Can you take too much Probiotics? What’s the right Dosage?

In the administration of any drugs or supplements, dosage is a very vital aspect that you need to cater for. When you take or administer the drugs or supplement, dosage features in two main forms.

First is the frequency of use. This is reflected in the number of times you take the drug. For instance in a day (which equates to 24 hrs.), should you take it once, twice, thrice?

Failure to take it up to the recommended frequency would lead to an under dose. Consequently, taking it beyond the recommended frequency would qualify as an overdose.

On the same breath, the number or quantity of supplement that one takes per intake also has an impact on dosage.

This reflects in, for instance, when one is taking capsule probiotic supplements, if they take two capsules yet its recommended three, they under dose, if they take four they overdose.

The notion that supplements are only supposed to be beneficial leads to the question of “what is the optimal dosage that leads to the realization of these benefits?”

Can you take too much Probiotics? How much is too much?

While it is critical to observe accurate dosage for most medicines, Probiotics seem to deviate from the norm.

Most research indicates that there exists no consensus on the dosing that should be observed.

However, it is also noteworthy, as indicated by Pasha Gurevich that if you ingest too much good bacteria, it can lead to minor side effects such as upset stomach and diarrhoea.

This would only happen if you were not in an antibiotic medication. However, if your immunity capacity is greatly reduced, there is a risk of getting other side effects, which may be severe.

For instance, probiotic sepsis, which is and overwhelming immune response to bacterial infection. Thought not agreed on its fatality when it happens, it caused by probiotic overdose.

On the same note, other researchers indicate that there is difficulty in overdosing on good bacteria. This is motivated by the fact that already the body has high numbers of good bacteria in the body.

Estimated to be around 100 trillion bacteria. However, just the mild symptoms such as bloating and flatulence, though they indicate that the probiotics are functioning, if persistent, they act as a danger sign and medical help should be sought in that case.

Probiotics Dosage-How much Probiotics should I take?

In determining the amount of probiotics that you should take, it is vital to first evaluate your health status. For instance, are you on any antibiotic medication.

If so, then you need to time the probiotic intake to coincide with at least 2 hours after you have the antibiotic medication.

According to Nancy Toedter Williams on the American Journal of Health-systems pharmacy, the dosage varies mainly depending on the product and the specific indication of the manufacturer.

Further, the dosage is determined by the quantity, quality and purity of the microorganisms that the manufacturer avails.

Another contributing factor is your body’s immune system. The better it is, the more effective the dosage would function.

Probiotics dosage for weight loss

There has been studies that have been investigating the role of probiotics in weight loss. A study conducted by Peter Jones, University of Manitoba in Canada indicated that probiotics can have an impact in the loss of weight. It is more targeted to the belly fat.

The findings indicated that the probiotics interfered with the normal absorption of all calories by the body and led to the calories going out of the tailpipe. This leaves the body with less calories that could be deposited in the abdomen as fat deposits. The net effect is weight loss.

Probiotics dosage for children & adults

Children who are new-borns and infants need special attention in the determination of their dosage.

The use of a pediatrician is key in determining dosage. There are forms of probiotics that can aid in diaper rash, but at the same time, there are those forms that before taking, should the child be on antibiotics, it would not be advisable. As such, there is need to seek the doctor’s advice on both the dosage and strain to avail to a child.

Adults too have varying needs. If you intend to avail to an adult, (or consume), your health status is vital in this determination.

Packet inserts would normally indicate the strain as well as the dosage requirements. Researchers at the University of Maryland Medical Centre indicate that, as a general guide, take 1 – 2 billion colony forming units per day.

Probiotics dosage with antibiotics and after taking antibiotics

Antibiotics when ingested target to kill the harmful bacteria in the body. Unfortunately, this also leads to the death of the good bacteria.

When this happens, the ratio of the good to bad bacteria is tilted and can result in diarrhea. You may use probiotics to aid in the restoration of the bacteria in the gut.

However, this needs some caution. For instance, there is need to take the probiotics at least 2 hours after ingesting the antibacterial.

Secondly, you need to follow the manufacturer’s advice on the number of capsules for instance to take per day so as to lead to a good gut re-colonization.

Probiotics Dosage for Diarrhea & Yeast Infection

In handling gastro intestinal infections in humans, it has been identified that the use of probiotics can lead to being relieved.

In some instances, as the University of Maryland Medical center notes, it can be used to prevent diarrhea.

Should you be affected, the quantity of supplements that you proceed to dose yourself on will also depend on the product’s strains that the manufacturer avails.

The packet inserts normally indicate how many capsules for instance one may need to take per day to remain healthy. Lactobacillus GG, probiotics for instance are identified by researchers to handle infectious diarrhea.

Yeast infections emanate from the fact that the bacteria that aids in their avoidance are not present.

They may be killed by toxins that may result from prescriptions availed and ingested that have an effect on their habitable environment.

Yeast Infection adviser identifies that the most common probiotic yeast infection treatments would have around 500 million to 10 billion live cells by the time they are manufactured.

References