Are There Any Side Effects To Taking Probiotics
Probiotics have a history of apparently safe use. Though minor side effects, like occasional gas and bloating, may occur, probiotics are well-tolerated and major side effects aren’t commonly associated with taking them. Supplementation is unique to each person, and you should always consult with your doctor when introducing something new to your routine to avoid interactions and other undesired side effects.
Can I Take Prebiotics And Probiotics Together
Yes! Probiotics and prebiotics are known to work synergistically with each other, as prebiotics are non-digestible food ingredients usually found in dietary fibers that probiotics feed on and use to grow. So, not only is it smart to take them together, but it’s also encouraged. Think about prebiotics like adding fertilizer to the soil of your plants to help them grow. Sure, with proper care, your plants will still grow and stay healthy, but the fertilizer optimizes the benefits that are already there, and plants can use it to grow more easily. The combination of pre- and probiotics is called a synbiotic.
Beyond pro- and prebiotics, you may have also heard about something called postbiotics. Postbiotics function as a sort of byproduct of probiotics, and while the probiotics are known as live bacteria, postbiotics are the health conferring materials that are released by probiotics, and are not live. However, they still have an important place in digestive health benefits.
Take Probioticswith Specific Foods
Again, we have one study in a model digestive tract that shows that more probiotic bacteria survive when consumed with fats.
And once again, we need to consider this study in light of all of the research that confirms the health benefits of probiotics. Nearly all of these studies prescribed a specific dose of probiotics without any requirements for how patients should consume them.
Bottom line: Take your probiotic supplement with or without food.
Don’t Miss: Can Heartburn Feel Like Sharp Chest Pain
Your Personal Circadian Rhythm
Because your gut bacteria can influence your sleep cycle, it is common to take probiotics to help heal an unhealthy digestive tract. Having a bacteria imbalance in the gut can reduce your quantity and quality of sleep. But having a healthy gut can improve sleep.
If you are an early riser, take your probiotics in the morning. If you tend to stay up late at night, take them in the evening.
Taking Probiotics At Night Could Make Them Way More Effective
Probiotics are one of the biggest wellness trends of the moment. Not only can you find supplement versions, but everything from bottled water to tortilla chips are being laced with the friendly microbes.
In case you need a refresher, probiotics are good bacteria thought to boost the health of your microbiome, or the balance of bacteria, fungi, and viruses that lives in your intestines. You can and should get them from foods , but you may also want to throw back some Bac in pill form.
While studies havent proven that probiotic supplements are beneficial for already healthy peeps, they have been shown to help treat a handful of specific conditions, like digestive disorders such as diarrhoea, constipation, and acid reflux.
Theres also evidence that probiotics can help reduce inflammation for people who have ulcerative colitis, can be helpful for people who have a condition called travellers diarrhoea , and can help if you have bad diarrhoea after having taken antibiotics.
You should talk to your doctor to find out which probiotic strain is best for you to take for whichever condition or issue youre dealing with, since not every strain works for every aliment. Once you have a doc-recommended supplement, its also important to consider the timing of when you ingest it.
How often should I take probiotics?
Also Check: What To Avoid When Constipated
So Should I Take Probiotics In The Morning Or At Night
Determining whether you take probiotics in the morning or in the evening, will come down to a couple of factors.
If youre one who doesnt have the time to create a yogurt starter culture, you can find some in the store or purchase them online and add them to a glass of water and drink throughout the day.
Some people are fine waking up and having a glass of water with probiotics in the morning or evening and others prefer to take them in the afternoon. It really depends upon your lifestyle and what works for you.
You also want to consider the foods that you eat as well as whether you want to take probiotics with food or take them as a supplement.
Probiotics come in a variety of strains, some less active than others, and some require food for supplementation. If you consume only raw foods or if you cook your food at a high temperature, then you need to be sure that you supplement your diet with probiotics.
You should take probiotics every day, even if you eat meat or only take supplements once a day. However, you dont necessarily need to take probiotics with food.
For example, if you eat yogurt with live cultures or sea kelp, then you dont need to supplement with probiotics.
When you supplement with probiotics, you should take a variety of probiotics. You need to be sure that youre choosing high-quality probiotics.
You should make sure that you are getting the full spectrum of probiotics in order to get the full benefits of probiotics.
What Are The Signs That I Need A Probiotic
There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question. Some people may benefit from taking probiotics if they have a condition that affects the gut, such as irritable bowel syndrome or inflammatory bowel disease .
Probiotics may also be beneficial for people who are taking antibiotics or have recently been ill. If you’re unsure whether you need a probiotic, it’s best to speak with your healthcare provider.
You May Like: How To Help Heartburn And Acid Reflux While Pregnant
Nighttime Is The Right Time
Remember how probiotics must run the gauntlet of stomach acids in order to reach your gut, where they can colonize and get to work doing their good deeds? You can minimize the dangers of this journey by taking your probiotics at night, right before bed.
Why? Because this is the time when gastric activity is usually at a minimum.
When you eat a meal, your body reacts by secreting stomach acids and digestive enzymes to break down the food. The larger and heavier the meal, the more these chemicals are secreted and the slower the digestion process takes. On average, a meal takes 4 to 5 hours to move through the stomach, so its ideal to eat your healthy dinner many hours before bedtime. Not a fan of early bird dinners? Waiting 2-3 hours after you eat to take your probiotics probably provides sufficient buffer time.
Your Reason For Taking Probiotics
If you are taking these supplements because of digestive issues like diarrhea or bloating, you will benefit the most from taking them with each meal or directly after. The dietary fat in the food you consume will help the healthy bacteria in probiotics survive through your intestinal tract.
For those who have trouble sleeping, it is best to take probiotics right before getting into bed because there is a strong connection between the gut and liver, and calming the liver tends to help with sleep.
Research has proven this connection through studies of people with cirrhosis of the liver and other liver diseases. Studies have shown that these individuals suffer from insomnia more than those with healthy livers.
Some people take probiotics to maintain the health of their mouths and sinus cavities because probiotics help reduce destructive bacteria from occupying the teeth, mouth, and gums. In this case, it is best to probiotics before bedtime.
Also Check: Is Probiotic Needed After Colonoscopy
When Is The Best Time To Take Probiotics On An Empty Stomach Or With Meals
Overall, research has been somewhat mixed when it comes to determining how well probiotics are absorbed when taken with food versus taken without.
Some research suggests that healthy microorganisms can survive in roughly equal numbers when consumed with or without a meal. It really seems to depend on the specific type of microbe, and possibly on the individual taking the supplement too.
So whats the bottom line? The most common recommendation is to take probiotics either within one hour before eating, or with a meal.
In general, this seems to help ensure survival better compared to taking them after a meal, when the pH of your stomach becomes more acidic. Probiotics taken with a meal containing healthy fats, and ideally prebiotics, can also contribute to higher survival rates.
Do Probiotics Make You Gain Weight
Another common concern is that probiotics will cause weight gain. Probiotics can help to increase the number of calories you burn, so they will not directly cause you to gain weight. However, if you are taking probiotics and you do not see a change in your weight, it may be due to other factors, such as your diet or lifestyle.
You May Like: Is Metamucil Good For Ibs Constipation
What Time Of Day Should You Take Prebiotics
When should you take probiotics? Most of us have our breakfast at the same time every day, which is the optimal time to take them. The reason for this is that our stomach is not as active during the evening hours, so probiotics can stay longer in our system. However, taking a probiotic with dinner may be counter-productive as the acid in our stomach can damage the probiotics. In addition, heavier meals take longer to digest and are processed into the small intestine, naturally increasing the total acid interaction.
You can buy supplements containing prebiotics at any grocery store, but it is important to follow the directions on the label carefully. A probiotic supplement that contains a high amount of fiber should be taken at least two hours before or after breakfast. If youre taking it before breakfast, youll feel its effects the next morning. If you dont take it in the morning, youll feel bloated and have gas.
Probiotics are generally taken in the morning, but you can also take them at night. Its important to follow the instructions on the label and to make sure that you take them regularly. While some manufacturers recommend taking them with a meal, consistency is key. Consistency will ensure that your digestive system receives a consistent amount of probiotics, resulting in improved digestion. The best way to do this is to take them in the morning and again in the evening, and you should see results in a couple of days.
The Best And Worst Time Of Day To Take Your Probiotics
Posted on
Youve probably heard 100 times by now how important your gut health is for your overall well-beingand that the healthy bacteria that live in your digestive system play a huge role in keeping that gut health in tip-top shape.
After all, these probiotics help us digest food, destroy microorganisms that might trigger disease, and even produce vitamins. Our bodies naturally house both good and bad bacteria, but as long as the two are in balance, our immune system stays strong, which is crucial for our general health, explains Sarina Pasricha, M.D., M.S.C.R., a Harvard-trained, double-board certified gastroenterologist with the Delaware Center for Digestive Care in Newark, Delaware. In fact, probiotics have been shown to help us fight off everyday bugs, overcome irregularity in the bathroom, and manage digestive conditions.
Given their many benefits, its no wonder many of us have added probiotic supplements to our daily routines. Thing is, benefiting from a supplement isnt quite as simple as just remembering to take it at some point every day. Turns out, when we take our probiotic supplements actually has a pretty big impact on just how much theyre able to do for our digestive system.
Heres what top gut expertsand the latest sciencehave to say about when to take your probies.
Read Also: Can Lactose Intolerance Cause Constipation
Should Prebiotics Be Taken At Night
Probiotics are best taken before bed, when the digestive tract is at rest. When we sleep, the gut is relatively inactive, so probiotics are more likely to stay around, divide, and be fully assimilated. Taking probiotics before bed also increases the amount of time that these good bacteria spend in the intestines. If taken with food, probiotics have been shown to improve the health of the digestive system.
To achieve optimal health, you should take prebiotics regularly, either in the morning or at night. However, most people do not eat any prebiotic foods before bed. Although they are known to improve digestion, they may also exacerbate uncomfortable conditions, such as diarrhea. It is best to take prebiotics with a glass of water, at least an hour before eating. Prebiotics should be taken on an empty stomach, but you may need to experiment with timing.
While the benefits of probiotic supplements are obvious, taking probiotics during the right time is essential. The stomachs acid content is helpful for digestion, but it is very detrimental to the bacteria in your digestive tract. The best way to take probiotics is to take them in the morning or at night. This will allow you to maximize their benefits. The most beneficial probiotics for digestion occur during the early morning hours, so its important to take them during that time.
Mistake #: You Think All Probiotics Are Equal
Its not good to assume that all probiotics will provide the same benefits, says Millette. There are a variety of probiotic strains and not all strains have the same health benefits. The human body houses more than 500 different strains of bacteria. Some are for immune support. Some are for digestive issues. Some are for weight maintenance. And there are even strains for heart health.
Examples include: Lactobacillus Acidophilus has been shown to help blood pressure, cholesterol, allergies and digestion, while Lactobacillus Rhamnosus can help with blood glucose, immune function and cholesterol, and Lactobacillus helveticus reduces blood pressure, improves sleep quality and bone health.
Check the packaging, talk to your health care provider or even double-check with a pharmacist to make sure what youre buying is what you need. Thankfully in Canada, foods with probiotic claims must be truthful and not misleading , and supplements must meet requirements for its claims as well as science to support its efficacy, safety and quality.
Recommended Reading: When Should You Drink Probiotics
How To Take Probiotics For Maximum Benefits
The best time to take probiotic supplements is in the morning after you wake up.
You can have the supplement half an hour prior to having your meals with a glass of water.
This increases the survival chances of the good bacteria, once they enter your stomach.
Morning is the best time of day for probiotics.
When you are empty stomach your digestive tract is less active with no food. This makes your stomach less harsh for the good microbes.
How To Take Probiotics
Once the decision to repair the gut is made, the selection of the appropriate probiotic is a must. This article on the best probiotics outlines the selection process in detail. Here is a list of top quality brands to consider to make the task easier given the dozens of probiotics on the market today:
Once you have your chosen supplement in hand, how to take probiotics? Morning or night? On an empty stomach or with food?
These are very common questions and the answer depends on the probiotic manufacturer, according to the staff at Biodynamic Wellness, which specializes in helping people recover their gut health.
Some probiotics are packaged in time-release capsules and some are not. Finding out this information usually requires a phone call to the manufacturer, so when in doubt, assume that they are not time release.
Since it is possible that the high acid environment of the stomach could destroy some of the probiotic bacteria:
< < It is recommended to take probiotics at the END of a meal > >
Does this mean that it isnt of any benefit to taking a probiotic on an empty stomach?
No. It just means to play it safe to ensure the probiotics are protected from any reduction in potency due to stomach acid by taking them after a meal has been consumed.
Obviously, the use of probiotics in this fashion is primarily for the health of the mouth and sinus tissues, not just the gut.
Recommended Reading: Are Apricots Good For Constipation
Everest Full Spectrum Cbd Gummies
Image courtesy Everest
The label on the Everest Full Spectrum Gummies bottle informs us that they are made with the best-quality hemp cultivated in the United States. These gummy candies are vegan and GMO-free, which appeal to a wide range of customers.
Each jar of Everest Full Spectrum Gummies includes 30 gummies, each of which has 25 milligrams of CBD and 5 milligrams of THC. The Blue Raspberry gummy candies are also gluten-free and bug-free.
Check Label Instructions First
With more and more research going into probiotic delivery technology, some probiotic manufacturers might have specific reasons for recommending you take their formulas with or without food, or at a certain time of day. So, check the label on your preferred formula and follow instructions for best results.
If no specific timing directions are given, follow these top tips for taking your probiotics
Don’t Miss: What’s An Ib Program
What Is The Best Time To Take Probiotics
Home / Blog / Probiotics
Research shows the best time to take a probiotic is first thing in the morning before eating breakfast or before going to sleep at night. Probiotics are most effective when taken on an empty stomach. Taking probiotics at least 30 minutes before a meal will reduce the time it takes for the good bacteria to get to your gut.
Probiotics are dietary supplements containing beneficial bacteria naturally occurring in your intestinal tract.
Environmental factors such as stress, processed food, chemicals in our water and food, pollution, radiation, and certain medications can negatively impact the diversity and number of good bacteria in your gut.
Probiotic dietary supplements aim to maintain and restore the natural diversity of your gut bacteria.
When you take your probiotic matters. Consistency is key according to Breanna Woods, MS, RDN, a registered dietician with Omni-Biotic USA.
For optimal health benefits of probiotics, it is best to take your supplement daily. Establishing a routine around when to take your probiotic can make it easier to remember.