• It is possible to take likewise many probiotics, though a harmful overdose isn't likely.
  • Common side effects of taking as well many probiotics can include bloating, gas, and nausea.
  • Those with a weakened immune organization should consult a dr. before taking probiotics.
  • Visit Insider'southward Health Reference library for more advice.

Some doctors may propose incorporating probiotics into your daily supplement routine – but is it possible to take too much?

There are trillions of leaner already living in our gut that are associated with skillful and bad health. The theory behind taking probiotics is that they may foster the growth of healthy bacteria in the gut and improve wellness, just research is still mixed on the benefits.

That said, in the traditional sense of the discussion, you lot can't "overdose" on probiotics to the bespeak where you lot endure unsafe side effects or death. At that place oasis't been any accounts of such occurrences, says Ashkan Farhadi, Physician, MS, FACP, gastroenterologist, and director of MemorialCare Medical Grouping's Digestive Illness Middle.

Here'due south what you need to know almost the complication behind probiotic dosage and what can happen if you have more than an average dose.

Taking as well many probiotics tin cause mild discomfort

Taking more than than a usual dose — 1 to 10 billion colony forming units (CFUs) — of probiotics doesn't necessarily mean amend results and, instead, might provoke some mildly uncomfortable side effects.

"Some research has shown that using more bacteria may, in fact, counteract [the positive effects of probiotics]. If the leaner get to the food before us, they can plough information technology into gas," says Farhadi. On superlative of excess gas, you might feel bloating or a by and large upset tummy. Diarrhea can as well occur, only that'south about every bit bad as it gets.

Side effects, most normally gas, may besides occur when someone beginning starts taking probiotics, equally their gut may feel some changes in bacteria levels. Usually, though, if someone is taking an average dose, these side furnishings should habiliment off soon, one time the body adjusts.

Probiotics tin can exist dangerous for some people

People at college risk for agin effects, like infection, of taking besides many probiotics are those with serious illnesses or weakened allowed systems, according to the National Middle for Complementary and Integrative Health.

If you autumn into either of those categories, information technology's important to consult your doctor before taking probiotics.

Researchers haven't pinpointed exactly what an effective dose of probiotics is, or which probiotics are well-nigh beneficial.
Michelle Lee Photography/Getty Images

In that location is no "right dose" of probiotics

The boilerplate dose of probiotic supplements is 1 to 10 billion colony forming units (CFU) co-ordinate to the National Institutes of Health.

Most probiotics on the marketplace have this amount, though you may run across products that claim to have up to 50 billion CFU. However, there's no concrete research that says what the near constructive dosage is, says Farhadi.

"This is kind of uncharted territory. About of our knowledge near probiotics is non pharmaceutically scientific or chemically scientific, and it's a piffling bit different from other medications," he says. For these reasons, researchers don't know exactly which probiotics and what the effective dose is for health benefits.

Notwithstanding, if you lot are taking probiotics to bargain with the uncomfortable effects of antibiotics , there is some testify that a college dose of sure probiotics might help allay the side-effect of diarrhea. In a small-scale 2010 study, published in the American Periodical of Gastroenterology, patients who were given two capsules of probiotic, each containing l billion CFU, had fewer instances of antibiotic-induced diarrhea than patients who were given one capsule or no probiotic at all.

In that location is no way to know what dose you are taking

The probiotic supplement market place is relatively unregulated, then it'south difficult to know how many CFUs we actually are consuming when we have probiotics in pill course. Moreover, it'southward hard to know if the organisms in those probiotics are even still alive and capable of doing their job, or if they're dead and useless. Even if the bacteria are live, at that place'due south a question nigh whether they can survive once inside your gut.

If you are getting your probiotics from foods like store-bought yogurt, there are also very few ways to be sure that you are consuming a significant dose of practiced bacteria. The conditions that the yogurt is stored in down the supply chain, the temperature of your refrigerator, and the strain of probiotic that the yogurt contains all have a meaning effect on the dosage of CFU. Many of the beneficial microbes could have perished before you consume the yogurt.

Insider's takeaway

Taking too many probiotics won't cause any unsafe side furnishings or decease, but information technology can cause uncomfortable symptoms similar gas, bloating, and upset stomach. However, people with severe illness or who are immunocompromised should consult with a dr. before taking probiotics.

Researchers haven't pinpointed exactly what an effective dose of probiotics is, or which probiotics are most beneficial. Information technology is also difficult to know what size dose y'all're taking due to the unregulated supplement market and perishability of probiotic foods.

Overall, to take a safe and healthy amount of probiotics, it'south a good idea to talk with your doctor about what's right for you lot.

Ashley Laderer is a freelance writer from New York who specializes in wellness and health. Follow her on Twitter @ashladerer