, but I really wasn’t very hungry either time, I just ate because I felt obligated to eat and thought it was a good idea…

  6. Melanie on September 11, 2015 at 09:10

    I’m interested in Elixa and waiting until release next week…genova test from Dr. came back with imbalances that I am working to improve. I was trolling for info on the potato diet when I found this info. Would you recommend taking the Elixa course before embarking on the potato hack? Thanks to anyone for input, I am at a complete loss…

    • sassysquatch on September 11, 2015 at 12:18

      Melanie

      From my experience, the potato diet is great for weight loss. But if you are looking for gut imbalances, take your Elixa, clean up the diet and feed your bugs with multi fibers…..part of which is potatoes, various other starches, veggies, fruits, ect…..

      I highly suggest adding Tiger Nuts to your diet.

  7. Melanie on September 11, 2015 at 09:23

    Any thoughts on taking Elixa before or after a potato hack…trying to balance some imbalances and increase the good guys

  8. Rita on September 11, 2015 at 09:58

    Do we have any more knowledge on the effects of probiotics on the virome? I read somewhere that our viruses outnumber our bacteria, so I’m interested in what happens with our viruses when we introduce mega-probiotics.

    • Richard Nikoley on September 11, 2015 at 10:08

      True Rita, great insight.

      Look up macrophages. Been a while since I dug into this, courtesy of Tim Steele, but it’s the same kinda yin-yang thing.

      Macrophages are basically virus killers.

    • Charles on September 16, 2015 at 14:48

      And there are phage products out there. I’ve recommended them to two people, and their IBS/Colitis symptoms went away in 2-3 days after months of problems.

    • AA on September 17, 2015 at 19:51

      Hi Charles,

      Can you provide some more details about where to get these phage products from? I’d really appreciate it!

      • Chloe Archard on October 8, 2015 at 05:21

        Not sure if links work here but look up PrePhage:

        http://catalog.designsforhealth.com/PrePhage-60-capsules

        PrePhage™ is a proprietary prebiotic formulation combining four types of bacteriophages, which are benevolent viruses that exclusively infect bacteria. Highly specific bacteriophages may be classified as prebiotics since they are able to enhance the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract.

        This product is designed to safely and effectively support the proliferation of beneficial bacteria in order to promote healthy GI and immune function.



  9. Steve on February 5, 2016 at 16:59

    Curious if anyone has tried the updated Elixa probitic (v2) yet? The Internet is errily quiet the last couple months.

  10. alex on July 7, 2016 at 14:08

    What were the results to the ubiome test on your gut bacteria after using the Elixa probiotic?
    Couldn’t find the results on your blog

Leave a Comment

You must be logged in to post a comment.

On the Intellectual Downfall of Nassim Nicholas Taleb

— We’re Not Fooled by Taleb Anymore Introduction He sure was the bee’s knees and…

More...

Crazy Gym Training, TRT, and HGH For This 62-Year-Old?

— Defying Age, Embracing Self-Authority: A Journey to Physical and Mental Resilience “Ever wondered if…

More...

Physical Culture: Gym, Diet, and Fasting

— Carve Your Path to Fitness: A Journey from Mediocrity to Mastery “Delve into how…

More...

I Raised My Testosterone By 40% In A Year With No Drugs Or Special Supplements

— And I Wasn’t Even Trying Boost your testosterone naturally. Follow along as I tell…

More...

The No-Pill Advantages Course Brochure (114 Lessons, 5 Per Week)

— How to Harness the Power of the No-Pill Advantages for a Life of Freedom…

More...