Top Pros and Cons of Probiotic Supplement Pills and Powder

Antibiotics might be the most effective drugs for dealing with bacterial infections. Over the years, they have played a major role in helping people recover from bacterial infections. They, however, are associated with certain side effects. Some of these side effects are serious. Others, not too serious.

In the absence of antibiotics, lots of people will be unable to survive tuberculosis and strep. Although antibiotics can effectively keep bad bacteria away from the body, that is not all they do. They also have a negative effect on the good bacteria which are found in the gastrointestinal tract. When they carry out their effect on the gastrointestinal tract, they cause a disruption of the gut flora, ultimately leading to various complications of the gastrointestinal tract. Some of these complications result in Clostridium dilificile and AAD (antibiotic-associated diarrhea).

What are Probiotics?

Probiotics can be said to be the opposite of antibiotics. While their role in the body does not exactly oppose the activities of antibiotics, they can correct some of the side effects of antibiotics.

Probiotics are either yeast or bacteria-based and are known to be very beneficial to the gut. Over the years, it has been discovered that probiotics have the ability to bring a balance to the good and bad bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract. Since probiotics can help create a balance between the good and bad bacteria in the GI tract, they can be used in treating cases of AAD. 

When probiotics are used in treating AAD, lactobacillus probiotics can be used alone. They could also be used alongside other probiotics. While there are various probiotic supplements that can be used in treating AAD, Lactobacillus GG (Culturelle) is the most trusted.

According to a review of the effectiveness of probiotics which was carried out in 2015, there was a major reduction in AAD in children that were treated with probiotics. Furthermore, a study in which adults took drinks such as Danone or Actimel which contained probiotics on a commercial scale while they were making use of antibiotics and also a week after using antibiotics brought about a significant reduction in the likelihood of being affected with diarrhea.

Pros of Probiotic Pills and Powders

They Help with Blood Pressure

According to certain clinical trials, probiotics can be used to significantly lower blood pressure. To make use of probiotic pills and powders in lowering blood pressure, you might need to make use of them at high doses, on a daily basis, and also make use of different strains.

They Help Strengthen the Immune System

The immune system is strongly connected to the presence of certain bacterial in the gut. According to research, there are probiotic strains that help with immune responses. Furthermore, research also has it that probiotics can reduce the duration of a cold significantly. It, however, might not be strong enough to reduce its severity or help prevent it.

They Help with Oral Health

Probiotic pills and powders might be more associated with the gut. They, however, play a major role in oral health. If you are battling with bad breath, throat infections, periodontal disease, etc., probiotic gums and lozenges can come in handy in helping deal with the above-mentioned cases. 

Probiotic Pills and Powders help with Digestive Challenges

This is perhaps the most popular pro of probiotic pills. Probiotics are popular for being able to reduce diarrhea especially when it is linked to the use of antibiotics.  Probiotics can effectively reduce the length of infections such as diarrhea. In addition to reducing the length of this infection, probiotics can also significantly lower the likelihood of one being affected with diarrhea by up to 42%.

Better Digestion

Experts have made it known that ideally, humans should pass out poop about three times daily. While this might seem a little overboard, it is what is required of healthy people. A lot of people might not be able to pass out poop three times a day. If you fall into the category of people, you are considered healthy. However, you might be dealing with constipation if you are unable to pass out poop at least two times every day.

If you have having issues passing out poop, you might just need to make use of more probiotics. 

They Reduce Bloating

Bloating could signify a couple of things. One of them is slow digestion. One of the reasons slow digestion occurs is when there is an imbalance between the good and the bad bacteria in the gut. Probiotics play a major role in the digesting process. So, if you find yourself bloating very frequently, you can remedy this by taking more probiotic pills and powders.

They Help with Weight Loss

When people are trying to lose weight naturally, they are advised to feed on vegetables and fruits in huge amounts. This is because vegetables and fruits contain fiber which contains prebiotics. Prebiotics serve as food for probiotics. These probiotics are active in helping the digestive system move wastes. When left unmoved, these wastes get stored in the body as excess fat.

Since probiotics can help the digestive system move waste rapidly, they can help with natural weight loss.

Cons of Probiotic Pills and Powders

Probiotic pills and powders have lots of pros. They, however, are not suitable for everyone. When taken by people with some allergies, they could be risky. People with gluten allergy will do well not to take probiotics as lots of probiotics are known to contain gluten. 

Although they are usually labelled gluten-free, they contain traces of gluten which could spark allergies in people that are allergic to gluten.

Some probiotics might not be good enough for people that are very sensitive to yeasts. One of these probiotics is Saccharomyces boulardii (Florastor). This probiotic is very widely studied and is yeast-based. So, regardless of how effective it is, when taken by people that are very sensitive to yeasts, it could cause wanted situations. If you must use the probiotics and are yeast sensitive, you have to talk to your doctor. 

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