How much probiotics to take

[chrissy72]

How much probiotics are healthy to take? I have one brand that has 1 billion in it and one that has something like 9 billion. Does the difference really matter? And can you actually take too much?

[beth22]

Some brands have hundreds of billions, but yes, too much can give D* and cramping.

[chrissy72]

Ever since I increased the amount I'm taking, I'm having terrible gas cramps. I wonder if that's what's causing it.

[beth22]

Most likely that is what is causing it. That's what happens to me. The doctor told me to just take part of a capsule and that is what I do. I empty a little into applesauce and take it like that. You might try different probiotics. Some did not agree with me at all. I take VSL#3 and only a small amount as each capsule has 125 billion, so I don't need that much. I tried Align, Culturelle, Ultra Flora DF, Florastor, and they did not agree with me. Ask your GI if he has samples of probiotics that you can try - that way you can see which one is better for you. Florastor was the worst for gas for me, but they all did that and some also D* and cramping.

[pwood62]

Yes Probiotics can cause some bad gas pains. Florastor was the worst for me. Pearls say they help with gas pains and work the best for me. I think it is trial and error and whatever works best for each individual.