Probiotics Side Effects

Many people ask about what probiotics side effects they can expect when taking a probiotic to help improve and heal their digestive tract. Since there seems to be a lot of confusion about probiotics in general, I decided to go over what they are, how they work, and what you can expect when taking them here to help answer all of your questions. The type you choose to use is greatly going to affect what results you see. If you are interested in reviews on the most popular brands (because not all of them are created equal!) Check out our post on Probiotic Supplements.

What are They?

Probiotics supplements are in essence, a capsule full of bacteria. That sounds terrible, doesn’t it? But before that turns you off, there’s something important you need to know: YOU NEED THEM! Your body is dependent on them for good digestion. These bacteria aren’t the bad type we associate with infections – but rather the good kind that actually help keep bad bacteria away. They also help ward off fungal problems, and they also help with aiding in digestion, since these friendly little bugs thrive on processing the foods we eat each and every single day.

When we take antibiotics, eat foods that are difficult to digest, and our bodies are bogged down with toxins or other diseases, our balance of good bacteria usually falls below what is necessary for digestive health. The only way to quickly rebuild this is to take a supplement which contains billions of cells – and not just for a few days or weeks, but often for several months if not longer.

The most popular types of probiotic bacteria include Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. These two are the kinds typically used in most supplements and are considered generally safe for most people, though before taking any supplement it is recommended to speak with a doctor.

Many people think they can get enough benefits just from eating yogurt every day. While it is true that most yogurts do have live cultures, usually the amount of bacteria is not enough, especially if you are having problems with unfriendly bacteria or yeast. Also, many people do not tolerate dairy at all, so this can make some problems actually much worse.

What are the Side Effects of Probiotics?

Unfortunately, there is not a lot of research done on the effect of probiotics and the relationship that exists between them and human health. These studies are especially inadequate regarding children and the effects of those with digestive disorders. However, the good news is that for most people there really are no side effects. Many people will wonder if the bacteria are even living when they take them and if they actually work.

However, after taking them for a prolonged period of time, it is likely you will notice that you do see an improvement. This could be through better digestion, less stomach cramping, or even possibly being able to tolerate the foods you couldn’t before.

Some people may notice additional gas and or bloating when taking probiotics. This is usually normal, and will go away within just a few days. The reason for this happening is that the bacteria could possibly be fighting off other ot so friendly organisms in your body (such as yeast or bad bacteria). If you experience any other symptoms, you may want to discuss those symptoms with a doctor and discontinue use or use a different type that may not give you the same side effects.

What Kind Are the Best?

I personally have tried several different types of probiotics to try and determine which ones really truly are the best. Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium seem to be the two that are the safest to use, since they are the ones with the most research done on them. Ideally, you should take a supplement that has a high live cell count. If you are on a dairy free and gluten free diet to help manage your IBS symptoms, it is important that whichever supplement you choose is also gluten and dairy free, as even the tiny small amounts in the capsules could cause issues for some people.

I have found that price is not so much as important as quality. I have found some locally for less than $4 a bottle, which as far as I could tell, worked just as effectively as other more expensive types I tried. It used to be that the only good ones were refrigerated, but now it seems that with better innovations in creating these products, refrigeration is recommended, but not vital.

Are Probiotics Safe?
While we’re still waiting for someone to come out and officially declare that probiotics are safe, it may be awhile as there is not a whole lot of research being conducted on this. Currently the FDA regulates probiotics as a food, not a drug, and they are found in everything from yogurt to baby formula these days. So, if it is “safe” to put them in baby formula, it stands reason to believe that most adults can take them as a supplement without any adverse reactions. However, because they are not well researched yet, it’s hard to say what the long term effects are and whether or not it really is the best course of action. The good news is many IBS sufferers are finding relief when they take probiotics regularly for several months.

If you are thinking of taking probiotics, it’s always a good idea to do as much research about the different kinds and the ingredients in each. We’ve got a great article explaining the differences in the most popular ones (as well as where to get them without going broke!) – Click Here for Our Article on Probiotic Supplements Reviews

Now that you know a little bit about the side effects of probiotics, and that most people can take them, it’s one thing to try in helping you manage your IBS symptoms.