Are probiotic supplements safe?

Probiotics are friendly bacteria that will bring health benefits after consumption. They are often used as supplements and are believed to help the intestinal flora to reproduce good microorganisms. You may be wondering whether probiotic supplements are safe and whether probiotic supplements really help our health. Let us keep reading to learn more.

1. What are probiotics?

Probiotics are living microorganisms that can promote health when consumed in sufficient amounts. There are many different types, and you can get them from food or supplements.

Probiotics are living microorganisms that are beneficial to health when ingested. Probiotics are usually bacteria, but certain types of yeast can also act as probiotics. There are other microorganisms in the gut that are being studied, including viruses, fungi, archaea and worms. You can get probiotics from supplements and foods prepared by fermentation of bacteria. Probiotic foods include yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut and kimchi. Probiotics should not be confused with prebiotics, which are carbohydrates-usually dietary fiber-that help feed friendly bacteria that already exist in the gut. Products that contain both prebiotics and probiotics are called synbiotics. Synbiotic products usually combine friendly bacteria with some edible foods (prebiotics), all of which are added to a supplement.

It has been found that different probiotics can solve different health conditions. Therefore, it is very important to choose the correct one or more probiotics. Some supplements, called broad-spectrum probiotics or multi-probiotics, combine different species in the same product. Taking probiotics is good for health.

2. Should I give my child probiotic supplements?

You may wonder, are probiotics suitable for people of all ages? Can children take probiotic supplements? If you are interested in adding probiotic supplements to your diet, it is worth discussing with your healthcare provider.

Probiotics can be beneficial to both adults and children. If your child has a disease that requires antibiotic treatment, taking probiotics can help shorten symptoms. Probiotics can also help relieve children's constipation, acid reflux, diarrhea, gas and eczema.

Introducing probiotics into a child's diet through food is usually a safe way to administer probiotics. Foods such as yogurt and cheese are usually part of a balanced diet and can add good bacteria without too much risk.

There are probiotic supplements specifically designed for babies and children. However, before giving your child any probiotic supplements or changing your child's diet to include foods rich in probiotics, be sure to talk to your child's pediatrician.

3. Conclusion

Maintaining a healthy gut is more than just taking probiotics. Daily diet and exercise are equally important, because many lifestyle factors affect gut bacteria.

In short, probiotic supplements may bring multiple benefits with few side effects. Therefore, if you are interested in improving your gut health, you can give it a try.

Be sure to contact your healthcare provider first to ensure that you are trying the correct strain at the correct dose and avoid any side effects.

Maybe you want to know if your specific disease can benefit from probiotics. If so, you may want to consult the World Gastroenterology Organization Global Guidelines. It lists probiotics, symptoms and recommended dosages.

Probiotics are generally considered safe. However, supplements have some risks. These risks increase if you have medical conditions that weaken the immune system, have had surgery recently, or have other serious medical conditions. Therefore, patients must consult relevant physicians before using probiotic supplements to prevent drug allergies.

When starting with probiotics, it is always recommended to proceed with caution. Make sure to use reputable probiotic supplement products, start slowly and get good advice from trusted healthcare practitioners.