What Are The Side Effects And Risks Of Probiotics
Supplements play an important role when the diet is not adequate to supply our needs. In the case of probiotics, one’s diet is the ideal source for probiotics. These are live bacteria and need to be carefully monitored, stored, and combined for the health benefits that one would be taking them for. At this time, probiotic supplements are not monitored in the U.S. the way that food or medication is. They fall under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act of 1994 . This requires that the dietary supplement or dietary ingredient manufacturer be responsible for ensuring that a dietary supplement or ingredient is safe before it is marketed. The only time that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration may get involved is if action is needed to be taken against a manufacturer after the supplement is marketed and then found to be unsafe. This means that as much as we may know about probiotics, we can’t be certain of the safety or content of the supplements available to us.
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 (
50 ).
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.
Probiotics Help Balance The Friendly Bacteria In Your Digestive System
Probiotics include good bacteria. These are live microorganisms that can provide health benefits when consumed .
These benefits are thought to result from the ability of probiotics to restore the natural balance of gut bacteria .
An imbalance means there are too many bad bacteria and not enough good bacteria. It can happen due to illness, medication such as antibiotics, poor diet and more.
Consequences can include digestive issues, allergies, mental health problems, obesity and more .
Probiotics are usually found in fermented foods or taken as supplements. Whats more, they appear to be safe for most people.
Bottom Line:
Probiotics are live microorganisms. When taken in sufficient amounts, they can help restore the natural balance of gut bacteria. As a result, health benefits may follow.
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Bowtrol Probiotic Customer Reviews
**If you want, you can buy Bowtrol Probiotic online. A one-month supply costs $39.95. Though, the Bowtrol price goes down the more packs you purchase.
Moreover, check out the subsequent segments to find out more about probiotic benefits and the right way to take them.
Probiotics are responsible for maintaining a healthy balance and the overall health of your body.;
In other words, it keeps your body in a neutral situation.;
Heres what happens when you start taking probiotics
When you are ill, bad bacteria arrive in your body and multiply themselves. This disturbs the natural balance of your body.;
Here comes the role of good bacteria. They fight off the bad ones and return your gut to balance making you feel better.;
Not only does a probiotic help maintain good health but also strengthens your immunity and subsides inflammation.;
Some friendly bacteria help in these ways:
- Runs digestion process smoothly.
- Keeps control on bad bacteria to prevent ailments.;
- Make vitamins.
- Support the cell lining in your stomach to prevent bad bacteria, entered through certain food consumption, from entering your blood.
- Breakdown and absorb medications.
The body process of balancing everything occurs round the clock.;
Friendly bacteria are a natural part of your body. They can be maintained by relying on a healthy diet.;
Henceforth, eating a balanced diet rich in fiber maintains the proper number of good bacteria.;
Theres another thing in vogue right now, prebiotics.
When Not To Take Probiotics Reduce Risks
Live cultures of microbes that are healthy for your guts microbiome known as probiotics are typically healthy and helpful to take at all times for all ages in all circumstances. Whether youre a man, woman, adult, child, dog, cat, anything! Probiotics are almost always good. However, there are some very specific circumstances when you should NOT take probiotics without first speaking to your doctor or another medical professional.
Typically, probiotics are advised against when they may be contraindicated with either a medical condition or another drug.
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Reason #1 To Stop Taking Probiotics: Probiotic Supplements Are Proprietary Strains
The first reason is that probiotic supplements are proprietary strains.; That means they are formulated in laboratories by companies so they can be patented and then sold for profit.; Not that there is anything wrong with that.; Many companies put out effective probiotic supplements.
My probiotic of choice is Prescript Assistas I consistently get great results with it with my clients.;Its clinically tested and has 29 different strains of microflora.;.
Dozens of studies using probiotic therapy show benefits in treating IBS, constipation, diarrhea, Crohns disease, ulcerative colitis and many other digestive issues.;;
However, few studies have ever been done with actual fermented foods.; Why?
Because you cant patent sauerkraut.; Or kimchi.; Or any food for that matter.;
According to Dr. Mercola on his website, one serving of fermented vegetables has 100 times more beneficial bacteria than an entire bottle of a high potency probiotic product!
And lets not forget that fermented foods are a part of the diet of every traditional culture on this planet.; They have been around as long as humans have been around.; It is only recently with the advent of refrigeration and processed foods that many industrialized societies have stopped using traditionally fermented foods.
Katz brought up another interesting point regarding probiotic therapy.
Are There Any Risks Related To Probiotics
Probiotics are generally considered safe. However, there are some risks linked to the supplements. These risks are increased if you have a medical condition that weakens your immune system, have recently had surgery or have other serious medical conditions.
Unlikely, but possible, risks can include:
- Developing an infection.
- Developing a resistance to antibiotics.
- Developing harmful byproducts from the probiotic supplement.
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It Seems Like Most Health Experts Are Calling Probiotics The Panacea For Every Ailment That Miracle Supplement That Helps With Just About Everything
And actuallyits kind of true.
While nothing will magically fix everything, our gut bacteria are the first line of defense for many of our body systems. Therefore, theyre connected to a surprisingly high number of health concerns.
I believe the root of our health is our digestive system. Its where the building blocks for every cell in our body are created by digesting and absorbing the nutrients in our food.
When our gut bacteria are in balance, they play a huge role in helping us with our digestion. Probiotics dont just boost gut bacteria in general, they promote a healthy balance by reintroducing a healthy mix of bacteria needed for healthy digestion.;
They make some enzymes to digest our foodincluding lactase to digest milkthey produce some vitamins like K & B12, and they keep our digestive system in tiptop shape by healing our gut walls.
They also play an important role in our immune system. They deliver the messages this is okay and this is a problem. Our small intestine is the main entry into our body, and we need a guard system to make sure only nutrients are absorbed. No bad bacteria or viruses, please!
You may still be asking, How do I know if I need probiotics? Here are five signs you just might.
1. Digestive irregularity
Ninety percent of the bacteria in our body live in our colon, so it makes sense that they may influence our colons activity. In fact, half of our poop is made up of live and dead bacteria.
2. Your sugar cravings are out of control
How To Choose The Best Probiotic For Your Gut
Probiotics have started popping up everywhereâ as you walk through the aisle in a store, in the news, all over the web. More and more options are springing up, and you feel a probiotic could help you. The question now: How do I choose a good probiotic for my gut?
As the conversation around gut health grows, so do the number of ways you can help support your gut.* You can eat foods with live cultures like yogurt. You could take a probiotic supplement. You might also hear that you should take prebiotics.
With so much information out there and so many choices, you need to make sense of it all to do whatâs best for your gut. The good news is that Align, the pro in probiotics, is here to help you navigate choosing the best probiotic for you.
Probiotic Pro Tip: One of the best ways to guarantee you get probiotics in your gut without changing your diet is by taking a supplement.
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Should Healthy People Take Probiotics
Probiotics are turning out to be a much-debated topic. After years of promoting them for almost all reasons, now we are finding a few contradictory things.;
In comparison, people who didnt take probiotics gained back their bacteria composition by themselves within 21-days.
Scientists believe probiotics work best for people who lack healthy strains of gut bacteria, to begin with. Otherwise, the bacteria present in your gut can resist the new bacteria that come from your probiotics supplement.;
Additionally, probiotics can also trigger adverse immune responses in your intestine. Such activities generally harm your own internal microbiome.;
Proven Health Benefits Of Probiotics According To Science
Jenny Hills, Nutritionist and Medical Writer Food & Nutrition
Probiotics are living microorganisms that are good for your overall health. Probiotics are sometimes called good bacteria. Taking probiotics regularly is a great way to improve your digestive health and strengthen your immune system. The potential benefits of probiotic supplements also include helping to lose weight, treating depression, and reducing inflammation.
You can also boost your health by eating foods containing probiotics. Fermented foods like sauerkraut, kombucha , and kimchi also have good bacteria . Consuming these foods or taking probiotic supplements can improve your gastrointestinal tract and help you fight infections.
In this article, you will learn about the many reasons to take probiotics. I will also examine scientific research that backs up many of the claimed health benefits of probiotics.
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Probiotics And Gut Health
The best case for probiotic therapy has been in the treatment of diarrhea. Controlled trials have shown that;Lactobacillus GG;can shorten the course of infectious diarrhea in infants and children . Although studies are limited and data are inconsistent, two large reviews, taken together, suggest that probiotics reduce antibiotic-associated diarrhea by 60%, when compared with a placebo.
More common than diarrhea is the opposite problem constipation. In a search for studies on the benefits of probiotics in treating constipation, researchers found that probiotics slowed “gut transit time” by 12.4 hours, increases the number of weekly bowel movements by 1.3, and helped to soften stools, making them easier to pass. But the jury is still out on specific recommendations when it comes to the benefits of;probiotics for constipation.
Probiotic therapy may also help people with Crohn’s disease and irritable bowel syndrome. Clinical trial results are mixed, but several small studies suggest that certain probiotics may help maintain remission of ulcerative colitis and prevent relapse of Crohn’s disease and the recurrence of pouchitis . Because these disorders are so frustrating to treat, many people are giving probiotics a try before all the evidence is in for the particular strains they’re using. More research is needed to find out which strains work best for what conditions.
What Are The Health Benefits Of Taking Probiotics Daily
Taking probiotics daily will allow you to reap the most benefits from all the good bacteria entering the gut. Firstly, they help to support your immune system. Did you know that roughly 70% of your immune system is in your gut? Therefore, a balanced and healthy immune response is very much dependent on strong communities of helpful bacteria in the gut.
A premium-quality probiotic supplement can help to support the foundation of your health at its core.;Probiotics can also encourage a balanced microbiome. The bodys delicate balance of bacteria can be under attack by unhealthy lifestyle choices and environmental factors some of which you cant help, like medications and aging. These factors can have significant impacts on your healthy microflora balance. This is why taking probiotic supplements everyday are essential, as they will help to make sure that the healthy bacteria levels in your body are replenished so that your body can maintain a healthy state.
Probiotics can also help in terms of your day-to-day mood. Did you know that having a gut feeling is much more than having a hunch? A healthy gut environment plays a significant role in terms of your emotional and mental balance. The good bacteria in your intestinal tract support hundreds of nervous system chemicals being produced, which will regulate your mood.
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They Don’t Hang Out In Your Gut For Very Long
When you nosh or swallow a probiotic, it doesn’t take up permanent residence in your intestinal ecosystem with the bacteria that’s there already, says Hutkins. It might help crowd out a microorganism that’s making you sick , but it eventually just passes through the gut. That’s why it’s impossible to take too many; you’ll just poop them out. This in-and-out nature also means that if you’re aiming for a health benefit, you need to ingest them almost daily.
How Probiotics Might Be Bad For You
Because these good bacteria already exist in the body, theyâre considered safe for most people. But there are some things to consider.
They can trigger an allergic reaction. They might cause mild stomach problems, especially the first few days you start taking them. You might have stomach upset, gas, diarrhea, or bloating. Those symptoms usually go away after your body gets used to them.
If you have an immune system problem or another serious health condition, you may have a greater chance of issues. Some reports have linked probiotics to serious infections and other side effects. The people most likely to have trouble are those with immune system problems, people who’ve had surgery, and others who are critically ill. Don’t take probiotics if you have any of those issues.
Always talk to your pediatrician before giving probiotic supplements to your child. If you’re pregnant or nursing, you should also talk to your doctor before you try one.
Most probiotics in the U.S. are sold as dietary supplements. That means the companies that make them don’t have to test their products and show that they work or that they are safe. More research is needed to confirm that probiotics are safe and effective.
Ask your doctor which probiotics are the right ones for you. Be sure to stop taking them if you have any problems.
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Are There Any Storage Instructions For Probiotics
Several probiotic strains are very fragile and need to be protected from heat, oxygen, light and humidity. The probiotics might start to break down or die if they are exposed to these elements. Because of this, you may need to refrigerate your probiotics or store it in a particular place. Refrigerating certain probiotic strains ensures that theyre still viable when you go to use them and will still provide the full benefit of the probiotic. Always read the labels on any probiotic product you purchase to make sure you store it correctly and use it within the expiration date.
Choosing The Right Strain Is Crucial
Recent research has ID’d a few different magical microorganisms that may help, depending on your health issue, so make sure you have the right strain:
If you’re healthy and want to stay that way… Shoot for 50 to 100 billion CFUs of a combo of lactobcillus and bifidobacterium. Starting with a large amount of CFUs will either keep you riding high or trigger small but yucky reactions, like gas or nausea. If you notice those, scale back to 50 billion, then 20 bill, until you feel like your usual self. If you have annoying tummy troubles… Allow your predominant symptoms to guide you. Bloated and constipated? Look for lactobacillus acidophilus or lactobacillus casei, which help restore gut flora. Can’t stop going number two? Types with saccharomyces boulardii can ease antibiotic-associated diarrhea and even prevent extreme cases caused by infections.
If you get recurring yeast infections… The itch-meets-ouch infection is caused by an overgrowth of bad bacteria. To “recolonize” your vagina, you want the good bacteria that’s found there: lactobacillus acidophilus.Go the direct route. Use 2 to 5 billion CFUs in an OTC probiotic suppository, or wet an oral capsule to soften, then insert it. Pros suggest doing this every other day at the end of your period (three times total for prevention.
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Make Sure Any Supplements You Buy Are Coated
Some probiotic strains can’t survive the acidity of your gut. So if you’re taking a supplement, make sure it’s coated; the outer shell will help it reach your intestines intact. If you can find only an uncoated version, take it with food to help protect it from the aggressive environment.
This article originally appeared in the March 2019 issue of Womens Health. For more intel on how to live a happier, healthier life, pick up an issue on newsstands now.