Probiotics generally strengthen the immune system by balancing gut bacteria, but for people with severely compromised immune systems (like those with cancer, critical illness, or premature infants), they can pose a rare risk, potentially causing infections if harmful microbes slip into supplements, or by interfering with treatments like immunotherapy.
Studies have reported minor gastrointestinal symptoms, such as abdominal cramping, nausea, soft stools, flatulence, and taste disturbance, occurring in subjects receiving probiotics.
Further exacerbating the conditions, some probiotic strains might take advantage of the weak immunity in these vulnerable groups and turn into opportunistic pathogens engendering life-threatening pneumonia, endocarditis, and sepsis.
5 things that can weaken your immune system
Probiotics do not appear to pose any safety concerns for pregnant and lactating women. Systemic absorption is rare when probiotics are used by healthy individuals, and the current literature does not indicate an increase in adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Yes. Yakult is safe to drink during pregnancy and can be consumed as part of a balanced diet. Probiotics are often recommended to assist with bowel issues associated with pregnancy.
Probiotics, particularly Lactobacillus species, contribute to vaginal health by promoting a balanced vaginal microbiome to prevent infections and maintain an acidic environment.
Five signs of a weak immune system include frequent infections, slow-healing wounds, persistent fatigue, ongoing digestive issues, and getting sick with things that last a long time, like a cold that lingers or severe infections requiring strong treatment. These indicate your body struggles to fight off pathogens or repair itself effectively.
Probiotics have been found to enhance the innate immunity and modulate pathogen-induced inflammation via toll-like receptor-regulated signaling pathways [1].
There's a small risk of adverse side effects for people with weaker immune systems. This includes people taking immunosuppressant drugs, people with critical illnesses and infants who've been born prematurely. The risk is that a probiotic product might contain a harmful type of microbe along with the helpful types.
If you have an existing health condition or a weakened immune system, you should talk to a doctor before taking any probiotic supplements.
Taking too many probiotics may cause digestive symptoms like gas, bloating, and nausea. But a large dose of probiotics is unlikely to cause dangerous side effects in healthy people. It's a good idea to work with a healthcare professional to make sure you're taking the right probiotic for you.
Over-the-counter probiotic supplements may compete with the healthy bacteria in your gut. It's best to get probiotics from the foods you eat. Probiotic foods include yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut and fermented fruits and vegetables.
Don't mix probiotics with heat or acidity
The same applies again for anything hot! We don't recommend sprinkling your probiotics into a hot bowl of porridge as the heat may also kill off some of that good bacteria.
Eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly and getting enough sleep can all strengthen your immune system. Reducing your stress levels can also boost your resistance to disease and infections. Staying up to date on vaccinations gives you the most protection against those pathogens.
Probiotics are rarely recommended for immunocompromised patients due to significant risks of infection. However, in very specific, carefully evaluated clinical situations, and under strict medical supervision, a healthcare professional might consider certain strains for particular indications.
Which probiotic is best for the immune system?
Also, infections like the flu virus, mono (mononucleosis), and measles can weaken the immune system for a brief time. Your immune system can also be weakened by smoking, alcohol, and poor nutrition.
The immune system plays a crucial role in the susceptibility, persistence, and clearance of these infections. With 70–80% of immune cells being present in the gut, there is an intricate interplay between the intestinal microbiota, the intestinal epithelial layer, and the local mucosal immune system.
An immunoglobulins blood test can help your health care provider diagnose different types of health conditions that may affect your immune system. A variety of conditions can cause abnormal levels of IgM, IgG, and/or IgA, such as: Autoimmune disorders.
Taken daily, it helps proactively support existing feminine, digestive and immune health. Probiotics are an important part of a daily dietary routine that can help improve a women's overall health and wellbeing.
The best probiotic for women depends on her specific goal (vaginal, gut, UTI health), but key strains often recommended are Lactobacillus crispatus, L. rhamnosus (GR-1), L. reuteri (RC-14), and L. acidophilus, often found in multi-strain formulas like Garden of Life or O-Positiv, with doses from 5-10 billion CFUs up to 100 billion CFUs for general wellness, always ensuring strains support individual needs like intimate health or digestion.
Antibiotics help fight infections but can also kill bacteria in your gut — both good and bad. This is especially true if you are taking high doses of antibiotics over an extended period of time. There is some research suggesting that taking probiotics and antibiotics close together might slow the gut's recovery.