Can Probiotics Make You Sick?

Can probiotics make you sick or provide the necessary benefits you expect

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Probiotics are living microorganisms that can have a positive effect on your health.

However, they can also give you diarrhea and make you sick in some cases.

Probiotics are used to help treat digestive problems such as IBS, but other people use them for weight loss or skincare. So, whilst they are taken for improving your gut health and related conditions, they can have adverse effects too.

Can probiotics make you sick or provide the benefits they are intended to give we will discuss this in this post.

Health considerations to be aware of

Probiotics are a great way to improve your gut health, but they don’t always live up to the hype. Here’s what you need to know before giving them a try.

  • First of all, if you have an autoimmune condition like Crohn’s disease or celiac disease, talk with your doctor about how probiotics could affect those conditions.
  • Second of all, some probiotic supplements may contain sugars that might cause digestive problems for people who suffer from irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
  • Thirdly- and this is important- not every type of bacteria in these types of products is helpful for everyone. You’ll want to make sure you get one that contains Lactobacillus Acidophilus which studies have shown helps reduce abdominal pain, bloating, gas, diarrhea, and/or constipation associated with IBS.

Do probiotics make you sick?

That’s a question a lot of people ask every day. Probiotics are good bacteria that live in our large intestines and help to keep them healthy by producing a myriad of different strains.

These strains are essential for our overall health, but sometimes things can get out of whack and our bacteria can become imbalanced, resulting in sickness.

If you’re looking for a supplement to take, then one question you might be asking yourself is “can probiotics make you sick?” The short answer to this question is: only if you’re taking the wrong strain.

For example, some people will get sick when taking a probiotic supplement that has been contaminated with a pathogen.

It’s often possible to trace the source of the contamination, and then make an educated decision about whether or not the supplement is okay to take. But sometimes it’s not so easy.

If you’re worried about being sick, do some research and find out whether or not a probiotic is right for you.

Can probiotics make you sick if you take them incorrectly?

One thing to be aware of is that even though some side effects have been noted in clinical research with probiotics, these are probably caused by unusually high levels of Lactobacillus, rather than any effect of probiotics in general.

Lactobacillus tends to cause fewer side effects than other strains, and this makes them ideal for many people.

If you think you might have a sensitive stomach or are taking a supplement for a medical condition, talk to your doctor before starting any type of supplement.

Mature woman considering can probiotics make you sick
A mature woman considering whether ‘can probiotics make you sick?’

What else can cause health issues with probiotics?

A common problem linked with probiotics is diarrhea.

This happens because the beneficial bacteria that are part of the equation may not work in the body enough, due to a shortage of the microorganisms that are needed to help them grow.

If you have a case of diarrhea, your probiotics will need time to grow and spread out to get the job done.

It’s possible that other health issues or medications could be the cause of your gastrointestinal issues; however, the more likely culprits seem to be food intolerance, stress, and other digestive problems.

Monitor what you take and how your body reacts to gauge whether the strength and brand of probiotics work.

Is there a way to make sure you’re getting the most out of your supplementation?

The best probiotic supplements contain live cultures, as well as enzymes, fats, proteins, vitamins, minerals, and other plant-based ingredients.

These are usually found in combination forms, with one or more of each of the ingredients being the primary ingredients of the supplement.

For example, a supplement that contains live lactobacillus acidophilus cultures will likely also contain fats, proteins, and other nutrients that will help your body use probiotics effectively.

When used in combination, the combination of ingredients can make sure you’re getting all the benefits they list on their labels.

Different types of bacteria inhabit our bodies at different times. For instance, some bacteria are at rest, in the digestive tract.

Probiotics exist in the digestive tract in small amounts, but when probiotics are properly introduced into the body, they can make it easier for these bacteria to inhabit your system.

Lactobacillus acidophilus is one of the most beneficial species of bacteria that can be found in the body, so introducing it into your daily diet is necessary.

Acidophilus can also help keep the good bacteria levels in your gut (the “good” bacteria) high.

Bifidobacterium is another species often found in the intestines and can play an important role in the prevention of many health problems.

In order to give yourself the best chance at keeping your system healthy and working properly, take a look at the ingredients listed on any probiotic supplement you are considering.

Look for the word “lactobacillus” and select that strain. Make sure the supplement contains both acidophilus and bifidobacteria.

Also, make sure the strain is one that does not have the term “methylsulfonylmethane” on the label. Those are common ingredients used to mask the true nature of the strains included in probiotics.

In conclusion

If you have ever been taking probiotic supplements to maintain a healthy gut and lifestyle, it might be worth checking the expiration date on those capsules.

Recent research at UCLA has shown that certain strains of bacteria in these supplements can make people sick with flu-like symptoms such as fever, chills, and diarrhea.

These findings are not conclusive but they do suggest that some individuals may experience adverse effects after consuming probiotics – so read your labels carefully.


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