Probiotics For Viral Gastroenteritis/stomach Flu
In the previous section we learnt that Saccharomyces boulardii can be used to cleanse the pathogens involved in food poisoning from the gut. However, this amazing probiotic strain has even proven to be effective against certain viruses including rotavirus3, one of the viruses often implicated in stomach flu. So it seems that whether symptoms were bought on by eating contaminated food, or simply through contact with a person suffering with a stomach virus, Saccharomyces boulardii is the best probiotic for upset stomach.
Saccharomyces boulardii
Another probiotic strain which could be of note here is Lactobacillus paracasei CASEI 431®. This strain is known for its immune-modulatory properties: one 2012 study4 showed that after just 6 weeks of intervention with this probiotic strain, study participants saw an average 37% increase in IgG production versus the placebo group, and a significant increase in sIgA over placebo. The antibody IgG protects against both viral and bacterial infections in the host.
Lactobacillus paracasei CASEI 431® has not been researched specifically for gastric flu but has been researched and shown to be help with diarrhoea in children5, and is well-documented for immune support so may be another option to consider for those who often suffer from viral upset stomachs.
Read more about Lactobacillus paracasei CASEI 431® over at The Probiotics Database.
Lactobacillus paracasei CASEI 431® is found in Optibac Immune Support.
There Is No Way To Know What Dose You Are Taking
The probiotic supplement market is relatively unregulated, so it’s hard to know how many CFUs we actually are consuming when we take probiotics in pill form. Moreover, it’s difficult to know if the organisms in those probiotics are even still alive and capable of doing their job, or if they’re dead and useless. Even if the bacteria are alive, there’s a question about whether they can survive once inside your gut.
If you are getting your probiotics from foods like store-bought yogurt, there are also very few ways to be sure that you are consuming a significant dose of good bacteria. The conditions that the yogurt is stored in down the supply chain, the temperature of your refrigerator, and the strain of probiotic that the yogurt contains all have a significant effect on the dosage of CFU. Many of the beneficial microbes could have perished before you consume the yogurt.
Natures Bounty Probiotic Gx
Image courtesy Natures Bounty
Nature’s Bounty GX is a daily supplement that contains 8 probiotic strains. It improves the bodys ability to absorb vital nutrients while destroying bad bacteria in the gut.
GX contains prebiotics to nourish good bacteria and improve IBS symptoms like bloating gas and abdominal pain.
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Signs Your Probiotics Are Working
When you take a high-quality probiotic supplement, you may notice several positive changes in your body, ranging from improved digestion and more energy, to improved mood and clearer skin.
Oftentimes, the first and most immediate change individuals notice is improved digestion.
The probiotic bacteria work to rebalance your gut flora, which can quickly improve things like frequency and regularity of your bowel movements and alleviate bloating or gas. Over time, the positive effects of the probiotic bacteria extend beyond improved digestion.
A well-balanced gut microbiome will strengthen your gut barrier function, which prevents toxins and pathogens, which in todays world you most likely ingest on a daily basis, from entering your body via the gut.
This, in turn, decreases the burden on your immune system and your liver, thus making you less prone to illness and reducing inflammation in your body. Inflammation can manifest in many ways, including skin issues, brain fog, fatigue and lack of concentration. Therefore, reducing inflammation and re-balancing your immune system can bring about a variety of positive effects. Lets explore some of them in more detail:
Should I Take Probiotics For Bloating Every Day
Probiotic supplements can be taken daily as long as your doctor recommends them. However, if you find that the side effects are too much for you to handle, take a break from probiotics and talk to your doctor about what you can do next.
Some people with IBS find that 30 consecutive days of taking probiotics works best for them before they need to give their body a break.
If you are looking for how to take probiotics, just follow the dosage instructions on the label and continue taking as long as your doctor recommends.
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Should I Give Probiotics To My Kids
Probiotics can be beneficial for both adults and kids. If your child has an illness that requires an antibiotic medication for treatment, taking a probiotic can help shorten symptoms. Probiotics can also be used to help relieve constipation, acid reflux, diarrhea, gas and eczema in children.
Introducing probiotics into your childs diet through food is typically a safe way to give them probiotics. Foods like yogurt and cottage cheese are often part of a balanced diet and can add in good bacteria without much risk.
There are commercially available probiotic supplements specifically designed for infants and children. However, it is important to talk to your childs pediatrician before giving them any probiotic supplement or changing the childs diet to include probiotic-rich foods.
The Benefits Of Probiotics
There is a lot of research happening in the world of probiotics, but even so, researchers dont fully understand all of the health benefits of having healthy gut flora. The body and the symbiotic relationship that it has with the microorganisms that call it home are complicated, but there is evidence that probiotics may help alleviate or prevent several health conditions as well as boost our overall health.
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Stop Or Lower The Dose
With the introduction of new bacteria the gut microbiome needs time to adapt.
Start slowly by taking less than the recommended dosage.
If the recommended dosage is three pills a day, take one and see how you’re body reacts to it.
Build up, layer by layer, to the recommended dosage over a couple of days or a week.
How Long Should I Take Probiotics For Bloating Before I See Results
Everyone’s body responds differently to different supplements so it is difficult to say exactly how long you should be waiting before you start seeing effects from the supplement.
Some people may start to feel better within a few days of taking their probiotics for bloating, but others may need to wait up to two weeks before they feel any improvement. If there are no changes after several weeks you should consult your doctor about what other options you can try to relieve your bloating.
If one probiotic supplement doesn’t seem effective, it’s best to discuss this with your doctor. Just because one probiotic doesn’t work for you, it does not mean all probiotics are ineffective. There could be other factors at play including your diet, lifestyle, and stress levels that affect how well the supplement works for you.
You can also try taking a different type of probiotic which might work better for your system. The whole point of taking supplements is to be proactive about your health and support your body in any way you can during these routine check-ups with your doctor.
Some of the best probiotics for bloating include: Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium infantis, Bifidobacterium lactis, and Streptococcus thermophilus.
Also Check: Does Probiotic Yogurt Help You Poop
What Happens When Your Gut Is Not In Balance
If your gut microbiome is out of balance, your body is more prone to some illnesses and diseases. The medical term for this imbalance is dysbiosis.
Acute symptoms you might notice include:
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fatigue
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diarrhea, constipation, or both
While all of these are common symptoms and happen to most people from time to time, chronic digestive issues could be a sign that your gut bacteria are not able to digest your food properly.
There is no one-size-fits-all fix for these issues, but changing your diet to be more gut friendly can have a big impact.
With the ZOE program, you find out which foods work best for your metabolism and your unique gut microbiome to help your good bugs thrive.
Culturelle Digestive Daily Probiotic
Image courtesy Culturelle
Culturelle’s Digestive Probiotic is a daily supplement that contains 3 highly active probiotics to improve digestion and reduce gas, bloating, cramping, and abdominal pain caused by IBS.
Culturelle is a well-researched brand that has been clinically improved to help with bloating, gas, and IBS symptoms.
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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!
Reduce Intake Of Complex Carbs
Complex carbohydrates such as vegetables, legumes and grains can produce a lot of gas. Consider reducing them or cutting them out altogether.
But if you love eating these foods, consider a digestive enzyme supplement. Digestive enzymes stop gas by breaking down complex carbs. They also stop indigestible sugars getting into the large intestines where they can ferment and produce gas.
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What Causes Stomach Bloating
Stomach bloating is a common digestive complaint. It occurs when the stomach becomes swollen and filled with gas, often resulting in abdominal pain and discomfort, feeling like you need to unbutton your pants after eating, and the inability to fit into your favorite pair of jeans.
The two most likely causes of bloating are poor digestion and overeating. If you dont digest your food properly, then the undigested food will ferment and cause gas that builds up in your intestines. You may also be eating too much or eating fast, which means you feel full before you have a chance to digest all of the food you ate.
Some things that can cause poor digestion are dehydration, excessive stress, antibiotics, and food allergies. You may also lack digestive enzymes or be low in stomach acid. If you drink carbonated drinks too often, overeat high-fat foods or eat refined sugars, then your body can’t digest everything properly.
Looking at your eating habits can help you determine how to improve digestion. Plus, if you take steps to reduce bloating, then it may be easier for your body to digest food and process nutrients.
Do Probiotics Cause Gas Stomach Pain And Bloating
Bad news: Yes. Good news: Not all of them. Keep reading to learn more about probiotics side effects and how to pick the ones that will give you all the benefits with fewer of the burps.
Did you know that probiotic supplements are tiny pills full of live bacteria? Yes, to work their magic, the bacteria in your probiotics have to be alive Otherwise theyre completely useless. Replenishing this good bacteria in your gut keeps your entire gut microbiome in balance and positively impacts your overall health.
You can take probiotics for a variety of reasons whether youre looking for the best probiotic to take after antibiotics, managing the symptoms of a medical condition or looking for a way to improve digestion. You might even want to get rid of unnecessary bloating, because lets face it, no one has ever been thrilled to wake up puffy.
Because these bacteria are so powerful, your body might need a little time to adjust. Especially if your gut health is garbage in which case you might notice some probiotics side effects for a couple of days to weeks. These side effects can include gas and bloating but thats just your bodys way of telling you that the probiotics are doing their thing, and youll be feeling brand new in no time.
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Can Prebiotics Cause Gas
We talk a lot about probiotics, but taking a prebiotic is just as important for your gut health. Prebiotics are non-living, non-digestible ingredients which feed all that good bacteria that your probiotics are bringing you. That bacteria has got to stay alive too!
Dietary fiber is one of the best prebiotics. But the problem is, most Americans dont get enough of the right kinds of fiber. So the alternative option is supplements the problem with that, though, is that they are often derived from fiber or carbs, and cause gas and bloating.
We created a prebiotic supplement that uses a novel bacteriophage thats free of starch and fiber which gives you all of the benefits of prebiotics without any of the discomfort.
Remember that probiotics side effects, like gas, stomach pain or bloating, is just your body is getting used to the amount of good bacteria working to get your gut healthy. In the meantime, reduce the amount of complex carbs and fibers youre eating to limit further.
Probiotics Side Effects Are Usually Only Temporary
Most of these side-effects only occur in a handful of cases. They usually only last for a short period of time after starting a probiotic regime, and will go away as your body adjusts.
If the side effects are caused by your gut adjusting and rebalancing, the worst thing you can do is stop taking the probiotic!
If your side effects are caused by an allergy or intolerance, or by an excess of histamine, you may want to look for a different probiotic or stop taking probiotics altogether.
Speak to your healthcare provider to determine the best course of action for your gut health and overall wellbeing.
are living bacteria that provide countless health benefits when ingested. These bacteria are naturally occurring in the gut but canand shouldbe replenished through external means. The gut contains beneficial bacteria that make up the microbiota and plays a key role in maintaining health in both the body and mind. A healthy gut keeps the digestive process working smoothly, which prevents free radical and toxin build up in the body known to lead to many acute and chronic illnesses
It is also thought that probiotics secrete substances that trigger the immune system to react more strongly, thereby preventing pathogens from being able to take root and cause illness.
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Elm & Rye Probiotics For Bloating
Image courtesy Elm & Rye.
Elm & Rye’s Probiotic Formula is a daily supplement that contains 14 probiotic strains, including Lactobacillus acidophilus DDS-1 , a beneficial bacteria that improves digestion and reduces gas, bloating, and abdominal pain.
Elm & Rye’s formula is also gluten free and vegan-friendly with no added preservatives or artificial ingredients. Plus, it doesnt need refrigeration, so you can take it anywhere on the go.
Can I Take Probiotics With Other Medications
Yes, generally there is no reason that you cannot take probiotics with most other medications.
However, it is important to always talk to your doctor before taking any supplements when you are on prescriptions. Certain medications can cause problems with certain types of probiotics so be sure your doctor knows everything about the medications you take before adding in a probiotic supplement.
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Titrate Probiotics In Slowly To Minimize Side Effects
To avoid any potential side effects of probiotics, as with any natural supplement, I recommend introducing probiotics in slowly. Titrating in gradually is particularly relevant for higher strength products. This often means breaking open a capsule and sprinkling out a small amount before building up to a more standard dosage. By titrating slowly, youll typically avoid any major reactions and will be able to reduce the dosage to the last tolerated amount. Once your body is comfortable, you can slowly increase the dosage.
The same goes for the probiotic-rich foods mentioned above like sauerkraut and kimchi. We like to start clients on small amounts of coconut kefir, before building up to fermented vegetables like sauerkraut, and so on.
How To Choose The Best Probiotics For Bloating
Probiotics usually come in a bottle and can be taken once a day with a glass of water. However, the dose per capsule or serving may vary depending on the specific probiotic supplement that you choose.
Some probiotics are high potency, meaning they have more active live cultures than other brands. Other formulas contain different strains of probiotics that work better with certain symptoms, like bloating.
If you are wondering how to choose the best probiotics for bloating, it is important to read the label carefully and take your time researching different brands. Probiotics can be found in many grocery stores or online through retailers like the 10 best probiotics for bloating we featured in this article.
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How Much Should I Expect To Spend On My Daily Probiotics
The price for supplements varies depending on the ingredients, the type of probiotic, and the brand.
There are a couple of things to keep in mind when trying to find a cheap but quality supplement: for example, buying a large quantity can save you money in the long run.
Also, remember that you don’t have to buy the most expensive one on your local store shelf. The supplements that are priced higher than others don’t necessarily mean they are better.
Other factors like where the product is manufactured, how many strains of bacteria it contains, etc., can affect its price. Some brands may charge more for their probiotics simply because they have sought out high quality ingredients and put a lot of research into making sure their supplement is effective.
