Youve Taken The First Step Whats Next
Here at Renew Life, we believe the journey toward being stronger for life is all about the little things we do every day to keep our minds and bodies healthystarting with supporting a balanced gut.
The human gut is a veritable powerhouse of potential, which is why we make products specifically with the health of your entire digestive system in mind. Our single-minded focus has made us a leader in the industry, and all of our probiotics, digestive enzymes, herbal cleansing formulas, fiber and specialty supplements work together to help you achieve digestive balance and harmony.*
All the best on your journey!
Can You Take Too Many Probiotics
Many people include probiotics in their day-to-day vitamin regimen, but can you take too many probiotics? There are already trillions of bacteria living in your gut that are linked to both good and bad health so what could ingesting a few of the good ones possibly do?
The assumption surrounding probiotics is that they can encourage the formation of beneficial bacteria in the gut and improve overall health. Here’s everything you need to understand about probiotic dosage and what can happen if you take more than the recommended amount.
Probiotics Dosage With Antibiotics And After Taking Antibiotics
Antibiotics when ingested target to kill the harmful bacteria in the body. Unfortunately, this also leads to the death of the good bacteria.
When this happens, the ratio of the good to bad bacteria is tilted and can result in diarrhea. You may use probiotics to aid in the restoration of the bacteria in the gut.
However, this needs some caution. For instance, there is need to take the probiotics at least 2 hours after ingesting the antibacterial.
Secondly, you need to follow the manufacturers advice on the number of capsules for instance to take per day so as to lead to a good gut re-colonization.
Also Check: Best Place To Get Probiotics
Balance Is The Secret To Natures Success
When you think about the jungle, it may be tempting to remove everything you consider unpleasant so you can enjoy an exotic hike when youre on vacation.
So lets say we had a way of removing all the mosquitos, spiders, and other pesky insects, as well as lions, and snakes, and gila monsters. That does make it sound like strolling through the jungle would be so much safer for us
Taking Probiotics Reduces The Bodys Production Of Probiotics
This is just plain false. From clinical studies we know that taking probiotics can actually:
- Increase bacterial diversity, or health, of your bacterial community
- Fight pathogens and their toxins
- Promote a more rapid recovery from imbalances in your gut organisms
- Promote a healthy immune response in your gut
- Reduce gut inflammation
- Encourage the growth of healthier microbes in your gut
- Reduce leaky gut aka damage to your gut lining.
So we clearly see that taking probiotics actually helps balance our community of healthy bacteria.
Don’t Miss: Probiotics For 6 Month Old
Should You Take Probiotics
The “good bacteria” may help healthy people but aren’t formally recommended.
Probiotics are “good” bacteria touted to help maintain digestive health and boost the immune system. You can take them in a dietary supplement or get them from food sources, such as yogurt. But should you? They can be helpful in some cases, but we still need more studies to tell us if and when they are safe and effective for older adults.
Allergy Symptoms / Allergic Reactions
One cause of having allergic symptoms is when youre sensitive to histamines. If you experience symptoms of allergy, though, it doesnt necessarily mean that youre allergic to the supplement itself.
Some allergy symptoms include:
To some people, their histamine levels increase in their GI tract as certain bacteria population grows. When this happens, youll be experiencing things almost identical to symptoms of being exposed to a particular allergen.
However, you might still experience these symptoms due to the most natural reason that we know: exposure to an allergen.
Some people have a specific food, ingredient, or substance that their bodies are intolerant to. For some, it may even be more than one. So, if you are exposed to an allergen, your body would react to it and you might end up experiencing the symptoms stated above.
Probiotic supplements can contain allergens that might cause varying reactions to some people. To avoid accidental intake of an allergen, make sure to read the labels carefully.
You May Like: Cottage Cheese Probiotics
Recommended Reading: One A Day Women’s Probiotic
Are Probiotics Safe For Kids Heres What You Need To Know
You may have passed them in the health food aisle at your local grocery store or seen a reference to them in your favorite healthy living blog probiotics.
Many adults use these supplements to help regulate their digestive systems. Some claim that probiotics can help with conditions like eczema and even yeast infections.
But probiotics dont always work the same for children.
Probiotics are useful for keeping your digestive tract healthy, says Dr. Joy Drass, pediatrician at Geisinger Port Matilda. But its important to know which probiotics you can give to your child, since they may not work the same way they do in adults.
Probiotics May Increase The Risk Of Infection For Some People
In rare cases, taking probiotics can lead to infections in some people. Caution should be taken when considering probiotic supplements if you have a weakened immune system, current illness or have recently had surgery as there is a higher risk for infection.
Always talk to your healthcare provider before starting a probiotic supplement.
Read Also: Best Probiotic For Small Intestine
What Is The Right Amount
Probiotic dosage is measured in colony-forming units , which are the amount of bacteria or fungal cells in a sample that can form their own colony.
A typical probiotic supplement will include anywhere from 1 to 10 billion CFUs. However, the optimal probiotic dosage varies from person to person and is determined by diet, age, weight, and the body’s tolerance for probiotics.
How many probiotics should you take a day?
A healthy adult would typically consume roughly 20 billion CFUs per day through food and supplements, thus taking probiotics with fooddaily is unlikely to overdo it.
Nevertheless, its important to consult a doctor to understand what dosage is suitable for your individual needs. They can assess your current diet and medical needs and provide tailored dosage and strain suggestions to avoid bloating and other discomforts.
Overdosing Can You Take Too Many Probiotics
There is absolutely no harm in taking probiotics in the long term, and there is generally no harm in increasing one’s dose of a probiotic supplement if you feel the need. Of course, this should be done in line with the individual manufacturers guidelines, and it is worth bearing in mind that taking very large amounts of a particular probiotic: Saccharomyces boulardii could possibly lead to temporary constipation in some cases. Even this unwanted side-effect would be temporary, and would be easily remedied by reducing the dose taken. Healthcare professionals can learn more about the research behind Saccharomyces boulardii on the Probiotics Database.
For more information, we also recommend the following article: Probiotics and Prebiotics.
Healthcare Profesionals may also like to head over to our Professionals site to read: Is there a risk of addiction/dependency with probiotics?
Don’t Miss: Can I Take Fiber And Probiotics Together
There Is No Right Dose Of Probiotics
The average dose of probiotic supplements is 1 to 10 billion colony forming units according to the National Institutes of Health.
Most probiotics on the market have this amount, though you may see products that claim to have up to 50 billion CFU. However, there’s no concrete research that says what the most effective dosage is, says Farhadi.
“This is kind of uncharted territory. Most of our knowledge about probiotics is not pharmaceutically scientific or chemically scientific, and it’s a little bit different from other medications,” he says. For these reasons, researchers don’t know exactly which probiotics and what the effective dose is for health benefits.
However, if you are taking probiotics to deal with the uncomfortable effects of antibiotics, there is some evidence that a higher dose of certain probiotics might help abate the side-effect of diarrhea. In a small 2010 study, published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology, patients who were given two capsules of probiotic, each containing 50 billion CFU, had fewer instances of antibiotic-induced diarrhea than patients who were given one capsule or no probiotic at all.
Could Your Probiotic Be Making You Sicker
A spread of colorful pills.
Mindy D. had suffered from constipation for years when her gastroenterologist advised her, at 38, to take a popular over-the-counter probiotic. Over the next two years, she experimented with different dosages, sometimes taking it three times a day. But she kept getting sickersometimes so ill she couldn’t work.
“We shouldn’t just presume probiotics are safe.”
Her symptoms improved only after she traveled from Long Island to Georgia to see Satish S. C. Rao, a gastroenterologist at Augusta University. “The key thing was taking her off probiotics and treating her with antibiotics,” he says.
That solution sounds bizarre, if, like many, you believe that antibiotics are bad and probiotics good. Millions of Americans take probioticslive bacteria deemed usefulassuming there can be only positive effects. The truth is that you really don’t know how any probiotic will affect you. To quote the American Gastroenterological Association Center for Gut Microbiome Research and Education, “It remains unclear what strains of bacteria at what dose by what route of administration are safe and effective for which patients.”
It’s fineunless it isn’t. “Probiotics are capable of altering the microbiome in unpredictable ways,” explains Leo Galland, an internist in New York who specializes in difficult digestions. “I’ve had patients who got gas and bloating, constipation or diarrhea from probiotics.”
Your Microbiome Is Unique
Recommended Reading: Is Acidophilus Probiotic Good For You
Make Sure To Introduce Probiotics Alone
To determine whether or not youre getting the benefits of probiotics, its best to introduce them alone . This is a general principle that applies to most new treatments.
Introducing each new treatment in isolation is the best way to determine how theyre affecting you. If you introduce probiotics at the same time as you introduce a bunch of other supplements and dietary changes, you wont have any way of knowing whats actually helping. Thats a big part of why we recommend making changes one at a time.
Probiotic therapy should be second in an overall diet and lifestyle change process. This is what we recommend at the Ruscio Institute for Functional Medicine to our patients:
When youre experiencing difficult symptoms, its tempting to want to throw everything at the wall and see what sticks. But ultimately, that method will cost you more stress, money, and likely, confusion.
This step-by-step method might take a little longer, but ultimately, it pays off to take things one change at a time.
So What Happens When You Start To Consume Probiotics
Probiotics are powerful invisible microorganisms that go a long way to turning your digestive and immune health around. In fact, in the conference at the International Center for Interdisciplinary Studies of Immunology Georgetown University Medical Center in 1999, Dr. Michael McCann, MD said:
Probiotics will be to medicine in the twenty-first century as antibiotics and microbiology were in the twentieth century.1
The first thing you may notice is that these good guys go to work cleaning up your digestive system, so symptoms like gas and bloating are common at first.
Leonard Smith, M.D., is a renowned gastrointestinal, vascular and general surgeon as well as an expert in the use of nutrition and natural supplementation. As a surgeon, Dr. Smith has first-hand experience of the problems associated with faulty digestion and the surgical necessities they can cause.
For the past 20 years, Dr. Smith has investigated many holistic medical programs, including nutrition, exercise, chelation, stress management and the relevance of mental and spiritual attitudes in healing. Acknowledging the effectiveness of whole organic foods and nutritional supplementation, Dr. Smith strives to stay on the leading edge of research and breakthroughs in the field of functional nutrition.
Read Also: Is Vsl 3 A Good Probiotic
Is There Such A Thing As Too Many Probiotics Experts Explain
Probiotics are often recommended for people dealing with uncomfortable gas, bloating, and/or digestive issues. Since the word probiotics actually refers to a healthy bacteria, that recommendation can be a bit confusing. Is it best to consume probiotics through food or through supplements? And is it ever OK to double up?
How Popular Are Probiotics
The 2012 National Health Interview Survey showed that about 4 million U.S. adults had used probiotics or prebiotics in the past 30 days. Among adults, probiotics or prebiotics were the third most commonly used dietary supplement other than vitamins and minerals. The use of probiotics by adults quadrupled between 2007 and 2012. The 2012 NHIS also showed that 300,000 children age 4 to 17 had used probiotics or prebiotics in the 30 days before the survey.
Don’t Miss: Fem Dophilus Brand Of Probiotics
Probiotics Dosage For Children & Adults
Children who are new-borns and infants need special attention in the determination of their dosage.
The use of a pediatrician is key in determining dosage. There are forms of probiotics that can aid in diaper rash, but at the same time, there are those forms that before taking, should the child be on antibiotics, it would not be advisable. As such, there is need to seek the doctors advice on both the dosage and strain to avail to a child.
Adults too have varying needs. If you intend to avail to an adult, , your health status is vital in this determination.
Packet inserts would normally indicate the strain as well as the dosage requirements. Researchers at the University of Maryland Medical Centre indicate that, as a general guide, take 1 2 billion colony forming units per day.
You Should Rotate Your Probiotics
Remember, there are 3 categorical types of probiotics. Using all three probiotics provides more support for your gut and appears more conducive to establishing balance in your gut.
Instead of jumping from product to product, find the probiotic that works for you and stick with it until symptoms improve.
Once your symptoms have improved its safe to assume your gut microbiota have achieved balance. Then you can wean your probiotics to find the minimal effect dose.
You May Like: Do You Really Need Probiotics
What Is The Right Dosage
The dosage of probiotics is measured in colony-forming units , which represent the number of bacteria or fungal cells in the sample that can form their own colony. An average probiotic supplement will include anywhere from 1 to 10 billion CFUs, however, the right dosage of probiotics looks different from person to person and depends on diet, age, weight, and the bodys tolerance for probiotics.
A healthy adult will generally consume about 20 billion CFUs daily through food and supplements, so its unlikely you will overdo it on probiotics by simply taking one daily supplement along with a balanced diet. Nevertheless, its best to determine the dosage that you need by consulting with your personal healthcare provider or nutritionist. They can best evaluate your current diet and medical needs and make personalized dosage and strain recommendations that will prevent bloating or other discomfort.
Easy To Follow Recommendations For The Correct Probiotic Dosing
One of the most common questions I get from patients is, Can I overdose on probiotics? A simple internet search will give you a myriad of different answers to this question.
| Demystifying Probiotics |
You see how confusing it can be trying to weed-out the truth. Luckily, the truth is a lot less complicated than we make it.
Recommended Reading: Why Are Probiotics Good For Us
When Should I Talk To A Doctor
If you have consistent stomach pain, talk to your doctor about it. “Probiotics can definitely help ease symptoms of stomach issues like diarrhea and cramping,” Dr. Sonpal told POPSUGAR. “However, probiotic supplements should not replace going to a medical professional for intense abdominal pain or daily stomach problems. If you feel your daily life is being negatively affected by your stomach, it is advised to make an appointment with a gastroenterologist for a diagnosis and treatment plan.”
I’m now taking five billion CFUs of probiotics a day, which helped my stomach feel much better after only a week. This change drastically improved my quality of life, as I was able to enjoy meals and daily activities again. If you think you’re taking too high of a dose of probiotics, stop and talk to your doctor. You don’t have to live with dreadful stomach pain!
Amazon Best Sellers: Best Probiotic Nutritional Supplements
Instead, they provide standards to help their customers and clients end up being important consumers of dietary supplements prebiotics definition. Stephanie Biggs, RD, LDN, CLC, consultant RD for Household Food in Philadelphia, suggests probiotic supplements for individuals during durations of tension or illness, if theyre taking antibiotics, or have a history of antibiotic usage.
Biggs does not recommend clients take probiotics indefinitely but that they ought to include probiotic-rich foods as part of their regular diet. Niki Strealy, RDN, LD, owner of Strategic Nutrition and author of The Diarrhea Dietitian: Professional Suggestions, Practical Solutions, and Strategic Nutrition, uses recommendations from The Ps and Qs of Probiotics: A Customer Guide for Making Smart Choices, developed by The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics, which recommends taking a look at the following 4 criteria prior to picking a probiotic: 1.
Match the specific pressure with published scientific research study. 2. Evidence of efficacy. Probiotics need to be tested in people to identify health benefits. 3. Quality and amount. Probiotics can be efficient at varying strengths. Scientific research studies have determined health gain from 50 million to more than 1 trillion CFUs daily.
Read Also: Are Probiotics Good For Colitis
Don’t Miss: What Probiotic Is Good For Constipation
