Even the best probiotic for men isn’t necessarily the right supplement for everybody. There are some people who don’t need to take probiotics at all. In our opinion, that is actually the vast majority of people. Beyond that, there are a small number of people who shouldn’t take probiotics at all; it isn’t that they don’t need them, it’s that they might harm them!
So who shouldn’t take a probiotic?
The people who should not take a probiotic are:
- People with serious digestive discomfort (unless told to by their doctor)
- People with chronic digestive problems
- People who currently have infections
- People currently being treated for a bacterial or fungal infection
- People who are already taking supplements or medication designed to improve digestion
If any of these apply to you, then we strongly recommend that you get proper medical advice from a qualified doctor before you use any probiotics at all.
The chances of experiencing serious adverse effects are significantly higher if you fall into any of the categories above.
Although probiotics are typically very safe for the vast majority of people, when they do cause side effects, these side effects can be severe.
Probiotic side effects & health risks
So what are the side effects of taking probiotics? What will happen if people who should not take probiotics do take them?
The main risk with taking a probiotic is that it will worsen whatever digestive problems you are currently experiencing.
If you are currently having problems with bloating, indigestion, cramps, or nutrient absorption, any number of things could be the cause. The likely candidate is a disrupted gut microbiome, but there are other candidates.
There could be an infection of some kind.
There could be an overgrowth of certain types of bacteria.
The issue might be caused by a range of issues requiring proper testing and serious medical intervention.
So it’s important that you don’t rush in and start making the problem exponentially worse by introducing exogenous bacteria species to an already distressed digestive system.
The common side effects of probiotics (when used incorrectly, or by the wrong people), include:
- Diarrhea
- Vomiting
- Severe stomach cramps
- Worsening symptoms of IBS
- Worsening of a stomach infection or bacterial imbalance
Because consuming probiotics involves taking in foreign bacteria species, there is always an element of risk involved. Get medical advice before you do anything!
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