Probiotics Side Effects Explained
Interestingly, probiotics side effects may mean that the good bacteria are working.A Here are the most common side effects:B
- diarrhea
- gas
- bloating
- cramps
- rashes
- acne
Assuming the adverse effect is relatively minor and does not persist for more than 14 days, then maybe we should welcome the side effects. As stated on the box of Dr. Ohhira’s Probiotics.A
Temporary reactions such as minor bloating or a mild laxative or constipating effect are signs that the beneficial bacteria are remodeling…and improving the gut environment.
The highly researched Visbiome probiotic also has a similar warning:
Possible Side Effects – You may experience bloating during the first few days after starting Visbiome as your intestinal microflora changes. If this occurs, you may need to reduce daily consumption to allow for adjustment…
Prebiotics – Another Cause of Bloating & Flatulence
There is some direct evidence that prebiotics can cause flatulence and bloating.C
So, as long as it’s not against doctor’s orders, you could try buying a probiotics that has no prebiotics in it. This can help make it more clear if it’s probiotics or prebiotics causing the side effects.
Possible Techniques for Reducing Side Effects Of Probiotics
1. Stop Taking Probiotic or Decrease Amount Taken
You have the option to stop taking the probiotic all together – this may be the fastest way to reduce side effects.
Another possible way to reduce the side effects is to reduce the dosage. If you were taking two probiotic pills daily, try taking only one probiotic pill per day. As your body becomes accustomed to the lower dosage, then you can increase the dosage to higher levels. But taking too many probiotic CFUs too quickly may result in probiotic overdose.
If probiotics were prescribed by your doctor, you need to check with your doctor if it’s okay to reduce or stop taking probiotics.
2. Change Products
Anecdotally, Probiotics.org readers have emailed me saying that switching to another probiotic brand reduced or removed their side effects. I don’t have hard research backing this up, but this makes logical sense.
3. Support Body’s Capacity for Detoxification
According to WebMD, here’s how you can support your body’s liver detoxification systems:
- limit alcohol consumption
- mild exercise can help
- support enzyme production (by eating protein)
- eat fiberous foods like vegetables, fruit and nuts
This may work because all the probiotic side effect symptoms (diarrhea, gas, bloating, cramps, rashes, acne) can be signs of our body’s liver and detoxification systems being overloaded.
Article References:
- The back of Dr. Ohhira’s box – discussing probiotic side effects from taking their probiotic.
- Basic aspects and pharmacology of probiotics: an overview of pharmacokinetics, mechanisms of action and side-effects – PhilippeMarteauMD, PhD(Professor) FergusShanahanMD(Professor)
- Acacia Gum is a Bifidogenic Dietary Fibre with High Digestive Tolerance in Healthy Humans Christine Cherbut, Catherine Michel, Virginie Raison, Thierry Kravtchenko & Meance Severine, Pages 43-50, 11 Jul 2009
- WebMd’s: Liver Detox Cleanses – How Effective Are They?
The diet industry is booming, causing many different brands to compete with each other. It’s easy to mistake effectiveness of a product with good marketing. With the marketing industry being as savvy as it is, it is important to look beyond the fancy labels, commercials, and ads. Before purchasing from any of these brands it's important to look at ingredients, side effects, clinical studies, customer service, and reviews. Here we’ve taken the time to put together an in-depth review of one of these companies, Garden of Life.
Founded in 2000, Garden of Life was made with weight management, meal replacement, digestive health, and overall wellness in mind. All of their products can be purchased through their official website, where you can also find helpful videos and articles.
Formula and Ingredients
Garden of Life sells probiotics, multivitamins, green powders and protein shakes. Products made by this brand are GMO-free and are used with ingredients like plant protein, digestive enzymes, vitamins, minerals, seed sprouts, as well as fruits and vegetables.
RAW Probiotics Ultimate Care contains 100 billion live cultures and 34 probiotic strains, more than most supplements we've seen. They also include protein-digesting enzymes and prebiotics to support healthy colonization in the gut.
Product Guarantee
Although they make it clear that results using their products will vary with each person, they’ve made few other guarantees. They promise that they use real foods, and never synthetic chemicals. Their products are made by hand, grown in organic non-GMO soil, harvested when ready and turned into food supplements. This company advertises that you can trace every ingredient in their products.
Product Pricing & Value
None of the Garden of Life products seemed to be priced to break your pockets. The products are moderate, with the most popular items ranging from $20-$45. RAW Probiotics nears the top of the spectrum, and as of publication, one bottle costs $41.
Product Effectiveness
Due to their large selection, reviews on the effectiveness of Garden of Life products varies. Reviews for their multivitamins have been mostly positive, with users saying they feel great, after taking one every day. While reviews for their protein shakes aren’t so great, with customers unhappy with the taste of it, the RAW Probiotics reviews were mostly positive. Users said the probiotics were effective and potent.
Customer Satisfaction
The majority of customer concerns are about the flavor of the Garden of Life Probiotic products. A number of customers have commented about the unpleasant taste, causing them not to take it regularly as suggested. Some chalked this up to the natural ingredients in the products. There were also some alarming reviews in regards to negative side effects. Some negative effects that were stated by customers were diarrhea, nausea, constipation, gas, and headaches. With a bad taste and terrible side effects, users were unable to see its full effectiveness, as they were unable to take it regularly.
Final Thoughts
What’s the bottom line? Do you absolutely need RAW Probiotics? Well, let’s look at all the facts. They aren’t difficult to purchase, and they are easily obtainable through the web. If obtained through the company website you will also find that they offer a customer satisfaction guarantee. If you look elsewhere online, you will find customer reviews and comments fairly easily.
Our reservations with Garden of Life RAW Probiotics lies in the unpleasant taste and negative, and possibly harmful side effects. Headaches and diarrhea aren’t things that should accompany your probiotic. These side effects are especially worrisome because there isn't much research on these specific strains. They redeem themselves in that they are labeled USDA organic, low in sugar and free of genetically modified organisms.