For most healthy people, probiotics don't cause any harm. They are generally considered safe and are often “given a try” to see if they could help with various medical conditions.
Overdosing – can you take too many probiotics? There is absolutely no harm in taking probiotics in the long term, and there is generally no harm in increasing one's dose of a probiotic supplement if you feel the need.
A common question about probiotics is whether it is ok to take probiotic supplements every day. Whilst there may be a few exceptions to this rule, the general answer is yes, it's safe, and usually recommended, to take them daily. It's important to understand that probiotics are a natural supplement and not a medicine.
The most common side effects are a temporary increase in gas, bloating, constipation and thirst. Some people can also react poorly to ingredients used in probiotic supplements or to naturally occurring amines in probiotic foods. If this occurs, stop using probiotics.
Possible harmful effects of probiotics include infections, production of harmful substances by the probiotic microorganisms, and transfer of antibiotic resistance genes from probiotic microorganisms to other microorganisms in the digestive tract.
If you experience ongoing side effects from probiotics such as bloating and gas, it may be a good idea to take a break from probiotics and ensure you are taking the correct strain and dose.
Bottom Line: For most conditions, take probiotics for at least 3-4 weeks to see if they work for you. Acute diarrhea and food intolerances are exceptions to these guidelines.
Although probiotics are generally safe to use, findings of a review from 2017 suggest that children and adults with severe illnesses or compromised immune systems should avoid using probiotics. Some people with these conditions have experienced bacterial or fungal infections as a result of probiotic use.
The ideal time to take probiotics is right before bed because "the gut is pretty inactive at night. If you think about it, you don't usually wake up in the middle of the night to poop,” says Patricia Raymond, MD, a gastroenterology and internal medicine physician and clinical advisor for Gastro Girl.
There is no known risk of addiction or dependency when taking probiotic supplements. It is safe to take probiotics on a long-term basis without causing dependency or addiction.
For chronic conditions or general immune health, it may be most beneficial to take probiotics for weeks or months at a time. Most people can tolerate probiotics well, and they can help restore or balance the healthy gut microbiome.
You may experience slight changes like gas or mild diarrhea as they begin to work. These symptoms usually resolve within a few days and won't return with the continued use of probiotics. If the symptoms are very uncomfortable or you experience severe diarrhea, stop taking probiotics and call your doctor.
It is possible to take too many probiotics, though a harmful overdose isn't likely. Common side effects of taking too many probiotics can include bloating, gas, and nausea. Those with a weakened immune system should consult a doctor before taking probiotics.
Then she found an article in Mental Health Daily about the side effects and adverse reactions to probiotics that people have reported. And there she found her answer. That if you take more than 20 billion CFUs (she was taking 400 billion CFUs) per day, you can get side effects. And anxiety is listed as one of them.
Probiotics Aren't Recommended for Most Digestive Conditions, Guidelines Say. The American Gastroenterological Association says there's no solid evidence that probiotics can treat conditions like Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis, and irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).
If you are taking a high quality, multispecies and multistrain supplement, you can expect to notice initial improvements and health benefits of probiotics in your digestion as early as the first 1-2 weeks after starting your probiotic. Depending on how sensitive you are, many people feel a difference after a few days.
We recommend patients rotate every 30 to 90 days to a different probiotic, as each of them contains different strains of microorganisms.”
While dosage can vary, American Family Physician recommends children take 5 to 10 billion colony-forming units (CFU) of probiotics per day, and suggests adults consume 10 to 20 billion.
Having said that, it's also important to know we can have too much of a good thing. When levels of even the beneficial bacteria start to overgrow, it can lead to quite grievous health problems- the rampant fermentation and bloating of the small and large intestine, in particular.
Because of this, the short answer is yes. Probiotics will make you poop, and the size and frequency of your bowel movements have much to say regarding your overall health. Their mission is to improve your gut microbiome, and this is typically done in an effort to get you more regular in your pooping.
Probiotics Are Safe to Take (and to Discontinue)
Some may wonder about possible safety concerns associated with long-term use of a supplement. The good news is probiotics are not likely to cause harm over the long term.
The recent popularity of achieving 'gut health', through habits dedicated to improving gut composition, has likely led to the misconception that “probiotics permanently alter your gut bacteria”. The truth is quite the opposite. Studies have shown that probiotics typically do not take up permanent residence in your gut.