Acidophilus Effects

Question: I just started taking liquid acidophilus for Ibs and I am getting side effects are these normal? I have chronic Diarrhea and other issues due to digestive problems,so I started taking acidophilus a few days ago,I have noticed allot more gas then usual and really bad heartburn,I am also getting headaches is this normal with acidophilus?What is going on here??Am I taking too much possibly?am I allergic???

Answer: It's normal when you first start taking Probiotics to have a little more gas and/or loose stools... it's just your body's way of regulating itself. Loose stools normally clear up within a couple days and the gas usually tapers off within a few days to a week or so... last time I changed Probiotics, the gas lasted 4 days. The heartburn and headaches on the other hand are very odd... are you allergic to dairy at all? Many Acidophilus products are grown on dairy and may have some left in them. If not, there are two ways to go about this... you can either keep taking them to see if it passes (if it's not bad) or you can stop taking them and see if it goes away. If you keep taking it and it passes, it was probably a random occurrence and you'll be fine (maybe something else in your environment or your body trying to purge some toxins). If you stop them and it goes away, then try them again a few days later and it comes back, you're definitely allergic to something in the pill. Some experimentation may be in store. Good luck and I hope I helped!

Question: Are there any side effects to taking acidophilus?

Answer: NO except if you have an upset stomach it might feel better

Question: Does nonfat yogurt containing L acidophilus have any positive effects on the common cold? I've had this cold or maybe upper respiratory infection since Thursday. My symptoms include sneezing, sniffling, runny nose, stuffy nose and most of all, a sore throat. I noticed that when I eat yogurt, my sore throat is alleviated. Could this yogurt be helping me fight this horrible cold or is this just wishful thinking? If not, is there anything I can do to speed up the process of getting over it...besides echinacea, vitamin c. I understand theres no cure, I just need anything that will help.

Answer: Sorry, acidophilus is for replacing gut flora and will have no effect on a cold virus. The yogurt soothes your throat. it's cold and it's smooth. That's all. Echinacea has never been medically proven to help anything. Just treat the symptoms. If this is indeed a cold, it will resolve in 7 -10 days.

Question: what exactly is acidophilus used for? What kind of people take it? Are there any side effects?

Answer: the digestive system - helps balance it and helps when you have a tummy ache

Question: Can stopping acidophilus supplements cause side effects? I was taking acidophilus supplements for about 2 or three months because I was on strong antibiotics. I stopped taking them (TMI warning here!) beause it made my BM's so hard that it hurt to pass them. That has calmed since stopping the pills, but I'm itchy "down there". I know that acidophilus regulates the vagina so could the itching be myself trying to re-regulate itself? I'm lost because I don't know if it's a yeast infection (no discharge, smell, redness or swelling, just itchy). Not an STD, just itching. Could it be from stopping the acidophilus?

Answer: It is really very easy to answer. Just don't take as much as you were when you got stopped up. If you have a good diet (not so much only snack and junk foods), then you only need a little bit of help to keep up your acidophilus. An occasional yogurt might be all you need. YoPlait has excellent flavors, some with real fruit in them. And there's also Lite versions with less sugars. Especially since you were taking strong antibiotics, you want to make sure you have a good culture of acidophilus in you. Depending upon how much you were taking, if you were taking the usual dosage of a couple capsules daily, then try taking one pill every other day or even every 3 days. It's extremely important to make sure that you have enough natural liquids in your diet, because water is what helps your intestines to move correctly. Taking medicines sometimes take water from the intestines to work properly, so you need to increase your water intake either straight or thru more fruits. You shouldn't drink more colas or coffee for more water because caffeine actually takes more water out of your system, and you can dehydrate more. Fruits are excellent sources of fiber and moisture for your diet. Try to find fruits that you enjoy to eat--apples, berries, even watermelon---and try to have a serving daily. That will help to add moisture to your intestines. I'd probably say that because you got soooo stopped up, you didn't have enough moisture in your diet for all the pills you were taking. So increase it somehow, but be careful when drinking more water, because it can be processed too easily and then you've got to go to the bathroom waaaay too many times during the day. That's why if you get your moisture in your foods like fruits, then it stays longer inside you because the body processes it as food, not just as liquid.

Question: When taking lactobacillus acidophilus for bacterial vaginosis, how long does it take to take effect? I just started taking lactobacillus acidophilus yesterday because I'm starting to get the smell for bacterial vaginosis. How long does it take for it to take effect? And also I've heard of lactobacillus acidophilus suppositories...can anyone tell me where I can get those and does it take effect faster than the capsules?

Answer: I had a pretty severe case of BV that would not go away. I tried creams, antibiotics, even boric acid vaginal suppositories for two weeks. I tried acidophilus vaginally, but not for long. If you buy the kind in capsules, you can just use those, it doesn't have to be a special kind, but I don't know if it will work. I came across some information online about taking folic acid (orally) and how it was a cure for BV. I thought it was stupid and a long shot, but I was desperate, so I tried it. I have not itched AT ALL since I took the first folic acid supplement. I am taking 800mg twice a day and so far, so good. I REALLY didn't think this would work, but I am happy to say that IT DID!!!!!!! And from my research it seems that taking the daily recommended amount will prevent BV from returning. Good luck, I know this is awful!

Question: Are there any harmful effects of taking the following vitamins and supplements in the same day? I take 5-htp, St. John's Wort, gingko biloba, acidophilus, a b-complex, and a multivitamin throughout each day, not all at the same time. Is there anything I should be aware of? Harmful effects, interactions, or anything else I should know? Thanks in advance for your help!

Answer: I found a great website talking about 5-htp. There are a lot of contraindications and possible drug interactions listed so I'll just give you the link: http://www.advance-health.com/5htp.html St. John's wort can interact with antidepressant drugs, as you probably already know. And it can increase your skin's sensitivity to sun and make you more likely to burn. Ginkgo should not be taken with aspirin or blood-thinning drugs, as it will enhance the blood thinning properties.

Question: Does the over-the-counter natural medication of acidophilus have an effect on birth control pills? ? and how long does acidophilus stay effective in your body before finally leaving it?

Answer: Taken as directed, there is no effect.

Question: Has anyone had similar side effects of QUITTING smoking? I quit smoking a month ago (after 25 long years). I cannot begin to tell you how great I feel. The problem is I have digestion issues. It feels like there is some sort of blockage at the top of my stomach. I take my multivitamin and acidophilus and have included more fiber in my diet. With the exception of my food not digesting properly, I feel great! It could be coincidential?

Answer: Nicotine stimulates the entire gastrointestinal tract. With time will pass. Congratulations on quitting!

Question: Does probiotic acidophilus have any effect on high blood pressure?

Answer: From my readings, I believe it can, only in a very round-about way, and then it is a good effect. If someone is having high blood pressure due to plaquing on the arteries (arteriosclerosis/atherosclerosis), it is likely the result of hyperinsulinemia (insulin over-production). Some experts think that one cause of hyperinsulinemia is a systemic yeast (Candida) syndrome. Acidophilus is the enemy of candida, and helps to keep it under control. Candida will never "go away", because it lives in our bodies. Even if it is not caused by Candida, Candida can overgrow more quickly if one is hyperinsulinemic. For basic information on hyperinsulinemia, check out www.hufa.org.

Question: Flavored Acidophilus okay for vaginal insertion for yeast infection? I bought some acidophilus tablets today for a yeast infection, but the only ones that the store had available were flavored strawberry. I read that inserting tablets directly into the vagina will have a better effect on the infection, but I also know that inserting flavored yogurt into the vagina will make the infection worse. I've been taking the acidophilus orally, but I want to make a speedier recovery, but I'm afraid the 1g sugar in the tablets might have an adverse effect...

Answer: I wouldn't recommend doing it til you check with your doctor as well to see what they say.

Question: Has anyone take Acidophilus pills for Yeast infection? Has any one had taken acidophilus to treat an yeast infection and did it work? If yes did you had any side effects while taking it?

Answer: I have but I also take them with cranberry pills. It has worked for me. Drinking cranberry juice has too much sugar so the pills are better. I had no side effects. Acidolophis is safe to take daily

Question: Any doctors have an opinion about taking lactobacillus acidophilus supplements? Do you believe that it helps to take a supplement for colon health and to prevent yeast infections? I know that you can eat yogurt and get the same effect, but I was curious if taking the pill form would help out as well? What is the opinion? I read that the studies aren't very conclusive and I was wondering what the current status was.

Answer: Current medical opinion is that the studies are inconclusive. Basically, without strong proof, the implication is that it really doesn't help, or it helps so little that you would need to treat so many people in a study to prove it that it isn't practical. My personal feeling is that there may be some benefit that hasn't been proven because studies have been small or poorly designed. Because it is not harmful and is so cheap, I tell my patients that they can take it if they want to. Remember that the best time to take it is outside of the conditions that are killing your body's own bacteria (Lactobacillus is one). That is to say, if you are on antibiotics, do not take them within 3-4 hours of antibiotics, or they will die, too. Otherwise, you could try Saccharomyces boulardii, which is not susceptible to most antibiotics.

Question: Questions: Fish oil & acidophilus supplements? I will be asking my doctor about this next week, but am looking for opinions here first. I'm thinking of taking taking fish oil capsules to help relieve symptoms of depression, and acidophilus to reduce yeast infections. I'm currently 38 weeks pregnant and planning to breastfeed. 1. Are these supplements ok to take while pregnant or breastfeeding... are there any potential side effects that would affect the baby or milk production? 2. What is the recommended dosage for each? 3. Is it ok to take them with food and before bedtime? I tend to get sick from vitamins otherwise. 4. Is there anything specific I need to look for on the label to ensure I am purchasing a quality product, or can you recommend a quality product? THANKS!

Answer: Fish Oil is very important for the Brain and Eye development of your baby and can help with postpartum depression. MAKE SURE it is a high quality fish oil, that is molecularly distilled to remove mercury and pcb's. 1000mg of fish oil is standard. If you get a high quality fish oil, the baby won't taste it and won't refuse to eat, the higher the quality the fish oil the less fishy it should taste. I like the Nordic Naturals fish oil. It is third party tested for purity and freshness, and bottled in Norway within 6 hours from the time they catch the fish. http://www.nordicnaturals.com/ Acidophilus is helpful for the baby too, look for something refrigerated with at least 4 billion units. Ladybug is right, The Now brand is great, but I have never seen the mercury level data on their fish oil. Unless you can get tests on the mercury levels from Now, I might stick with Nordic Naturals. From what I remember Nordic Naturals levels in mercury was .06. The FDA Allowance is no higher than .28. Obviously the lower the better. With fish oils and pregnancy, you want to make sure the oil is not only pure, but the purest on the market. Now doesn't produce and package their fish oil in Norway, like NN, so they might not be as good.

Question: Does Cinnamon Kill Acidophilus? I have a problem with Tinea Versicolor and have been taking supplements such as Acidophilus and Cinnamon. Both help a lot. Cinnamon helps more with the sugar while Acidophilus helps more with the effects of milk. I'm wondering if it is okay to take them at the same time or if the cinnamon kills the micro flora bacteria?

Answer: if the combination you are taking is working, the cinnamon probably is okay. Since what you have is a fungus, I guess I can't see how the cinnamon or acidophilus affects it. Do you treat it also with any topical anti fungal like tea tree oil?

Question: If antibiotics cause intestinal flora to be killed, is it permanent? If probiotic acidophilus is taken, will it recover to normal flora? Do I have to take probiotics for throughout my life or I can stop after taking few days? If so how many days I have to take these probiotics? Any side effects of taking these probiotics?

Answer: No its not permanent. Bacteria in the intestines are always being replenished. Taking probiotics is a fantastic idea when you are on antibiotics as antibiotics kills both good and bad bacteria. Take it during the antibiotic course and then about a week after that. That should be enough. Try and eat lots of probiotic yoghurt too. There should be no side effects to taking probiotics. Probiotics are good bacteria and can help aid digestion and return balance to the flora in the digestive system. If you dont take probiotics your body has to work extra hard to restore the balance back and you might develop thrush or immunity problems so taking probiotics is just super while on antibiotics. You can buy probiotic tablets, which I highly recommend, from the chemist for about $20. Just make sure you store them in the fridge as this keeps the bacteria alive.