What About Intense Side Effects
While mild and short-term side effects are possible when you start taking a probiotic, no side effect should be overly bothersome or intense.
If, however, your symptoms are severe and dont dissipate after a couple of weeks, its a good idea to stop the probiotic and see a healthcare professional to find out whats going on.
Often, severe side effects from probiotics may be related to a significant imbalance in the gut microbiome that cant be rectified with probiotics alone.
You may also want to consider trying a different type of probiotic, especially if youre worried that there might be something in the formulation thats causing a problem for you.
For example, you could try a non-dairy probiotic if you think you might have a problem with dairy a common ingredient in many probiotics.
How Probiotics Are Good For You
They might lower the number of “bad” bacteria in your gut that can cause illness or inflammation. They can also replace those problem germs with good or helpful bacteria.
Researchers are studying when and how probiotics might best help. There’s more research for some illnesses than others. They might help people with:
- Diarrhea, especially when it’s linked to specific antibiotics. Probiotics also might help with infectious diarrhea, especially in children.
- Inflammatory bowel diseases including Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis. Some probiotics might keep ulcerative colitis in remission and prevent Crohn’s disease from relapsing and getting worse.
- Irritable bowel syndrome. Probiotics can sometimes help ease symptoms, including stomach pain, bloating, gas, diarrhea, and constipation.
Probiotics also are being studied for many other conditions. There isnât as much research yet, but some people say that probiotics have helped them with:
- Decreasing inflammation, such as from rheumatoid arthritis
Can You Take Prebiotics Without Experiencing Bloating
Here is where science differs from anecdotal evidence. I was inspired to write this article because Ive written and spoken publicly about prebiotics for a good few years now, and Im an avid fan of the idea of consuming them, but for the life of me I cannot digest them. Ever. No matter what. Science says when you first start taking prebiotics, you can expect an increase in gas and bloating, but after a couple weeks it will reduce to the levels experienced before. Specifically, The volume of intestinal gas produced…increased by 37% at the beginning of HOST-G904 administration…and decreased down to preadministration level after 2 week administration.
Prebiotic supplement brands may claim that their particular product doesnt cause gas or bloating, and that if you experience those effects, you arent taking the right prebiotic. That logic is perfectly sound, with one brand stating, People supplementing with digestion resistant starch sometimes complain of bloating and discomfort, especially when first trying the product or when increasing the dose. This is often the case with other prebiotics. However, this problem is generally temporary and is likely related to the microbiome adapting to increased prebiotic levels: The bacteria that can use the prebiotic more efficiently increase in numbers over time as the amount of prebiotic in the diet increases.
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Do Probiotics Help With Bloating And Gas
If youre feeling uncomfortably full, you might be experiencing bloating as a result of gas buildup in your abdomen. There are several remedies to this painful problem, ranging from dietary changes to exercise.
Recently, taking probiotics has emerged as a potential solution to digestive issues, but do probiotics help with bloating? To truly treat gas and painful belly bloat, its important to understand its causes and why it happens. Read on to learn what it is, why it happens, and whether to take probiotics for gas and bloating.
Does Drinking Water Help With Bloating
While it may seem counterintuitive, drinking water may help to reduce bloat by ridding the body of excess sodium, Fullenweider says. Another tip: Be sure to drink plenty of water before your meal too. This step offers the same bloat-minimizing effect and can also prevent overeating, according to the Mayo Clinic.
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Do Probiotics Help With Digestion Gas & Bloating
The term probiotics refers to a group of bacteria that occur naturally in the human body but that are also found in some foods, such as yogurt, as well as many supplements sold over the counter. Often referred to as friendly bacteria, probiotics can help control harmful bacteria in the body, particularly in the digestive tract, which can aid in digestion and potentially prevent gas and bloating especially for those with digestive problems, such as irritable bowel syndrome. Consult your doctor before taking any form of probiotics for a specific health problem.
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How Do You Know If Probiotics Are Working
You will know if probiotics are working once you start seeing changes. There are several positive changes in your body that you can notice when you take a high-quality probiotic supplement or food. These range from improved digestion and a more efficient immune system to improved mental health and clearer skin. More often than not, the first and most immediate change people recognize is more efficient levels of digestion.
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Can I Take Or Eat Something To Increase The Good Probiotics In My Body
You can increase the amount of good microbes in your body through foods, drinks and supplements. You may already have certain foods in your daily diet that contain probiotics. Fermented foods in particular are home to a host of good bacteria that benefit your body. There are also fermented drinks like kombucha or kefir that introduce extra probiotics into your diet.
Apart from food, you can add probiotics to your diet through dietary supplements. These arent drugs, so they do not need to be approved by the Federal Drug Administration . Its important that you always talk to your healthcare provider before starting any kind of supplement or major change to your diet.
Where Can I Find Probiotics
You can find probiotics primarily in supplement form, but also, some foods are rich in probiotics that are often recommended to include in your diet.
Fermented foods in particular, such as yogurt, kombucha, kimchi, kefir, and pickles, for example, are home to a host of good bacteria that benefit your body.
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Gas And Bloating Side Effect
The use of probiotic supplements is considered generally safe for most people when used as directed. If you develop adverse reactions after taking a probiotic supplement, call your doctor for evaluation. Common side effects for some people who are taking one to two billion probiotic cells daily are gas, upset stomach and diarrhea, according to the University of Maryland Medical Center. These side effects are the result of the sudden increase of bacteria in the digestive system. Common side effects should subside within a few days, once your body becomes accustomed to increased dosage.
Probiotics Arent Only Found In Dairy Products
You may think of probiotics as limited to yogurt or other dairy products, but theyre also found in plenty of other foods. They are in many fermented foods like kimchi, sauerkraut, pickles, and kefir. They can also be found in supplements and even non-dairy yogurts like coconut milk yogurt or soy probiotic yogurt .
If you want to add some cultured veggies from your fridge into a salad or sandwich without having to make them yourself at home firstor if you dont have time for thatyou can buy them pre-made at most grocery stores these days too.
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Fiction: Probiotics Are A Substitute For A Healthy Diet
Fact: Probiotics cant take the place of eating well and maintaining a balanced diet rich in fruits, vegetables, whole grains, low-fat dairy products, and lean protein sources such as chicken or fish at most meals each day to ensure that youre getting all essential vitamins and minerals that promote good health including calcium, potassium, magnesium, and zincwhich is important when taking antibiotics since they deplete these nutrients faster than usual.
Can Probiotics Cause Gas In The Stomach
Some people experience a few days of mild gastrointestinal discomfort when first taking probiotics. Healthy bacteria in our gut produce gas as they digest food. The newly introduced probiotics flora may produce more gas than usual while their populations grow and become established.
Gas in the stomach is an indication that youre having probiotic side effects. This can happen when you first begin taking these supplements or after a period of not using them.
This side effect will usually pass within some days or weeks of using probiotic supplements. To be precise, this timeframe may be anywhere between 7 and 21 days.
In rare cases, the symptoms will persist. In that case, consider seeing your doctor, who may recommend a suitable solution, such as changing to a better probiotic product.
Besides, always take probiotic products at the dose prescribed by your doctor or the manufacturer. Itll keep you from taking too much, which may cause mild discomfort like gas and diarrhea.
Moreover, try to get your probiotic supplements from a trusted brand and store it in a cool, dry place. In addition, avoid taking probiotics with dairy products as these may affect their digestion.
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It Should Be In A Dosage Of Billions
An adult’s daily recommended dosage for probiotics is 10 billion CFU or more. Thus, choose a probiotic supplement that contains billions of good bacteria in one dose.
Just in case your body can’t handle the side effects, we recommend you start low then slowly work on increasing the dose up to 10 billion CFUs.
Make sure to read the label so that you can be aware of the potency of your probiotic supplement. You should not go beyond the manufacturer’s recommended dosage!
Side Effects Of Probiotics
Probiotics may trigger some allergic reactions, according to the Cleveland Clinic, and could cause an upset stomach, diarrhea, flatulence or bloating in the first few days after taking them. The clinic cautions that it may take a little trial and error to find the best probiotic for you. If you dont notice any benefits from a product after a few weeks, try another product with a different bacteria strain.
Also, Harvard Health Publishing recommends taking probiotics at the end of a meal to ease issues like loose stool.
Given that probiotics are already in the body, probiotic foods and supplements are generally considered to be safe, according to the Cleveland Clinic. But people with weakened immune systems or those whove had a surgery need to approach probiotics with caution and consult their physicians.
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What Is The Best Time To Take Probiotics
While it doesnt necessarily matter what time of day you take a probiotic, its probably a good idea to give yourself some time to adjust before going to bed.
Taking a probiotic supplement just before bed is not advised because your body needs some time to rest and recover from the day. This will allow the beneficial bacteria in your supplement to have enough time to reach a high presence in your gut without being slowed down by other body processes.
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Certain Ingredients Can Cause Adverse Reactions
In addition to offering different strains of bacteria, probiotics supplements can often include other ingredients introduced during manufacturing which can lead to adverse reactions. Some people may experience side effects from probiotics not because of the microbes themselves but because of other ingredients within the supplement, such as lactose, soy, or egg. Its important to check supplement labels and avoid these probiotics if you have sensitivities or allergies to these types of common ingredients.
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Probiotics For Gas And Bloating
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If you suffer from painful gas or bloating, you might be able to alleviate your symptoms by taking probiotic supplements. One common cause of this ailment is having an overgrowth of harmful bacteria in your digestive tract. Probiotics add beneficial bacteria to your digestive tract, which work in harmony with your body, rather than against it.
More than 30 percent of people report experiencing bloating regularly, 10-15% have Irritable Bowel Syndrome, and at least 40% of people worldwide experience some form of FGID or Functional Gastrointestinal Disorder.
While developing small amounts of gas is quite normal, and everyone experiences it, gas and gas pain can be worse and more persistent for people suffering from GI disorders. Its the same with bloating: for some people, its mild and merely a nuisance, but for others, it is painful and interferes with daily life. While scientists know what causes gas, there is no conclusion about what truly causes bloating and no pharmaceutical cure. Frequent and ongoing gas and bloat is often a sign that something is out of balance with your gut health.
Recent research has pointed more and more to imbalances in the gut microbiome as the culprit of many gastrointestinal issues.
Do I Need To Take Probiotic Supplements
Probiotics can come from the food and drink that could already be in your diet, most fermented foods, such as pickles and yogurt, are home to a number of good bacteria that can help your body get the right balance of probiotics.
There are also a few fermented drinks that you can try that are packed full of good bacteria such as kombucha, which is fermented tea, and kefir, which is a fermented dairy drink. There are plenty of food and drink options that are packed with probiotics, such as:
Introducing these foods into a well-balanced diet will help with the probiotic balance in your body, especially your gut. When buying these foods, check the label for live and active cultures, which means that the food or drink is full of good bacteria.
You can also take probiotic supplements if you feel you arent getting enough probiotics in your diet, probiotic supplements can come in a variety of forms including pills, food, drink, or powders. You should always check with your healthcare provider before adding a new supplement to your diet.
Read on here to find out how long it takes for probiotics to work.
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Do Probiotics Make You Fart Or Feel Gassy
While most people who take probiotics do so without encountering any negative side effects, some people DO experience a minor increase in flatulence. Its just a byproduct of the GI tract undergoing changes and adjustments. The good news, though, is that, unless you have a sensitivity or allergy to one of the ingredients in the supplement, any increased gassiness should stop within a few weeks of consistent use.
Can Increase Infection Risk For A Minority
Probiotics reduce the infection risk in the vast majority of the population and are one of the best supplements for building an immune system. However, for a small minority, probiotics can increase the risk of infection.
In very rare cases, bacteria or yeast that are found in probiotics can enter the bloodstream and cause infections.
Those at greater risk of this happening include people with suppressed immune systems, venous catheters, prolonged hospitalizations, or those who have recently undergone surgery.
Although the risk of developing an infection is low, it is important to check with your doctor if you should take probiotics, especially if you are at greater risk.
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Garden Of Life Dr Formulated Probiotics Platinum Series Restore
This product from Garden of Life boasts 200 billion CFU in each serving, making it one of the highest CFU probiotics on the market.
It contains a blend of 11 probiotics intended to restore gut balance, provide digestive support, and enhance immune function.
Garden of Life also uses a unique packaging process to keep moisture out while also maximizing potency, even without refrigeration.
The company claims its products are third-party tested, though the name of the testing organization for this particular product isnt disclosed.
Keep in mind: This probiotic is a bit pricier than others on our list, and its high CFU count might not be a good fit for everyone.
Stick To A Lower Dose
The higher the dose, the greater chance you will experience side effects like bloating and gas.
Most studies show that taking anywhere from 1 billion to 5 billion CFUs daily is safe for most people. However, these types of doses may cause side effects in those who are sensitive or intolerant.
If you have never taken probiotics before or have any health conditions that may affect your gut health , start with a lower dose until you know how your body reacts. Then, gradually increase it over time as needed.
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What Can You Do To Reduce Your Gassiness
If youre one of the people who encounter extra gassiness after starting your probiotic, consider lowering your dosage for a bit to help your body adjust to the change more gradually. If youre taking a one-a-day pill or beverage, cut back to taking them once every three days and steadily work your way back up to the recommended dosage over several days, depending on the severity and frequency of your side effects.
That said, if youve been taking a probiotic for several weeks and dont notice the gassiness subside, please dont hesitate to reach out to your regular doctor or a certified gastroenterologist to make an appointment. This is important because these temporary side effects continued presence can be a clear indicator that something else is going on that may trigger your gastrointestinal issues. In the meantime, if youre taking a general probiotic, consider stopping your dosage, doing some research, and switching to a more specified probiotic strain thats specifically targeted to meet your particular digestive needs. Targeted probiotic strains may prove more beneficial in their effects and may also be less likely to trigger unwanted side effects.
Are you suffering from the negative effects of antibiotics and need an effective way to start boosting the growth of helpful bacteria in your guts? Sunny Culture can provide you with a range of specialized probiotic water kefir drinks to promote your gut health and support your overall wellbeing.