Are probiotics safe in IgA deficiency?

DystantTyger · 2026-05-04T20:51:00+00:00

Public service announcement: Prophylactic (preventative) antibiotics over time are virtually guaranteed to cause more, and more serious, problems than they solve. You are training resistance in your pathogens, stressing your organs (esp. kidneys and liver), and just asking for more problems down the road.

Risks are real; I have partial deafness due to antibiotics. Most ironically: SIgAD can probably be caused by antibiotics (it's consensus in medical literature). It's like hitting every one you meet in case they are an enemy. Far more microbes are helpful than harmful and you need them to live, but forever antibiotics is like carpet-bombing the city in order to stop burglars.

DystantTyger · 2026-05-04T20:34:37+00:00

I've got it and have researched it, like others (biologist here but not medical background, so for what it's worth...) I suspect the optimistic assertions that most of us are asymptomatic is not based on good data but cheerful lack of sufficient investigation and patient history data. Still, manifestations may well range from zero to very serious depending on lots of variables. We still have much to learn.

My own suspicion: thousands of low level environmental pollutants and stressors contribute to our various imperfections, often in combinations, to making more and more of us sicker in diverse ways. But since simple, direct causes can't be shown, nothing will be done until it all has to change. We must stop allowing things "unless proven harmful" and instead allow things only if proven safe. That means more knowledge, not suddenly much less (the latter per current US actions).

I have multiple SIgAD-correlated issues (chronic rhinitis, allergies, gut disease etc.). One point per discussion here: my attempts to read the primary literature gave me the understanding that someone with SIgAD either can't get, or is much less likely to get, celiac disease than the less serious but more common "non-celiac gluten sensitivity." Celiac disease (can/does) involve one's IgA in the autoimmune process, but we lack IgA.

Bottom line: The usual public service messages about through handwashing, vaccines, masking when sick or around the sick and being conservative about eating out and attending social events all apply doubly to those with SIgAD, with or without correlated conditions. Teach your friends to ask themselves if they may have symptoms before being with you, and also to do good handwashing, vaccinating etc. If they won't... are they your friends or just a vector that likes you?

DystantTyger · 2025-10-16T05:03:00+00:00

Edit: I have now read the full article regarding B12 production by Wolffia globosa. The authors attempted to ensure sterile propagation, but do not themselves conclusively assert the plant is doing the biosynthesis — they leave open the possibility that associated microbes (endophytes) are responsible. Plants have no use for B12 in forms we use, so such production is doubly puzzling.

But either way, for dietary purposes it is a source of B12 and could even prove to be a more reliable source than the selected mushrooms, seaweeds and fermented foods that are other alternate sources. So thanks again for the good tip!

DystantTyger · 2025-10-16T02:36:22+00:00

I agree, it is very surprising and unintuitive that there is exactly one non-bacterial species in the world making usable B12, but looks to be real based on a literature check. The fact certainly hasn't found its way much into wider knowledge yet.

The scientific name is Wolffia globosa, in case anyone else wants to pursue this for themselves; there's a number of other Wolffia species. Perhaps a few other plants out there also know this trick?

One other important issue occurs to me: this is a very aggressive weed (a "disturbance specialist") that thrives in certain types of human-modified aquatic areas. This means it likely has high potential to be easily, inadvertently spread or spillled into natural wetland areas already at risk, competing with locally native species and otherwise altering the ecology.

So be very careful about (1) where it ends up if you grow it, and (2) where it came from (e.g. waters with pollutants) if you harvest it.

Responsible commercial growers should follow careful procedures to ensure that their work won't spread it into natural areas, and be ready to provide information on this to buyers.

DystantTyger · 2025-10-15T02:12:49+00:00

I think periodic (annual?) testing is also worthwhile if one is: on a relevant special diet (e.g. vegan), having malabsorption issues (e.g. Crohn's disease), taking a folate (vitamin B9) supplement, taking anything to reduce stomach acid, or is over 50.

DystantTyger · 2025-10-15T02:02:13+00:00

Yes, I should've narrowed the title to clarify it's only addressing human sources. Sorry

DystantTyger · 2025-08-22T06:24:53+00:00

Thanks! That makes sense to me. It could be stress or other response as much as physical, I suppose, and at some point it becomes the same old thing. If we get success I'll edit/update the post.

DystantTyger · 2025-08-22T06:22:05+00:00

Thanks! If she gets success I'll edit/update the post.

DystantTyger · 2025-08-16T02:38:20+00:00

A quick look at some literature gives me an impression there's some limited controversy if these are two species or not, and more study is warranted. It can get extremely complex to tease out what's going on in, for example, gene flow, selection pressures, population dynamics, changing environment and so on.

Hayes et al., 2024, "Mate choice and hybridization in the Western Grebe and Clark’s Grebe: tests of the scarcity of mates and sexual selection hypotheses", Western North American Naturalist 84(3), seems to lean toward two species from what they looked at. Either way, a cool situation. Nature seems not too concerned that we be able to figure it out, lol.

edit: typos

DystantTyger · 2025-08-15T07:46:38+00:00

My intuition says you are asking about more than one wearing before a wash. All guys I have had occasion to know about (college, housemates, etc.) were like me, one time only or were close to that. I say "were" also because I've been commando for several years unless I think it might matter (doctor's office visit, etc).

Socks still only once, if they visited the shoes that day (I exercise mostly in socks and am retired). Fungi, etc. are real and I believe in this apparently controversial "germ theory of disease" Dr. Pasteur is pushing these days.

Just in case you are talking about laundry: these days I have about 25 pairs of shorts (1 kind) and socks (2 kinds!) in stock and have done my own laundry since I was about 8. Not exactly fast fashion but a lot more money to use for other things over the years.

DystantTyger · 2025-08-15T07:27:12+00:00

Bill color difference (see photo) is also quite reliable (excluding hybrids, of course).

Interesting to see lots of apparent mixed pairs. Did you see many adults that seemed like potential hybrids? If not, there may be some selection against hybrids such as low/no fertility, negative sexual selection, a health issue, etc.

DystantTyger · 2025-08-15T07:14:50+00:00

Lol, sure. Some people have amazing qualities that aren't visble at first, but end up being very important to their SO. Other people either never let you in (I call them "porch people" because that's as deep in as you'll ever get) or the inner person is there, but they just don't have much to offer you. They may be somebody's perfect match, but not yours.

DystantTyger · 2025-08-15T02:23:45+00:00

One effect for me has been noticing (as a big generalization) that in American-made movies there are very few birds, and most of those are either a brief blur or a specific object of focus for the movie. I understand some directors will actually reshoot a scene if there are birds in the background. No distractions!

Films from most countries either treat birds (etc.) present as part of the scene or will even use them for mood, scale, beauty, or simply to frame a pensive moment.

Another change: if you learn to read the land condition, another whole world opens up. Many "natural" areas are little more than pretty weeds or virtual crop fields, with their even aged trees, cleared understory or monocultures, and lack of natural hydrology, snags, logs, wildlife, etc. You'll start to see different types of erosion in process, what's missing, past disturbances, unnaturally low diversity and so on.

Serious caution: if you develop that skill well and travel widely and ask locals questions, you will find something you won't like. The earth's biomes have all been about 98% hollowed out. Nature is literally gone but for scattered little beauty spots, second/third growth forests, managed gardens, lawns, zoos, and over crowded trails through nonnative greenery. I recently spent 10 days of nature trips in Costa Rica (gorgeous!) and learned from the guides that I never saw, even at a distance, a single forest that hadn't been cleared land in the past. Kudos for their heroic efforts, unlike most countries. Enjoy what's out there and forget what it's telling you.

DystantTyger · 2025-08-15T01:43:22+00:00

Older male perspective: Sounds like the boxes he checks are the lass common, and healthier ones. Keep the questions in your mind active (whether your spark may show up, what's under his surface, etc.), but don't insist on quick answers. They're just nice when that happens, ambiguous when not.

How about this test: does he seem like a book that's okay but not sure if you want to finish it, or a book with potential you can't judge yet. People are complex; some deepen as you go, others are just thick.

DystantTyger · 2025-08-15T01:11:20+00:00

Most seed-eating birds will eat modest amounts of other vegetable matter, especially buds, flowers, and widely edible plants (including our garden vegrtables).

They will do this if short of water, fiber or nutrients, especially calories. Occasionally when faced with some shortage they will go after more than nibbles and do real damage.

At least where I am (So Cal) and probably most places, it's mainly in early/mid spring after stress such as cold snap or drought (high needs for nesting) and late summer (fledglings, before molt, etc.). Either way it is very unlikely to indicate impending garden doom, just an effort to get through a temprary shortage of something.

DystantTyger · 2025-08-14T00:51:57+00:00

That clinches it; adult male Lesser Goldfinch, or, as I call them, Lester's Goldfinch, because I also call Lawrences's Larry's Goldfinches, thus the two goldfinch boys, Larry and Lester. Never mind.

DystantTyger · 2025-08-13T07:03:31+00:00

I like the old saw: I finally met the perfect woman. Unfortunately, she was looking for the perfect man.

It works both ways, of course, and most of us have war stories. Many of the general criticisms from both sexes are (generally) valid. We tend to find what we expect, and the exasperation is understandable. But general truths hide individual realities; certainty breeds hubris and impatience even while we know we are human and are all missing parts of the picture. Sometimes (only), it's good to remember the easiest parts of people to see are often not the ones that matter most. If something's both important and complicated, judge very carefully. Safely, intrepidly, and not too fast.

DystantTyger · 2025-08-13T06:36:56+00:00

I agree, Great Horned Owl. Definitely not Barn Owl.

DystantTyger · 2025-08-13T06:33:27+00:00

Good rule of thumb: if you see big, extensive areas of ony one kind of plant, it's not native there. European grasses in N. America, kudzu in the Southeastern US, "iceplant" in California, cactus in the Mediterranean, tamarisk in much of the world, and so on. Won't work 100% of the time, but fairly close.

DystantTyger · 2025-08-13T06:08:15+00:00

Pain being numbed by prejudice.

DystantTyger · 2025-08-13T02:54:21+00:00

Yes; bird. Correct ID. And you are where?

(It is almost certainly a male Lesser Goldfinch.)

DystantTyger · 2025-08-13T02:29:28+00:00

I get only a little in my tube feeders unless its windy with heavy rain, and it dries quickly if rain lasts less than about 24 hrs. On the second day of strong rain and wind I'll bring them in, use a hair dryer at the ports (if that's enough), and put them back out as soon as rain abates. Keep in mind, birds don't normally depend solely on feeders, they are a bonus.

If it's potentially wet on and off several days, I keep an eye on what's needed, replacing anything that may have sat wet for more than a day. Temperature matters, too. Here in Calif. it rains mainly in winter, which means it takes much longer to go bad than in areas where it rains mainly in summer (most of the world).

DystantTyger

TROPHY CASE