Limitations To Using Existing Databases
For an existing cohort study to be useful for determining the relation between a disease outcome and dietary exposure, a food frequency assessment, or other dietary assessment, must capture the food or nutrient exposure of interest. Therefore, the extent to which existing dietary questionnaires provide direct or indirect data on the intake of live microbes must be determined. Large data collection surveys, such as the NHANES and the National Institutes of Health Automated Self-Administered 24-Hour Dietary Recall , should specifically be reviewed for data on foods that may have large microbial loads. Delineating factors such as cooked compared with raw, fermented compared with nonfermented, and canned compared with fresh could be important. Combined with knowledge of the microbial load of such foods, estimates of microbe consumption could be calculated. However, it is not clear if existing databases provide the level of granularity in food description that would be required. These questionnaires may capture intakes of yogurt, kombucha, or other fermented products. However, because intakes of these products are typically low in existing large prospective cohorts in the United States and Canada, it may be difficult to quantify any relation between intake of fermented foods and health or disease endpoints.
Examples of peer-reviewed studies that used NHANES to study research questions relating to consumption of live microbecontaining food and health outcomes
How Long Will It Take Before I Notice That My Health Has Improved From Taking Probiotics
Health benefits from taking probiotics can achieved in many areas, such as immune, gut, vaginal and respiratory functions. Since everyone is different, along with the stages of their health, the time at which benefits are noticed will vary within a population. Generally speaking, if our immune system is weak or compromised, we many notice improvements within just a few days. If our health is already good, we may choose to take probiotics for preventive reasons, and may not notice immediate benefits. Either way, probiotic consumption will help balance your gut microflora, boost your immune system and support respiratory health.
No More Constipation With Probiotics
Constipation is one of those things most people don’t want to experience or discuss. Unfortunately for those who have this condition, there are several different causes of constipation. Luckily though, for some, a healthy dose of good bacteria can resolve the problem.
In a review on the effects of probiotics on bowel movement frequency, from the September 2017 issue of âAnnals of Gastroenterologyâ, researchers found consistent evidence of an increase of one bowel movement per week.
The review warned that readers should take this recommendation with caution due to the differences in methodology and practices between studies in the report. Should you decide to use probiotics for this purpose, studies focused on the Lactobacillus species, in particular.
Since the review looked at multiple studies, it didn’t provide a recommendation for probiotic dosage in adults. Medication dosages should only be determined by your physician, as people are all different, and so are their relative states of gut fauna health.
You May Like: Do Children’s Probiotics Help With Constipation
Should You Take A Daily Probiotic Supplement
Probiotics are good for your gut, but the source matters.
Theres a lot of buzz around probiotics. Theyre endorsed by celebrities and fill grocery stores aisles.
Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that promote a healthy gut. Scientists believe they could unlock a deeper understanding of our health. Probiotics are found in some foods and drinks, like yogurt or fermented tea.
Just like vitamins, probiotics are available as supplements. Manufacturers make steep claims about their benefits. They include digestive health, strengthened immune system, weight loss and reduced cancer risk. But can a supplement really do all that?
To learn more about probiotic supplements, we spoke with Carrie Daniel- MacDougall, Ph.D., M.P.H., a nutritional epidemiologist at MD Anderson who studies diet and the microbiome.
Heres what you should know about probiotic supplements.
Its always better to get nutrients from food. That includes probiotics.
More research needs to be done on probiotics in general and probiotic supplements, but its always better to get your nutrients from food rather than supplements, Daniel-MacDougall says. They just dont deliver the same benefits as food.
One reason is because supplements arent regulated as closely as medications. So the quality and ingredients can vary greatly from product to product.
Unless your doctor is prescribing probiotics for a specific purpose, stick to getting them from foods like yogurt that may have other nutrients, like calcium.
How Often Should You Consume Probiotics
To find your optimal probiotic schedule, we need to break things down into times per day and time of day for healthy bacteria consumption:
According to resources like Harvard Medical School, it is best to take one dose of probiotics per day in the form of a supplement or a probiotic-rich snack or meal.
If youre using healthy foods as your probiotic source, you can reach this daily dose by packing your probiotics into a single meal or snack or by spacing them out throughout the day.
As probiotic consumption becomes a part of your daily schedule, youll likely find a period when you most enjoy these foods, or perhaps when you feel they most benefit your digestion.
This same approach applies to what will be your best time to take probiotics.
As scientists are pretty split on whether probiotics work best on an empty or full stomach, the general advice is to find the time of day that works best for you and your body.
There are myriad probiotic-rich foods to eat for breakfast, lunch, dinner, or any snack in-between, so you wont have difficulty establishing routines that work for you.
However, it is essential to try and stick to your routine, as research shows that consistency is likely more important to probiotic efficacy than consumption at any specific time of day.
For example, if you like a delicious serving of sauerkraut, kimchi or fermented dressing with your lunch, youre most likely to receive the full benefits of its probiotics if you eat it at the same time every day.
Recommended Reading: Best Probiotics For Hashimoto’s
Make Yogurt A Kitchen Staple
Plain yogurt with live active cultures can also be transformed from a breakfast food into a key ingredient in salad dressings, dips, and cold sauces, says Kitty Broihier, MS, RD, LD, a nutrition consultant in Portland, Maine.
Just know that any recipe that requires heating the yogurt in any way is going to kill off its good bacteria. So stick to no-cook recipes to reap the most gut benefits, Broihier says.
Who Should Take Probiotics
Probiotics are safe for most people to take. Depending on your overall health, you may benefit from specific species and strains clinically tested and shown to help support a healthy microbiome. Scientific evidence suggests that certain species and strains of probiotics may help support a healthy microbiome in people who are dealing with:
- antibiotic-associated diarrhea
- infant colic
- maintenance of bowel inflammation
- IBS symptoms
In addition, probiotics have potential effects on weight, digestion, and neurological disorders and may support heart health, immune function, and symptoms of low mood and anxiety.
You May Like: Nature Made Digestive Probiotics Advanced Dual Action Capsules
Can You Drink Too Much Kefir
It is possible to drink too much Kefir. Remember that Kefir contains bacteria and that while a lot of that bacteria play an essential role in digestive health, too much Kefir may strain your immune system, and there is the risk of illness. Most people are unlikely to experience side-effects beyond a little cramping or bloating, however.
If you do find that Kefir makes you feel unwell, and the side effects persist for more than a few days, talk to a doctor and stop drinking Kefir in the meantime.
Remember that it takes time for your gut flora to adapt to changes in your diet. Many people who are experimenting with probiotics for the first time try them for a week or two, and if they do not feel massively different at that time, stop taking them.
That is not the best idea since they are giving up before there is a real change. Just like it can take weeks to form a habit, it takes weeks to change your gut health.
Kefir not only contains yeast but bacteria, too. Kefir milk is a good source of calcium, which is vital for your bone health. Water kefir is a good option for people who want to avoid dairy for whatever reason. Milk kefir is rich in protein, which is essential for muscle growth and repair.
- TAGS
Probiotics: Differentiation From Prebiotics
In connection with the topic of intestinal health, the term prebiotics is often used in addition to the term probiotics. It is not uncommon for both terms to be used synonymously. However, there are clear differences.
Probiotics are viable microorganisms. However, prebiotics serve as food for these microorganisms. It is fiber that humans can’t digest. So they are not absorbed by the intestine, but used by the bacteria in the intestinal flora.
Prebiotics can be found, for example, in foods such as chicory or onions. Psyllium is also a well-known prebiotic. The soluble fiber can promote the growth and activity of the bacteria in the intestine. Prebiotics are therefore a useful addition to probiotic food supplements.
Recommended Reading: Do Probiotics Help With Colic
Hiya Supports Your Childs Digestive Health
Hiyas chewable, once-daily Kids Daily Probiotic contains 10 billion CFU of gut-healthy lactobacillus bacteria strains, as well as prebiotic fiber to promote probiotic activity in your childs digestive system. Hiya is vegan, gluten-free, sugar-free, eco-friendly, and made in the USA. Weve made a probiotic that parents in all households can feel good about giving their kids.
Probiotics For Teeth And Bones
Bones are subject to a constant growth and transformation process in the course of our life. In order to withstand the constantly changing biomechanical forces in life, old and damaged bones are broken down and replaced with new bone material.
During this remodeling process, cells called osteoclasts are activated to reabsorb the old bone. Other cells, the so-called osteoblasts, are responsible for the synthesis of the new collagen matrix and thus drive the mineralization process to form new bones.
Studies show that probiotic bacteria such as lactobacillus and bifidobacteria have a positive effect on bone metabolism. Some strains of lactobacillus can protect against loss of bone and increase bone density by inhibiting the release of osteoclasts.
They interact with the immune system and inhibit the release of cytokines, which results in a reduced activity of the osteoclasts and an increased activity of the osteoblasts. In turn, some probiotic bacteria can promote the digestion of food, making important minerals such as calcium available. This improved bioavailability of minerals promotes the process of bone formation.
These two effects of probiotics often result in a net increase in bone mass due to the increase in mineral density in the bones, which gives them more strength and stability. This is of particular importance for osteoporosis patients, because they tend to fracture their porous bones more likely if they fall.
Don’t Miss: Equate Digestive Health Probiotic Capsules 50 Count
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.
Read: Supplements And Diets For Heart Health Show Limited Proof Of Benefit
WHAT TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING PROBIOTIC SUPPLEMENTS
Like vitamins and minerals, probiotics may be lacking in your diet if you dont eat a balanced and varied diet or if you dont particularly enjoy the flavours of fermented foods.
This is where supplements can come into the picture.
But finding the right probiotics may take some trial and error, said Professor Gail Cresci, an intestinal microbe specialist with Cleveland Clinics Department of Gastroenterology, Hepatology and Nutrition.
And hitting the jackpot may actually mean bloating, gas and changes in your stool patterns. If you notice no benefits from one product after a few weeks, try a different one with a different strain of bacteria, she said.
As for overdosing on probiotic supplements, Dr Melvin Look, the director of PanAsia Surgery at Mount Elizabeth Hospital, Mount Elizabeth Novena Hospital and Parkway East Hospital, said it is rare.
But the side effects of probiotics are possible even if you keep within the recommended dosage.
Even probiotic foods can cause side effects, especially if the protein they contain undergoes fermentation and becomes natural amines.
This can cause headaches by exciting the brain in some people, said Dr Look. Yeast-based probiotics can cause constipation. You can also get allergic-type reactions to certain constituents contained in the probiotic.
If youre keen to shop for probiotics, heres what the experts say to look for:
- At least 1 billion colony forming units
You May Like: Can You Get A Yeast Infection From Probiotics
How To Reduce Probiotic Side Effects
If you are taking probiotics and experience any of the above side effects, you dont need to stop taking them completely. Lowering the dosage is often the best way to keep any gastrointestinal discomfort or other side effects at bay.
Most often, your body may just need to adjust to the sudden dose of beneficial bacteria. This initial adjustment period should usually only last the first few days as your guts microflora begin to rebalance. Try to reduce your dosage by half until the symptoms have disappeared then proceed to the suggested dose.
Along with reducing your dosage, you should also:
- Take your probiotics on an empty stomach Probiotics can produce gas when combined with certain foods. Taking your probiotics on an empty stomach ensures that that wont happen and ensures the maximum survivability of the beneficial bacteria. Take your probiotics at least 30 minutes before you eat. If you are still experiencing problems, try taking your probiotics on an empty stomach before bed.
- Drink plenty of water Many of the side effects are a result of your digestive system undergoing the process of detoxification. Staying hydrated will speed up the process and keep you from getting dehydrated if you have diarrhea.
- Stay patient It can take up to two weeks for your body to adjust to the probiotics before the benefits kick in.
Also Check: Does My Baby Need A Probiotic
How Can Probiotics Benefit Our Immune System
When you ask most people what protects their body from getting sick, the first response will likely be their immune system.
This is the correct answer, but have you ever wondered what protects your immune system?
Research suggests it may be probiotics.,
These contributions can encourage:
- More Comprehensive Ranges of Protection Against Illness
Also Check: Garden Of Life 40 Billion Probiotic
Is It Safe To Take Probiotics Every Day
Probiotics have repeatedly been shown to be safe for healthy adults and can be taken daily. However, some people should avoid taking probiotics, including those with a severely weakened immune system due to an illness. You can talk to your doctor before starting a probiotic supplement.
Scientific research has looked at the daily use of probiotics, and many studies show that taking probiotics every day can help with a variety of health concerns.
Is It Safe To Take A Break From Probiotics If You Are Consuming It Everyday
Yes, it is safe to take a small break here and there. We always recommend checking in with your body. After all, you know your body better than anyone else does. Once you have been on probiotics for a while, consider how youre feeling. Some people give themselves a few days off probiotics every month to evaluate the way they feel their body changing. It is all a learning experience learning about your body and what works for you.
So there you have it: a little bit of insight into probiotics and answering how often should you take probiotics. Sure, probiotics can feel like a choose your own adventure ride, but its important to remember that consistency is key hopefully now you understand the benefits of taking probiotics daily.
Recommended Reading: Is A Digestive Enzyme The Same As A Probiotic
Recommended Reading: Probiotics Plus Weight Loss Side Effects
Will Taking Probiotics Reduce The Bodys Natural Production
Some people have expressed concerns that if they take probiotics for prolonged periods that it would eventually inhibit their bodys ability to produce probiotics of its own. We understand why some people would get this idea. Think about testosterone as an example. Testosterone replacement therapy, after all, is known to diminish the bodys ability to produce its own testosterone hence why you need to cycle on and off.
READ MORE: The Top 4 Probiotics Strains For Women
Is the same true with probiotics? There is no evidence suggesting that such a thing happens when you consume probiotics from food or supplement. Heres another way of looking at it: the body produces some vitamins naturally, including vitamins D and K. Does this mean you should limit your intake of these vitamins from food? We have never heard of doctors suggesting to anyone to reduce foods naturally rich in these beneficial vitamins.
To be more precise, the human body doesnt even actually produce probiotics. Gut microflora is formed in your body as a baby. From there, the bacteria self-regulate its population by reproducing and dying. This means there is no chance of probiotic supplements hampering your bodys natural production because it doesnt create probiotics to begin with.
