The benefits of probiotics are seemingly numerous and address a number of lifestyle issues. From the use of antibiotics and the birth control pill, and the imbalances these can cause in the gut microflora, to irritable bowel syndrome and diets high in processed foods and environmental toxins, our intestines are under constant attack. Probiotics, the ‘friendly bacteria’ that live in our bodies, are outcompeted by the unfriendly variety, resulting in digestive upsets, infections, and colon-related illnesses.
In a healthy gut, probiotics thrive in abundance, ensuring there is no room for bad bacteria to wreak havoc on our bodies. Probiotics have been a natural part of our ancestors’ diets for centuries. However, the growth of the fast food industry, with an emphasis on convenience rather than quality, means that many harmful practices have become the norm in the way we grow, farm and consume our food. Today, unless we make the effort to buy organic, our meat and dairy products have likely been laced with antibiotics, not to mention artificial fertilizers on crops, all of which find their way into our systems. Some of this is unavoidable, like the chlorine in tap water that also kills friendly bacteria on our bodies. But we have to make a conscious effort to make sure our diets provide us with the nutrients we need rather than overloading us with harmful chemicals.
Add to this the fact that what we eat has also changed significantly: we no longer get the necessary nutrients from our diet alone, so we have to turn to food supplements. This is now big business, as more and more people are becoming aware of long-standing deficiencies in their diets and the health problems they are causing. With most, it has now reached the stage where a concentrated injection of the missing nutrients is required in the form of food supplements. If we were getting them naturally from balanced diets, there would be no side effect issues or precautions to consider. As it is, due to the lack of these friendly bacteria in the kinds of foods we regularly consume, we need dietary supplements to effectively reintroduce them into our systems.
Probiotic supplements, like other dietary supplements, do have some side effects and precautions to be aware of before taking them, although they are generally quite minor. The general rule of thumb is to gradually introduce supplements into your diet – the good bacteria start to destroy the bad bacteria in your gut and this can lead to gas, bloating and stomach cramps for a few weeks. To minimize this, it’s a good idea to avoid foods rich in probiotics when you start taking the supplements. Once the probiotic supplements have settled into your system, you can start eating foods that contain them.
These side effects are known as “excessive drainage syndrome” and may also be accompanied by headaches and diarrhea. These are similar to unfriendly bacteria that make a “last stand” in your system. They are being eliminated and the intestines are being recolonized by the beneficial bacteria and these side effects are a symptom of that. Also, if you take immunosuppressants, it’s best to consult a doctor before taking probiotic supplements. Introducing these friendly bacteria to your diet could overstimulate your immune system, causing serious problems. People with compromised immune systems or underlying health problems should also consult their doctors if they are considering taking probiotic supplements. There have been cases where people with compromised immune systems developed infections as a result of taking probiotic supplements.
In general, however, the main side effect people experience is the digestive problem of excess gas and bloating when they first start taking the supplements. If you experience this and it causes you a lot of discomfort, it might be worth lowering your dose and slowly increasing it as the friendly bacteria settle into your system.
If you are vegan or lactose intolerant, there are rice-based probiotic supplements available.