Can Probiotics Give You Gas

Can This Be Lessen Or Avoided

While theres no way to avoid these symptoms, you can lessen gas and stomach pain to a great degree.

Its all about the type and amount of food you eat. Lessening the amount of cabbage or beans you eat will definitely lower the production of gas.

However, they should not be removed from your diet completely. A little gas will not hurt your pride at all since:

It would be hard to stop these gas from going out of your body. While some of them are expelled as you breathe, burp, or recycled by your gut bacteria, some have no other choice but to go out in a smelly fashion.

Other techniques to stop overproduction of gas is to eat slowly and not to talk when youre mouth is full. Its not just plain rude, but you ended up swallowing more than what youre eating that is more air which converts to gas.

Healthline also recommends starting with a low dose of probiotics in the first few weeks. This will allow your body to adjust slowly and naturally.

Do Probiotics Make You Poop More

Some research shows that probiotics can help constipation and make you poop more. One study that tested the effectiveness of probiotics for constipation saw patients who consumed probiotics saw a 70% improvement in stool frequency and a 60% improvement in overall stool consistency.

Theres a lot of evidence for and against this which seems to point to probiotics needing more research to know if it can fight constipation and improve overall stool frequency.

The research that we mentioned above at the start of this section only had a group of around 30 people in it meaning it is not a big enough sample size for us to get reliable results.

In addition, in another case, 75 people took probiotics for over 4 weeks against a control group. After the four weeks there were no differences in stool frequency, which means probiotics may not actually help you poop more.

Should I Try Probiotics

If you are interested in adding probiotics to your diet, its worth a conversation with your healthcare provider. Many providers may suggest giving them a try to see if they help with your general health. It is important to remember that not all probiotics behave the same way and have the same effects. Each has their own individual benefits. They generally dont cause harm. One easy way to start can be by simply introducing probiotic-rich foods into your diet, like yogurt.

Before you start any supplements, make sure you talk to your healthcare provider. Your provider may be able to point you in the right direction, helping you figure out the best probiotic to take, how much to take and when to take it. A conversation is always worth the time when it concerns your health.

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Prebiotics Make Us Happier

You may be aware that our guts are responsible for the majority of the serotonin, a primary feel-good chemical needed for emotional wellbeing, that our bodies manufacture. The link between wellness and our intestines is irrefutable for physical and emotional health, and just like probiotics can help keep us happy, taking prebiotics has been proven to improve our emotional wellness. Prebiotics reduce our production of the stress hormone cortisol, and have an anti-anxiety effect.

Can I Take Probiotics With Other Supplements

Yes, you can take probiotics with other supplements. In fact, some experts recommend taking them together. Probiotics help to replenish the good bacteria in your gut. Other supplements can help improve gut health as well.

For example, you might want to consider taking a probiotic with a prebiotic. Prebiotics are types of fiber that feed the good bacteria in your gut. They help to keep your gut healthy and promote the growth of probiotics.

You can also take probiotics with other digestive supplements, such as enzymes. Digestive enzymes help to break down food so that your body can absorb nutrients more easily. Probiotics can help to improve the function of enzymes.

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Prebiotics And Bloating: Why It Happens And How To Avoid It

Prebiotics, which are the fiber that probiotics eat, have been around for millenia, but theyve only come into our collective consciousness in the last decade or so. Prebiotics are vital to our gut health, but they can have the unpleasant side effects of gas and bloating. Heres everything you need to know about taking them.

Taking Too Many Probiotics Can Cause Mild Discomfort

Taking more than a usual dose 1 to 10 billion colony forming units of probiotics doesn’t necessarily mean better results and, instead, might provoke some mildly uncomfortable side effects.

“Some research has shown that using more bacteria may, in fact, counteract . If the bacteria get to the food before us, they can turn it into gas,” says Farhadi. On top of excess gas, you might experience bloating or a generally upset stomach. Diarrhea can also occur, but that’s about as bad as it gets.

Side effects, most commonly gas, may also occur when someone first starts taking probiotics, as their gut may experience some changes in bacteria levels. Usually, though, if someone is taking an average dose, these side effects should wear off soon, once the body adjusts.

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Weak Abdomen Or Poor Gas Handling

In some people, the anterior abdominal muscle operates abnormally, whether from weakness or poor posture.

When operating normally, the diaphragm should relax, and the abdominals contract. Instead, the abdominal wall relaxes while the diaphragm contracts, causing the anterior abdominal wall to expand and the gut to protrude outward. The gas gets pushed around within the abdomen, leading to feelings of being bloated, even if gas volume remains the same.

How To Reduce Probiotic Side Effects

If you are taking probiotics and experience any of the above side effects, you dont need to stop taking them completely. Lowering the dosage is often the best way to keep any gastrointestinal discomfort or other side effects at bay.

Most often, your body may just need to adjust to the sudden dose of beneficial bacteria. This initial adjustment period should usually only last the first few days as your guts microflora begin to rebalance. Try to reduce your dosage by half until the symptoms have disappeared then proceed to the suggested dose.

Along with reducing your dosage, you should also:

• Take your probiotics on an empty stomach Probiotics can produce gas when combined with certain foods. Taking your probiotics on an empty stomach ensures that that wont happen and ensures the maximum survivability of the beneficial bacteria. Take your probiotics at least 30 minutes before you eat. If you are still experiencing problems, try taking your probiotics on an empty stomach before bed.
• Drink plenty of water Many of the side effects are a result of your digestive system undergoing the process of detoxification. Staying hydrated will speed up the process and keep you from getting dehydrated if you have diarrhea.
• Stay patient It can take up to two weeks for your body to adjust to the probiotics before the benefits kick in.

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Could You Benefit From A Probiotic Supplement

While there are several potential benefits of probiotics, its important to get educated before you increase your probiotic intake.

Lactobacillus Bifidobacterium.

When you go to the grocery store, youre likely to see a number of items containing probiotics, these friendly microorganisms that are most commonly bacteria and sometimes a type of yeast.

And thanks to their popularity, you can find everything from probiotic smoothies, chocolate, and granola bars to probiotic supplements and powders.

Though theyve become more prominent over the last two decades, Probiotics have actually been consumed by humans in one form or another for more than 100 years, says Susan Lucak, MD, a gastroenterologist in New York City and a special lecturer at the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University.

The two most common types of probiotics found on the market are species of good bacteria called Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. While their manufacturers claim that probiotics have a number of overall and digestive health benefits, supplement dosing and the included strains vary widely, and not everyone needs one.

Dr Formulated Probiotics Gas & Bloating Daily Care

For those who deal with occasional abdominal issues including gas, bloating, constipation and diarrhea, youre not alone. Its estimated that up to 25% of people in the U.S. complain of abdominal issues. Dr. Formulated Probiotics Gas & Bloating is a once-daily capsule providing a triple-action complete probiotic formula with Pre + Pro + Postbiotics, delivering powerful digestive support. Offering 40 Billion CFU and 15 diverse probiotic strains, Dr. Formulated Probiotics Gas & Bloating Daily Care is Non-GMO Project Verified, NSF Certified Gluten Free, Dairy Free and Soy Free.

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Do I Need To Take Probiotics After I Take Antibiotics

Antibiotic medications are often needed to fight an infection. However, while antibiotics are killing the bad bacteria, they are also knocking out the good bacteria in your body. Some people develop conditions like diarrhea after taking an antibiotic. In other people, this may allow for really bad bacteria to take over and populate the gut, such as with C. diff. Some research has shown a positive connection between taking probiotics after an antibiotic and relief from diarrhea. This hasnt been proven yet and doesnt work for everyone.

The thought behind adding probiotics back into your body after taking an antibiotic is that it can repopulate the good bacteria that was destroyed by the antibiotics and re-boot your system. The extra good bacteria helps repopulate your gut and fight off any remaining bad bacteria. Many people feel that adding in probiotics wont hurt, might help you feel better a little faster and prevent diarrhea.

Possible Side Effects Of Probiotics

Probiotics are living bacteria and yeasts that provide health benefits when consumed in large amounts.

They can be taken as supplements or consumed naturally through fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi and kombucha .

The health benefits of probiotic supplements and foods have been well documented, including a lower risk of infections, improved digestion and even a reduced risk for some chronic diseases .

While there are many health benefits linked to taking probiotics, there can also be side effects. Most of these are minor and only affect a small percentage of the population.

However, some people with serious illnesses or compromised immune systems may experience more severe complications.

This article reviews the most common side effects of probiotics and how to reduce them.

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What Are The Most Common Types Of Probiotic Bacteria

Though there are many types of bacteria that can be considered probiotics, there are two specific types of bacteria that are common probiotics found in stores. These include:

• Lactobacillus.
• Bifidobacterium.

Probiotics are also made up of good yeast. The most common type of yeast found in probiotics is:

• Saccharomyces boulardii.

What Causes Bloating In The Stomach

Bloating is the result of a build up of gas in the digestive system and can lead to pain and that uncomfortable, heavy feeling after eating. Some people experience this occasionally, or for some this can be a daily occurrence.

The gut microbiome is made up of many different strains of bacteria, and is influenced daily by our individual environmental and lifestyle exposures. We play host to this army of bacteria, including beneficial probiotics, which are essential for our health and wellbeing. You may like to read: Are all types of friendly bacteria the same?

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Treating Gas And Bloating

Belly bloat and gas pains are most often treated with dietary changes and lifestyle modifications. Changing what you eat may help reduce the amount of gas that you produce or help gas move through your system more quickly. Some find that keeping a journal of what they eat may help to pinpoint problem food items, while others find that smaller portions and making a point to thoroughly chew food is more effective.3

If youre a smoker, you might be swallowing excess air with every cigarette. Quitting can drastically affect your overall health, as well as reduce the potential for gas pains. Regular exercise has been found to be beneficial to your digestive system. It reduces the risk of constipation, which can cause a buildup of gas in your colon, leading to uncomfortable bloating.3

Reducing Your Stress Levels

Many people underestimate the effect stress can have on your body, but in fact, high stress levels cause cardiovascular diseases, weaken your immune system, and even cause you to experience hair loss.

So its no surprise that stress can have a seriously negative effect on your digestive system and your gut health.

Stress can alter the microbiome in your gut which can therefore increase symptoms such as bloating, discomfort, and gas.

Try practicing some relaxing techniques like daily yoga or meditation to reduce your stress levels and hopefully help rebalance your microbiome system.

If your stress is work-related, then it may be worth having a private conversation with your boss to discuss how your work negatively is impacting your health, and see if there are ways to alleviate the stress by offloading some tasks that are causing you to be stressed.

And a fun fact to conclude: the average person passes gas about 10-20 times a day!

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Probiotics Can Cause Diarrhea

Studies have shown how helpful probiotics can be for infectious diarrhea, traveler’s diarrhea, antibiotic-associated diarrhea, and C diff diarrhea. However, they can cause diarrhea in some people.

This negative side effect should pass as your body gets fully adjusted to the new probiotics. In the long run, probiotics should not cause diarrhea. If you have diarrhea that lasts greater than 2 weeks while taking a probiotic then stop taking probiotics.

Who Shouldn’t Take Probiotics

People with Compromised Immune SystemsAlthough probiotics benefit the immune system, they can potentially pose a danger to people in the following circumstance:1. If a person has a compromised immune systems2. AND they have an open IV or central line 3. AND they are being administered probiotics in powder form.

According to one review article, persons who have the highest risk when taking probiotics are immunosuppressed or are premature infants

Minor risks include having a central venous catheter, having an impaired intestinal barrier, cardiac valvular disease, and those simultaneously taking a broad spectrum antibiotic to which the probiotic is resistant, and taking probiotics via a jejestomy tube.

The authors of the review article recommended that probiotics be used with caution if there is one major risk and one minor risk.13

If you have a weakened immune system you should consult your physician before taking a probiotic supplement.

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How Long Does Bloating Last After Starting Probiotics

Bloating is a common side effect of taking probiotics. If you are experiencing bloating, it typically lasts for one to two weeks after starting the probiotic. The good news is that this side-effect goes away with time and usually subsides within four or five days.

There are even some tips to help ease your discomfort while you wait for the bloating to subside.

One way to relieve your discomfort maybe by eating more high fiber foods which will also help improve digestion and reduce gas production in your intestines.

Some other suggestions include: drinking lots of water, staying hydrated, practicing deep breathing exercises, spending time outside in nature , drinking ginger tea or peppermint tea (to soothe stomach

Make Time For Your Health With Bio

So, when is the best time to take probiotics? When youre feeling unbalanced, bloated, or low. However, no matter your disposition, taking a high quality probiotic once a day can help you rebalance your wellness no matter what youre feeling.

If you think its time to incorporate a probiotic into your wellness routine, enlist Bio-K+® in the balance of your gut microbiota.

Our line of probiotics includes drinkable and capsule varieties to support cognitive, immune, and gastrointestinal health. Regain balance today with Bio-K+®.

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Can You Overdose On Probiotics

Probiotic-rich foods and supplements are generally considered safe. Your body is already filled with trillions of diverse bacteria, so overdosing is rare assuming that your immune system is healthy and functioning as normal.8

That said, you can always have too much of a good thing. Taking too many probiotics can create an unstable intestinal environment, which may result in many of the gastrointestinal side effects mentioned above, including diarrhea, abdominal pain, gas, bloating, and nausea.12

If you accidentally overdose on probiotics you should not be concerned as your gut microbiome will quickly reach a new equilibrium after you stop taking probiotics. An effective probiotic dose is 10 billion CFUs. Stick to a daily dose around 10 billion CFUs and only increase if needed such as when youre taking a course of antibiotics or have an underlying digestive issue.