The benefits of probiotics are seemingly numerous and address a number of lifestyle issues. From the use of antibiotics and the contraceptive pill, and the imbalances these can cause in the intestinal microflora, to irritable bowel syndrome and diets rich in processed foods and environmental toxins, our intestines are under constant attack. Probiotics, the ‘friendly bacteria’ that live in our bodies, are outnumbered by the hostile variety, resulting in digestive disorders, infections, and colon-related diseases.
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 the emphasis on convenience rather than quality, means that many harmful practices have become the norm in the way we grow 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 in crops, all of which enter our systems. Some of this is unavoidable, like the chlorine in tap water that also kills the friendly bacteria in our body. But we have to make a conscious effort to ensure that our diets provide us with the nutrients we need rather than saturating 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 realizing 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 got 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 type of food we consume regularly, we need food supplements to effectively reintroduce them into our systems.
Probiotic supplements, like other food supplements, do have some side effects and precautions to be aware of before taking them, although they are generally quite mild. The general rule of thumb is to gradually introduce supplements into your diet: the good bacteria begin to destroy the bad bacteria in your gut, and this can result in gas, bloating, and stomach cramps for a few weeks. To minimize this, it is advisable to avoid foods rich in probiotics when you start taking supplements. Once probiotic supplements have assimilated into your system, you can start eating foods that contain them.
These side effects are known as “excessive drainage syndrome” and can also be accompanied by headaches and diarrhea. These are similar to hostile bacteria that make a ‘last stand’, so to speak, 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 are taking immunosuppressants, it is best to seek medical advice before taking probiotic supplements. Introducing these beneficial bacteria into your diet could overstimulate the immune system, causing serious problems. People with impaired immune systems or underlying health problems should also consult their doctors if they are considering taking probiotic supplements. There have been cases in which people with immune system problems got infections as a result of taking probiotic supplements.
However, in general, the main side effect that people experience is the digestive problem of excess gas and bloating when they start taking the supplements. If you’re experiencing this and it’s causing you a lot of discomfort, it might be worth reducing your dose and slowly increasing it as the friendly bacteria integrate into your system.
If you are vegan or lactose intolerant, there are rice-based probiotic supplements available.
