Probiotics Side Effects: What You May Experience Temporarily
Just about every type of supplement, plus the majority of medications, too, have the potential to cause side effects. But what are side effects exactly, and why do they occur?
A side effect is any typically undesirable effect of a drug or medical treatment. When a supplement, over-the-counter drug, or prescription causes side effects, it can be due to a number of causes, such as changes in digestion and nutrient absorption.
While most reactions due to taking probiotics are actually good and beneficial for example, they can support normal digestive processes that lead to less diarrhea or constipation its still possible for some people to react to probiotics poorly.
Lets look at how probiotics work in the body, along with the pros and possible cons of introducing them into your routine.
Some Ingredients May Cause Adverse Reactions
People with allergies or intolerances should read the labels of probiotic supplements carefully, since they might contain ingredients they could react to.
For example, some of the supplements contain allergens such as dairy, egg or soy.
These ingredients should be avoided by anyone who is allergic, as they may trigger an allergic reaction. If necessary, read labels carefully to avoid these ingredients .
Similarly, yeast-based probiotics should not be taken by those with yeast allergies. Instead, a bacteria-based probiotic should be used .
Milk sugar, or lactose, is also used in many probiotic supplements .
While studies suggest that most people with lactose intolerance can tolerate up to 400 mg of lactose in medications or supplements, there have been case reports of adverse effects from probiotics .
Since a small number of people with lactose intolerance may experience unpleasant gas and bloating when consuming lactose-containing probiotics, they may want to choose lactose-free products.
In addition to containing powerful probiotics, some supplements also contain prebiotics. These are plant fibers that humans cannot digest, but that bacteria can consume as food. The most common types are lactulose, inulin and various oligosaccharides (
39 ).
Some people experience gas and bloating when consuming synbiotics. Those who experience these side effects may want to select a supplement that does not contain prebiotics .
Asthma And Allergic Rhinitis Alter Microbiota In The Gut
The human intestine starts from the mouth, passes through the esophagus, stomach, small intestine, colon, and finally reaches the rectum. Its huge surface area of 150200 square meters provides an opportunity for microbes to colonize . They are mainly composed of the following five phyla: Bacteroidetes, Firmicutes, Proteobacteria, Actinobacteria , and Bacteroides, Faecalibacterium, and Bifidobacterium are the most common genera in healthy adults . The bacterial composition of each part is as follows: the main colonizing bacteria of the oral cavity are: Streptococcaceae, Pasteurellaceae, Veillonellaceae, Prevotellaeace, and Neisseriaceae families and Gemella genus the stomach mainly contains bacteria from the Lactobacillaceae family the small intestine is dominated by Lactobacillaceae, Enterobacteriaceae, and Streptococcaceae the large intestine contains Enterococcaceae, Clostridiaceae, Enterobacteriaceae, Bacteroidaceae, Bifidobacteriaceae, Fusobacteriaceae, Lactobacillaceae, Peptostreptococcaceae, Peptococcaceae, Prevotellaeace, Lachnospiraceae, Ruminococcaceae, Rikenelleacefrom families level, and the phylum Verrucomimicrobia . Many functions of the host, including the production of vitamins, ion absorption, resistance to pathogens, histological development, immune function enhancement, and food fermentation all require the involvement of the gut microbiota .
Table 1. Changes of the gut microbiota in allergic asthma and allergic rhinitis.
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The Types Of Probiotics Using In The Treatment Of Allergic Rhinitis
Only a single probiotic strain was intensively involved in the studies of the treatment of most of allergic rhinitis, such as Lactobacillus acidophilus, Lactobacillus paracasei, Lactobacillus casei, Lactobacillus rhamnosus, Bifidobacterium longum, Lactobacillus johnsonii EM1, Lactobacillus gasseri, Bacillus clausii, Escherichia coli Nissle 1917. However, recent studies have been starting to evaluate the treatment effect by using more than one strain of probiotics. For example, Lactobacillus GG and L. gasseri were used in the treatment of allergic rhinitis, and the combined treatment effect of L. acidophilus and Bifidobacterium lactis were also determined. A probiotic mixture VSL#3 , which contains eight different probiotic strains were used in their study. Review of literatures revealed that Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium were the most popular probiotics studied by researchers. Meijerink et al. suggested that the 28 strains of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium are the best choice for research purposes, as they have been isolated from different commercially available products, and being screened for their immunomodulatory properties in a coculture assay with human peripheral blood mononuclear cells.
Treatment Of Allergic Rhinitis
Appropriate treatment drugs are selected according to the specific severity of the disease, type of disease, and lifestyle .
Systemic therapy: All mechanisms of systemic glucocorticoids are regulated by GR, which belongs to the ligand-regulated nuclear receptor superfamily, and the anti-inflammatory effects of steroids can be explained by three broad molecular mechanisms: decreased pro-inflammatory gene expression, anti-inflammatory increased inflammatory gene expression and non-genomic mechanisms.26 Oral antihistamines: Four histamine receptors, H1 and H2 receptors, have been identified on a variety of cells, stimulating both the early and late stages of allergic reactions. Second-generation/third-generation non-sedating H1 receptor antagonists are the antihistamines of choice for AR.27 Cetirizine has been shown to be efficacious in many studies, and cetirizine is superior to loratadine in symptom relief with a favorable safety profile.28,29 Leukotriene Receptor Antagonists : Leukotrienes are a family of inflammatory mediators, including LTA4, LTB4, LTC4, LTD4 and LTE4, by blocking the cysteine LT1 receptor, LTRAs can improve the symptoms of allergic rhinitis and asthma.30 At present, the research on oral cromoglycate as a mast cell stabilizer is insufficient.
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Where Do Allergies Come From
Scientists agree that there is a genetic component to allergies.
Kids born to parents with allergies are more likely to develop allergies than children whose parents do not have them.
But in order to develop allergies, there must be an environmental trigger.
Unfortunately, our hyper-vigilance about germs and bacteria may actually cause more allergies to develop.
Researchers hypothesize that reduced family size, improved hygiene, vaccinations, use of antimicrobial medications, and the consumption of near sterile food have all decreased or altered our exposure to microbes.
As a result, our bodies do not always develop natural resistance to common allergens and we suffer from allergies that can range from mild nuisances to severe chronic conditions.
While these findings make sense, there is another missing piece that Body Ecology founder, Donna Gates, wants you to know about allergiesyour inner ecosystem.
In a perfect world, everyone would have a healthy inner ecosystem that keeps us in balance, just as the Earths ecosystems keep it in balance. In humans, however, this inner ecosystem is the health of your intestines and in essence, your digestive tract.
When your inner ecosystem is in balance, your intestines are teeming with the beneficial bacteria and yeast that keep your immune system strong.
With the right balance of beneficial microflora, you can fight off allergens and infections .
Possible Side Effects Of Probiotics
Probiotics are living bacteria and yeasts that provide health benefits when consumed in large amounts.
They can be taken as supplements or consumed naturally through fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi and kombucha .
The health benefits of probiotic supplements and foods have been well documented, including a lower risk of infections, improved digestion and even a reduced risk for some chronic diseases .
While there are many health benefits linked to taking probiotics, there can also be side effects. Most of these are minor and only affect a small percentage of the population.
However, some people with serious illnesses or compromised immune systems may experience more severe complications.
This article reviews the most common side effects of probiotics and how to reduce them.
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Can Probiotics Hurt Me
For most healthy people, probiotics dont cause any harm. They are generally considered safe and are often given a try to see if they could help with various medical conditions. Theres a lot of research around the topic of probiotics. Scientists are trying to determine when and how they should be used, as well as how effective they are. Talk to your healthcare provider before starting a probiotic supplement because there are some cases where you shouldnt be taking them. Its always best to have the conversation first before starting a new supplement.
What Is The Microbiome
Despite the microbiome being one of the bodys most complex and important systems, it is also one of the most mysterious. In fact, the study of microbiota and the term microbiomewas only coined in 2001, and has since rapidly evolved into a burgeoning field of research. The results so far have challenged our understanding of whole-body health and wellness as we know it. Today, probiotics are indicated to support everything from healthy skin to obesity, digestion, immunity and behavioural disorders. How could all these be connected? It all has to do with microbiome function and the gut-brain-heart connection .
The microbiome is essentially a network of microorganisms that are concentrated largely in the intestines, consisting of microbes that are both harmful and beneficial . This is known as the microbiota, and it plays key roles in providing nutrients to our cells, modulating the immune system, and preventing harmful microbes such as bacteria and viruses from running amok and causing a wide array of health issues.
Its all about balance. In a healthy body, pathogenic and symbiotic microbiota coexist. But when the balance is disturbed by illness, poor diet, antibiotics and other lifestyle factors, the body becomes vulnerable to pathogens and disease. This is where probiotics come in. By providing a consistent amount of beneficial bacteria you can balance and support a healthy microbiome.
Learn more about the microbiome and your child here.
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Types Of Probiotics Used To Treat Allergic Rhinitis
There have been a large number of clinical studies on probiotics in the treatment of AR. Ahmed et al50 found that in the treatment of perennial AR, children taking Lactobacillus paracasei for 6 weeks had the same effect as taking cetirizine, and almost all children had the same effect baseline symptoms all improved significantly. Similarly, a study evaluating the use of Lactobacillus helveticus SBT2171 to treat patients with mild to moderate AR for 16 weeks showed significantly improved nasal symptoms and significantly lower eosinophil counts in nasal fluid and peripheral blood in the LH2171 group in the placebo group.51
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Table 3 Recent Investigations into the Use of Probiotics for Allergic Rhinitis |
S Ribosomal Rna Gene Sequencing And Microbiota Analysis
On Day 7, eight rats in the VD and CS groups were sacrificed for their intestinal content. On Day 21 and 70, feces were collected. Rat feces samples were rapidly frozen in liquid nitrogen and kept at 80°C. The FastDNA SPIN Kit was used to extract microbial DNA from fecal samples according to kit protocols. The V3-V4 regions of the bacteria 16S rRNA gene were amplified by PCR using the primers . The amplicons were subsequently purified by gel extraction and quantified by QuantiFluor-ST according to protocols. The purified DNA amplicons were then sequenced by Majorbio on Illumina MiSeq platform.
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Probiotics Influence Melatonin Levels And Ibs Symptoms
We discussed some of the positive effects probiotics have on those suffering from allergic rhinitis in our blog, The Many Benefits of Probiotics for Allergy Sufferers. However, additional research published by the US National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health is also indicating probiotic supplementation can increase melatonin levels and significantly improve the bowel habits of irritable bowl syndrome sufferers.
The team at The Allergy & Environmental Treatment Center, LLC may recommend nutritional supplementation to allergy patients if they suspect or find nutritional deficiencies through clinical evidence and/or laboratory assessments. Educating patients on potential health and/or allergy risks is incredibly important to the team, which is why theyre sharing this general health-related news.
The National Institutes of Health reported IBS affects 3 to 20 percent of adults in the United States. Primary care physicians or gastrointestinal specialists may determine whether or not a patient has IBS based on the individuals level, frequency and duration of abdominal pain or discomfort. These medical professionals generally come to an IBS diagnosis if the patient is feeling discomfort that occurs more than three times per month for three months or longer. Nevertheless, if you are feeling abdominal pain, its important to seek medical treatment from a GI physician or specialist.
@The Allergy & Environmental Treatment Center, LLC, 2014
Evidence On Prevention Of Food Allergy
A variety of studies provided data that probiotics, including LGG or L. acidophilus, do not protect against CMA in infancy . Moreover, in a review involving 1,549 infants, Osborn and Sinn stated that the benefit of probiotics in reducing food hypersensitivity is disputable.
In a study conducted by Morisset et al. , children at high-risk for the onset of atopic disease were fed with standard infant formula or a fermented infant formula containing heat-killed Bifidobacterium breve C50 and Streptococcus thermophilus 065. No statistical differences in the incidence of CMA were observed between these two groups, despite infants fed the formula containing probiotics were less sensitized to CMP at skin prick tests .
Similarly, a reduced skin prick test sensitivity to CMP or hens egg protein at age 6 months was reported in children, following supplementation with Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium daily to pregnant women and to infants , when compared to mothers and infants receiving placebo.
However, the results of these studies suggested that probiotics may modulate the development of allergic sensitization to foods, but not necessarily this translates into food allergy prevention . Food hypersensitivity is not always associated with symptoms of food allergy, although infants with food sensitization may be more prone to develop a food allergy.
Two other studies reported conflicting results with supplementation of LGG .
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They Can Increase Infection Risk For Some
Probiotics are safe for the vast majority of the population, but may not be the best fit for everyone.
In rare cases, the bacteria or yeasts found in probiotics can enter the bloodstream and cause infections in susceptible individuals .
Those at greatest risk for infection from probiotics include people with suppressed immune systems, prolonged hospitalizations, venous catheters or those who have undergone recent surgeries .
However, the risk of developing an infection is very low, and no serious infections have been reported in clinical studies of the general population.
It is estimated that only about one in one million people who take probiotics containing Lactobacilli bacteria will develop an infection. The risk is even smaller for yeast-based probiotics, with only about one in 5.6 million users getting infected .
When infections do occur, they typically respond well to traditional antibiotics or antifungals. However, in rare cases, deaths have occurred .
Research also suggests that people with severe acute pancreatitis should not take probiotics, as this may increase the risk of death .
Summary
People with compromised immune systems, venous catheters, recent surgery, acute pancreatitis or prolonged hospitalizations should avoid taking probiotics.
Human Studies With Yeast Fermentate
Scientists also performed clinical studies with yeast fermentate.
Researchers conducted a pilot study on 25 healthy individuals, giving themeither a placebo or 500 mg of dried yeast fermentate daily for 5 weeks during the beginning of the allergy season.10
The placebo treatment had no effect. But half of thetreated male volunteers reported a complete absence of allergy symptoms, which fully returned 1-2 weeks after they stopped taking the supplement.
Antibodies called IgE are one of the causes of hay feversymptoms. Based on this study, researchers surmised that yeast fermentate helps reduce IgE.
IgE causes the body to release chemicals that cause an allergic reaction and produce symptoms that can affect the eyes, nose, throat, lungs, or skin.
Over the course of this 5-week study, as the allergy season went into full swing, blood levels of IgE steadily increased among placebo recipients indicating heightened allergic responses.
In those subjects taking the yeast fermentate, IgE levels barely changed, indicating a reduced allergic reaction. The conclusion from this study isthat yeast fermentate calms allergic responses by stabilizing IgE levels.10
A larger clinical study was then undertaken, with 96 people who had a documented history of seasonal allergies and hay fever. During the highestpollen-count portion of the year, participants took either a placebo or 500 mg of dried yeast fermentate once daily.4
The Risks of Allergy Medications
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Food Allergies And Intolerances Are On The Rise
Nowadays, allergy-friendly aisles have become commonplace in grocery stores, and many schools and restaurants offer dietary accommodations for individuals with food allergies and intolerances. However, food allergies and intolerances have not always been such a big concern. In fact, it is only within the past decade that the prevalence of these conditions has skyrocketed. Between 1997 and 2011, IgE-mediated food allergies increased by 50 percent in American children. In addition, research has found that more than 20 percent of the population of industrialized countries, including the United States, United Kingdom, Australia, and China, suffer from food allergies or intolerances.
Despite the dramatic rise in food allergies and intolerances, few treatment options are available. Conventional medicine advises patients to strictly avoid their trigger foods and to have epinephrine on hand for accidental exposures. However, neither of these strategies addresses the underlying cause of food allergy and intolerance. Novel treatment approaches are desperately needed. An emerging body of research indicates that alterations in the normal human gut flora play a role in the development of food allergies and intolerances.Modulation of the gut microbiota may alleviate food allergies and intolerances and potentially restore tolerance to triggering foods.
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