Can Probiotics Make Me Sick?

There are many health benefits to taking targeted probiotics that go beyond digestive system support. Probiotic supplements contain bacteria and yeast that coexist within and provide benefits to the gut microbiome. These live cultures can help correct imbalances between good bacteria vs bad bacteria. Correcting this issue can cause some initial digestive discomfort, including diarrhea, gas, and bloating. 

Most people don't experience digestive problems, but they are normal and temporary. This is due to probiotics die-off side effects, also known as the Jarisch-Herxheimer reaction in some science circles. We’re going to discuss why this isn’t a cause for concern and how to ease these symptoms until your body becomes accustomed to your new probiotic. 

What are Die-off Symptoms from Probiotics?

Die-off symptoms are a natural reaction that some people might experience when starting probiotics. For many, this is a sign that your probiotics are hard at work! These symptoms occur when the strains in your supplement target and kill pathogens. 

You may experience some of the following symptoms as your body eliminates these threats:

• Bloating
• Constipation
• Diarrhea
• Headaches
• Nausea
• Joint pain

Thankfully, these symptoms are temporary and are a sign that your digestive health is on the right track to balance. Here's why you may feel sick when starting probiotics, and why you'll feel better once you get through probiotics die-off side effects.

How Long Do Probiotics Die-off Symptoms Last?

At Ombre, if there's one thing we've learned about the gut microbiome, it's that everybody is unique. Many people don't experience any issues, at all. For those who do develop symptoms of probiotic die-off, they tend to last for 1-2 weeks on average.

Many factors can influence the duration of symptoms, including:

• Genetics
• Conditions like Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth (SIBO) or Candida overgrowth
• Diet
• Exercise
• Environmental toxins
• Stress
• And more

If symptoms persist past 2 weeks, stop taking the supplement. In the event that symptoms continue after you stop taking the probiotic, please talk to your doctor. 

Why Would a Probiotic Make Me Feel Worse Before Better?

At Ombre, we test your gut to determine any bacterial deficiencies or potential overgrowths in your microbiota. Based on your sample results and a symptoms survey, we find the best blend to promote diversity and target your symptoms. This clean-up mode is what’s causing the temporary discomfort.

For those who don’t take a Gut Health Test and purchased a targeted probiotic blend based on current symptoms or health goals, you may still feel some of these effects. That’s because the symptoms you feel are likely tied to specific pathogens in your gut. These blends contain strains that have been shown to address these symptoms and pathogens in clinical studies. 

Why Do Probiotics Cause Die-off Side Effects?

The human body is a well-designed machine that becomes a creature of habit. It knows what works and likes to stick with it.

Integrating new foods and supplements into your routine can cause a number of reactions in the body, both wanted and unwanted.

When we make changes to our lifestyle, either good and bad, it can cause our bodies to react differently. In some cases, a little worse before feeling better. The same is true when adding probiotic bacteria to your gut microbiome.

Your body becomes accustomed to the state it's in, even when it's inflamed. A change in the status quo, adds extra stress to your body. This shift in the gut microbiome might cause temporary side effects.

Why Die-off Symptoms from Probiotics Aren’t a Bad Thing

When people say "stress," it's typically interpreted as a bad thing. However, exercise adds stress to the body. After a good workout, your muscles feel fatigued and sore. However, in a couple of days, you look more trim and feel extra energized. That’s a good thing! 

Your probiotics are hard at work eliminating toxins, fighting off harmful bacteria and yeast, supporting the immune system, repairing the gut lining, and so much more. Those are good things! 

Still, that's a lot of spring cleaning and the digestive system needs to sweep bad bacteria and other pathogens out the door. As a result, you may experience mild digestive comfort when you first start taking your probiotic.

What to Do If I Feel Digestive Problems from Probiotics?

Everybody's gut microbiome is different, which can make the duration and symptoms of probiotics die-off unique. If you notice a slight change in bowel movements or digestive comfort, but it's tolerable, don't change what you're doing.

If you are experiencing constipation, consider consuming a well-tolerated dietary fiber like Ombre Rise. This prebiotic blend absorbs quickly to address digestive problems. It also is a source of food for your probiotic bacteria!

For those with severe issues, consider cutting down on your serving. If the recommended dosage is 2 pills per day, try taking 1. Recommendations of 1 pill per day could take a probiotic every other day. Once the symptoms cease, work your way up to the recommended dosage.

When Do Probiotics Start Working?

Probiotics are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease. However, science does show that they are beneficial in supporting all aspects of a healthy lifestyle.

Probiotic benefits include:

• Increased energy
• Enhanced mood and focus
• Healthy skin
• Weight management support
• Digestive comfort
• Immunity
• Improved cholesterol and triglyceride levels
• And so much more!

While the strains in Ombre blends are backed by clinical studies to provide these benefits, they must first correct any imbalances. All Ombre probiotics contain strains that integrate with a healthy microbiome. They must first populate the gut lining, fight off harmful bacteria, and support other beneficial bacteria to grow.

Once you optimize your gut microbiome, you will experience the intended benefits of your probiotic. That's why studies suggest you take probiotics for 3-6 months.

How to Know If I Have the Right Probiotic?

Probiotics are a versatile way to enhance your health. If you have specific health goals, you can't go wrong with any of Ombre's targeted probiotic blends. Each blend only contains strains backed by clinical studies to support specific health benefits. These proprietary blends provide you with science-backed, targeted support to meet your health and wellness goals.

Do you have a few areas of your health you would like to address? Be more efficient with your probiotic purchases with an Ombre Gut Health Test.

This at-home microbiome test takes the guesswork out of probiotics. We help determine which clinically-backed probiotic blend is the best to balance your gut and address your symptoms. Feel your best by testing your gut!