Many live strains of micro organisms boast a long history of being used as probiotics MINUS the health setbacks and disadvantages brought by conventional medicine.
So that means taking probiotics is safe regardless of how much I take, right?
WRONG! You see, the safety of probiotics is yet to be studied thoroughly and scientifically. Even the most enthusiastic fans of probiotics and probiotic supplements would agree that more information and tests are needed to see if it’s safe for kids, elder people, people who are suffering from compromised immune system to take probiotics on a regular basis.
A Look At The Side Effects
Probiotics side effects: if they do occur, they are very mild and they usually involve one’s digestive system. True, there are more serious effects BUT they are very rare. According to some theories, probiotics could cause infections that need to be treated with antibiotics. That’s especially true for people who are already suffering from other health conditions.
Along with that, taking probiotics without taking any precaution could also cause unhealthy metabolic activities. Too much stimulation of the immune system, gene transfer (this is the insertion of genetic material into a cell) – these are just some of the not so good activities that uninhibited taking of probiotics could lead to.
Here are some things you may want to consider:
(A) If you are thinking about using probiotic supplements for a treatment of a certain condition, you should consult your health care provider first. Probiotic supplements are NOT supervised by the FDA so it should NOT be used in place of conventional medical care…BUT to make conventional treatment even more effective.
(B) Effects of one of the species or strains of probiotics do NOT necessarily hold true for its brothers and cousins. Matter of fact, the way your prepare the same strain or specie could alter its health benefits and effects.
(C) Once you experience something that concerns you after taking a probiotic product or supplement, you should stop it and contact your health care provider right away!
Now, get this – there is no reason to be alarmed. Probiotics, without a doubt, are crucial for maintaining our health in good shape. Matter of fact, we were born with them and they perform a lot of essential functions such as:
(A) Keeping the gastro intestinal tract too hostile and acidic for pathogens to handle.
(B) Makes the digestion and absorption of nutrients easier and faster.
(C) Strengthens the immune system and those are just to name a few!
Additionally, there are many on going studies around the globe that look at the health benefits brought by these friendly and live micro organisms:
(A) At the Tulane University School Of Public Health And Tropical Medicine, investigators are looking at and studying the effectiveness of probiotics when it comes to treating diarrhea in undernourished kids.
(B) On the other hand, at the Mayo Clinic College Of Medicine, many researchers are checking out probiotics for possibly lowering the levels of different substances in urine that can cause kidney problems.
(C) Along with that, there is a team in Tufts New England Medical Center looking at the possibility of treating antibiotic resistant types of bacteria by using probiotics. This would be of great use for those people suffering severe infections, hospitalized, living in nursing homes, or burdened with a compromised immune system.