How Can Probiotics For Constipation Help
Probiotics, or good bacteria, are bacteria species that we consume for their health benefits. Probiotics are capable of improving the health of your gut microbiome and can fight harmful microorganisms [6
Research shows that the beneficial bacteria in probiotic supplements can help with chronic constipation. Several systematic reviews and meta-analyses have shown that probiotics:
- Significantly improve stool frequency [10
Trusted SourcePubMedGo to source, 18 Trusted SourcePubMedGo to source]. Since the prevalence of bacterial overgrowths like SIBO increases with age , this may be a factor in the differences between adults and children when it comes to the success of using probiotics for constipation.
As a result of balancing gut microorganisms, probiotics also reduce inflammation .
Renew Life Ultimate Flora Colon Care
Renew Life is very popular for its products because they use superior quality ingredients. Among their products, colon care has been specifically formulated to improve digestive health and relieve constipation.
Its improved formula contains 14 different scientifically proven probiotic strains. Out of 14, 7 of them are Lactobacillus and 7 are of Bifidobacteria. These strains quickly colonize the colon as they are very familiar to our GI tract.
Each capsule contains 80 billion live cultures, 52 billion of them are bifidobacteria cultures and 28 of them are lactobacillus cultures. These cultures are encapsulated in a vegetable capsule made up of fiber and cellulose. So, even vegetarians and vegans can take these supplements.
All the supplements from Renew Life are manufactured in a GMP facility. The manufacturer guarantees potency, purity and quality of the product until expiration. It does not contain any artificial or allergenic ingredients. The capsules are completely soy, gluten and dairy free.
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Drink More Water To Poop Easier
Increasing your fluid intake can help to soften stool and kickstart your digestion.
According to a review published in 2017, water or increased fluid intake can help to prevent and treat functional constipation.14 Ideally, you should increase your water intake by 2 to 4 glasses per day to help relieve constipation symptoms and stay properly hydrated.
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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.
The 3 Best Probiotics For Constipation
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If you’re fed up with feeling backed up, adding a daily probiotic to your routine might be just what you need to feel more regular. While probiotics are known for promoting gut health, some are better than others at easing digestive troubles specifically. The best probiotics for constipation contain bacteria strains found to be particularly good at keeping things moving through your digestive tract.
For constipation relief, certified dietitian and nutritionist Ilyse Schaprio, MS, RD, CDN, says to look specifically for these strains: Bifidobacterium infantis, Bifidobacterium lactis, Lactobacillusacidophilus, Lactobacillus plantarum, and Saccharomyces boulardii. And WebMd reported that those same strains can help with irritable bowel syndrome , a condition that often involves a mix of constipation and diarrhea.
“For constipation, it’s also a good idea to make sure you are consuming enough fiber,” adds Schapiro. With that in mind, I also included a prebiotic, dye-free fiber powder in this roundup so that you can tackle your constipation completely.
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Garden Of Life Raw Probiotics Colon Care
When it comes to high quality supplements, Garden of Life is one of the most reliable companies. They only provide products that are USDA organic certified and completely vegan.
Usually, most of the brands contain isolated probiotic strains. But the colon care supplement from Garden of Life contains strains extracted from true, Non-GMO and organic foods.
This high potency RAW probiotic formula contains two important complete group of strains Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacteria. Each serving contains 50 billion CFUs of beneficial bacteria.
The combination of these clinically studied strains is especially beneficial for improving digestion, supporting colon health and promoting regular and healthy bowel movements.
Apart from probiotic strain, this formula also contains 17 different digestive enzymes which are known to improve nutrient absorption from the food we eat.
This product is 100% vegetarian, gluten-free, soy-free and non-GMO. It does not contain any fillers, binders or carriers. So, you dont have to worry about any allergic reactions.
The only downside of the product is that it has to be refrigerated for maintaining the potency of the strains. So, this may not be suitable for people who travel frequently.
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- Replenish good bacteria in the tract and improve overall digestive health.
- Provide relief from diarrhea, constipation, gas, occasional digestive upsets and bloating.
- Naturally support bowel frequency.
- Promote healthy immune system.
Which Probiotics Work For Constipation
There are several types of probiotics, and some work better for constipation than others. But what works for you also depends on your unique microbiome and underlying root issues.
A meta-analysis of 15 clinical trials showed multi-species probiotics to be more effective in treating constipation than single-species probiotics for improving stool consistency, reducing bloating, and speeding up stool frequency . Irritable bowel syndrome patients have had similar success with treating symptoms using multi-species probiotics versus single-species formulas .
Our clinical experience backs up this research as well. Many people need more than one category of probiotic to restore balance in their gut environment. Patients who have tried only one type of probiotic in the past and didnt see any change in their symptoms often report improvements once they begin a multiple category approach. This is why I recommend comprehensive probiotic therapy using the three types of probiotics.
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Scientific Studies That Provide The Efficacy Of Probiotics
According to the study published in Journal of Clinical Nutrition, in a clinical trial, people with constipation were asked to take probiotics or placebo for certain period of time. After pooling out the results, it was found that people who took probiotics slowed down the gut transit time and increased the number of bowel movements.
As per Journal of Neurogastroenterology and Motility, a study was published which investigated the characteristics of gut microbiota in patients with constipation. After the trial, the results have shown a consistent relief in stool consistency, abdominal bloating and bowel frequency.
Another clinical trial conducted by Dr. Mark Benninga from Univerity of Amsterdam included a group of 20 pregnant people with constipation symptoms. They were given probiotic supplement for 4 weeks. As per the results after 4 weeks, number of bowel movements per week was increased to 6 from 3.
As per the study published in Nutritional Journal, a group of 20 children aging 4 16 were experiencing constipation. They were supplemented with probiotics on a daily basis for 4 weeks. In the results, it was observed that, the bowel frequency has increased after taking probiotics.
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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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So What Is The Best Supplement For Digestive Health
If your goal is to optimize overall digestive health and enjoy all of the benefits that come with it, then the best supplement for you is always going to be a combined prebiotic/probiotic stack which uses a range of probiotic bacteria and a high quality prebiotic fiber such as FOS or Inulin.
Ideally, the probiotic supplement you use will exclusively contain bacteria species that have been proven to improve digestive health, promote immunity, control appetite and improve skin quality in several clinical trials. Bacteria strains you want to look out for include Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium lactis, Lactobacillus paracasei, and Lactobacillus plantarum. These bacteria species are highly beneficial to health and performance.
The type of prebiotic fiber is also important. Not all fibers are the same some are better than others at feeding healthy bacteria. So it is vital that the best gut health uses prebiotic fiber that is most effective at selectively feeding the healthy bacteria it is introducing to your gut in the first place. This brings us to the most important aspect of a good probiotic – without some prebiotic fiber, taking a probiotic is practically pointless!
The benefits of taking a combined probiotic and prebiotic stack include:
- Lasting changes to gut microbiome
- Better digestion, less bloating, no cramps
- Improved ability to digest dairy
- Enhance immune system function
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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Potential Mechanisms Of Action Of Probiotics In Constipation
Probiotics are live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host. There are several mechanisms of action of probiotics relevant to constipation, including modulation of the gut microbiota and fermentation, nervous system and immune system, as shown in Fig. 1.
Several studies have demonstrated differences in the gut microbiota composition between people with and without constipation, with a decreased concentration of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli, as well as increased numbers of Bacteroidetes, identified in people with constipation. Faecal microbiota composition has been shown to correlate with colonic transit time, while the colonic mucosal microbiota composition correlates with constipation status. Although the impact of probiotics on the microbiota in constipation is not well understood, a small number of trials have demonstrated significant changes in gut microbiota composition following probiotic supplementation. For example, supplementation of Bifidobacterium lactis GCL2505 or Lactobacillus casei Shirota increased the concentration of bifidobacteria, however B. lactis NCC2818 and VSL#3, a multi-strain probiotic, had no impact on gut microbiota composition. These results suggest that administration of probiotics may impact on certain microbiota components, but it is yet to be determined what impact this change has on constipation, and whether effects are mediated through microbiota modification or other mechanisms.
Do Probiotics Help You Poop
Yes. Not only do they help you poop, they help keep your poop healthy. If youre not sure what that means, check out the Bristol Stool Chart for an illustrated visual:
Probiotics help you poop because they shift the balance of microbes in the gut from harmful to beneficial. This benefits the whole digestive system in several ways. For example:
- Certain strains of probiotics modulate the immune system and help the body resist infections that affect digestion and regularity, such as Clostridium Difficile.
- Probiotics may improve symptoms of IBS, thereby alleviating constipation, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and bloating which stem fromand further perpetuatea dysfunctional digestive system.
- A gut microbiome full of healthy microbes works at just the right speed to allow nutrients from your food to be properly digested while expelling what it doesnt need in the form of poop on a regular, predictable schedule.
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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.
Probiotics Can Cause Gas
The most common negative side effect of probiotics is mild gas and bloating. This usually happens when you first begin taking probiotics but usually gets better with use.
What causes gas and bloating? Gas and bloating means that your digestive system is not breaking down and absorbing your food completely. The undigested food gets passed into the gut where probiotics and other gut microbes ferment the undigested food and produce gas.
The feeling of bloating is usually because your body is not used to the increased probiotic activity. Taking a probiotic can increase the number of probiotics inside your gut. This increased microbial activity produces additional gas which your body is not used to.
After the initial period , your body should gradually adapt to the new friendly bacteria, allowing for improved digestion.
If your gas and bloating do not get better while taking probiotics there are two things you can do:
1. Try taking a digestive enzymes supplement along with your probiotics to help your body break down, digest, and absorb food. More complete digestion helps reduce gas and bloating.
2. Try taking the probiotics on an empty stomach before bed. Probiotics can produce gas when provided with certain kinds of foods and taking probiotics before bed minimizes the chance of that happening.
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So Do Probiotics Help With Constipation
Gut health is the foundation for overall health, yet for many people, constipation seems like an insurmountable obstacle. So many people receive faulty advice in the conventional medical system to simply eat more fiber and drink more water without looking at the root cause behind low motility.
They may struggle for years to fix the issue with laxatives or other medications, when probiotic therapy may help to gently restore the microbiome with few to no side effects. If youre looking for guidance on restoring your gut health, schedule a consultation with one of our functional medicine practitioners at the Ruscio Institute for Functional Medicine.
Do Probiotics Help With Constipation
Jessica Moon
Probiotics help alleviate constipation in children, pregnant women, and adults of all ages. Specific strains increase the speed at which food moves through the digestive tract, helping you to go more frequently. They also improve the consistency of stool, making it less painful to pass.
Feeling a little backed up? Youre not alone. An estimated 14-16% of adults worldwide are believed to experience constipation at any given time. But depending on how you define the condition, that number can reach 80%.
Regardless of how its defined, we all know how awful constipation can feel. Over-the-counter remedies like stool softeners, laxatives, and bulking agents can be a quick fix, but research shows that almost half of constipation sufferers dont get the relief theyre looking for.
Getting probiotics through fermented food or dietary supplements, offers an alternative to traditional constipation interventions. These good gut bacteria perform specific actions that get your digestion back on track.
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