Are There Negative Side Effects Of Taking Probiotics
The health benefits of probiotics are endless, but there are also cons to taking probiotics.
Aside from fermented soy being hard to digest and dairy products creating acidity in the body, there are low-grade probiotics on the shelves of grocery stores that may do the body little good when taken.
When choosing a probiotic supplement, its imperative to ensure its of high quality.
A probiotic supplement should be enteric coated , and contains a variety of bacteria strains, not just one.
High-quality probiotic supplements will also come with a product guarantee. You can find probiotics at your local health food store in the refrigerated section.
In some cases, the initial addition of probiotics in your diet may produce digestive symptoms, such as constipation or more frequent bowel movements and/or increased gas, as your body adjusts to the increase of friendly bacteria.
However, the negative side effects of probiotics shouldnt last longer than a few weeks.
If you ask me, probiotics are one of the most important nutrients to include in your diet each day when eating for energy, improving your digestive health and protecting yourself against illness and disease.
What Are Probiotics For Pets
Probiotics are live microorganisms mainly comprising bacteria, that can be added to the food for the purpose of regulating the intestinal microbial population of the host. Probiotics help treat and/or prevent a variety of illnesses and diseases, especially those related to the gastrointestinal and immune systems. They inhibit the growth and activity of harmful bacteria, such as some strains of E. coli, Salmonella, and Clostridium perfringens, as well as provide other advantages to the intestines. It is becoming clear that these microorganisms also produce chemicals which can get into the circulation and positively influence other systems in the body such as liver function, skin health and brain function.
Prebiotics Vs Probiotics Vs Postbiotics
What is the difference between prebiotics and probiotics?
Prebiotics are substances that are fermented by the beneficial bacteria in the gut and used as a source of fuel to help enhance gut flora health. Probiotics, on the other hand, are defined live microorganisms that can confer health benefits to the host, ranging from improved immunity to better brain function.
Postbiotics, meanwhile, are the byproducts of bacterial fermentation in the colon. To break down all the scientific jargon and put it simply:
Prebiotics feed the probiotics, or beneficial bacteria in your gut, and end up producing a byproduct called postbiotics.
When it comes to supplementing, which is best: probiotics or prebiotics?
All three boast an extensive array of health benefits and work together to boost both digestive and overall health. One is not necessarily best, since they work together to optimize things like nutrient absorption, appetite control, immune function, etc.
Are Probiotics Safe For Children
Though it is unclear if probiotics benefit children, it’s clear they typically won’t cause harm in healthy children. However, Dr. Sanghavi recommends parents wait until a child is over 1 year of age before giving probiotics. “Currently, there just isn’t enough safety data on probiotics for infants,” she says.
Children who are seriously ill or who have a compromised immune system should consult a physician before taking probiotics. Some studies suggest that children with a central line or port should also avoid probiotics. In children with these medical devices, there have been reported cases of sepsis. If your child has a port or central line, always talk to your physician before using probiotics.
What Is The Best Probiotic
It is hard to say what the best probiotic is because the effects of probiotics are different for each person. Everyone has their own unique gut flora, so the probiotic that works best for you depends on the microbiome in your gut. There are up to 500 species of bacteria found within our large intestines.
For those wanting to treat irritable bowel syndrome and acute dermatitis, the most commonly used probiotic strains typically include Lactobacillus sp., Bifidobacterium sp., Streptococcus thermophilus, and Saccharomyces boulardii.
Overall, the most popular and best-researched strains of probiotics include: Bifidobacterium, Lactobacillus, and Saccharomyces. It is important to note that most probiotic products and supplements contain multiple strains of live bacteria.
While probiotic supplements and probiotic foods have both been found to have health benefits, probiotic foods have been found to be more effective carriers of probiotics. Overall, more research and clinical trials are needed to determine which strains are most effective and for what.
Gut Microbiota Composition Of The Elderly
Among the elderly, age seems to be an important factor that determines the microbiota composition, as observed by Salazar et al. . In this study, the levels of Akkermansia and Lactobacillus for a subgroup of elderly were significantly higher than those observed in adult and the younger elderly groups, respectively. In this sense, Biagi et al. found comparable diversity values of the gut microbiota between the elderly and young adults, while centenarians stood out as a separate population, with Bacteroidetes and Firmicutes still dominating the gut microbiota. However, some changes in the relative proportion of Firmicutes subgroups were observed in comparison with the younger adults, with a decrease in the Clostridium cluster XIVa, as observed elsewhere . In addition, the authors described an increase in bacilli, a rearrangement of the Clostridium cluster IV and increased Proteobacteria. This last group contains many pathobionts bacteria, which, under some circumstances , might induce pathology . Some members of this group are Helicobacter hepaticus, segmented filamentous bacteria, Escherichia coli, and Enterococcus faecalis . Regarding SCFA production, several butyrate producers were found in lower amounts in centenarians than in other age groups, indicating a general decrease in SCFA levels with age .
Probiotic Strains And Their Functions
July 13, 20206 min read
You may already be familiar with what probiotics are and the many health benefits that are associated with them. It’s common, though, to still have some questions or confusion about how to choose the best supplement for you. This blog will help teach you how to read and interpret a probiotic supplement label and will review the functions and purpose of the many different probiotic names and strains that are often listed so that you can gain more insight and confidence in choosing the right product for you.
Probiotics Can Help Reduce Symptoms Of Certain Digestive Disorders
Over one million people in the US suffer from inflammatory bowel disease, including ulcerative colitis and Crohns disease .
Certain types of probiotics from the Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus strains have improved symptoms in people with mild ulcerative colitis .
Surprisingly, one study found that supplementing with the probiotic E. coli Nissle was just as effective as drugs in maintaining remission in people with ulcerative colitis (
).
Nevertheless, probiotics may have benefits for other bowel disorders. Early research suggests they may help with symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome .
They have also been shown to reduce the risk of severe necrotizing enterocolitis by 50%. This is a fatal bowel condition that occurs in premature infants .
Bottom Line:
Probiotics may help reduce the symptoms of bowel disorders like ulcerative colitis, IBS and necrotizing enterocolitis.
The Relation Of Probiotics To Our Health Could Be Summarized In The Following Points And Facts
- 1 Probiotics are useful and friendly microbes.
- 2 They are able to compete with the bad microbes and colonize our digestive system.
- 3 They are able to ferment our food to simpler byproducts and could promote our health by many different mechanisms.
- 4 Their amount could be deteriorated due to many factors, such as incorrect diet, alcohol, age and so on. This is why they should be taken through our regular diet.
- 5 In particular cases such as after antibiotic treatments, where they are expected to be affected severely, they should be taken orally in considerable amounts or with food.
- 6 Probiotics promote health while they:
- a. Remove the side effect of the pathogens or the harmful microbes.
- b. Supply the body with useful byproducts.
- c. Reduce the jobs of our digestive system.
- d. Reduce the effect of the first attack of harmful compounds, instead of our cells, by their biofilm, which protects our digestive system.
- e. Reduce the amount of food needed by our bodies due to the correct digestion and metabolism of any amount of food.
- f. Probiotics in some cases could complement the deficiency in our genetic materials by helping us to borrow the products of their genes .
Here we should highlight that, Probiotics or anything in our lives should not exceed a certain limit and should be used wisely to give the best expected results .
What Are The Benefits Of Probiotics For Kids
Researchers are still learning about all the benefits of probiotics and how they work. Probiotics may help with digestion, preventing infectious diseases and even playing a role in maintaining a healthy weight.
Some studies say probiotics help children with digestive issues such as:
- Constipation
- Irritable bowel syndrome
- Infectious diarrhea
However, other studies say probiotics have no effect. Dr. Sanghavi believes this is because each child has his or her individual microbiome.
“The microbiome is unique for each individual, almost like a fingerprint,” Dr. Sanghavi explains. “Most probiotics contain strains of lactobacillus, but there are many different types that may or may not exist in your gut.”
Dr. Sanghavi says that probiotics may only help if they contain the right strains of bacteria for your child’s gut; otherwise, they may not have any effect.
Supplements And Dosage Recommendations
Some prebiotics are added to some foods artificially and can often be found as dietary supplements, such as Prebiotin, which is a prebiotin fiber that can be sprinkled on foods and dissolved in drinks. While many food manufacturers now produce foods that are high in fiber, many use isolated fiber sources that are difficult to digest, and some might even have mild laxative effects.
What is the best prebiotic to take?
The best prebiotics come from whole food sources and foods containing prebiotics, like raw chicory root or onions. Not only do these foods supply a concentrated amount of prebiotics, but they are also rich in other important vitamins, minerals and antioxidants that can help optimize your health.
Focus on eating plenty of fiber-rich foods, aiming to get 25 to 30 grams of fiber each day from a variety of whole foods.
That said, if youre unable to meet your needs through food alone, you may want to consider prebiotics and probiotics supplements. Look for a supplement that contains real prebiotics instead of compounds with prebiotic-like effects, and be sure to buy from a reputable retailer with high-quality standards as well.
Prebiotics and probiotics can be taken at the same time. Ideally, take them daily around at the same time each day in order to establish a consistent routine.
How long do prebiotics take to work?
How To Interpret A Probiotic Label
Looking at the label of a probiotic supplement can be intimidating and confusing. Rather than seeing words you recognize and numbers in grams or percentages, youll find a list of scientific and difficult to pronounce names of bacteria. If you dont know what to look for, it can seem like it’s not worth your time to read or pay attention to.
However, what is listed on a probiotic panel can help you tell the difference between a quality probiotic and one that may not be worth spending your money on.
Heres an example using the strainLactobacillus casei :
- Lactobacillus is referring to the broader category of the bacteria, known as thegenus. The genus can be thought of as the strains extended family and there are many different bacteria strains within each genus. Note that the genus is often abbreviated by the first letter, so this may be written asL. casei in some instances.
- Casei refers to thespecies of bacteria, which can be thought of as closer family members.Different species of probiotics have different abilities and serve different purposes.
- Lc-11 refers to the specificstrain, which as mentioned, makes a big difference in the function of the probiotic. The strain will always be listed as a combination of letters and numbers, and gives the most unique identification of the bacteria type.
Dopamine Supplements To Boost Your Mood
Dopamine is a chemical in your brain that plays a role in the regulation of cognition, memory, motivation, mood, attention and learning.
It also aids in decision making and sleep regulation .
Under normal circumstances, dopamine production is managed effectively by your bodys nervous system. However, there are various lifestyle factors and medical conditions that can cause dopamine levels to plummet.
Symptoms of low dopamine levels include loss of pleasure in things that you once found enjoyable, lack of motivation and apathy (
Whats The Difference Between Ibs And Ibd
Dont confuse IBS with a more serious digestive-tract disease called inflammatory bowel disease . IBD is an autoimmune disease categorized by chronic inflammation.
Crohns disease , ulcerative colitis , and indeterminate colitis are three types of IBD. Clinical trials suggest probiotics may be a promising therapy for UC. Unfortunately, CD and IC do not show the same therapeutic effect.
The Overlooked Role Of Probiotics In Human Health
New science substantiates the use of probiotic organisms in the battle against disease. Probiotic bifidobacteria can alleviate bowel discomforts and a specific strain has been shown to boost immune activity and reduce inflammatory conditions.
Scientifically reviewed by: Dr. Vanessa Pavey, ND, on July 2020. Written By Joyce Killian.
Probiotics have formed a vital part of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern diets for thousands of years, in the form of fermented milk and vegetable products such as yogurt and pickles.1,2 They are credited, in part, for the relatively low rates of chronic, age-related diseases that prevail in those regions.2
Now, research is catching up with this traditional wisdom in the form of accelerated scientific investigations into the broad spectrum health benefits of probiotics. This new science, known as pharmabiotics, uses probiotic organisms as natural pharmaceutical agents in the treatment and prevention of disease along with promoting longevity. Pharmabiotics provides an almost limitless source of biologically active materials which can influence human health.3
Probiotics Can Help Prevent And Treat Diarrhea
Probiotics are widely known for their ability to prevent diarrhea or reduce its severity.
Diarrhea is a common side effect of taking antibiotics. It occurs because antibiotics can negatively affect the balance of good and bad bacteria in the gut (
).
A review of 15 human studies found supplementing with Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus strains for 12 months can improve anxiety, depression, autism, obsessive-compulsive disorder and memory .
One study followed 70 chemical workers for 6 weeks. Those who consumed 100 grams of probiotic yogurt per day or took a daily probiotic capsule experienced benefits for general health, depression, anxiety and stress .
Benefits were also seen in a study of 40 patients with depression.
Taking probiotic supplements for 8 weeks decreased depression levels and reduced levels of C-reactive protein and hormones such as insulin, compared to people who did not take a probiotic .
Bottom Line:
Research shows taking probiotics may help improve symptoms of mental health disorders such as depression, anxiety, stress and memory, among others.
First What Is A Probiotic
According to the WHO/FAO 2001 and 2002 definition and an in 2014, probiotics are live microorganisms which, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host. These friendly bacteria are present in numerous foods, including dairy fermented foods such as yogurt and some kefirs.
The Role Of Probiotics In Digestive Health
Accepted for publication 29 October 2015
Arthur C Ouwehand Active Nutrition, DuPont Nutrition and Health, Kantvik, Finland Abstract: Although probiotics have documented health benefits outside the gastrointestinal tract, digestive health remains the key benefit for probiotics. Advances in technology have made even more in-depth analyses of the intestinal microbiota possible. Nevertheless, a healthy microbiota cannot be defined due to individual differences and changes with age. Probiotics, in general, will not cure or prevent disease, but will aim at maintaining health and reducing risk for disease; although probiotic pharmaceuticals are possible. Meta-analyses have indicated several areas where probiotics can exert health benefits such as certain types of diarrhea, constipation, and inflammatory diseases of the intestine. There is also an ever-increasing understanding of the mechanisms of probiotic action. However, it remains challenging to pinpoint specific strain for explicit health benefits. The increased understanding of the intestinal microbiota composition and activity will make it likely that in the future we will see new probiotics from genera other than Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, or Saccharomyces; these may focus on new or existing health targets. Keywords: Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, intestinal microbiota, health, novel probiotics
Introduction
Viability
Dose
Health benefit
Safety
Strain specificity versus commonality
Intestinal microbiota
And You Are Probably Asking If All Probiotics Are The Same
The answer is NO. A probiotic is characterized by belonging to a genus and a species and, finally, by a specific strain . That way, probiotics are given specific properties and benefits, although each one has its own unique characteristics and health benefits.
Most Lactobacillus help maintain the health of the gastrointestinal tract, and some Lactobacilli strainsLactobacillus delbrueckii subsp. bulgaricusin association with Streptococcus thermophilus help with lactose digestion.
And what about bifidobacteria? Most bifidobacteria help prevent and reduce diarrhea associated with antibiotic treatment or viral infections. Furthermore, specific strains have been shown to strengthen the gut barrier or improve digestive symptoms.
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The Power Of Probiotics For Pets
May 20, 2019 | Pet Advice, Probiotic
Science supporting the use of probiotics in humans has been established over the past 100 years and is now well accepted. Peer-reviewed science supporting the use of probiotics for pets has been available for more than 30 years, but this knowledge has been slow to disseminate to the pet-owner population. Kallangur Veterinary Surgery has been recommending probiotic use in dogs and cats for years and there are many clinical instances where we have witnessed dramatic, life-changing health benefits.
In humans, it is clear that the makeup of bacteria within the gut influences the likelihood of having conditions like irritable bowel or colitis; psychological states like depression or anxiety; skin disorders like eczema or psoriasis; neurological disorders like multiple sclerosis, Parkinsons or Alzheimers Disease; inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis, systemic sclerosis and ankylosing spondylitis; even susceptibility to being overweight can be mediated by the microbiomes impact on thyroid autoimmunity and insulin resistance. We will elaborate on the specifics of some of these conditions in future posts.
If you havent been aware of the effects of the microbiome previously, please re-read the paragraph above and take time to reflect on the profound influence that the gut microbiome has on health and wellbeing. If you wish to find more information on how the microbiome influences human health, look here.
Why Probiotics Matter So Much
After dissecting and inspecting the various key strains that may be in your probiotic supplements, it is easy to see why they, particularly those discussed above, are crucial for your overall health.
Their long list of health benefits doesnt stop there, though; prebiotics and probiotic supplements play a vital role in almost every system in the body to strengthen, enhance, and extend the quality of your life. These benefits include:
1. Helping the good and bad bacteria in your body stay balanced to ensure your body is functioning at its very best
2. Working to replace good bacteria that may be lost for whatever reason, such as when you take an antibiotic
3. Ensuring that food moves properly through your gut and breaking down food into nutrients your body can use for energy, cell repair, and growth
4. Promoting mineral absorption from the foods you eat, particularly iron, calcium, magnesium, zinc, and other minerals that are crucial for bone health
5. Helping to metabolize and break down body wastes by attaching to the wall of the intestines and dislodging any accumulated decay before flushing it out of your body
6. Giving your immune system a boost to stop the growth of harmful gut bacteria and possibly promoting the production of natural antibodies in the body, such as IgA-producing cells, natural killer cells, and T lymphocytes
7. Killing oral bacteria that cause tooth decay and decrease the effects of gingivitis
Probiotics Benefits: How Do Scientists Think These Microorganisms Help The Body
This living for life nutrient is the foundation of our health. A healthy microbiome may help in preventing and treating diseases in the areas of digestive health, certain types of cancer, oral disease, food allergies, and eczema.
But first, know that probiotic supplements may affect everyone differently, and for older people in particular, their touted benefits are unproven. In fact, the research on how beneficial probiotics are varies depending on the disease in question.
Benefits Of Taking Probiotics
Not all probiotics are the same. Different strains of the bacteria have different effects. For example, one strain may fight against cavity-causing organisms in our mouths and don’t need to survive a trip through our guts.
Research has been promising for these friendly critters. Potential benefits of probiotics have been seen in the treatment or prevention of
- H. pylori
- vaginal infections
- infection of the digestive tract caused by Clostridium difficile
- pouchitis
- eczema in children.
How Safe Are Probiotics
Because microbes used as probiotics already exist naturally in your body, probiotic foods and supplements are generally considered safe. They may trigger allergic reactions, and may also cause mild stomach upset, diarrhea, or flatulence and bloating for the first few days after starting to take them.
There are certain people who need to use caution when using probiotic supplements. There is a risk of infection in some people. These people include those who have:
- A weakened immune system .
- A critical illness.
Caution should also be used when giving probiotics to very sick infants.
Always talk to your healthcare provider before starting a probiotic supplement.
What Is A Fructooligosaccharide
oligosaccharide
Together with inulin fiber,fructooligosaccharides are probably most recognized for their prebiotic qualities.
They are very similar but not identical to inulin: the difference being in their chemical structures. Fructo-oligosaccharide chains of molecules are shorter than inulin chains.
How Do Probiotics Work
The main job of probiotics, or good bacteria, is to maintain a healthy balance in your body. Think of it as keeping your body in neutral. When you are sick, bad bacteria enters your body and increases in number. This knocks your body out of balance. Good bacteria works to fight off the bad bacteria and restore the balance within your body, making you feel better.
Good bacteria keeps you healthy by supporting your immune function and controlling inflammation. Certain types of good bacteria can also:
- Help your body digest food.
- Keep bad bacteria from getting out of control and making you sick.
- Create vitamins.
- Help support the cells that line your gut to prevent bad bacteria that you may have consumed from entering your blood.
- Breakdown and absorb medications.
This balancing act is naturally happening in your body all of the time. You dont actually need to take probiotic supplements to make it happen. Good bacteria is just a natural part of your body. Eating a well-balanced diet rich in fiber every day helps to keep the number of good bacteria at proper levels.
Undoes The Damage Of Anti
When we take anti-biotics to help us get over a viral infection, we sometimes kill many of the forms of healthy bacteria in our digestive tract. This is because the drugs dont necessarily differentiate between healthy absorbing bacteria and illness-causing bacteria, which is why you may experience indigestion and diarrhea following a round of antibiotics. However, many times doctors will recommend a probiotic supplement to help replenish healthy bacteria in the digestive tract.
Probiotics 60 Billion Cfu
Probiotics are generally considered safe . Probiotics can also communicate with some medications. Please consult your doctor prior to beginning any brand-new supplement. In addition to the safety of active components, our component security score assesses all non-active components for potential health dangers based on clinical literature and the Center for Science in the Public Interest’s safety ranking of food additives.
There are presently no recognized dosages set for probiotic intake. The U.S. Scientific Guide to Probiotic Products provide suggested effective amounts of particular strains for treating particular health conditions, such as constipation or IBS. To factor strain-specific advantages into our efficacy score, we referenced the info in these guides. Products were rewarded for consisting of strains on these lists.
In cases where products did not list strain-specific amounts, or their noted pressures were not included in these guides, total determined CFUs were compared to a general efficiency limit of 1 billion CFUs pointed out by research study released in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition . Sources AEP. . Medical Guide to Probiotic Products – Available in the US: 2017 Edition – why do you need chitosanase in probiotic supplement.