When is the best time to take Probiotics?

Probiotics have the ability to keep the intestinal environment healthy by preventing the growth of harmful organisms, strengthening the intestinal microbial barrier and restoring beneficial bacteria after a disease process or drug use. antibiotic.
Although probiotics are believed to support the immune system, promote oral, skin and mental health. After all, the actual studies to prove these effects are rather limited.
Some of the beneficial microorganisms found in probiotics can also be found in some naturally fermented foods such as kimchi, yogurt and sauerkraut. These foods have effects related to lower blood pressure, blood sugar balance, weight loss and cholesterol. If the naturally fermented foods mentioned above are not included in the daily diet, users should consider using a probiotic supplement.

Some probiotic manufacturers recommend taking them on an empty stomach before meals, others recommend taking probiotics along with other foods during the meal.
Although it is difficult to measure the viability of bacteria in the human body, some studies show that microorganisms such as Saccharomyces boulardii survive in equal numbers even when absorbed by the body food and not yet absorbed food. On the other hand, microorganisms like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium can survive best when taken 30 minutes before a meal.

However, consistent and ongoing use of probiotics is arguably more important than needing to take them for a specific period of time. One month-long study found that taking probiotics had a positive effect on the gut microbiome regardless of whether they were taken before or after a meal.

The microorganisms used in probiotics are tested to ensure that they can survive in different conditions such as in the stomach and intestinal tract of the human body. However, taking probiotics along with certain foods can optimize their effects.
In one study, survival rates for probiotics were improved when supplemented with oatmeal or low-fat milk, compared with water or apple juice alone. This study shows that a moderate amount of fat can increase the survival of beneficial bacteria in the digestive process.
Lactobacillus bacteria in probiotics can also survive better on the amount of starch absorbed by the body, because their ability to survive in the acidic environment of the stomach depends largely on the amount of glucose available.

Probiotics can be taken in a variety of forms, including capsules, lozenges, granules, powders, and drops. They can also be found in a number of foods and drinks, including some yogurts, fermented milks, and chocolate. Most microorganisms undergo exposure to stomach acids and enzymes before reaching the large intestine.
Probiotics in capsules, tablets, and yogurt tend to survive your stomach acid better than probiotics in powder, liquid, other foods or beverages, regardless of when they are taken. use. Furthermore, among microorganisms, Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium and Enterococci are more resistant to stomach acid than other bacteria. In fact, most Lactobacillus strains come from the human gut itself, so they are more resistant to stomach acid than others.
Research shows that it takes between 100 million and 1 billion microorganisms to be added to the body's gut to actually have a positive effect on health benefits. To optimize the effects of probiotics, users should buy reputable products, certified with CFUs on the packaging. This means that products containing at least 1 billion good microorganisms can be introduced into the body. In addition, using probiotic products according to the shelf life printed on the package, storing them at room temperature or in the refrigerator is very important to keep the effectiveness of this product.

If you have a particular health condition, you should consider taking a specific probiotic or consult a medical professional to find a probiotic that is best suited for your medical condition. .
In fact, experts say strains like Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium are beneficial for most users. In particular, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG and Saccharomyces boulardii were able to reduce the risk of diarrhea with antibiotic use, while E. coli Nissle 1917 could help treat ulcerative colitis.
Meanwhile, probiotics containing Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Saccharomyces boulardii seem to be able to improve symptoms in some people with constipation, irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), and some other common types of diarrhea .

The use of probiotics usually does not cause negative side effects to the body of adults with stable health conditions.
However, some symptoms may be encountered, such as farting and bloating. These symptoms usually improve over time, and taking probiotics at night can reduce symptoms.

For some people taking probiotics to prevent antibiotic-associated diarrhea, it is important to consider whether the viability of the probiotics may be lost under the action of antibiotics. set. However, most strains of microorganisms are created to prevent the effects of antibiotics. So, in most cases, it's safe to use probiotics along with antibiotics.
For functional foods and other specific drugs, users should seek advice from medical professionals when taking with probiotics. Some probiotics can increase or decrease the effects of these drugs.

Healthline.com Reference Article