Excessive Probiotics Causes Severe Abdominal Pain and Bloating In A Young Man; What Is The Right Amount To Take?

A 33-year-old man with gut issues like acute abdominal pain, bloating, constipation, and loose motions was diagnosed with excessive probiotic intake, which left him with more digestive trProbiotics are helpful bacteria that support gut health and are usually safe to take. However, excessive intake can cause complications, which include gastric dysfunction.

According to wellness coach Luke Coutinho, the abdominal tests of the patient, like endoscopy and colonoscopy, were done and his H. pylori came out “clean. ” However, the patient could not find any relief as he was administered heavy antacids and digestive enzymes. He also lost a lot of weight and experienced a lot of fatigue and could not even exercise,” Coutinho wrote in an Instagram post.

However, thorough medical investigations found that the probiotics he had been taking for the last five months were causing him trouble. "This young man had read some articles about probiotics and their impact on gut health, fat loss, and better digestion. He had started with a supplement at 50 billion cfu…after a month, he increased it to 100 million cfu…he was on this for five months in a row and increased the dose from 1 to 2 when he started to have abdominal pain and bloating,” he wrote.

According to Coutinho, when the probiotics were stopped, all the symptoms disappeared within a week.

Experts say probiotics contribute live, beneficial microbes to the populations within your gut to strengthen it. They also help prevent and treat dysbiosis—an imbalance or a deficit of beneficial microbes in your microbiome. When the probiotics work, the microbes take up residence on or in your body, adding to the populations already living there.

Since probiotics are not regulated by the FDA, manufacturers usually do not prove the quality or even the contents of their products. And so, it is always better to consult a doctor about which probiotics might work best for your needs, along with their quantity. Experts say many people take a daily probiotic supplement to maintain their general wellness, but it should be consumed only if you are prone to gut health issues and you notice it helps.

You can also take probiotics in less concentrated quantities naturally from fermented foods and drinks like:

• Yogurt and kefir
• Cottage cheese
• Miso soup
• Kombucha
• Sauerkraut or kimchi
• Pickles

Benefits of probiotics other than your gut

Doctors say many probiotic products are formulated with beneficial bacteria and yeasts for the purpose of preventing or recovering from bacterial or yeast infections in your different body parts, including:

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