My diarrhea got worse after taking probiotics… Should I stop taking them?

If taking probiotics, known to be beneficial for the intestinal environment, worsens intestinal problems like abdominal pain, diarrhea, or constipation, it's best to discontinue use. Brain fog, which causes dizziness, and in severe cases, even sepsis, can occur.

 

Lactic acid bacteria are a type of bacteria that break down sugars and produce lactic acid. When taken by healthy individuals, they suppress the growth of harmful intestinal bacteria, improve the intestinal environment, and facilitate smooth bowel movements. However, if certain types or amounts of bacteria are not suitable, or if there are underlying medical conditions, side effects may occur.

 

In particular, those with Crohn's disease or leaky gut syndrome, cancer, immunosuppressants, and small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) should avoid probiotics. In Crohn's disease and leaky gut syndrome, the intestinal lining is unhealthy. Loose or gapping tissue can allow bacteria to penetrate through these gaps and travel to other organs, including the blood vessels.

 

At this time, bacteria can invade the bloodstream and circulate throughout the body, leading to bacteremia, and sepsis, which can cause damage to major organs due to inflammatory responses caused by bacteremia. Cancer patients and those taking immunosuppressants should also refrain from taking probiotics, as their immune systems are weakened by chemotherapy or immunosuppressant use. Since probiotics are also bacteria,

 

In people with weakened immune systems, if the number of lactic acid bacteria in the body becomes excessive, they can act like normal bacteria and cause infection. The risk of developing the condition is particularly high for those who have had a tube inserted (such as a central venous catheter) for drug administration. Patients with small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SIBO) are also advised to avoid probiotics. The small intestine is very active and undergoes active digestion, making it difficult for bacteria to survive. Most intestinal bacteria reside in the large intestine.

 

However, if there are too many bacteria in the colon or if the small intestine's movement is reduced, small intestinal bacterial overgrowth (SBI) can occur, causing excessive bacterial growth within the small intestine. If you also consume probiotics in this situation, the bacteria will not reach the colon and will remain in the small intestine, causing a large amount of gaseous metabolites and worsening intestinal problems.

 

An overabundance of bacteria in the small intestine increases blood levels of D-lactic acid produced by these bacteria, which can trigger brain fog symptoms. In fact, research has shown that one in two people with brain fog suffer from small intestinal overgrowth. All of these individuals were found to have taken probiotic supplements for a long period of time.

Probiotics are known to be particularly helpful for patients with irritable bowel syndrome (a complex condition that causes systemic symptoms such as diarrhea, constipation, abdominal pain, bloating, frequent burping, general fatigue, headaches, and insomnia due to poor gut health).

 

In fact, a research team led by Professor Kim Joo-sung of the Department of Gastroenterology at Seoul National University Hospital found that when patients took 13 billion probiotics three times a day for eight weeks, their symptoms significantly improved. If patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) who took probiotics and their symptoms did not improve or worsened after two weeks of observation, it is safe to discontinue use and seek medical attention. There have been rare reports of serious side effects, such as worsening of inflammatory conditions.

 

If you experience temporary loose stools or harder stools than usual at the beginning of taking probiotics, it is okay to wait a little longer to see how things go.

Meanwhile, if you want to increase the effectiveness of consuming probiotics, it is recommended to eat foods rich in dietary fiber such as fruits and vegetables, or consume 'prebiotics', which serve as food for lactic acid bacteria.

 

 

My diarrhea got worse after taking probiotics… Should I stop taking them? © Provided by: Health Chosun