Encouraging results from plant tannins!

We spend a lot of time talking about the bad news in this discussion group - here's the spot for the good news. If you've had c-diff and are now well, please tell us about it here.
brianburg
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Encouraging results from plant tannins!

Postby brianburg » Wed Jan 01, 2014 11:27 pm

My teenage son contracted c. difficile last spring, and his doctor (who he sees for Crohn's Disease) prescribed an antibiotic that was ineffective. His doctor then prescribed a different antibiotic (vancomycin), which eliminated the symptoms. But the symptoms returned about two weeks after my son finished the antibiotics. The same thing happened after another course of vancomycin. His doctor suggested continuing with vancomycin for a longer period, but we were pessimistic about the long-term effectiveness and concerned about side effects, so we considered other alternatives and decided my son would take Tanalbits, a product containing plant tannins that had been recommended to me several years ago for candida overgrowth. Within a week, my son's symptoms were gone. He continued to take Tanalbits for about eight weeks, 6-7 weeks of 9 capsules per day (3 doses of 3), and 1-2 weeks of 6 per day (3 x 2), ending in early October 2013. And I'm pleased to report that he is still symptom-free, and never experienced any side effects while taking Tanalbits or since then. My son also took probiotics while taking Tanalbits, just as he did while on vancomycin. Tanalbits is produced and sold by a company called Intensive Nutrition, which has been very responsive to our questions about their product (Olivia is our contact). Check out their website:
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beth22
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Re: Encouraging results from plant tannins!

Postby beth22 » Thu Jan 02, 2014 1:43 am

That's interesting. When I was post c diff I had terrible IBS and SIBO (still do) and I did a comprehensive stool analysis with Genova Diagnostics. They sent back a profile that showed I had certain bad bacteria that were "potential pathogens", that is, their numbers were a lot higher than normal. I guess the vancomycin killed off the good bacteria that kept these more in check. Anyway, plant tannins were listed as a natural treatment. They also listed antibiotics, but of course, I could not take those with my c diff history. I never tried the plant tannins, but I remember reading about the Tanalbit that you mention and thought of doing it. Uva Ursi was also one that was recommended, but it was apparently not as effective as the plant tannins for the particular bacteria that I had.

Thanks for sharing the information.

saraht
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Re: Encouraging results from plant tannins!

Postby saraht » Thu Jan 02, 2014 6:55 pm

Thank you for posting! This is something I could try if things do not get back to normal. I've never heard of it before. Good to know there is another option out there for people with yeast overgrowth like myself.

ppp67
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Re: Encouraging results from plant tannins!

Postby ppp67 » Fri Jan 03, 2014 1:48 am

Can't you get tannins from regular foods?
Like tea and nuts?

AllisS
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Re: Encouraging results from plant tannins!

Postby AllisS » Fri Jan 03, 2014 2:07 am

http://www.widomaker.com/~jnavia/tannins/tannlist.htm

Yes, tons of foods and beverages, perhaps most notably wine, contain tannin. If tannin was effective against c. difficile, there would be more than just anecdotal reports.
If your illness was preceded by use of a medication, e.g., an antibiotic, please fill out an FDA Adverse Event Report at http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch/default.htm

beth22
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Re: Encouraging results from plant tannins!

Postby beth22 » Fri Jan 03, 2014 2:39 am

I have not heard of tannins working for c difficile. The bacteria that it was listed for for me was proteus mirabilis, which is normally found in the intestine. I just had more than normal, but it was not a pathogen. Perhaps it would help for SIBO or IBS. I plan to ask my doctor about that. He suggested curcumin for SIBO before, so perhaps plant tannins are an option as well. I don't think the tannins in food are enough to do anything. Just like with curcumin, you would have to take them in concentrated form as a supplement.

brianburg
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Re: Encouraging results from plant tannins!

Postby brianburg » Fri Jan 03, 2014 1:27 pm

Hi all. I apologize if my post sounded like a too-good-to-be-true advertisement for the company that makes Tanalbits. That certainly wasn't my intention. I'm just a dad whose son suffered from persistent c. difficile and feel compelled to share with other c. diff sufferers how he has found relief. Allow me to try again:

On three separate occasions over a period of about four months, my son's GI specialist (who he sees for Crohn's Disease) at a leading children's hospital confirmed that he had c. difficile and prescribed antibiotics. And when our son's symptoms returned again, his doctor confirmed that c. diff had returned and recommended a longer course of Vancomycin. But we decided to consider other alternatives, and opted for Tanalbits. A few weeks later, my son's doctor tested him again, and confirmed that he was free of c. difficile. And now, three months later, he is still symptom free.

I'm not a medical practitioner, chemist, etc, which is why we contacted the company that produces Tanalbits. And we were very satisfied with their answers to our questions. We were especially concerned about possible side effects, and our son did not experience any while taking Tanalbits or since then.

We're so grateful for this support group. We found your stories helpful and inspirational as we explored alternatives to antibiotics, and we wish all of you the same thing we wish for our son: permanent relief from c. difficile! We'll keep you posted on how he's doing.

beth22
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Re: Encouraging results from plant tannins!

Postby beth22 » Fri Jan 03, 2014 1:42 pm

That's really good to know. The reason that I did not use the Tanalbits to treat the proteus was first, because it wasn't a bad pathogen, but mostly because I was afraid that since it had antibiotic type properties, it could bring back the c difficile. Since your son used it to treat c diff, then that is not really a concern. I am having another comprehensive stool analysis done shortly and if anything like that shows up for me again, I will know that the tannins are an alternative for me to use. Did your son have any side effects from them at all?

brianburg
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Re: Encouraging results from plant tannins!

Postby brianburg » Fri Jan 03, 2014 4:21 pm

Nope, no side effects at all, and his symptoms were gone in less than a week. And again, he also took probiotics while taking Tanalbits, just as he did while taking antibiotics.

ResearchGrandma
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Re: Encouraging results from plant tannins!

Postby ResearchGrandma » Fri Jan 03, 2014 6:35 pm

Tanalbits sounded interesting so I did some checking and thought I would share the results of my search.

"Ingredients:
Plant Tannin, 60 or 120 caps - 500 mg
Contents: Zinc tannates with Quebracho - 425 mg
Casein - 30 mg
L-Proline - 5 mg
Chitin Extract - 20 mg
Lotus Rhizome extract - 20 mg
Other ingredients: Magnesium Stearate
Suggested dosage: 2-3 capsules, 3 times daily.
This formula is free of yeast, egg, gluten, corn, wheat, starch, artificial colors or preservatives.
This formula contains purified casein. Tannins may interfere with the absorption/effectiveness of alkaline or steroidal medications. Avoid tannins when using Atropine, Cardec DM, Codeine, Ephedrine and Pseudoephedrine, Lomotil/Lonox, Loop Diuretics, Spironolactone, Theophylline/Aminophylli, Thiazide Diuretics, Triamterene. This is not an exhaustive list. ALWAYS check with your physician BEFORE taking Tanalbit or other supplements.
Tanalbit® may cause constipation. If this occurs, use Magnesium/Vitamin C Supplement | Tanalbit® may cause anxiety or sleeplessness. This is caused by the herb Quebracho which is included in Tanalbit. Do not take before bedtime or with caffeine. Tanalbit® is not recommended for pregnant women or nursing mothers.
Please consult your physician prior to adding Tanalbit® to your daily regimen.
Viracin® plant tannin anti-bacterial gastrointestinal support.
Magnesium Ascorbate aids digestion during constipation"

Bobbie
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Re: Encouraging results from plant tannins!

Postby Bobbie » Fri Jan 03, 2014 9:50 pm

Thanks much, Research Grandma,
"Ain't no med." without a side effect or a problem with other meds.

Hope your resp. infection is better. Our grand kids are sometimes little reservoirs of viruses/bacteria, but how can we stay away?? I used to use Echinacea until one doctor told me I shouldn't. It used to be popular - but not so much anymore. It's popular in the UK, and one chemist there told me "The Royals use it." Once we went to see our family there, and everyone but me got a horrible URI. I took Echinacea the entire time.

Whatever works for you!


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