How To Ensure The Probiotic Will Work
To ensure your probiotic is working, make sure to follow the recommended use instructions on the packaging. Depending on the delivery mechanism, the method of taking your probiotic may differ. For example, some probiotics may need to be dissolved in a liquid, whereas others may need to be taken on an empty stomach.
Certain medications such as antibiotics can have a negative impact on the good bacteria in your gut;and in your probiotic supplement, so probiotics are best taken away from other medications.
Check the product label for storage instructions to make sure your probiotic is stored properly. Improper storage can make your probiotic less likely to work.
Lastly, check the expiration date to make sure that the probiotic supplement has not expired.
Can Probiotics Make You Feel Tired
In the scientific community, the discussion about whether or not probiotics can make you feel tired started in June 2018. This year, a paper was published in the journal Clinical and Translational Gastroenterology describing patients who received probiotic treatment and went through a condition called Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth and D-Lactic acidosis. These conditions led to brain fogginess in these patients, which feels pretty much the same as tiredness and fatigue.
Brain Fogginess and Tiredness Probiotic Research
with thanks www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
D-Lactate was reported to be behind thesefindings. It is a molecule synthesized by certain bacteria as a result offermentation, and unlike L-Lactate , thisvariant of lactate is not quickly metabolized by the liver. Thus, when producedmassively by these bacteria, it is likely to be accumulated.
The thing about D-Lactate accumulation inthe body is that this is lactic acid, and increases the acidity in the bloodand the tissues. After a while, D-Lactic acidosis reaches the brain and blocksnerve connections in the brain, causing the sensation of brain fog and makingpatients feel tired.
However, as mentioned before, there is anongoing debate, and this is not the only scientific article covering the topic.As we will see further, other authors are against the notion that probioticswill cause D-Lactic acidosis, and have criticized and commented upon thefindings of the study published in 2018.
Negative Side Effects Of Probiotics
The negative side effects of probiotics usually originate in the gastrointestinal tract.
You can find the most common list of probiotic side effects including what to do about them here:
- Nausea -> This is usually caused by the production of stomach acid related to taking your probiotics. To reduce the incidence of nausea simply take your probiotics with a meal.;
- Constipation -> Occasionally certain bacterial species may actually worsen constipation. This is felt to occur in patients who have a condition known as SIBO.;
- Abdominal pain -> If you experience abdominal pain after taking probiotics it is most likely related to gas or bloating . Occasionally you might experience some abdominal pain or cramping due to an increase in stomach acid as well which causes “indigestion”.;
- *Increased gas or bloating -> Certain probiotics may cause gas and bloating in patients who have existing small intestinal bacterial overgrowth. This symptom is related to the production of gas from existing bacteria in your gut. SIBO is a fairly common condition;and may account for the majority of negative side effects related to taking certain probiotics. If you have SIBO you can avoid these symptoms by taking a soil based organism.;
- Rashes, itching or hives -> Usually related to poor quality ingredients, inactive binders or due to the specific formulation of the probiotic . This symptom usually fades when you switch to high-quality probiotics that don’t contain low-quality fillers/binders.;
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Bring Out The Garbage Dont Let It Pile Up
Waste and toxins in the body should ideally be eliminated daily.
What happens if the body cannot eliminate all waste? Well, think about what happens when trash collectors go on strike and garbage is piling up on the streets. It makes the neighborhood stink creating a breeding ground for bugs, rats, and disease.
If the body cannot handle the toxic load, waste can pile up making parts of the body a breeding ground for inflammation, infection, and disease. What can be done?
Support;the bodys ability to bring the garbage out. Here are a few suggestions.
Sauna
Sweating;is a good way of eliminating harmful substances from the body, its a natural detox. The;skin is the bodys;largest organ and sweating;brings out much waste.
Hot baths
If you dont have access to a sauna, try hot baths with Epson;salt, ginger and 1/2 cup of baking soda. Or try a bentonite clay bath.
Juicing
Fresh vegetable juice floods the body with nutrients and enzymes that promote a good cleanse. Try a juice fast for 1-5 days to help the body;eliminate harmful substances.
Cilantro
Excellent mobilizer of toxins, especially heavy metals like mercury. Fresh Cilantro or tinctures are;effective for this purpose. Use cilantro for a week or two, then take a break. Add chlorella that binds many toxins.
Chlorella
One of the best binders for heave metals, toxins, and microorganisms. Chlorella works well together with cilantro, sauna, juicing, and probiotics.
MSM
Probiotics
Small Intestine Bacterial Overgrowth
The small and large intestines usually contain different types of bacteria. SIBO occurs when bacteria from the large intestine start growing in the small intestine.
The large intestine predominantly contains anaerobic bacteria, which do not require oxygen and live by fermenting indigestible carbohydrates from plant-based foods as they pass through the gut.
Symptoms of SIBO are similar to those of IBS, including gas, bloating, and diarrhea. SIBO can also cause brain fogginess and short-term memory problems.
Not everyone with IBS has SIBO, but the overgrowth is more common in people with IBS. SIBO also frequently develops in older females.
Experts do not fully understand what causes the overgrowth, but it may result from reduced gut motility, which slows the passage of food through the gut. This can cause fermentable carbohydrates to remain in the small intestine for longer.
Results of a indicate a possible link between SIBO and probiotic supplementation in people with brain fogginess. The researchers found that symptoms improved when participants stopped taking probiotics and started taking antibiotics.
Anyone with SIBO symptoms should consult a doctor.
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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.
Whats Too Much Too Little Or Maybe Its The Wrong Strain How Do You Get It Right
You know the saying, If a little does a little bit of good then a lot must do a whole lot of good; But when it comes to probiotics, too much of a good thing can be a bad thing.
Weve talked before about the microbiome, the ginormous collection of microbes that live in your gut.
Some of those bacteria, fungi, viruses, and other microbes maintain a thriving ecosystem of sorts that assists your body in many of its functions. And they also provide a powerful immune system to protect you from infections, cancer, and viruses from the common cold to HIV.
There are at any given moment -10 microbes to every single cell in the human body. So were vastly outnumbered from the start.
But thankfully, the majority of those microbes help us function and protect us from invaders. The rest of them are always on the attack and being destroyed or eaten by the good bacteria.
Until something happens that jars that system out of balance. For example:
An infection treated by antibiotics, where the good bacteria are wiped out along with the bad.
Stomach upset that results in vomiting or diarrhea, where massive evacuation of the intestine leaves behind a weakened balance of beneficial and destructive microbes.
An injury that drives you to take a heavy load of ibuprofen, and your stomach lining becomes irritated, causing pain and bleeding.
In each of these examples, ingesting probiotics can help to restore balance in your gut, and relieve symptoms.
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There Is No Way To Know What Dose You Are Taking
The probiotic supplement market is relatively unregulated, so it’s hard to know how many CFUs we actually are consuming when we take probiotics in pill form. Moreover, it’s difficult to know if the organisms in those probiotics are even still alive and capable of doing their job, or if they’re dead and useless. Even if the bacteria are alive, there’s a question about whether they can survive once inside your gut.;
If you are getting your probiotics from foods like store-bought yogurt, there are also very few ways to be sure that you are consuming a significant dose of good bacteria. The conditions that the yogurt is stored in down the supply-chain, the temperature of your refrigerator, and the strain of probiotic that the yogurt contains all have a significant effect on the dosage of CFU. Many of the beneficial microbes could have perished before you consume the yogurt.
Variables That Influence Probiotic Side Effects
There are many variables that might influence the specific probiotic side effects that you experience, as well as their respective severities.; Examples of variables that could have a significant impact upon the side effects you experience from probiotic supplementation include: the specific probiotic, its dosage, administration details , as well as individual attributes .; It is these variables that help explain why multiple probiotic users may report noticeably different reactions.
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Go Slow On The Probiotics
Usually, the mainstay during side effects is withdrawal of the causative agent. Just reduce the dose in a tapering fashion.; Reduce the frequency to which you are taking it then reduce the dose or size. This will enable you leave the probiotic without much strings attached.
To alleviate dizziness, then try do a half dose of the probiotic. This may help reduce it further.
Vivo Colostate University Phsyiology: http://www.vivo.colostate.edu/hbooks/pathphys/digestion/stomach/vomiting.html
What About Fermented Food Prepared At Home
Interestingly, studies indicate that homemade fermented vegetablesgenerally contain;very low amounts of amines, too low;to cause headaches in most people. One reason;seems to be that;other kinds of bacteria are involved when fermenting at home compared to commercially fermented foods. A suitable starter culture prevents high levels of amines from developing.Reduced biogenic amine contents in sauerkraut Biogenic amine contents in sauerkraut Academia.edu
Summary: Industry fermented foods can contain high levels of amines that in sensitive person can cause headaches. Keeping a food diary helps to determine which foods to avoid. Homemade fermented food using a starter is safer. Probiotics supplements do not contain amines.
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When Taken In Excess Probiotics Can Be Dangerous
People at higher risk for adverse effects, like infection, of taking too many probiotics are those with serious illnesses or weakened immune systems, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.;
If you fall into either of those categories, it’s important to consult your doctor before taking probiotics.
Possible Cause Of Nausea Due To Probiotics:
- Association doesnt mean causation:;co-existence of nausea while taking a probiotic. Think of other causes of nausea such as gastritis, other medications, and functional dyspepsia. the complete list of possible causes of nausea is;explained here.
- Recent Intake: probiotic can cause some gut upset in the first few days of taking them. but the condition subsides after a few days or a couple of weeks .
- You are taking the wrong dose:;starting with the full dose can cause probiotic side effects, it is better to start with the lowest dose and gradually increase it to avoid side effects such as gastric upset, bloating, and nausea.
- A reaction to specific probiotics strain: some probiotics may induce the secretion of histamine inside your gut leading to such effects. this is extremely rare, only some case reports .
- The poor manufacturing quality of some probiotics : the;presence of some allergens can trigger nausea such as soy, lactose, GMOs, and other allergic substance;. switching to a quality probiotic can be a solution for such a case.
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Probiotics: A Fix For Nausea
June 12, 2016 by IPA Admin
Nausea.; It sounds innocent enough: a queasy feeling or a dizzy stomach. But the feelings can be wretched for those suffering with motion or pregnancy-related morning sickness.
A relative recently disclosed that he hadnt been taking his probiotics even though the bottle stared him in the face every time he opened the refrigerator. There had been some nausea last time he popped one.
Even a hint of nausea can put us off from a pill or food: aversion therapy at its most efficient.
Side effects are rare for those taking probiotics.; Still, people taking multiple medications may experience interactions that may be uncomfortable; those with compromised immune systems are told to be cautious which is a bit of a irony because probiotics can boost the immune system.
A quick literature review reveals that probiotics may figure more in relieving nausea than causing it.
Researchers at Catholic University in Rome, Italy observed that gastrointestinal side effects often follow the intense antibiotic therapy required to eradicate Helicobacter pylori, the cause of most ulcers. They wondered if probiotics could help.
In the sixty subjects randomly receiving antibiotics with or without a dose of lactobacilli, nausea as well as diarrhea and taste changes were reduced in the probiotic group. The study appeared in Alimentary Pharmacology & Therapeutics.
Above all, know that probiotics are unlikely to be the cause of the upset.
Should I Give Probiotics To My Kids
Probiotics can be beneficial for both adults and kids. If your child has an illness that requires an antibiotic medication for treatment, taking a probiotic can help shorten symptoms. Probiotics can also be used to help relieve constipation, acid reflux, diarrhea, gas and eczema in children.
Introducing probiotics into your childs diet through food is typically a safe way to give them probiotics. Foods like yogurt and cottage cheese are often part of a balanced diet and can add in good bacteria without much risk.
There are commercially available probiotic supplements specifically designed for infants and children. However, it is important to talk to your childs pediatrician before giving them any probiotic supplement or changing the childs diet to include probiotic-rich foods.
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How Effective Are Probiotics
Researchers are currently unsure how effective probiotic supplements are for treating conditions. Theres constant research on the topic. While many research studies have had positive results on the impact of probiotic supplements, more research is still needed.
Its also important to keep in mind that unlike medications, dietary supplements do not need to be approved by the FDA. This means that manufacturers can sell supplements simply with claims of safety and effectiveness.
Always talk with your healthcare provider before taking a supplement or giving one to your child. Supplements might interfere with medicines you may be taking. If you are pregnant or breast feeding, check with your provider before taking any supplement.
Signs You Are Taking Too Many Probiotics: 2 Gas
Gas and bloating often go hand in hand. The digestive process itself normally produces gas. The average person passes gas 13 to 21 times per day.
Gas in your GI tract comes from air that you swallow or by the break down of undigested foods by bacteria in your colon . Normally, as bacteria digest food in your gut, gas is released. Certain foods, particularly those high in fiber, cause more gas production than others.
Probiotic supplements essentially provide your gut with more of the good digestive bacteria. Overdosing on that bacteria can cause increased gas .
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Why Your Current Probiotic May Not Work Or May Take Longer To Work
Taking the supplement incorrectly:;Check the intake instructions of your supplement to ensure that you are taking it correctly.
Wrong probiotic strain: Different bacterial strains specialize in different functions in your gut and can have vastly different effects on your body. If you are not seeing improvements in your digestive health, you might simply be taking a probiotic;that does not contain the right strains for you.
A qualified healthcare practitioner with gut health;experience can provide you with medical advice;and may be able to direct you to the right probiotic. Once again, we recommend looking for a probiotic;specific to your health needs for optimal results.
Improper storage: Some probiotic supplements;require refrigeration to ensure the survival of the bacteria. If these probiotics;are left outside of the fridge for prolonged periods of time or exposed to too much heat, then the probiotic bacteria;may have died and are no longer effective.
Poor product quality: There are many probiotics;to choose from and unfortunately product quality is difficult to determine for the consumer.
Product quality is based on many factors, but the overarching ones to look out for are the science the products are based on, the manufacturing process, the source and quality of the bacteria strains, and the composition of the product itself. Each of these factors can negatively impact product quality and the success you experience with the product.
Can Probiotics Make You Tired
Nothing we ever do is exempt from consequence. There are pros and cons to many things in life and that includes Probiotics. ;Thus, we always need to decide and be able to balance how good and bad a given choice is. The same thing is true for synthetic drugs; a more natural approach to medicine has its safety concerns and considerations. However, what can we say about probiotics? Do they make you tired?
The jury is out in the scientific coumminty; whether fatigue, tiredness and brain fog are attributible to Probioitcs making a person tired. There is some evidence that D-Lactate is responsible in some Probioitcs for tiredness or brain-fog, but its still not entirely a clear-cut finding.
In the market, we can see how the use ofthese supplements is booming sky high, and they dont need a prescription. Butit would be wise to understand the possible side effects of probiotic therapy beforestarting to use them in our day-to-day. One of the reported side effects isthat probiotics can make you feel tired, but is that true?
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