Is Taking Probiotics Daily Safe

How Many Times In A Day Is It Recommended To Take A Probiotic

As mentioned, there is no one-size-fits-all approach to probiotics, so it is crucial to figure out what works for you. Luckily, there is a lot of research that you can draw upon to help make a more educated decision when taking probiotics. The efficacy of your probiotics depends heavily on the dosage of your probiotics.

For example, a study in the American Family Physician August 2017 issue indicated that a dosage of a minimum of five billion colony-forming units per day was more effective when compared with lower dosages . Research from Harvard Health Publishing encourages people to take this in one dose per day, rather than taking several smaller doses.

How Are Probiotics Regulated In The United States

Government regulation of probiotics in the United States is complex. Depending on a probiotic productâs intended use, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration might regulate it as a dietary supplement, a food ingredient, or a drug.

Many probiotics are sold as dietary supplements, which donât require FDA approval before they are marketed. Dietary supplement labels may make claims about how the product affects the structure or function of the body without FDA approval, but they arenât allowed to make health claims, such as saying the supplement lowers your risk of getting a disease, without the FDAâs consent.

If a probiotic is going to be marketed as a drug for treatment of a disease or disorder, it has to meet stricter requirements. It must be proven safe and effective for its intended use through clinical trials and be approved by the FDA before it can be sold.

What Is Antibiotic Resistance

Theres no doubt that antibiotics have a crucial place in modern medicine, but their use does come with some significant downsides.

The overuse and misuse of antibiotics have led to antibiotic resistance, which is when bacteria become resistant to antibiotics.

This trait can be passed on from bacteria to bacteria even among different species! which leads to even more resistance.

Heres how it works:

• Lets say you have a population of harmful bacteria causing problems some of these are naturally resistant to antibiotics.
• Antibiotics kill both the good and bad bacteria in your body, but the naturally antibiotic-resistant bacteria stand strong.
• Without all the antibiotic-susceptible bacteria taking up space, the resistant bacteria have room to multiply and they pass their resistance on to other bacteria.
• These super bugs no longer respond to certain antibiotics, leading to longer, more intense, and sometimes untreatable infections.

Every time we take antibiotics, more resistant bacteria have the opportunity to flourish and some even become resistant to several different antibiotics, turning them into dangerous pathogens.

This is where taking probiotics with antibiotics can make a critical difference in your health.

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Reduce The Risk Of Infant Atopic Eczema And Food Allergies

Eczema, recognized by red, itchy patches of skin, is a precursor to a variety of other conditions such as food allergies and asthma, so reducing or preventing it is very important.

We know that differences in a babys microbiome link to increased allergy risks, and research is supporting the use of probiotics to prevent eczema.

A large Meta-analysis reported that pregnant women given probiotics during as well as the initial postpartum period reduced eczema by 22%.

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The Best Probiotic Sources For Pregnant Women

You can consume probiotics through either food or dietary supplements. Foods that contain adequate amounts of probiotics include kimchi, kombucha and sauerkraut. But the probiotics you consume by eating do not often measure up to the richness of probiotic bacteria in dietary supplements.

Probiotic bacteria may provide many health-supporting benefits to the human body, including gut, digestive and immune functions.

There are multiple different strains of probiotic bacteria that serve unique purposes, and may be beneficial for pregnant women. Lactobacilli Bacteria primarily live in the small intestines and the most well-known is Acidophilus, which has been studied in areas like immune support. Bifidobacteria live primarily in the large intestines and have been studied in the area of support for challenges such as occasional irregularity.

With a doctors consent, mothers-to-be may be able to safely add probiotics to their daily regimen.

Prior to choosing a probiotic, look for ones that contain diverse probiotic blends like Probulins Womens Probiotic, Daily Care or Total Care Probiotic have easily printable labels on our website if youd like to print a copy to discuss with your physician.

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They Can Increase Infection Risk For Some

Probiotics are safe for the vast majority of the population, but may not be the best fit for everyone.

In rare cases, the bacteria or yeasts found in probiotics can enter the bloodstream and cause infections in susceptible individuals .

Those at greatest risk for infection from probiotics include people with suppressed immune systems, prolonged hospitalizations, venous catheters or those who have undergone recent surgeries .

However, the risk of developing an infection is very low, and no serious infections have been reported in clinical studies of the general population.

It is estimated that only about one in one million people who take probiotics containing Lactobacilli bacteria will develop an infection. The risk is even smaller for yeast-based probiotics, with only about one in 5.6 million users getting infected .

When infections do occur, they typically respond well to traditional antibiotics or antifungals. However, in rare cases, deaths have occurred .

Research also suggests that people with severe acute pancreatitis should not take probiotics, as this may increase the risk of death .

Summary

People with compromised immune systems, venous catheters, recent surgery, acute pancreatitis or prolonged hospitalizations should avoid taking probiotics.

How Common Is Probiotic Use During Pregnancy

With constipation and diarrhea being two frequently experienced common discomforts during pregnancy, the use of probiotics during pregnancy is common. The Canadian Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology Canada found 45 to 93% of midwives had prescribed some form of natural health products to expecting mothers.

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You Can Take Probiotics When Pregnant Science

• Probiotics are safe to take throughout pregnancy, but thereâs not enough evidence to suggest they will benefit most pregnancies.
• Probiotic supplements should be third-party tested by an FDA-certified organization like ConsumerLab.com, Labdoor, NSF International, or US Pharmacopeia.
• The strongest evidence for probiotic benefits during pregnancy is in women who are at high risk of having a baby with allergies. In this case, probiotics may reduce the childâs risk.
• This article was medically reviewed by G. Thomas Ruiz, MD, OB-GYN Lead at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, CA.

When youâre pregnant, youâre told to avoid certain foods that could contain harmful microorganisms. Like runny eggs or uncooked produce that may contain Salmonella, which could spread to the placenta and harm the fetus.

Probiotics also contain microorganisms like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium but these are safe to take while pregnant. As long as theyâre from a reliable source, probiotics stay in the gut and wonât spread to the fetus.

According to some studies, probiotics may even lead to a healthier pregnancy under certain circumstances. Hereâs what you need to know about probiotics and pregnancy.

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Should You Take A Daily Probiotic Supplement

Probiotics are good for your gut, but the source matters.

Theres a lot of buzz around probiotics. Theyre endorsed by celebrities and fill grocery stores aisles.

Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that promote a healthy gut. Scientists believe they could unlock a deeper understanding of our health. Probiotics are found in some foods and drinks, like yogurt or fermented tea.

Just like vitamins, probiotics are available as supplements. Manufacturers make steep claims about their benefits. They include digestive health, strengthened immune system, weight loss and reduced cancer risk. But can a supplement really do all that?

To learn more about probiotic supplements, we spoke with Carrie Daniel- MacDougall, Ph.D., M.P.H., a nutritional epidemiologist at MD Anderson who studies diet and the microbiome.

Heres what you should know about probiotic supplements.

Its always better to get nutrients from food. That includes probiotics.

More research needs to be done on probiotics in general and probiotic supplements, but its always better to get your nutrients from food rather than supplements, Daniel-MacDougall says. They just dont deliver the same benefits as food.

One reason is because supplements arent regulated as closely as medications. So the quality and ingredients can vary greatly from product to product.

Unless your doctor is prescribing probiotics for a specific purpose, stick to getting them from foods like yogurt that may have other nutrients, like calcium.

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Who Should And Shouldnt Take Probiotics

For most healthy people, probiotics are safe to consume, explains Niki Strealy, RDN, LD, a registered dietitian in private practice in Portland, Oregon, who specializes in digestive health. But before you increase your intake, there are a few things to know.

People commonly turn to probiotics to manage digestive symptoms such as gas, bloating, diarrhea, and abdominal pain. But remember, a healthy gut starts with your diet, so its important to focus on eating plenty of fruits, vegetables, healthy fats, proteins, and minimally processed whole grains, says Strealy.

If you have history of allergy or intolerance to gluten, soy, eggs, or dairy, be sure to check probiotic ingredient labels carefully for allergens before taking them.

In addition, those who have a compromised immune system, those undergoing cancer treatment, pregnant women, the elderly, and children should talk to a healthcare provider before taking probiotics, says Strealy.

Finally, people who have been diagnosed with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth , which is common in IBS, should be cautious with probiotics. According to a study published in June 2018 in Clinical and Translational Gastroenterology, probiotics might make symptoms like brain fogginess, gas, and bloating worse in people with SIBO but taking an antibiotic and stopping probiotics can help, in these cases.

How Often Is Safe To Take Probiotics

Probiotics literally translates to for life. Your body is host to trillions of microorganisms most of them good and some bad. Maintaining an internal biotic equilibrium or balance is critical to good health.

Eating like Harry and Lloyd did in Dumb and Dumber is also not good for your health. Treating animals like that is also pretty ridiculous! No, a dog does not want or need mustard on their hotdog!

Probiotics contain the good bacteria that restore gut health and maintain the right environment in your intestines

keeps you healthy overall. However, too much of a good thing can make it bad. Hence, the right amount of probiotics is necessary for enjoying all their goodness and health.

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How Often You Should Take Probiotics Is Not Clear

Gilmore says there’s no daily recommended dose of probiotics largely because “not all probiotics are the same and there isn’t yet consensus on how much or how often probiotics should be consumed from diet or supplements.”

Similarly, in its guidelines on probiotics and prebiotics, the World Gastroenterology Organisation states: “The dose needed for probiotics varies greatly depending on the strain and product. Although many over-the-counter products deliver in the range of 1-10 billion CFU/dose, some products have been shown to be efficacious at lower levels, while some require substantially more.”

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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Surprising Reasons You Should Take A Daily Probiotic

By now youve probably heard of the microbiome, the community of trillions of microorganisms that live inside and on your body. But did you know that microbes are so fundamental to life that they outnumber human cells by about 10 to 1?

Our microbiome is full of all kinds of microbes, both good and bad. When our microbiome is balanced, the good guys work hard to keep us vibrant and healthy. However, when too many of the bad guys are hanging around, the good bacteria lose their footing and cant do their jobs properly.

The good news is that we can swing the balance of the microbes in our microbiome in favor of the good guys by consuming probiotics, or beneficial bacteria. Probiotics work to replenish the beneficial bacteria in our body and provide a myriad of important, supportive health benefits.

Here are the top 10 reasons why taking a daily probiotic supplement is one of the best things you can do to support your overall health and wellness. Probiotics for Women and Probiotics for Men are a great start toward overall wellness.

1. Encourage a balanced microbiome

From modern diets filled with sugar and additives to exposure to antibiotics in both medicine and food, your lifestyle can wreak havoc on your bodys delicate balance of bacteria. Even aging, stress, environmental toxins, and medications can have indiscriminate effects on your healthy microflora balance.

2. Support immune function

3. Support nutrient absorption

4. Maintain your mood

6. Freshen breath

References:4

Should You Take Probiotics Every Day

It might be safe totake probioticsevery day, but should you?

As mentioned, probiotics are in our bodies since the day we were born. But theyre not the only microscopic residents we have.

Our body is comprised of trillions of microbial colonies, which we collectively call our microbiome. Many of these microbes reside in our gastrointestinal tract, which makes up our gut microbiome.

Among these microbes are bacteria, which include both good and bad ones. If the bad bacteria outnumber the good ones, it leads to an imbalance called dysbiosis. This can lead to several symptoms such as upset stomach, nausea, and constipation.

This information is relevant because every day, we tend to mess up our microbiome in various ways. This includes:

• Not eating a well-balanced diet
• Overconsumption of alcohol
• Lack of regular physical activity
• Smoking cigarettes
• Getting insufficient sleep
• Excessive stress

All of these can decrease the number of good bacteria in our microbiome causing dysbiosis. This is where taking aprobiotic supplement is beneficial. It replenishes the lost good bacteria thus restoring balance to our microbiome.

This begs the question, should you take probiotics daily to keep the healthy balance in your microbiome?

But in general, taking probiotics on a regular basis is good for the body. This is especially true if you are taking theprobiotic strainthat your body needs.

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What Are The Most Common Types Of Probiotic Bacteria

Though there are many types of bacteria that can be considered probiotics, there are two specific types of bacteria that are common probiotics found in stores. These include:

• Lactobacillus.
• Bifidobacterium.

Probiotics are also made up of good yeast. The most common type of yeast found in probiotics is:

• Saccharomyces boulardii.

Amines In Probiotic Foods May Trigger Headaches

Some probiotic-rich foods, like yogurt, sauerkraut and kimchi, contain biogenic amines (11,

14 ).

Amines can excite the central nervous system, increase or decrease blood flow and may trigger headaches in people sensitive to the substance .

One study found that low-histamine diets reduced headaches in 75% of participants. However, a review of 10 controlled studies found no significant effect of dietary amines on headaches .

More research is needed to determine whether or not amines can be direct triggers of headaches or migraines in some people.

Keeping a food diary including any headache symptoms you might experience can help clarify whether fermented foods are problematic for you.

If probiotic-rich foods trigger your symptoms, a probiotic supplement may be a better choice.

Summary

Fermented foods rich in probiotics naturally contain amines. Some people may experience headaches after eating these foods, and should instead opt for probiotic supplements.

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What To Do If Your Symptoms Worsen With Probiotics

If you begin taking probiotics and your symptoms seem to be getting worse, you have several options:

• Push through a little longer. Sometimes symptoms get a little worse at first, then get significantly better a few days later, explains Strealy.
• Take half a dose. For example, take one capsule per day rather than one capsule twice a day.
• Switch the timing. For example, try taking the supplement at night before bedtime instead of during the day.
• Switch brands. Change to a different strain of bacteria, or switch to a yeast-based probiotic.
• Take a break and try again later. Some people just dont tolerate probiotics, Strealy says. You might consider trying again in a few months and see how it goes then.

If you have questions as you continue to take a probiotic supplement, your doctor or dietitian can give you further guidance to help you get the most benefit from probiotic supplements.

How To Reduce Probiotic Side Effects

If you are taking probiotics and experience any of the above side effects, you dont need to stop taking them completely. Lowering the dosage is often the best way to keep any gastrointestinal discomfort or other side effects at bay.

Most often, your body may just need to adjust to the sudden dose of beneficial bacteria. This initial adjustment period should usually only last the first few days as your guts microflora begin to rebalance. Try to reduce your dosage by half until the symptoms have disappeared then proceed to the suggested dose.

Along with reducing your dosage, you should also:

• Take your probiotics on an empty stomach Probiotics can produce gas when combined with certain foods. Taking your probiotics on an empty stomach ensures that that wont happen and ensures the maximum survivability of the beneficial bacteria. Take your probiotics at least 30 minutes before you eat. If you are still experiencing problems, try taking your probiotics on an empty stomach before bed.
• Drink plenty of water Many of the side effects are a result of your digestive system undergoing the process of detoxification. Staying hydrated will speed up the process and keep you from getting dehydrated if you have diarrhea.
• Stay patient It can take up to two weeks for your body to adjust to the probiotics before the benefits kick in.

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