How To Take Probiotics Correctly To Avoid Side Effects

Everyone should know how to take probiotics. These miracle drugs normalize the work of the intestines, accelerate the work of other drugs and act as a preventive measure. There are various types of probiotics that help with diseases in women, weight loss, diarrhea and constipation.

But you can’t just take drugs, you need to consult a specialist. The doctor, based on the patient's condition and his tests, will prescribe the appropriate type of remedy. In addition, you will have to familiarize yourself with the rules for taking probiotics, since this issue has its own important nuances that affect their action in the body.

Description of probiotics

Today, it is customary to include preparations containing live cultures of microorganisms.

The effects of probiotics:

• General: synthesis of nutrients and antioxidants, activation of the MALT system, control of the growth of opportunistic microorganisms, reduction of mutagenicity.

• Humoral effects: inhibition of IgE synthesis, stimulation of IgA production, stimulation of NO production, modulation of the cytokine response.

• Cellular effects: stimulation of macrophages, promotion of cell regeneration, promotion of physiological apoptosis.

The results of the use of probiotics:

• Influence on the key links of the pathogenesis of the lesion: adhesion, invasion, translocation.

• Influence on a particular mechanism of action of the main drug (for example, improving the antimicrobial effect of antibiotics).

• Complementing the effects of the main drug (lipid-lowering drugs, antihistamines, motility regulators).

• "Switching" the response of the macroorganism to the impact of a pathogenetic factor (for example, with immunosuppression, inflammatory bowel diseases).

• Prevention of reinfection.

Probiotics are the guards of our intestines from pathogenic organisms. Some lactobacilli produce natural antibiotics (leuterin, plantaricin, lactocidin, lysozyme) that inhibit the growth of pathogenic microorganisms. They also produce lactic acid, and in an acidic environment it is very difficult for pathogenic and opportunistic organisms to survive.

And some probiotic bacteria fight for food with pathogenic organisms, contributing to the extinction of the latter.

Probiotics are found in foods:

• Yogurt.

• Homemade kvass.

• Sauerkraut.

• Homemade yogurt.

• Tea mushroom.

• Miso soup.

• Kimchi.

Classification of probiotics

In composition:

• Monocomponent: acylact, bifidumbacterin, lactobacterin, colibacterin.

• Polycomponent (symbiotics): bifiform, lineks, bifikol.

• Multiprobiotics: symbiter, probiz femina.

• Combined (synbiotics): bifiform, bifidumbacterin forte, primadophilius, bioflor.

• Recombinant (genetically engineered): subalin.

• Self-eliminating (spore-forming): bactisubtil, biosporin.

• Sorbated: probifor, florin forte.

• Metabolics (postbiotics): hilak-forte.

According to the state of microorganisms:

• Dry (bifidumbacterin).

• Liquid (Bifidum BAG).

• Sorbated (ecoflor, florin forte).

Indications and contraindications for the use of probiotics

When to take probiotics:

• immunodeficiency states.

• Frequent acute respiratory infections.

• Diarrhea, constipation, colitis, bowel dysfunction, IBD.

• AB therapy, hormone therapy.

• Urogenital diseases.

• Allergy, dermatoses.

• Stress, depression.

• Pregnancy III trimester.

Normalization of the intestinal flora leads to the normalization of the permeability of the intestinal wall and the restoration of the immunological status.

Usually, treatment with probiotics is well tolerated, but their use should be abandoned in the presence of hypersensitivity to dairy products or drug components. Some medicines may not be suitable for pregnant women and young children. You can find out if a particular remedy is allowed for you from a nutritionist or from the instructions for use.

5 rules for choosing probiotics

1. Microorganisms with a proven probiotic effect.

2. With stable clinical efficacy.

3. Non-pathogenic and non-toxic. Possibility of long-term use.

4. Colone-forming potential: resistance to low acidity, organic and bile acids, enzymes, antimicrobial toxins and toxins of pathogenic microflora.

5. Capsules are enteric.

Release form

Probiotics (drugs containing microorganisms) come in a variety of forms:

• In the form of tablets, which include auxiliary components that do not benefit the body. In addition, under the influence of gastric juice (while the tablet slowly dissolves), some bacteria have time to die, that is, they do not enter the intestine.

• In the form of capsules. They are preferable to tablets because they begin their action directly in the intestines.

• In the form of a suspension, which works more efficiently than other options, as it contains live bacteria. The only downside is the short shelf life.

• In the form of a powder, from which, in fact, suspensions are prepared.

• In the form of suppositories used vaginally or rectally. Candles with probiotics improve the microflora in the vagina or in the intestines.

• In the form of sourdough. On their basis, useful fermented milk products are prepared, which include bacteria necessary for the body.

TOP 3 best probiotics

• LactoBeef

Dosage of 5, 30 and 100 billion CFU per vegetable capsule.

Suggested Use: Take 1 vegetable capsule daily.

Product composition: does not contain dairy products, gluten, GMOs, soy.

Probiotic bacteria mixture consists of the following strains: lactobacillus acidophilus (La-14), bifidobacterium lactis (BI-04), lactobacillus rhamnosus (Lr-32), lactobacillus plantarum (Lp-115), bifidobacterium longum (Bl-05), bifidobacterium breve (Bb-03), lactobacillus casei (Lc-11), lactobacillus salivarius (Ls-33).

• Ecoflor

The content of bifidobacteria - 108 CFU / g. The content of lactobacilli - 108 CFU / g. 100 g of the drug contains enterosorbent SUMS-1 - 70 g.

Interaction of live antagonistically active strains of bifidus and lactobacilli immobilized on the SUMS-1 enterosorbent.

Enterosorbent SUMS-1 is used to relieve intoxication of the body by removing toxins of various origins and heavy metal salts from the intestines, has a high adsorption activity, does not disturb the water-salt balance in the gastrointestinal tract, does not cause intestinal atony and can be used for a long time.

Take 10-15 minutes before meals, mixing with a small amount of water.

• Primadophilus Bifidus

3.9 billion lyophilized microorganisms in 1 capsule.

Bifidobacterium longum, Bifidobacterium breve, Lactobacillus rhamnosus Lactobacillus acidophilus.

Polycomponent.

Taking probiotics for illness and weight loss

Probiotics for Women (To prevent urinary tract infections, women are advised to take probiotics that contain the following types of bacteria):

• Rhamnosus

• Reuters

• Bacillus coagulans

With diarrhea, a person has too frequent bowel movements. Sometimes this condition even becomes chronic.

To prevent traveler's diarrhea, choose probiotics that contain:

• Rhamnosus

• Lactobacillus GG

• Sachrromyces boulardi

• lactobacillus acidophilus

• Lactobacillus bulgaricus

The application is necessary before the start of antibiotic therapy for 2 - 3 weeks and should continue after for 1 - 2 months:

• Rhamnosus

• Lactobacillus planturum

• Lactobacillus lactis

When constipated, a person rarely goes to the toilet. The reason is that feces cannot move freely through the intestines. This happens to every person from time to time, but in the elderly or those who move little, are forced to lead a recumbent lifestyle, this condition can develop into a chronic stage. Chronic constipation also occurs in babies or can develop against the background of certain diseases (IBS, for example).

For constipation, laxatives or drugs that soften the stool are prescribed. The use of probiotics for the treatment of constipation has become popular relatively recently. It turned out that the strains contained in them do an excellent job with constipation in people of any age.

Modern scientists have already proven that the presence of certain bacteria in the intestines can affect a person’s weight, that is, if you are overweight, taking probiotics will help to reduce it (which will certainly have a positive effect on overall health).

Special studies and experiments were carried out, in which both animals and people were involved. As a result, it turned out that there are bacteria, thanks to which the body absorbs less fat and calories, that is, it gets rid of accumulated excess weight.

For example, studies conducted in 2014 showed that combinations of strains of Lactobacillus rhamnosus together with Bifidobacterium lactis and Lactobacillus gasseri together with Lactobacillus rhamnosus are most effective in reducing body weight.

One of the experiments was as follows: for 12 weeks, obese men took L. Gasseri every day, which resulted in a loss of approximately 8.5% fat. In the group consisting of women, there was a decrease in body fat by 16%. Moreover, during the maintenance phase, the excess weight of the participants continued to go away.

However, scientists are in no hurry to make categorical statements, because most of the experiments were not so convincing. More research would have to be done to say with complete certainty that probiotics are 100% effective as a weight loss drug. Suitable for weight loss:

• Lactobacillus gasseri

• Lactobacillus rhamnosus

• Lactobacillus rhamnosus and Bifidobacterium lactis

The work of the brain is directly related to what bacteria function in a person in the intestine. This is stated by scientists, based on the research.

Here are a few drugs that help improve brain function:

• Bifidobacterium breve

• Lactobacillus rhamnosus

• Bifidobacterium infantis

• Bifidobacterium longum

• Lactobacillus helveticus

Some probiotics have been shown to lower total and "bad" LDL cholesterol levels.

There are a number of probiotics that can beneficially affect the functioning of the heart and reduce the possibility of developing related diseases. Special studies have been carried out in this area, and their results have been impressive. In people who participated in the experiments, the content of harmful cholesterol in the blood was significantly reduced, and in terms of the amount of useful cholesterol, the indicators increased.

The named probiotic preparations in 14 experiments showed a decrease in LDL and triglyceride levels, and the level of HDL from these probiotics increased slightly.

Drugs to improve cardiac activity:

• Lactobacillus reuteri,

• lactobacillus acidophilus

• Bifidobacterium longum.

Rules for Taking Probiotics

• In the treatment of chronic diseases, probiotics should be taken 3-4 times a day.

• Before meals, somewhere in 30-40 minutes, for 2-3 weeks.

• The release form of probiotics determines the correctness of their intake.

• The powder should be diluted in warm water. The water should be exactly warm, because in hot bacteria they will die, and in cold they will not “wake up”, and therefore the drug will not have the proper therapeutic effect.

• Capsules and tablets should be swallowed without breaking the shell and washed down with a small amount of clean water.

• With increased acidity of gastric juice, it is first necessary to reduce the acidity.

5 possible side effects

Numerous studies have shown the positive effects of probiotic preparations on the body. Thanks to them, susceptibility to infectious diseases is reduced, chronic diseases do not develop and progress so actively, and the work of the digestive system is stabilized.

However, these drugs, along with their useful qualities, can also cause side effects. They are usually not very strong and occur extremely rarely, but still there. With unpleasant symptoms, patients with weak immunity or those who suffer from serious illnesses most often experience.

• Probiotics can cause digestive problems

Most people do not have these problems, but sometimes the body can react with excessive gas and bloating.

If yeast is included in the probiotic taken, it can cause constipation, plus the person is constantly thirsty. The causes of such manifestations have not been fully identified, but these symptoms disappear after a few weeks after the start of continuous administration of the drug.

Here you can recommend starting with a small dosage and bringing it up to the required norm in a few weeks. The gradual accustoming of the body to the drug reduces the likelihood of side effects.

• Probiotics can cause headaches (due to their amines)

Biogenic amines are found in many probiotic-rich foods. These are, for example, yogurt, sauerkraut, kimchi. During the work of bacteria, products containing protein are fermented, and biogenic amines become the result of this process.

If a person is hypersensitive to amines, they can cause headaches, excessive nervous excitement, narrowing or dilation of blood vessels.

One study found that 75% of participants experienced fewer headaches after eating low-histamine foods. But in ten other experiments, no significant changes were observed.

To state with full confidence that the occurrence of headaches and migraines depends on amines (or is not associated with them), it is necessary to conduct more than one experiment.

How to identify the effect of fermented products on the body and determine the specific symptoms from their impact? Keep a diary, write down all the foods you eat and then your feelings (including headaches) after eating them.

If you notice that products containing amines cause unpleasant symptoms, manifested in the form of headaches, then probiotic supplements are for you.

• There are strains that increase histamine levels

Probiotic supplements can contain a wide variety of bacteria. And some of them, getting into the human digestive system, produce histamine. What is histamine? A molecule that the immune system produces if it feels some kind of danger to the body.

How it works? The level of histamine rises, the body tries to give a greater influx to the place of threat by expanding the vessels and increasing their permeability. As a result, immune cells quickly penetrate weakened tissues and destroy pathogens.

Outwardly, this is expressed by swelling and redness in the affected areas, allergic reactions may follow in the form of profuse tearing, runny nose, itching and difficulty breathing.

Diamine oxidase (a special enzyme) is usually responsible for the breakdown of histamine produced in the digestive system. It prevents unpleasant symptoms, as it is able to inhibit the increase in the amount of histamine.

Thus, those who have histamine intolerance should refrain from consuming foods that contain a lot of it. In fact, the solution could be to take probiotic preparations that do not include histamine-producing bacteria. But this is only in theory. So far, there is no concrete research data to support this version.

Here are some drugs with strains of bacteria that produce histamine:

1. Lactobacillus buchneri

2. Lactobacillus helveticus

3. Lactobacillus hilgardii

4. Streptococcus thermophilus

• The body may react poorly to some ingredients

It is very important to carefully read the composition of probiotic preparations for people with intolerance and frequent allergic reactions. Among the ingredients, for example, dairy products, soy, eggs can be found.

Therefore, to avoid problems, read the labels, especially if you know that you are allergic to some products.

There are a number of probiotics that contain yeast. This means that they should not be taken by people who are allergic to this product. Replace them with drugs with bacteria. Many of these products include lactose or milk sugar. Be careful if you have an intolerance to these foods.

In addition to strong probiotics, some foods also contain prebiotics. These are plant fibers that the human digestive system cannot handle, but they serve as a food source for bacteria. Most often it is lactulose, inulin and various types of oligosaccharides.

Preparations that contain both probiotics (bacteria) and prebiotics (plant fibers) are called synbiotics.

There are people in whom taking synbiotics is accompanied by bloating and flatulence. The way out here may be the rejection of funds with prebiotics in the composition.

• Sometimes probiotics can provoke the development of infections.

Such cases are quite rare, most people can take such drugs quite calmly. But if a person has an increased susceptibility to certain components, yeast or certain types of bacteria, then, once in the blood, they can cause infections.

The results of clinical trials, however, show that the likelihood of developing infections is very small (and serious among them have not been identified at all), and there is no serious cause for concern.

In terms of numbers, only one person in a million is infected by lactose-containing probiotics. And preparations that include yeast provoke the development of infections in only one person out of 5.6 million.

Even if infections cannot be avoided, antibiotics and antifungal drugs are very effective in combating them.

In the course of the research, another important point was revealed: probiotics should not be taken by those who suffer from acute pancreatitis (in severe form), a person can even die from this.

Frequently Asked Questions about Probiotics

• What is the difference between probiotics and prebiotics

People often get confused in these names, because they are almost the same, only one letter does not match. Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that support healthy microflora in the intestines. The composition of the product may include one strain of bacteria or even several. They actively multiply in the patient's intestines to the required amount and have a beneficial effect on the body.

Prebiotics are elements of organic origin that beneficial bacteria feed on in the process of reproduction and growth. That is, with these preparations, you provide a suitable habitat for beneficial microorganisms within your own flora.

• When is the best time to take probiotics: before or after meals?

The recommended time to take probiotics is before meals, that is, on an empty stomach. Better yet, an hour before meals. If you are taking it in liquid form, then 30-40 minutes before meals.

• Is it okay to take probiotics regularly?

No, these drugs are not for permanent use. It is better to do two or three courses of probiotics during the year. The minimum break between courses is one month.

• Can an overdose happen?

By drinking the drug, you, in fact, colonize beneficial microorganisms in the gastrointestinal tract, which are fixed on the walls of the intestine, and then naturally excreted.

However, when taking, you should follow the recommended dosage in the instructions. Excess consumption may be accompanied by the following symptoms: bloating, flatulence, a feeling of heaviness, and even diarrhea.

However, such manifestations most likely do not occur from overdoses, but are caused by individual intolerance to the drug.

• What are the expiration dates for drugs with bacteria

The correct storage conditions for such products are a temperature not exceeding 25 ° C, and even a refrigerator is better. Suspension should be used immediately, do not store. If you prepared kefir or yogurt using a special starter, then keep it in the refrigerator, but not longer than four days (at -5 ° C).

• Is it okay to drink alcohol along with probiotics?

You can not combine dietary supplements and alcohol. Alcoholic drinks act as an irritant to the stomach and intestines, while destroying any bacteria, both harmful and beneficial.

Preparations containing useful microorganisms are not preventive agents, but rather therapeutic, designed to combat dysbacteriosis, helping to normalize the microflora of the gastrointestinal tract, and so on.

Remember that just taking probiotics to improve bowel function is not enough, you also need an active lifestyle and proper nutrition. However, probiotic preparations in the diet can significantly improve the functioning of some organs, such funds generally have a beneficial effect on health. At the same time, remember that there are still side effects, so it is better not to start taking it without consulting a doctor.