09/11/2024 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 09/11/2024 12:40
Key takeaways:
Probiotics are naturally occurring microorganisms that play a role in different body functions like digestion and the immune system.
Taking a probiotic supplement may help relieve certain gut symptoms and help boost your immune system. But it's not clear how effective they are, and exactly which strains of probiotics help different conditions.
There are some general signs you can look for to see if your probiotics are helping.
Probiotics are live microorganisms - or "good" bacteria - that naturally live in your body. They often play a role in different body functions, such as digestion and immune function.
You can get probiotics through food - like yogurt or sauerkraut - or you can take a probiotic supplement. People take probiotics because there's some evidence that they may
help certain symptoms or health conditions.
Reduce GI symptoms: Learn how you can improve your gut health to reduce gas, abdominal pain, and other symptoms.
Get probiotics naturally: Here are some probiotic-rich foods you can include in your diet.
Can probiotics reduce vaginal infections? Read how they may help and what strains are best.
But sometimes the results are subtle, and it may be difficult to tell if they're working for you.
Here, we'll explore the signs that probiotics are working and what you need to know about probiotic supplements and eating probiotic-rich foods.
Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts that make up part of the gut microbiome. The gut microbiome is made up of trillions of microorganisms that live in your gut. It plays an important role in a number of health functions. Naturally occurring probiotics may have some of the following effects:
Enhancing the "good" bacteria in the gut
Decreasing unhealthy bacteria
Producing certain helpful substances like vitamins
Supporting immune function
There's been a lot of research on the benefits of taking probiotic supplements for certain symptoms and health conditions. But results are mixed. That means it's not clear whether they'll definitely help you or how much relief you'll get.
Probiotics may help gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms and conditions like:
Diarrhea caused by infections or by taking certain antibiotics
Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), which can cause diarrhea, constipation, pain, bloating, or any combination of these symptoms
Probiotics may also be helpful for a number of other conditions, such as:
Atopic dermatitis, a skin condition
Bacterial vaginosis, a vaginal infection
Probiotics don't usually cure an illness. But they may help reduce your symptoms. The effects of probiotics can be obvious, or they can be subtle. They can have an immediate effect or take weeks or months for you to notice a difference.
So it may be tricky to know if a probiotic is working for you or not. Here's a look at some clues that they're doing the job.
Less diarrhea: If you have a GI infection, like gastroenteritis or a stomach bug, you may notice a quicker recovery. Taking probiotics may also shorten your illness by about a day.
Less diarrhea from antibiotics: If you tend to get diarrhea when you take antibiotics, you may notice you have less or no diarrhea at all when you take a probiotic with the antibiotic.
Less constipation: Taking probiotics for constipation may increase the number of times you have a bowel movement in a week. It may also make stool softer and easier to pass.
People with IBS who take probiotics on a daily basis may notice less frequent and intense GI symptoms. For example:
Fewer abdominal symptoms: You may have less gas, bloating, and abdominal pain.
Less constipation: If you tend to have IBS with constipation, you may have better stool consistency when taking probiotics. You may notice that it's easier and more comfortable to have a bowel movement.
Less severe symptoms: People with mild or moderate atopic dermatitis may see an improvement in skin symptoms after about 3 months of taking probiotics. You may notice less redness, oozing, crusting, and skin thickening.
Fewer recurrences: Some people may get bacterial vaginosis (BV) frequently. BV is typically treated with antibiotics. But if you take oral or vaginal probiotics after you finish your course of antibiotics, you may get fewer recurrences of BV.
How long it takes probiotics to work may depend on why you're taking them and what you're trying to treat.
Here are some rough estimates of how long it may take to notice a difference:
Diarrhea: 1-2 days to reduce symptoms
IBS symptoms: You may start seeing some improvements in a few days, but it could take 4-6 weeks for their full effects to kick in.
Atopic dermatitis: About 3 months
It may be helpful to keep track of your symptoms when you start taking a probiotic, said Lindsay Malone, MS, RD, instructor, department of nutrition at the School of Medicine at Case Western Reserve University in Cleveland. There are apps that can help you record symptoms. You can record things like:
Number of bowel movements
Consistency of bowel movements
How severe different symptoms are
How often you're getting infections like bacterial vaginosis
Also, keep in mind that probiotics often need to be used along with other lifestyle changes or medical treatments in order to see a difference in symptoms. If you're being treated for a condition, talk with your healthcare team before starting probiotics.
There are many different types, or strains, of probiotics. Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium are the most common strains used in probiotic supplements. And they tend to be effective for a range of symptoms.
Some supplements have one or two strains, while others have a combination of several in their formula. They also come in different strengths. Your healthcare team may recommend specific strains or strengths depending on what you're treating.
Other strains most commonly found in probiotic supplements include:
Saccharomyces
Streptococcus
Enterococcus
Escherichia
Bacillus
Probiotics naturally occur in some foods. These include:
Yogurt
Cultured buttermilk
Cultured cheese
Miso
Tempeh
Sauerkraut
Sourdough bread
Kimchi
Pickles (certain types)
Olives
Kefir
Prebiotics are a type of carbohydrate that's not digestible. But they provide nutrients for probiotics to thrive. Prebiotics may boost the health benefits of probiotics. Prebiotics occur naturally in some foods, but not usually at high levels. You can get prebiotics by taking a supplement - some supplements contain both prebiotics and probiotics
Probiotics may cause mild side effects in some people, like gas, bloating, and abdominal pain. These side effects often go away in a couple of weeks. People who have a weakened immune system or are seriously ill also have a higher risk of these side effects. Talk with your healthcare team if you have an illness to discuss the pros and cons of taking a probiotic supplement.
It's not common, but probiotics can sometimes cause constipation. This should decrease after a few weeks as your body adjusts to the new balance of microorganisms in your system.
Probiotics are live microorganisms, such as good bacteria, that are part of the gut microbiome. A diverse and balanced gut microbiome is thought to promote overall health. Taking probiotic supplements may help some symptoms or conditions, but the research is still limited on how effective they are. It may be helpful to track your symptoms when you start taking probiotics to see how much they're helping. If you're using probiotics to help treat a condition, a healthcare professional may be able to help you decide which strain of probiotics is best for you.
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