Probiotics May Ease Constipation
Probiotics, the beneficial bacteria found in yogurt and other cultured foods, have long been touted for their ability to ease digestive woes. Drug stores and supermarkets feature arrays of different probiotic supplements, often containing Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium, two of the most commonly used species of bacteria.
Perhaps the strongest evidence for probiotics is in treating diarrhea caused by a viral infection or from taking antibiotics. Both infection and antibiotics disrupt the natural balance of bacteria in your digestive system, which probiotics can help restore. But the opposite problem constipation is more common than diarrhea. It affects about 14% of adults and accounts for about 3.2 million medical visits in the United States each year. Americans nearly three-quarters of a billion dollars each year trying to unblock themselves.
Most over-the-counter remedies for constipation, such as laxatives and stool softeners, aren’t all that helpful. Nearly half of users aren’t satisfied with the results of such products, citing ineffectiveness or other issues.
Do probiotics work against constipation? Researchers at King’s College in London scoured the medical literature and found 14 studies that met their criteria for a well-done study. All were clinical trials that randomly assigned people with constipation to take either probiotics or a placebo .
You May Have Bleeding
Red blood in your stool will probably freak you out, but black stool can also be a sign of bleeding somewhere in your gut. Black-colored stool may be a sign of internal bleeding from somewhere in the digestive tract, such as the stomach or small bowel, says gastroenterologist Jack Braha, DO, chief of gastroenterology at Mount Sinai Brooklyn.
Unless youve eaten dark-colored veggies like beets, taken iron supplements, or dosed yourself with Pepto Bismol, black stool may be a cause for concern. Bright red blood in your poop also warrants a visit to your doctor. Red blood may come from bleeding hemorrhoids after straining or having a hard bowel movement, but may also be the first sign of a serious issue such as inflammatory bowel disease, diverticulosis, or colorectal cancer, Dr. Braha says. The color of the blood cannot reliably tell us if it is something dangerous or not. Your doctor can determine whether testing is needed.
Improve Symptoms Associated With Constipation
As we just saw, Lactobacillus plantarum bacteria combined with either Bifidobacterium breve or Bifidobacterium animalis has been found to improve many underlying causes associated with constipation. Research has found that Bifidobacterium lactis can also help ease stool expulsion and improve symptoms such as bloating, hard stools, and the sensation of not emptying your bowels completely.
Do Probiotics Make Your Poop Stink
No, though you may notice some other changes to your stool once you begin taking them! Its not uncommon for probiotics to slightly alter the color or consistency of your poop, and some people report needing to poop more frequently at the beginning of their probiotic regimen. But increased stool odor is NOT associated with probiotic usage.
Can You Only Have Bloating And Diarrhea In Your Body If You Take Antibiotics
Most people think they can only have diarrhea when they take antibiotics. Itâs common thinking that antibiotics are the only way to treat this condition.
The truth is that when you use probiotics to treat these conditions, they will make you poop a lot more frequently. This article will let you know if you need to take antibiotics to treat your conditions.
Probiotics are bacteria that live in the GI tract. They help to regulate the proper function of bowel movements.
They also play an important role in digestion. If you have digestive issues, it is important that you get the proper amount of bacteria in your body.
Does Kefir Make You Poop
Kefir. Kefir is a fermented milk beverage that contains probioticsprobioticsProbiotics are live bacteria and yeasts that are good for you, especially your digestive system. We usually think of these as germs that cause diseases. But your body is full of bacteria, both good and bad. Probiotics are often called « good » or « helpful » bacteria because they help keep your gut healthy.www.webmd.com digestive-disorders what-are-probioticsWhat Are Probiotics? Probiotic Supplements, Foods, Uses, Benefits , a form of healthy gut bacteria that may help alleviate constipationconstipationObstipation is a severe form of constipation, where a person cannot pass stool or gas. Constipation is a condition where a person has infrequent bowel movements usually three or fewer a week.www.healthline.com health obstipationObstipation: Treatment, Symptoms, and More Healthline. Probiotics have been shown to increase stool frequency, improve stool consistency, and help reduce intestinal transit time to speed bowel movementsbowel movementsDefecation, also called bowel movement, the act of eliminating solid or semisolid waste materials from the digestive tract. In human beings, wastes are usually removed once or twice daily, but the frequency can vary from several times daily to three times weekly and remain within normal limits.www.britannica.com science defecation-physiologyDefecation | physiology | Britannica .
So Really What Are The Benefits Of Probiotics
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For most of my life, I thought of probiotics as something Id only drink if I lost a bet. Then stress-induced irritable bowel syndrome turned my intestinal tract into a nonstop river of shitwere talking weeks of everything I ate shooting straight out my butt in liquid form. The internet said probiotics were my best non-pharmaceutical bet to help my digestive system calm down, so I swallowed my pride and kinda sorta saw the light. My IBS wasnt cured, but probiotics did help me spend less time on the toilet wide-eyed with terror, and more time doing whats really important in lifewatching TV with my family.
While probiotics have been around as long as bacteria have, they were first officially identified for their health benefits in the early 20th century by Russian-born biologist Élie Metchnikoff. Metchnikoff believed that good bacteria like the microbes that produce lactic acid could prolong life and stave off senility, and actually drinking sour milk daily for overall health. While Metchnikoffs theories were pooh-poohed by many of his contemporaries, the first commercial probiotic, Yakult, hit the market and is still on the shelves today.
When Should I Take Probiotics
If you are constipated, probiotics could very well be the answer. By softening stool and helping break down food in the intestines, researchers have found that probiotics may improve whole gut transit time, stool frequency, and stool consistency.
Another good time for probiotics would be following a round of antibiotics. Not only do antibiotics kill bad bacteria, they also kill good bacteria, so eating probiotic rich foods following an antibiotic will help you replenish good bacteria.
However, if you suffer from lactose intolerance, probiotics may be off the table, as probiotics have been found much more likely to cause discomfort in that population.
Takeaway: Do Probiotics Help You Poop Yes
Probiotics can, indeed, make you poop. But research shows that the best results may be gained by combining prebiotics WITH probiotics for constipation. This prebiotic and probiotic combination may be especially helpful when it uses the Sunfiber prebiotic.
Prebiotics are shown to improve stool frequency and consistency, and when combined with probiotics may provide even more benefits for constipation.
What Types Of Foods Have Probiotics
The full list is quite robust, but below are 7 of the most common foods containing probiotics:
While it would be great to keep ourselves in a steady supply of probiotic foods, stocking the shelves with the above items consistently wont be the cheapest endeavor. So if cost or consistency is an issue, we recommend getting your probiotics through a supplement or nutritional shake. Its way easier to budget in, stay consistent, and ensure youre getting the right daily dose. And, oftentimes, you can find supplements with additional health benefits.
Which leads us to
You Need More Fiber In Your Diet
If youre finding it too hard to go number two, you may be constipated. Constipation may have varied meanings to different people, based on their impression that their bowel habits have changed. Stool may be too hard or too small, or defecation may be too difficult or too infrequent, says Dr. Ramdhaney. Constipation can often be brought on by diet, so try eating more fiber and drinking more water to make your stool looser, larger, and easier to pass. Constipation that persists, however, can indicate serious GI disease as well as non-GI diseases, including diabetes, multiple sclerosis, Parkinsons disease, and hypothyroidism, Dr. Ramdhaney says. So if constipation lasts longer than three months, especially if accompanied by blood in stool, weight loss, or decreased appetite, get checked out by a doctor.
How Long Will It Take For Probiotics To Work For Constipation
Thats hard to say. Everybody is different, and so are the underlying causes of constipation. The duration of studies showing the efficacy of probiotics generally spanned four weeks to ninety days.
Even though research cant give us a definitive answer, many people report feeling better within hours or days of taking a high-quality, multi-strain supplement.
Depending on whats causing your sluggish digestion in the first place, you may be able to take actions that support probiotics in their effort to balance your microbiota.
For example, if you experience irritable bowel syndrome constipation and dont eat much soluble fiber, adding more fiber into your diet could help rebalance your digestion as well as support your probiotics impact.
Being more active is another way to keep your bowels moving. If you can move a little more, you may have faster results. Of course, this isnt possible for everyone.
Another important thing to keep in mind is probiotics do more for your body than just help maintain regular digestion. So while its not possible to make a blanket statement as to how long they take to start working on your constipation, chances are you could quickly start feeling the health benefits of probiotics in other ways.
Take Probiotics Before Bedtime
Taking probiotics immediately before bedtime on an empty stomach may help to reduce gas and bloating. Your gut is relatively inactive at night, but probiotics can produce gas when combined with certain foods. Taking food on an empty stomach ensures that the probiotics dont have any obstacles in the way, which also allows more of the live bacteria to reach your large intestines.14
How Do Probiotics Affect Stool
August 12, 2013 by Lara Swanson
Although it is fairly common to hear people advise others to take probiotics after a round of antibiotics, few people really understand the reason behind that, or what the benefits of probiotics are. One common question that comes up in probiotics discussions is their effects on the bowels. If you have read our previous discussions on probiotics for men, women, and children, you may be wondering if taking probiotics will have an effect on your bowel health. This article will explore the positive effects that probiotics can have on stool, especially in relation to antibiotic-related diarrhea, and overall bowel health.
The Effects of Antibiotics
According to the Mayo Clinic website, diarrhea cause by taking antibiotics is not an unusual occurrence. Although most cases of diarrhea are considered mild but the Mayo clinic report, diarrhea is never a pleasant experience. WebMD reports that antibiotic related diarrhea occurs in 1 in 3 people taking antibiotics, a much broader scope than indicated by the Mayo clinic. Again, many cases are mild and clear up soon after the antibiotic course is finished. Other cases are more severe and can cause colitis, or inflammation of the colon.
Probiotics and AAD
Help for Constipation
Constipation and Diarrhea? What Gives?
How Yakult Makes You Poop And Improves Your Digestive System
In order for you to truly understand how Yakult and the bacteria it contains make you want to poop, you first need to understand how your gut works.
While bacteria are typically thought to be harmful and make you ill, your body hosts two types of bacteria: the good and bad bacteria.
The good live bacteria that naturally reside in your body are called probiotics. Some probiotics are also created from good yeast.
Your small and large intestines are home to trillions of flourishing, living microorganisms called the gut flora. Some of these bacteria are harmful, while most of them not only live harmlessly in your digestive system but are also critical for your well-being.
Apart from your gut, these beneficial microbes live in a few other places which are connected to the outside world, such as the mouth, lungs, skin, urinary tract, and vagina.
The main job of beneficial bacteria or probiotics is to maintain your bodys healthy balance. When you are ill, bad bacteria enters your body and increases in quantity, knocking your body out of balance.
You can also cause your digestive system to be out of balance if you consume an unbalanced diet, have too much stress, lack daily exercise, and lack sleep.
In such circumstances, you give the bad bacteria a chance to multiply and cause you to have a weak immune system and poor digestion.
This is where good bacteria comes in. They will fight off these harmful bacteria and try to restore your bodys balance so you can feel better again.
Bifidobacterium Animalis Subsp Lactis Dn
B. lactis DN-173 010 is another Bifidobacterium lactis strain shown to be effective at helping to relieve constipation in several clinical studies. In a double-blind parallel study in 70 healthy adults, drinking a daily combination of 375g of milk fermented with the specific Bifidobacterium lactis strain DN-173 010 for 11 days reduced colon transit time by 20%. Interestingly, the effect was more pronounced in women 15. In another similar study, this time a gold standard trial, 12.5 billion CFU of B. lactis DN-173 010 was administered in yoghurt form to 34 individuals with IBS-constipation daily for 4 weeks. B. lactis DN-173 010 was demonstrated to significantly reduce colonic transit time from baseline which was statistically significant comparted with placebo 16.
What Are Probiotics For Dogs
Probiotics are different types of live microorganisms such as bacteria or yeast that occur naturally in both your and your dogs body and in the environment.
Typically, we think of bacteria as a bad thing. But hear us out.
The human body has about 37.2 trillion cells. According to a recent study, the amount of human and bacterial cells in your body are about the same. This means right now you have trillions of bacteria cells inside your body.
Probiotics are considered to be good bacteria because they can benefit the body.
Probiotic supplements are a way of modifying the composition of microorganisms in the intestine .
Not All Probiotics Are Equal
If youre planning to take a probiotic supplement to manage constipation, its important to remember that all probiotic bacteria do not have the same effects. For instance, if Bifidobacterium lactis is able to increase the frequency of bowel movements, its not necessary that other probiotic bacteria would have a similar effect. So check the strain of probiotic bacteria that youre consuming to make sure that itll be beneficial in your case. And as always, when in doubt, speak to your doctor. It is also a good idea to increase your intake of probiotic foods like yogurt, kimchi, and sauerkraut which boost your digestive health and the number of good bacteria in your stomach.
What Else Could Be Causing My Constipation
Chances are that probiotics aren’t the cause of your constipation. Common causes of constipation are lack of fiber and fluids, not enough physical activity and poor stress management, according to the Mayo Clinic.
“Especially in kids, the majority of causes are dietary and behavioral,” says Dr. Winberry. “It’s functional constipation. This means that the bowel is healthy and everything is functioning fine, but there is a disconnect in what’s going on. Sometimes people do not want to go to the bathroom in a social setting or at school. Only a small percentage is caused by anatomic reasons or medications.”
To stay on track with your bowel movements, Dr. Winberry has some advice. “In general, increasing your fiber changes the type of bacterial balance in your intestines,” he says. “Folks who have more fiber have bacteria that’s helpful for staying regular.”
Although constipation isn’t usually a sign of a more serious health condition, it can be. Because of this, it’s always best to see a doctor if you have any concerns. “If you’re experiencing significant abdominal pain when trying to go to the bathroom, weight loss or blood, those are reasons to seek medical attention,” says Dr. Winberry. “Any distressing symptoms that are affecting your daily routine are red flags.”
What Are Probioticsand What Do They Do
Probiotics are live bacteria that can positively affect your digestive system.
When we think of bacteria, we often think of germs that can make you sick. Your body is chock-full of bacteriaand most of it is completely harmless.
In fact, having the right gut bacteria in appropriate amounts is linked to all sorts of health benefits.
People take probiotic supplements or consume probiotic-rich foods to try to achieve a healthy balance of helpful gut bacteria.
Probiotics are found in foods that have been preserved through fermentation. Some fermented, probiotic-rich foods and drinks you may be familiar with are:
- Yogurt
- Kombucha
- Kimchi
The probiotics in these foods shouldnt be confused with prebiotics, which are dietary fibers that feed the good bacteria thats already in your gut.
Probiotics For Constipation: The Evidence
You might be hoping that using probiotics for constipation erases any semblance of the problem. Unfortunately, scientific data is mixed on whether probiotics help you poop.
Some research shows that probiotics for constipation can be incredibly helpful.
A study testing the effectiveness of probiotics for constipation found that patients consuming probiotics saw a 70% improvement in stool frequency and a 60% improvement in stool consistency! The sample size was rather small, however, at only thirty participants.
But other research shows that probiotics may be no better than placebo.
One study tested the effectiveness of probiotics for constipation symptoms in 75 people over 4 weeks. There was a control group who did not take probiotics and a group that consumed probiotics consistently.
After 4 weeks, nothing happened — there were no improvements in stool output, symptoms, or quality of life in the group taking the probiotic. They concluded that probiotics for constipation were not productive in this case.
Because the research is so mixed, scientists assert that the use of probiotics for the treatment of constipation condition should be considered investigational, meaning its effectiveness is not completely confirmed .
Why is the research so contradictory? Well, it might be because studies examine different strains of probiotics.
Different probiotic strains have different effects — so a probiotics productiveness may waver depending on what it is being used to treat.
They May Cause Unpleasant Digestive Symptoms
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It is not known exactly why some people experience these side effects, but they typically subside after a few weeks of continued use .
To reduce the likelihood of side effects, start with a low dose of probiotics and slowly increase to the full dosage over a few weeks. This can help your body adjust to them.
If the gas, bloating or any other side effects continue for more than a few weeks, stop taking the probiotic and consult a medical professional.
Summary
Some people experience an increase in gas, bloating, constipation or thirst when they start taking probiotics. These side effects should go away within a few weeks.
How To Tell If Your Probiotic Is Working
The primary site of action for probiotics is the gastrointestinal tract. Also, GI complaints such as diarrhea and/or constipation, gas, bloating, inflammation, pain and GI discomfort are symptoms that frequently cause people to use probiotics therapeutically. Therefore, improvement in these symptoms is a way people with GI complaints can judge if their probiotic is working. Also, the speed or rate of symptomatic relief is a measure of how well a probiotic is working.
Most people have experienced an occasional bad hair day. It is also common, and not particularly serious, to have an occasional bad stool day. However, if diarrhea or constipation are an ongoing problem, attempts should be made to correct the problem.
Numerous studies have been published in peer-reviewed scientific journals reporting that specific strains of probiotic bacteria can be used therapeutically to resolve conditions of diarrhea and/or constipation.
Therefore, how a well probiotic is working to resolve either diarrhea or constipation issues is an assessment of whether the individuals bowel movements have normalized. Healthy stools should be well-formed, meaning not too hard and also, not loose and watery.
Interested in Probiotics?
Try Dr. Ohhiras Probiotics or Dr. Ohhiras Professional Formula to help with digestive health.
Why Do Probiotics Make Me Fart So Much
Probiotics are supplements that contain the healthy bacteria already found in a persons digestive tract. These good bacteria help to break down food, and can even work to break down the hydrogen gas that is produced during digestion. Occasionally, probiotics may cause an increase in gas and bloating.
Prebiotics For Constipation: The Evidence
Unlike probiotics, research shows that prebiotics are consistently helpful for improving bowel regularity.
A meta-analysis looked at results of 27 studies about prebiotics ability to improve constipation symptoms. It also inspected synbiotics ability to improve constipation symptoms, which are combinations of probiotics and prebiotics.
They found that prebiotics alone increase weekly stool frequency and improve stool consistency .
Combining prebiotics AND probiotics together may be the best bet of all. When combined, prebiotics and probiotics are referred to as synbiotics.Synbiotics, however, seem to be even more effective than prebiotics alone.
Most notably, synbiotics were shown to decrease whole gut transit time by 13.5 hours on average – meaning you could dramatically ramp up your stool passage frequency.
Synbiotics also were also shown to improve stool consistencyand decrease bloating and pain with stool passage.
When it comes to specific prebiotics that may be helpful, one prebiotic superstar stands out among the bunch — Sunfiber.
Sunfiber is repeatedly shown in scientific studies to reduce constipation, increase regularity , reduce abdominal pain with stool passage, and soften stools . Even low doses can have these effects.
One study asserted that Sunfiber is a credible candidate to be a single comprehensive solutionfor overall maintenance of proper digestive health . Thats some pretty high praise!
Prebiotics And Probiotics: Eating For Your Gut
September 2, 2019, 1:00 AM
Prebiotics and probiotics are two types of nutrition boosters that can benefit your digestive system. Most people can get the benefits of prebiotics and probiotics through a healthy diet, rather than needing to take supplements,
Prebiotics are natural, non-digestible food components that promote the growth of helpful bacteria in the gut. Theyre found in high-fiber, whole-grain foods, as well as foods you might not expect, like bananas, onions, asparagus, artichokes and garlic.
Prebiotics promote the formation of probiotics, which are the good bacteria or live cultures found in your gut. Probiotics can restore and improve gastrointestinal health.
Some types of yogurt are marketed as having added probiotics. Youd have to eat quite a bit of yogurt to get the benefits of the additional probiotics. For most people, eating a healthy diet thats high-fiber, with plenty of fruits, vegetables and whole grains, will provide enough prebiotics to help your body naturally produce its own probiotics.
Do You Need a Probiotic Supplement?
There are a few groups of patients that may benefit from probiotic supplements. These include patients with ulcerative colitis and people with diarrhea caused by antibiotics. Anyone with gastrointestinal issues should talk to their doctor before they take probiotic supplements.
How to Increase Your Fiber Intake
Heres how to increase the amount of fiber in your diet:
Eat brown rice instead of white rice.