How many probiotics can you take a day
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Daily Probiotic Intake: How Many Probiotics Can You Take a Day?
Introduction to Probiotic Dosage
Probiotics are live microorganisms that, when consumed in adequate amounts, confer health benefits to the host. The optimal daily intake of probiotics can vary based on individual health conditions and the specific strains used. This article synthesizes findings from recent research to provide insights into the appropriate daily dosage of probiotics.
Short-Term Probiotic Intake in Healthy Adults
A study investigated the effects of a short-term daily intake of 6 billion live probiotic cells in healthy adults. The participants consumed a commercial probiotic supplement containing 10 bacterial species for one week. The results showed that this dosage did not significantly affect the faecal concentration of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli, which are common indicators of probiotic efficacy. The only notable increase was in the intestinal Lactobacillus acidophilus group, but this change was temporary and likely due to DNA carryover from the ingested cells1. This suggests that a daily intake of 6 billion probiotics may be insufficient to modulate gut microbiota in healthy individuals over a short period.
Probiotic Dosage for Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea
Another study focused on the efficacy of a proprietary probiotic formula in preventing antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD) and Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea (CDAD) in adult patients. The study compared two dosages: 50 billion colony-forming units (c.f.u.) per day and 100 billion c.f.u. per day. The results indicated that the higher dosage (100 billion c.f.u.) was more effective in reducing the incidence of AAD and CDAD. Specifically, the group taking 100 billion c.f.u. per day had a lower incidence of AAD (15.5%) compared to the group taking 50 billion c.f.u. per day (28.2%) and the placebo group (44.1%). Additionally, the higher dosage group experienced fewer gastrointestinal symptoms and shorter durations of diarrhea2. This study highlights the potential benefits of higher probiotic dosages in specific clinical settings.
Conclusion
The appropriate daily intake of probiotics can vary significantly based on the individual's health status and the specific health outcomes desired. For healthy adults, a short-term intake of 6 billion probiotics per day may not be sufficient to significantly alter gut microbiota. However, in clinical settings such as preventing antibiotic-associated diarrhea, higher dosages of up to 100 billion c.f.u. per day have shown superior efficacy. It is essential to consider the specific probiotic strains and the health context when determining the optimal daily dosage.
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Most relevant research papers on this topic
Short-term daily intake of 6 billion live probiotic cells can be insufficient in healthy adults to modulate the intestinal bifidobacteria and lactobacilli
Short-term daily intake of 6 billion live probiotic cells is insufficient for healthy adults to significantly affect intestinal bifidobacteria and lactobacilli levels.
Non-RCTDose–Response Efficacy of a Proprietary Probiotic Formula of Lactobacillus acidophilus CL1285 and Lactobacillus casei LBC80R for Antibiotic-Associated Diarrhea and Clostridium difficile-Associated Diarrhea Prophylaxis in Adult Patients
The proprietary probiotic blend of Lactobacillus acidophilus CL1285 and Lactobacillus casei LBC80R effectively reduces antibiotic-associated diarrhea and Clostridium difficile-associated diarrhea in hospitalized patients on antibiotics, with a dose-ranging effect.
RCT
Rigorous Journal
Highly CitedEffects of probiotic supplementation on glycaemic control and lipid profiles in gestational diabetes: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
Probiotic supplementation for 6 weeks in gestational diabetes patients improved glycemic control, triglycerides, and VLDL cholesterol concentrations, but had no effect on other lipid profiles.
RCTHighly CitedEffects of a 6-month multi-strain probiotics supplementation in endotoxemic, inflammatory and cardiometabolic status of T2DM patients: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial.
Multi-strain probiotic supplementation for 6 months significantly decreased insulin resistance and improved cardiometabolic profile in type 2 diabetes patients.
RCT
Very Rigorous JournalHighly CitedProbiotic supplementation for respiratory and gastrointestinal illness symptoms in healthy physically active individuals.
Probiotic Bl-04 effectively reduces the risk of upper respiratory illness episodes in healthy, physically-active adults.
RCT
Large Human TrialHighly CitedDaily supplementation with the Lab4P probiotic consortium induces significant weight loss in overweight adults
Daily supplementation with Lab4P probiotics leads to significant weight loss and reduced waist and hip circumference in overweight adults.
RCTRigorous JournalDaily probiotics: benefits and reasonable application
Daily consumption of certain probiotic strains as part of functional food products shows promise for preventing obesity, type 2 diabetes, non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, functional intestinal disorders, colon cancer, cardiovascular diseases, and depression.
Literature ReviewEffect of dietary probiotic, prebiotic and synbiotic supplementation on performance, immune responses, intestinal morphology and bacterial populations in broilers.
Prebiotic supplementation improves humoral immunity in broilers, making it superior to synbiotic supplementation for this purpose.
RCT
Animal StudyVery Rigorous JournalEffects of 12 weeks of probiotic supplementation on quality of life in colorectal cancer survivors: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.
Probiotics significantly improved bowel symptoms and quality of life in colorectal cancer survivors after 12 weeks of administration.
RCTHighly CitedDose-Dependent Effects of Multispecies Probiotic Supplementation on the Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) Level and Cardiometabolic Profile in Obese Postmenopausal Women: A 12-Week Randomized Clinical Trial
A high dose of multispecies probiotic Ecologic® Barrier can effectively improve cardiometabolic parameters and gut permeability in obese postmenopausal women, potentially reducing the risk of cardiovascular diseases.
RCTVery Rigorous JournalHighly Cited