Can Probiotics Cause Constipation?

Antoinette A.
Causes
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First off, in order to answer the question: “ Can Probiotics cause Constipation ?” let’s just recap on what exactly constipation is: constipation is a condition where the contents of the intestines have become too hard to have a normal stool. Constipation can cause various constipation related conditions such as cramps, gas, abdominal pain, hemorrhoids, etc. Constipation is caused by stress, an incorrect diet, a lack of exercise, etc.

Exploring the Top Probiotic Supplements of 2023 for Optimal Gut Health

What Are Probiotics? | Can Probiotics Cause Constipation:

Can-probiotics-cause-Constipation

Once again, in order to answer the question: “Can Probiotics cause Constipation?” let’s first establish what exactly probiotics are:

Probiotics are good to live bacteria that help to keep the balance of micro-organisms in your gut correct. Without a good balance between good and bad bacteria in your gut, the bad bacteria will take over and cause various undesirable conditions such as indigestion, constipation and various other conditions.

Certain probiotics supply the intestines with healthy digestion-friendly bacteria that helps with digestion. These probiotics also reduce bothersome gastrointestinal problems. They can, therefore, improve the health of the gastrointestinal tract and reduce the duration and severity of constipation, so probiotics do not cause constipation, they can actually be used as a treatment for constipation.

A bad balance of gut organisms can cause a condition called “Leaky gut”. This means that the inner lining of the stomach and intestines loses the ability to keep bad bacteria out of the bloodstream. The bad bacteria then penetrates the bloodstream and causes various conditions such as inflammation of the joints, auto-immune disease, etc.

A healthy gut balance keeps this from happening. We need probiotics in order to keep our gut balance correct in order to prevent “leaky gut” so bad bacteria can be kept out of our system. In order to restore a healthy gut balance, we need to eat foods that contain probiotic bacteria. There are also various food supplements that contain probiotics.

A good start would be to eat a regular daily portion of probiotic yogurt. Beware of eating just any yogurt, since most yogurts on the market today do not contain live active bacteria. Bacteria in yogurt need to be alive to form colonies within your gut.

Sources of Probiotics:

Probiotic Yoghurt, probiotic yogurt is yogurt that was made by adding specific strains of probiotic bacteria to milk, and allowed that natural process of fermentation taking place in order to let the yogurt form. For yogurt to be marketed as “probiotic”, no preservative should be present in the yogurt, as preservatives are called “preservatives” because they kill bacteria. This is one case where bacteria should be allowed to do their thing, without hindering them. Yogurt without live active cultures as in fat useless, and should not be allowed to be given to people who have to recover from a course of anti-biotics.

Antibiotics kill all bacteria, not just the bad bacteria, and should be avoided as far as possible when treating children for illnesses.

Kefir, What is Kefir?

Kefir is fermented milk. A specific probiotic culture is used to start the process, and from then on all that is necessary to make your own Kefir is to keep some of the Kefir that you have made using the culture, and then use that to make the net batch of Kefir.

Kefir is high in nutrients and probiotics and is extremely good for your gut health. Many people consider it to be healthier than Yoghurt. Kefir is high in protein, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and vitamins B2 & B12.

Kefir is more powerful than yogurt, it has powerful anti-bacterial properties and it can strengthen the bone structure. It may also protect against cancer. The probiotics in Kefir helps with various digestive problems. People experiencing lactose intolerance can handle Kefir well because the probiotic transforms lactose into lactic acid. Kefir also helps with allergies.

Sauerkraut, What is Sauerkraut?

Sauerkraut is another probiotic that has many health benefits. It is made by shredding cabbage and adding salt, then packing it into airtight and leaving to ferment. Like other probiotics, Sauerkraut helps with gut health and is, therefore, effective against leaky gut syndrome.

The benefits of sauerkraut include lowering the risk of:

Brain disorders; mental illness; leaky gut syndrome and other digestive disorders such as ulcerative colitis and IBS; mood disorders such as depression and anxiety; cancer; asthma; hormonal imbalances; Food allergies; food sensitivities; diabetes; obesity; autoimmune diseases; Alzheimer’s Disease; Parkinson’s Disease.

After observing all these benefits of probiotics one cannot say that probiotics cause constipation. Because it does NOT cause constipation.

Side effects of Probiotics | Can Probiotics Cause Constipation:

For probiotics, side effects can be a signal that the treatment with antibiotics is working. Most people don’t have any side effects, except more energy and more effective gut health. There are those (especially those whose gut bacteria has been out of whack for a while) whose existing problems that can actually be aggravated.

Unfortunately, this aspect of probiotics is not properly discussed when people buy probiotics over the counter, and that is unfortunate because people can become disheartened and discontinue the probiotics and so aggravate the situation again. Many people that observe the aggravated status of their symptoms conclude that probiotics do not work for them as they were told it would, but it actually just makes matters worse. Consequently, they discontinue taking the product before it actually has a chance to help them. They then continue living with the misperception that probiotics can cause constipation, while that is at all true. Probiotics is a completely natural part of a healthy gut, and probiotic products WILL improve your gut health and WILL effectively treat your constipation.

It is important to understand, if you are having probiotic side effects, while the symptoms may be inconvenient, hard to accept and somewhat embarrassing, they will not last forever. It is advisable to carry on using the probiotics until you see a difference.

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