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Is it possible to take too many probiotics?

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Posted 4/26/2010 11:12 AM (GMT 0)
Hi everyone,

I was taking ultimate flora (recommended by my naturopath) for the last few months, and then added VSL #3 into the mix about 45 days ago. I also started to take Ultra Flora Plus a few days ago, since it may have strands the others don't.

I was wondering if it's possible I am taking too many probiotics, and if this may be causing me some gas/ bloating /mucus recently,

Thanks so much, i love this forum :-)
Posted 4/26/2010 12:46 PM (GMT 0)
I think we, individually, might have various strains of probiotics that don't agree with us, or that might be too much for us.
Last spring, when I started VSL, when I tried two packets a day I felt queasy. But since January I've been using the VSL DS - which is the equivalent of two packets - and, no queasies or gas or anything, and it's helping a lot. (Maybe the fact that last spring I had the lemon flavored... something in the flavor additives didn't agree..? Although I do not tend to have many food/additive sensitivities.)
I think we each need to experiment.
And, as with so many aspects of this disease, I have found that what's true for me at one point might not be true for me at another point.
Posted 4/26/2010 1:02 PM (GMT 0)
It's not harmful but it's a waste of money. Excess probiotics are just eliminated through waste. And excess probiotics could definitely cause increased gas and bloating.

Sue
Posted 4/26/2010 6:48 PM (GMT 0)
I have experienced this with different probiotics, and have had to play around with finding ones that see to work well for me. But my acupuncturist thinks that for some (not all), having all of that gas and bloating and feeling crummy might be yeast die off in the gut, and that actually the probiotic is helping get rid of excess yeast.

I have no idea how you figure out if you are one of those people who actually do have yeast overgrowth (well, I know there are questionnaires and such), but I guess that is also a possibility. But overall, I think some probiotics just don't agree with some people.
Posted 4/26/2010 7:08 PM (GMT 0)
I'm pretty quick to stop something if it makes me feel worse. I've also heard about "die off" giving bad symptoms for a couple days.

I started with a Lactobacillus probiotic pill delivered refrigerated because we want those little buggers alive don't we? I took it faithfully for 2 months but couldn't tell if it was helping or not. It wasn't hurting.

Anyway I read so much positive about VSL#3 on this and other forums that I decided to give it a go and dropped the first pill in favor of VSL#3 packet. Started out half a packet for the first 2 days and no problems, I even thought it was an improvement. Since then I've been taking 1 full packet ever morning half an hour before eating. My opinion is that it gave me the final boost into "normal" which I have not had in 10 years. This is the truth.

Is VSL#3 the "cure"? No, I had already gotten 80-90% better through gluten-free, dairy-free, fructose-free, grain-free SCD adherence and was looking for that final step. VSL is not SCD approved. They only approve a simple Lacto. acidophilus probiotic, no other strains.

Can you take too many probiotics? Yes, in the sense that you won't know which if any are not good for you by taking too many. I am a believer in testing one thing at a time. UC is amazingly difficult to nail down. Took me 10 years to get a simple remission. I suggest keeping it simple.
Posted 4/26/2010 8:26 PM (GMT 0)
jb2-I took eights packets (well four DS) of the VSL for about a month or so. It helped tremendously. I may not have needed it, but like you said, money is a secondary consideration to help and quality of life. I'm down to one packet per day now of the DS.
Posted 4/27/2010 6:44 PM (GMT 0)
Like all have said, I think it is an individual call for each of us. The other consideration is that not all probiotics are the same... some are easier on the tum than others (if Lactob. is too strong, some people work up to it with L. Infant., etc). Also, some brands are mainly lactob. when perhaps your Bifid. is what is low, and so on.

Personally, I use varied brands to mix it up - but I don't take more than what "normal" people would so that I don't totally whack myself. Even though I'm not practicing it, I do agree with Imagardener and JB's comments about introducing new things carefully.

Oh, while on topic, I do take occasional Sach. Boulardi (which is sold as a probiotic, though apparently it is really a yeast?) because it is one of the only ones which function to prevent C. Diff from taking hold on your intestinal walls. Muy importante for me as C-Diff bodyslammed me and tried to keep me down for the count.

So, without a degree in this stuff (counting on you, Malkavian!!), it is very confusing. Research as much as you can, and check in carefully with your reactions. I dread keeping a journal (some kind of mental block), but it really can be helpful in this area.
Posted 2/14/2014 7:55 PM (GMT 0)
I've had some major stomach aches lately. I think it was the stomach flu. I had egg burps and vomiting at night from acid reflux. I started taking a super Probiotic and I noticed immediate positive results! I have no pains and can sleep through the night without antacids. Thank you JESUS for guiding me to this simple product. I think if you feel queazy from it it's because the bad bacteria is dying off and can produce a smell.
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