Can Probiotics Cause Constipation
Not in most cases, but it can happen. For example, taking Saccharomyces boulardii in large doses can slow down digestion and might not be appropriate if youre trying to speed up your gut transit time.
Most research suggests probiotics, especially Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, increase gut motility. But to paraphrase one clinical trial, probiotics are living organisms that produce many different metabolites and interact with many different cells. We have no way of knowing or understanding why results may vary in a small number of cases.
Your best bet is to stick with a supplement formulated with species and strains specifically.
Other Treatments For Constipation
To get the most from probiotics for constipation, you should also combine this with the use of other positive behaviors and remedies. Drinking plenty of water is the most important thing you can do here as very often constipation is actually caused by dehydration. At the same time, consider upping your intake of fiber which will pass through our digestive system and encourage movement. As mentioned, eating prunes is a particularly good way to get more soluble and insoluble fiber and to benefit from a range of other active ingredients too.
You can also try to encourage healthy bowel movements by drinking caffeine. Caffeine is a natural laxative and if you consume a few cups of coffee, you might well find that things start to move down there. Do make sure to add even more water in this case however, as caffeine is also diuretic and can leave you even more dehydrated.
Finally, try to stay relaxed and to take some time out. Stress causes us to contract our muscles, even those in the intestines. Try taking a warm bath and maybe some valerian root. This will relax the muscle tissue while the warmth and the water might help to stimulate a little movement.
If none of this works however, then be sure to see your doctor and rule out any more serious causes.
Optibac Probiotics 1699 For 30 Sachets Best For Mums And Kids
Suitable for: 0-12-year-olds, plus pregnant and breastfeeding mums
Type: Powder
These probiotics are suitable for kids from birth right up to the age of 12, as well as pregnant and breastfeeding mums, meaning you wont have to pick up multiple products to suit the needs of your family.
The powder, which can easily be sprinkled on top of porridge or mixed into a drink, contains three billion natural live cultures per sachet, in three well-researched strains .
According to the brand, they have all been tested to survive both stomach acidity and bile salts meaning theyll actually reach where they need to and make a difference.
It also contains fructooligosaccharide a dairy fibre with various benefits. And, as an extra bonus, theres no added sugar, colourings or flavourings and its suitable for vegetarians and gluten-free kids.
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Frequency Of Fecal Incontinence
Fecal incontinence was reported in five RCTs . Based on the pooled results of two RCTs , there was no significant effect of L. casei rhamnosus Lcr35 compared with placebo on the frequency of fecal incontinence at the end of intervention no significant heterogeneity was found . No other trials reported significant differences between the probiotics and the placebo groups in the frequency of fecal incontinence. Of note, in the study by Sadeghzadeh et al., fecal incontinence was assessed only in patients who had these symptoms before the intervention. In this subgroup, no significant difference between the control and probiotic groups in the frequency of fecal incontinence was found at the end of the intervention .
The Best Probiotic Supplements For Constipation
Probiotics supplements will often come in capsule or powder form and are usually comprised of liquids that have an optimal combination of different strains of helpful bacteria. When you consume these capsules or powders, the bacteria can be released into your GI tract where they can get to work and go about their business.
Whats important to recognize though is that some of the little critters can be killed on their journey into your stomach by heat or by the process of swallowing. Make sure that you keep your supplements in the fridge and read around to select the best products that have the most positive reviews.
Otherwise, you can also get probiotics from certain foods that have been allowed to develop natural, health cultures of bacteria. A good example of this is yogurt and you can buy a large number of yogurt products that have actually been fortified with additional healthy bacteria, but be aware that yogurt doesnât really have the highest concentration of bacteria, and some will have minor digestive issues with dairy.
Another good source of probiotics is to consume fermented foods, such as sauerkraut or pickles.
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Results Of Systematic Search
The initial number of publications found were 536. After the title and abstract review and removal of duplicates, we included 33 papers for the full-text analysis phase. Finally, we extracted data from 18 publications . The results from guidelines and recommendations on probiotic utility in constipation are presented in and . In parallel we compared the results of meta-analyses/systematic reviews that evaluated the efficacy of probiotics in constipation.
Use Of Probiotics In Constipation
Given the impact of constipation on QoL, and the effectiveness of certain probiotics on improving constipation-related symptoms, there is increasing interest in using probiotics as a therapeutic option.
A survey in 269 patients attending outpatient gastroenterology clinics identified that 44 % used complementary and alternative medicines, with constipation being the most cited symptom to be addressed, and probiotics being the most common complementary and alternative medicine used.
Indeed, TV adverts were the most common source of information for probiotics in gut health, followed by family, friends and the internet in general . This is mostly in agreement with the findings of a previous survey that showed that commercial advertising was the most common source of information for probiotic use in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, followed by family and friends, and healthcare professionals. Similarly, another survey showed that the most common sources of information for the use of complementary and alternative medicines in gastrointestinal conditions were family, newspapers, magazines, the internet and friends.
Fig. 2. Sources of information for probiotic use for gut health in people with constipation based on an online survey in 346 people with self-reported constipation. GP, general practitioner . Adapted from data presented in Dimidi et al..
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Take Medication Without Prescription
Using medicine without a prescription can lead to adverse side effects that might worsen your constipation. It is always better to consult your doctor and get the right medicine so things should work out well.
If you are already taking medicine for blood pressure, depression, or have an eating disorder, you might need to quit using them until your constipation is cured. These medicines can cause or enhance the severity of constipation.
Always ask your doctor if you plan to stop using them or if there are alternatives they can recommend that will not aggravate your constipation.
The Differences Between Probiotics Prebiotics And Synbiotics
Probiotics contain friendly living microbes, whereas prebiotics do not. Prebiotics contain non-digestible food particles that support the growth of friendly microbes already living in your intestines. Good sources of prebiotics include bananas, berries, flax, onion, garlic, artichokes, leeks, legumes, and whole grains. Synbiotics combine both a probiotic and a prebiotic.
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Align Probiotic Testimonials From Customers
Align Probiotic has made a huge name for itself as one of the leading probiotic brands on the market in several different product reviews.
In fact, its such a popular supplement that its a #1 Doctor and Gastroenterologist probiotic supplement, and it earned the 2010 Gold Edison Award for health innovation.
In addition, its not hard to find a positive review for these probiotics.
For example, take a look at some of these
I was extremely miserable my stomach was so heavy I felt and looked pregnant. I was so bloated, uncomfortable and tired all the time.
Once I started taking align all that changed and I never felt better. I stand by this product and highly recommend this for anyone who is having problems with their digestive system.
Id been struggling with IBS for years and started trying different probiotics in hopes that one would work. After a few, Im happy to report that this is the one that works for me! I noticed a difference within a few days. No more bloating or gurgling sounds from my stomach. I only wish I had found this product sooner!
So many real customers who reviewed this product found that it was effective for helping minimize stomach discomfort.
In particular, irritable bowel syndrome patients highly recommended this probiotic because it helped minimize their issues.
Of course, everyones body reacts to supplements differently, so its well worth noting the reviews that mention gastrointestinal upset as a side common side effect.
Probiotics For Constipation: The Bottom Line
Constipation is a common ailment that many of us suffer with at some point in our lives. Constipation and other related issues can throw off the balance in our gut microbiome, which can often have a negative impact on other aspects of health.
Probiotics are often the go-to supplement for any gut-related issues. While they may help under certain circumstances, such as to ease IBS symptoms, or to replenish good bacteria after a course of antibiotics, they are known to have many downfalls.
Prebiotics appear to be the better choice of gut supplement when it comes to supporting a healthy digestive system, boosting immune function, and providing a relief from bowel struggles such as constipation.
Our top pick is Performance Lab Prebiotic, an effective and reliable alternative to probiotics alone, which nourishes existing bacteria and provides digestive comfort, thus promoting overall gut health.
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Probiotics May Also Prevent Fatal Gut Disease
A 2014 review by Cochrane found that probiotics could be particularly useful in a hospital’s neonatal intensive care unit. Adding beneficial bacteria to nutritional regimens reduced the risk of a fatal gut disease that primarily afflicts preterm infants.
Ultimately, extensive material that can be found in reputable medical sources and many studies have, in fact, established that taking probiotics can help prevent digestive problems. Constipation is included in the list of conditions treatable through proper probiotic consumption. Nonetheless, do seek a consultation with your medical doctor before starting any dietary plan targeting any medical condition.
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I hope that you’ve found this guide useful, and perhaps gained more insight into the application process. Most of the admissions-related information can be found on the official NUS Faculty of Dentistry website.
To help yourself out, you should take note of what people look for when they look for a dentist.
This article was written by Dr Andrea Rajnakova and published on Wednesday, 25 January 2017. Human medically reviewed the article on Wednesday, 25 January 2017. The last update was made on Friday, 18 September 2020.
Disclaimer: Opinions belong to the author and not to the platform.
Is It Safe To Take Probiotics During Pregnancy
Most experts say that it is perfectly fine to take probiotics during pregnancy because your baby gets their first dose of healthy bacteria from you when they are born through breast milk or vaginal delivery.
Your gut health will be directly related to how well your own digestive system and immune system are operating, which means that you need to take care of yourself during pregnancy.
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Best Probiotic For Constipation Conclusion
Probiotics are live microorganisms that are similar to the good bacteria found in your gut.
When taken in large enough quantities, they can help to restore the balance of bacteria in your gut, which can lead to a wide range of health benefits.
One of the most common uses for probiotics is to relieve constipation.
This is because probiotics help to increase the number of good bacteria in your gut, which can help to break down food and move it through your digestive system more efficiently. Probiotics can also help to reduce inflammation in the gut, which can further contribute to relief from constipation.
If you’re struggling with constipation, taking a probiotic supplement may be a helpful solution.
Your Baby Is In Daycare And You Want To Decrease Their Chance Of Getting Sick
Babies and toddlers who are around other kids in a daycare setting tend to get sick more frequently than children who stay at home. If you want to decrease your babys chances of getting sick, Kaufmann says probiotics may help, citing a study that found a decrease in incidence of rhinopharyngitis for children in daycare when they drank a fermented yogurt drinkProdeus A, Niborski V, Schrezenmeir J, Gorelov A, Shcherbina A, Rumyantsev A. Fermented Milk Consumption and Common Infections in Children Attending Day-Care Centers: A Randomized Trial. J Pediatr Gastroenterol Nutr. 2016 63:534-543. .
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Are There Probiotics For Colic
There is just one recommended probiotic strain called Lactobacillus Reuteri, which has evidence in relation to helping babies and young children suffering from colic . This probiotic is found in the supplement:
Research has shown that this probiotic may increase the effectiveness of colic treatments, decrease colic symptoms, reduce daily crying and unsettled times . The evidence is strongest for breastfed babies and there needs to be more research for formula-fed babies.
There is not strong enough evidence that probiotics can prevent colic before it starts.
Probiotic Compounds Significantly Regulate Intestinal Health In Mice With Constipation
The GI transit rate reflects the dynamics of the small intestine and may thus reflect the effects of probiotic compounds on intestinal motility. A higher GI transit rate indicates a shorter residence of chyme in the small intestine and greater small intestinal motility. Loperamide challenge led to a low GI transit rate in the model group, indicating that the constipation model was successfully established. After the intragastric administration of probiotic compounds, mice with constipation in low and high-dose groups exhibited significantly improved GI transit rates . This observation suggests that treatment with probiotic compounds can effectively improve intestinal motility and accelerate the movement and exit of chyme via the small intestine. There was no significant difference in GI transit rate between the low and high-dose group.
Effects of probiotic compounds on defecation in a mouse model of constipation. Gastrointestinal transit rates. Times to first black stool defecation. Number of black stools. Weight of black stools. Data are means with SEM. aâd: Different letters indicate significant differences , and the same letters or no letters indicate no significant difference. Same as below.
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Clinical Study Of Constipation
In a clinical trial of patients with moderate constipation, daily use of a unique probiotic for two weeks led to a:4
- 42% decrease in constipation,
- 52% decrease in abdominal pain, and
- 48% decrease in nausea.
In addition to restoring regularity, this probiotic could help prevent some of the long-term health effects associated with constipation.
Considerations When Taking Probiotics For Constipation
If youre considering taking probiotics to increase stool frequency, its also helpful to evaluate any and all other factors that might be contributing to the problem.
Is there anything else you can do to influence your digestive health along with taking probiotics? If medically appropriate, see if you can:
- Up your water intake.
- Consume more soluble fiber that will act as prebiotics for your good bacteria.
- Increase your activity level.
- Ask your doctor if any medications youre taking can be contributing to constipation and if there is an alternative.
While probiotics are safe for an overwhelming majority of people, those who are dealing with critical health conditions should consult a probiotic-literate healthcare professional for medical advice.
Finally, sometimes people feel temporary side effects when they begin taking a probiotic supplement. Gas, bloating, and general stomach upset can occur as the gut microbiota rebalances.
This generally subsides after a few days but if it doesnt, here are a few tips:
- While its best to take probiotics on an empty stomach, you could try taking your supplement with food while your body adjusts.
- Reduce the amount youre taking and gradually increase the dose.
- Make sure there are no ingredients in the supplement you might be allergic to, like gluten or dairy.
- Consider trying a product that contains different strains of bacteria.
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What Are The Signs Of Constipation
There are a few different signs that you may be constipated. These can include having hard or lumpy stools, feeling like you cant empty your bowels completely, straining to have a bowel movement, and/or having fewer than three bowel movements in a week.
If youre experiencing any of these symptoms, then you may want to try a probiotic for constipation relief. Probiotics are live microorganisms that can help improve your gut health.
What Are The Benefits Of Probiotics For Children
Overall, probiotics may have health benefits for children including supporting a healthy digestive system.
Another potential benefit is to support the rebalance of gut bacteria following a course of antibiotics. When required to fight a bacterial infection, antibiotics are very important, but they can affect the balance of our natural gut health and can cause a reduction in the diversity of our gut microbiome.
In some cases, children also experience diarrhoea and research suggests that probiotics can help protect some people from getting diarrhoea.
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