It is possible to take too many probiotics, although harmful overdoses are unlikely.
Common side effects of taking too many probiotics can include bloating, gas and nausea.
People with weakened immune systems should consult a doctor before taking probiotics.
Some doctors may suggest including probiotics in your daily supplement routine - but is it possible to take too much?
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There are already trillions of bacteria in our gut that are associated with good and bad health. The principle behind taking probiotics is that they can promote the growth of healthy bacteria in the gut and improve health, but research on the benefits is still mixed.
"In the conventional feel of the word, you can't "overdose" probiotics to the factor wherein you need to address risky facet results or death," he said. Ashkan Farhadi, MD, MS, FACP, gastroenterologist, and director of the Memorial care Medical Group's Digestive Diseases Center says there is no record of such incidents.
Here's what you need to know about the complications behind probiotic doses and what can happen if you take more than the average dose.
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Taking too many probiotics can cause mild discomfort.
Taking more than a normal dose of probiotics - 1 to 10 billion colony forming units (CFUs) - does not necessarily mean better results and, instead, may provoke some mildly uncomfortable side effects.
"Some research has shown that the use of more bacteria can counteract the [positive effects of probiotics]. If bacteria get into the food in front of us, they can turn it into gas," says Farhadi. . On top of the excess gas, you may experience bloating or general stomach upset. There may be diarrhea, but it is as bad as it gets.
Side effects, most commonly gas, can also occur when someone first starts taking probiotics, as there may be some changes in the levels of bacteria in their gut. Generally, however, if one is taking an average dose, these side effects should stop soon after, once the body is well adjusted.
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There is no "correct dose" of probiotics.
According to the National Institutes of Health, the average dose of probiotic supplements is 1 to 10 billion colony forming units (CFUs).
Most probiotics on the market have this amount, although you can see products that claim to be 50 billion CFUs. Farhadi says, however, that there is no concrete research that reveals what the most effective diet is.
"This is an unknown field. Most of our knowledge about probiotics is not pharmaceutical or chemically scientific, and it is slightly different from other medicines," he says. For these reasons, researchers do not know what probiotics and effective doses are for health benefits.
However, if you are taking probiotics to deal with the uncomfortable effects of antibiotics, there is some evidence that high doses of some probiotics can help reduce the side effects of diarrhea. In a small 2010 study published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology, patients who were given two probiotic capsules, each containing 50 billion CFUs, had fewer cases of antibiotic-induced diarrhea than patients who did not have a single capsule. Was given or there was no probiotic.
There is no way to know what dose you are taking.
The probiotic supplement market is relatively unregulated, so it is difficult to know exactly how many CFUs we consume when we take probiotics in pill form. In addition, it is difficult to know whether the organisms in those probiotics are still alive and able to function, or whether they are dead and useless. Although bacteria are alive, the question is whether they can survive once inside your gut.
If you're getting probiotics from foods like store-bought yogurt, there are very few ways to make sure you're consuming a significant dose of good bacteria. The conditions in which yogurt is stored under the supply chain, the temperature of your refrigerator, and the probiotic pressure in yogurt have a significant effect on the CFU's diet. Many beneficial germs can be destroyed before you consume yogurt.
Interior takeaway
Taking too many probiotics will not cause any serious side effects or death, but it can cause uncomfortable symptoms such as gas, bloating, and upset stomach. However, people with a serious illness or immunocompromised shouldn't have to have to consult a doctor before taking probiotics.
Researchers have not said what the effective dose of probiotics is, or even which probiotics are most beneficial. It is also difficult to know what type of diet you are taking due to the uncontrolled supplement market and perishable probiotic foods.
Overall, to get a safe and healthy dose of probiotics, it is a good idea to talk to your doctor about what is right for you.