6 Circumstances When You Should Avoid Probiotics

There's plenty of information out there on who probiotics can help. For example, research shows that probiotics can provide relief from gut-related conditions like:

• IBS or SIBO
• Ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease
• Celiac disease

The same goes for other problems like helping fix a leaky gut or improving food sensitivities and intolerances.

But that begs the question: When should you NOT take probiotics?

There are a few situations when taking probiotics may actually be harmful. In these situations, there may be a probiotic contraindication, meaning the probiotics wouldn't mix well if you have a certain condition or are taking a specific type of medication.

What you'll learn in this post:

• What are probiotics and why they're important
• When to not take probiotics
• Who should be getting their probiotics custom-made
• Can probiotics have any side effects?

What is a Probiotic?

Probiotics are live microorganisms (bacteria and some yeast) that increase the number of good bacteria in your gut. You can get probiotics through supplements or whole foods like yogurt (make sure it contains live cultures), sauerkraut, kimchi, miso, kefir, tempeh, and kombucha.

Probiotics lead the way for not only promoting good gut health but overall health too. Having a rich set of diverse and healthy gut bacteria is not only important for gut health but your overall health.

For example, did you know that 90% of your body's serotonin gets made in your gut? Or that your gut houses 70% of your immune system? Gut health also plays an important role in skin health. So much so that a healthy gut is said to be the key to clearer skin.

To sum things up, gut health is a reflection of overall health. And as beneficial as probiotics are for achieving optimal gut health, there are going to be certain instances when you should not take probiotics due to potential contraindications.

What Is a Contraindication?

A contraindication occurs when you should avoid a particular treatment (such as probiotics) because of some other medical situation, condition, or drug you're already taking. Now, let's go over some probiotic contraindications.

When Should You Not Take Probiotics?

Compared to other supplements or products, the probiotic contraindications list isn't that long. If any of the following applies to you, then we recommend holding off to prevent any adverse probiotic interactions:

• You're in your last trimester of pregnancy
• You're undergoing cancer treatment like radiation therapy, chemotherapy, or the like.
• You've had a recent surgery
• Your immune system is suppressed
• You're currently in the ICU
• You have MCAS (Mast cell activation syndrome) or histamine sensitivity

Who Should Get Their Probiotics Custom-Made?

Due to the severity of health issues and the potential for gut dysbiosis (i.e. an imbalanced gut that can cause inflammation, weaken the immune system, and result in various diseases and disorders), we highly recommend going with custom-made probiotics that can be tailored to fit your unique situation if any on the list below apply to you:

• Severe IBS
• Histamine sensitivity
• Mast cell activation syndrome (MCAS)
• Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections (PANDAS)
• Are very sensitive to supplements
• Have IBD like Crohn's disease or ulcerative colitis
• Diagnosed as being on the autism spectrum
• Sensitive to most foods

Do Probiotics Have Any Side Effects?

If you've determined that you're able to take probiotics, what can you expect? Are there any side effects that you should look for?

Typically, taking probiotics won't have very many side effects. In fact, a lot of people won't experience any adverse side effects from taking probiotics. If you do end up experiencing any side effects, they may be die-off symptoms. They're usually mild as your gut takes time to adjust to the new probiotic regimen.

Side effects of probiotics can include mild symptoms, like:

• Gas
• Bloating
• Diarrhea

Fortunately, most mild symptoms typically subside after about a week or so. And a lot of people who take probiotics will tell you that the long-term benefits far exceed any short term symptoms.

Should You Take Probiotics?

Whether you suffer from a condition like IBS, need help fixing a leaky gut, or want to improve your tolerance for certain foods, probiotics have been shown to be beneficial for providing relief. But keep in mind there are going to be certain situations when you should not take probiotics. This includes if you have certain serious illnesses, are in your last trimester of pregnancy, or you're immunocompromised.

Also, there are certain instances when you should look into getting your probiotics custom-made, such as if you have severe IBS, have many food intolerances, or are very sensitive to supplements, just to name a few.

Floré Personalized Probiotics are designed to fit your individual gut profile. By analyzing the trillions of microbes in your gut microflora, we come up with a one-of-a-kind custom-made formula for your gut health needs. Our probiotics are designed to treat a variety of issues—from bloating, constipation, and abdominal pain to SIBO, leaky gut, and a whole lot more!