The Best Way to Start a Probiotic?

GO SLOW

Gas & bloating from a probiotic

Yes, we believe our mood probiotics offer an amazing and natural way to balance your mind and body by nourishing the gut-brain connection. Yes, over 70% of our body’s serotonin is made in our GUT, and not in our brain. But if your microbiome is out of balance, then it’s possible you may experience "die-off" issues like gas and bloating when starting a new probiotic.⁠ Some people don't experience any issues. But some people do.⁠ So it's incredibly helpful to know about this ‘probiotic trick!’

What is a herxheimer reaction?

What are die-off issues? Also, sometimes called a herxheimer reaction or herx-reaction, die-off is a set of adverse symptoms from the “war” you just started with the bad guys in your gut. When seeking to create harmony in the environment that is your gut, too much-too fast can cause discomfort.

But when we go slow with adding in ‘the good guys,’ the die-off will be so gradual, you will barely even notice it.

If you’re dealing with gas or bloating from first taking a probiotic, that does not mean something is wrong. Although gas can be uncomfortable and feel as if something is wrong! On the contrary, initial gas, bloating, or even fatigue can often mean the probiotic is working and doing its job to strike a ‘new balance’ in your microbiome.

Other die-off issues may include: headache, irritability, fatigue, and even nausea.

Going slow gives your body time to get used to the new, feel-good bacteria, and minimize the discomfort. You can even start with the tiniest of sprinkles and use one capsuled for a full week or more. Working your way up is perfect if you are sensitive!

Almost all issues can be minimized or even eliminated by going slow with your dose when you first start.

What do we mean by slow?⁠

Well, because our probiotics have no fillers or added ingredients, you can just open the capsule and mix a little into a food, drink, or smoothie. Then, close the capsule back up.

Starting with as little as 1/8 of a capsule (or less!) and working your way up to a full capsule over the course of a week or two, can be the perfect trick to ensure you reap all the benefits probiotics can offer.

Some people don't have to go slow at first.

Some people can start with a full capsule and do just fine (or "power through" some mild gas and bloating).

Other people who are more sensitive will really benefit from this strategy!

How to start a new probiotic?⁠

Say for instance, that I’ve been taking SBO Mood Boost.

But I want to add in the benefits of another formula, like Mood Super Strainsand pour a little bit into some food.

I will continue to take SBO Mood Boost and then I will open a capsule of Mood Super Strains and pour a little bit into some food.

I will then continue to use that same one capsule for the whole first week… or longer. This will give my microbiome time to get used to the influx of new, good bacteria. After opening the capsule to sprinkle out the contents, I always quickly put the capsule top back on. You’'ll want to do this because the air that hits the probiotic bacteria does cause it to lose efficacy.

Have you had trouble taking a probiotic at first?

You’ll want to try this ‘ultimate probiotic trick!’