• It is possible to accept as well many probiotics, though a harmful overdose isn't likely.
  • Common side furnishings of taking too many probiotics can include bloating, gas, and nausea.
  • Those with a weakened allowed system should consult a doctor earlier taking probiotics.
  • Visit Insider'due south Wellness Reference library for more than advice.

Some doctors may suggest incorporating probiotics into your daily supplement routine – but is information technology possible to take also much?

In that location are trillions of bacteria already living in our gut that are associated with good and bad health. The theory behind taking probiotics is that they may foster the growth of good for you bacteria in the gut and better wellness, but research is still mixed on the benefits.

That said, in the traditional sense of the discussion, you can't "overdose" on probiotics to the point where you suffer dangerous side furnishings or death. There haven't been any accounts of such occurrences, says Ashkan Farhadi, MD, MS, FACP, gastroenterologist, and director of MemorialCare Medical Group'southward Digestive Affliction Center.

Here'south what y'all need to know about the complexity behind probiotic dosage and what can happen if yous take more than an average dose.

Taking besides many probiotics can crusade mild discomfort

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

"Some research has shown that using more bacteria may, in fact, counteract [the positive furnishings of probiotics]. If the bacteria get to the food before u.s.a., they can plow information technology into gas," says Farhadi. On summit of excess gas, you might experience bloating or a generally upset stomach. Diarrhea can also occur, only that's virtually as bad as it gets.

Side effects, most normally gas, may also occur when someone outset starts taking probiotics, as their gut may experience some changes in bacteria levels. Usually, though, if someone is taking an average dose, these side effects should clothing off soon, once the body adjusts.

Probiotics tin can be dangerous for some people

People at higher run a risk for adverse effects, similar infection, of taking as well many probiotics are those with serious illnesses or weakened immune systems, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health.

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

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

There is no "right dose" of probiotics

The average dose of probiotic supplements is 1 to 10 billion colony forming units (CFU) according to the National Institutes of Health.

Most probiotics on the market have this amount, though you lot may see products that claim to have up to 50 billion CFU. Yet, there's no concrete inquiry that says what the most effective dosage is, says Farhadi.

"This is kind of uncharted territory. Well-nigh of our knowledge nigh probiotics is non pharmaceutically scientific or chemically scientific, and it's a petty chip 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.

Nonetheless, if yous are taking probiotics to deal with the uncomfortable furnishings of antibiotics , in that location is some evidence that a higher dose of certain probiotics might help abate the side-upshot of diarrhea. In a modest 2010 written report, published in the American Journal of Gastroenterology, patients who were given ii capsules of probiotic, each containing 50 billion CFU, had fewer instances of antibody-induced diarrhea than patients who were given one capsule or no probiotic at all.

At that place is no way to know what dose you are taking

The probiotic supplement marketplace is relatively unregulated, so information technology's hard to know how many CFUs nosotros actually are consuming when we have probiotics in pill form. Moreover, information technology'southward difficult to know if the organisms in those probiotics are even still live and capable of doing their job, or if they're expressionless and useless. Even if the bacteria are live, there's a question about whether they tin can survive one time inside your gut.

If y'all are getting your probiotics from foods similar store-bought yogurt, in that location are also very few ways to exist sure that you are consuming a significant dose of good leaner. 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 pregnant effect on the dosage of CFU. Many of the beneficial microbes could have perished earlier you lot consume the yogurt.

Insider'due south takeaway

Taking too many probiotics won't cause any dangerous side effects or death, but information technology tin cause uncomfortable symptoms like gas, bloating, and upset stomach. Yet, people with severe disease or who are immunocompromised should consult with a doctor before taking probiotics.

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

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

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