Does Align Probiotic Help With Constipation

How Do Prebiotics Work

Prebiotics feed your beneficial bacteria, allowing them to reproduce and multiply. Increased good bacteria in the gut can push harmful bacteria out and improve your digestion overall.

Other than increased counts of good bacteria and decreased counts of bad bacteria, benefits of prebiotics may include:

• Strengthened intestinal lining
• Elimination of toxins from your digestive tract

Prebiotics can come in supplement form or in certain types of food — both of which can grant you these benefits.

So, prebiotics help to balance gut bacteria, just like probiotics. And because constipation may be related to an imbalanced microbiome, it makes sense to guess that they might soothe constipation.

Lets check out the research before we jump to conclusions.

Why Should I Consider Supplements Are Natural Probiotics Not Good Enough

Natural fermented foods like yogurt, sauerkraut, kimchi, whey and others contain ample amount of probiotic strains. However, as these strains are not properly protected, even a small change in the environment can make them weak or die. And moreover it is difficult to tell how many probiotic strains and CFUs natural foods contain.

So, it is better to take probiotic supplements because they have a combination of carefully selected probiotic strains and maximum number of CFUs. They are very easy to take and carry around. They have longer shelf life than natural probiotics. They are more feasible for people who are allergic to lactose.

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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Systematic Review Of Literature

We conducted PubMed and Google Scholar searches using the following search strings: 1. AND probiotics AND and 2. title: probiotic AND guidelines, to evaluate the opinion of health-related authorities toward probiotics in constipated patients. The electronic search was supplemented by a manual review of the reference lists from eligible publications and relevant reviews. The search was carried out from the databases creation until 15.04.2019.

Our inclusion criteria were as follows

Do I Need To Take Probiotics After I Take Antibiotics

Antibiotic medications are often needed to fight an infection. However, while antibiotics are killing the bad bacteria, they are also knocking out the good bacteria in your body. Some people develop conditions like diarrhea after taking an antibiotic. In other people, this may allow for really bad bacteria to take over and populate the gut, such as with C. diff. Some research has shown a positive connection between taking probiotics after an antibiotic and relief from diarrhea. This hasnt been proven yet and doesnt work for everyone.

The thought behind adding probiotics back into your body after taking an antibiotic is that it can repopulate the good bacteria that was destroyed by the antibiotics and re-boot your system. The extra good bacteria helps repopulate your gut and fight off any remaining bad bacteria. Many people feel that adding in probiotics wont hurt, might help you feel better a little faster and prevent diarrhea.

Recommended Reading: Renew Life Probiotics After Antibiotics

Free Of Artificial And Harmful Ingredients

Avoid any supplement that contains harmful ingredients like preservatives, binders, chemicals, fillers, artificial colors, flavors and blenders. Prefer supplements that have naturally extracted probiotics. If you are allergic to some ingredients then make sure the product you choose doesnt contain any of them.

What We Dislike About The Probiotic Supplement

Side effects

While probiotics are generally safe to use for most people, some may experience side effects when taking Align.

Symptoms that you could experience when taking Align products include bloating, gas, and upset stomachs.

If you feel bloated or experience abdominal discomfort while taking Align, discontinue use until you can talk to your doctor who can provide medical advice.

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Digestive Enzyme Intensive Bowel Support

Digestive Enzyme is one of the premium brands any one rely on because it is specifically designed to support long-term digestive support. The manufacturer claims that this supplement will provide comfort from abdominal bloating and other discomforts within 2 weeks.

However, this supplement has taken second place because it has only 1 probiotic strain B30. It is a unique patented probiotic strain which has proven results as it can withstand harsh stomach 10 times more than other supplements.

This supplement contains 1 billion live cells of BC 30 .

Apart from this probiotic strain, this supplement also contains enzymes Protease 30,000 HUT, amylase 450 DU and Lipase 30 FIP. These enzymes break down the fat, proteins and carbohydrates. This in turn reduces bloating, indigestion and abdominal pain.

Benefits of taking this supplement include

• Increasing normal micro-biome in the GI tract and help in digestion process.
• Improve digestive health.
• Boosts immune system.
• Improves proper absorption of minerals and nutrients from the food consumed.

The capsules of Digestive Enzyme dont contain artificial flavors and colors. It can be stored at room temperature so refrigeration is not required.

Note: It contains soy and wheat so avoid this supplement if you allergic to gluten. Kids, pregnant and nursing women should avoid taking this tablet.

Things We Loved:

What Are Consumers Saying About Align Probiotic

Align Probiotic is a popular product, with over 85% of users giving it 4 or 5 stars. There were quite a few people in the Align Probiotic reviews with irritable bowel syndrome who said this product worked to ease their symptoms. However, there were a few users who had side effects like stomach upset, which were too bad to continue taking the supplement.

All of the cells and tissues in your body and your major organ of detoxification, the liver rely upon your colon. The colon processes waste and bacteria preparing it for elimination from the body. Colon cleanse products should be determined based on its: potential to clean the colon of harmful waste & toxins, potential to promote better digestion & increase elimination, potential to promote improved* immune system function, potential to provide increased energy levels*. The quality of the ingredients should be backed by clinical research.

Below you’ll find some of the most effective colon cleanse supplements on the market today, in our opinion.

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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 studytested 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.

Health Benefits Of Probiotic Supplements

Its important to not get too lost in the specifics ofscientific studies about probiotics, and to focus instead on what science saysabout the general health benefits they provide. Though some studies show that Saccharomyces boulardii is helpful for IBS-D,other studies show that probiotics are helpful for treating constipation.

This is one of the things that holds back functional andnatural medicine. We have some science on an issue that causes us to thinknarrowly, rather than looking at all the other studies and trying to interpretwhat the trends are.

What the multitude of studies about probiotics tell us isthat they work generally to restore the gut environment. When we include beneficialbacteria from each category, they work synergistically together toimprove the digestivesystem. We dont need to worry too much about the specifics.

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Where To Buy Metamucil

Metamucil is a product that is readily available for purchase. It is available through both in-store and online retailers such as Walmart, Amazon, and CVS. However, the products prices vary per retailer.

The average price of Metamucil is about $25 for 180 doses by most online retailers. Smaller versions can be found for about $10 to $20.

Mistake #: You Stop Taking Probiotics When You Take Antibiotics

One of the biggest misconceptions is that you should wait until your antibiotics are finished before you take probiotics, says registered dietitian Desiree Nielsen, author of Un-Junk Your Diet: How to Shop, Cook and Eat to Fight Inflammation and Feel Better, Forever. People think that antibiotics will kill probiotics, which is true, but probiotics can ease the side effects of antibiotics . The key to survival is when you take probiotics: wait two hours after your antibiotic dose so the antibiotic can move through your system and give probiotics a fighting chance. In addition, continue the probiotics for a time after your antibiotics are finished to ensure that their effects are out of your system.

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Best Psyllium Fiber Supplement

As for specific products, back in the day I started off with Metamucil, which was pretty much the only game in town at the time. I even used the flavored kind. Bad idea. Too many chemicals and artificial ingredients for my taste.

I have long since moved on to a brand with which I have grown very familiar and satisfied with: Organic India Whole Husk Psyllium Powder.

I like the fact it has one ingredient: Whole husk psyllium.

That keeps things simple.

It is also completely flavorless and relatively inexpensive. And of course, organic, as the name implies.

One thing to note about consuming psyllium powder in its pure form. It does have an odd texture. I just mix it with water and down it within seconds. Leave it too long and it gels up rather quickly. Even if you mix it with something else such as a smoothie, I would not recommend you wait too long to drink it.

The powder version is not for everyone, of course, but there is an alternative. Now brands Psyllium Husk Caps.

While I dont consume these personally, I am familiar with the brand and use and trust their products. Their ingredient list adds two components to the psyllium husk powder: Stearic acid, a long-chain fatty acid found in palm oil, coconut oil and other natural food sources and used as a flow agent, and cellulose, a non-digestible wood pulp derivative for the capsule.

Thats an admirably short and inoffensive list for a capsuled product.

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Can I Use Probiotics To Help With Medical Conditions

There is currently a large amount of research happening around the idea of what probiotics can do for your body. Even though there are a lot of possibly positive outcomes, researchers are still working to find definitive answers about how probiotics can help with various conditions.

However, there are some medical conditions where probiotics may help. This can vary between people meaning that what works for one person may not work for another. These can also vary based on the certain probiotic that is taken.

Some of the conditions that might be helped by increasing the amount of probiotics in your body include:

• Upper respiratory infections .
• .

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Probiotics Can Cause Allergic Reactions

Another possible side effect of taking probiotics is an allergic reaction. Humans can be allergic to just about anything, including milk which is often used in the probiotic production process.

The purification process used in the production of some probiotics such as Nexabiotic® Advanced should remove most of these allergens.

If you are lactose intolerant you should be able to tolerate the small amounts of milk in probiotics. Furthermore, probiotics themselves break down lactose. This is the reason why probiotic-loaded kefir yogurt is advertised as being lactose-free.

However, if you have developed an allergic reaction to milk ingredients that results in problems breathing then you should avoid probiotics.

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!

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How Probiotics Can Help With Constipation

Struggling to get things moving downstairs? At risk of bursting a blood vessel as you strain on the throne?

In that case, you might be on the lookout for things that can combat constipation. Fortunately, there are quite a few different options here, from over-the-counter fiber solutions, to home remedies like prunes and prune juice that you can find in your homes cupboards.

But one option you might not be aware of is probiotics. And this is a big shame, considering that probiotics for constipation may be the solution that lasts longterm. In fact, healthy flora is a generally overlooked aspect of many diets and of our health in general, so read on and learn how to improve your gut health significantly by treating the underlying problem instead of just trying to treat the symptoms of bathroom difficulty.

Note* If you’re just looking for the “solution” that we recommend and don’t care about learning about the whole thing, then here is our recommended probiotic supplement for constipation. It actually is more than just a probiotic, as it also contains pre-biotics as a few natural mild laxatives that promote healthy flora.

Background Of The Align Probiotic

The Align probiotic supplement contains the bacterial strain Bifiobacterium infantis 35624 . This bacterial strain was isolated by the Department of Microbiology at the University College in Cork, Ireland . At the time, their work was unique in that they isolated the strain directly from surgically-removed pieces of human small intestine. Most other probiotic strains are isolated from feces. Because it was able to survive the digestive tract of a mouse and helped improve a mouse model of inflammatory bowel disease , it was used in additional studies.

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Variables That Influence Probiotic Side Effects

There are many variables that might influence the specific probiotic side effects that you experience, as well as their respective severities. Examples of variables that could have a significant impact upon the side effects you experience from probiotic supplementation include: the specific probiotic, its dosage, administration details , as well as individual attributes . It is these variables that help explain why multiple probiotic users may report noticeably different reactions.

Can I Take Or Eat Something To Increase The Good Probiotics In My Body

You can increase the amount of good microbes in your body through foods, drinks and supplements. You may already have certain foods in your daily diet that contain probiotics. Fermented foods in particular are home to a host of good bacteria that benefit your body. There are also fermented drinks like kombucha or kefir that introduce extra probiotics into your diet.

Apart from food, you can add probiotics to your diet through dietary supplements. These arent drugs, so they do not need to be approved by the Federal Drug Administration . Its important that you always talk to your healthcare provider before starting any kind of supplement or major change to your diet.

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Stonehenge Health Dynamic Biotics

These probiotics include 16 strains, substrains, prebiotics, and over 50 billion CFUs.

The product is vegan and does not contain genetically modified organisms , soy, gluten, or artificial ingredients. Also, it comes with a 90-day money back guarantee.

However, it is frequently out of stock.

This product costs $49.95 for a 1-month supply, $43.99 per bottle for a 3-month supply, and $37.99 per bottle for a 6-month supply.