I think most people who take Actimel (or equivalent) do so for the active cultures, but I notice the packaging features vitamin D and B6 for digestive health more prominently and actually makes no health claims about the active cultures. So my question to people (not on antibiotics) who find that Actimel works for them, have you tried taking just the vitamins instead and was it effective?

http://www.express.co.uk/life-style/...obiotic-drinks

Don't waste your money on the Actimel.

I've tried Actimel and the Morrisons own brand equivalent and found them both very effective, I guess if the findings in that study are true then it must be the vitamins that are having the effect (I know vitamin D certainly binds me up).

I tried Actimel a few times and each time I reckon the sale of Andrex Toilet Rolls increased.

If you want to take something which will have a real affect on bowel bacteria then try Inulin. Personally I only take probiotics if I've had a stomach infection or with/after antibiotics, though I use capsules of the stuff from health stores..

Inulin is available as a powder, which is what I use, probably more easily bought online. I haven't seen any in my local health food stores.

Yep, seems most of them do pretty much nothing.

The Express, everyone's first choice of health related journalism.

Or not.

If you believe something is going to work, it will probably work. Placebo effect.

That isn't strictly true...

They do make a great deal of money for the manufacturers, once the very costly advertising campaigns have been paid for, of course.