The Right Dosage Of Probiotics
It’s also important to make sure you’re getting the proper dosage. If you don’t get enough probiotics, they may not work as effectively. Although there’s no one-size-fits-all recommendation for exactly how much you should take, Harvard Health points out that most adults need somewhere between 5 billion and 10 billion colony-forming units, or CFUs, per day and that it’s best to take just one dosage, rather than splitting up your intake throughout the day.
If you’re taking probiotic supplements, you’ll also need to make sure you’re storing them properly. Harsh conditions, like high temperatures and too much light, can kill the probiotics, rendering them ineffective before they even leave the bottle. Take care to protect them from heat, dampness and air, and refrigerate them, if required.
Before taking probiotics or any natural supplements, however, you should get clearance from your health care provider. Probiotics can potentially be harmful for people with compromised immune systems or those who are allergic to some of the ingredients in the supplements.
Physicians Choice 60 Billion Probiotic With Prebiotic Fiber Blend
With 4.5 stars and 93,265 reviews, the Physicians Choice 60 Billion Probiotic with Prebiotic Fiber Blend is a winner. It contains both prebiotics and probiotics and a very high concentration of CFU. Plus, its shelf-stable, so it doesnt require a fridge! That makes it perfect for traveling.
Pros:
- Certified B Corporation, meaning it meets rigorous standards of social and environmental performance, transparency, and accountability
- Tested for 125+ herbicides and pesticides certified glyphosate residue-free, the worlds most common herbicide
- Small, easy to swallow capsules
- 4.6 average star reviews on Amazon out of 433 ratings
Cons:
- Not shelf-stable: requires refrigeration or freezing, so it is unsuitable for travel
Can I Take Probiotics With My Antibiotics Herbal Supplements Or Prescription Drugs
Well, you can, but its probably not the best time to take probiotics. You see, many herbs and various drugs, especially antibiotics, may damage the probiotics before they make the journey to your intestine. Its better to wait at least two hours after taking herbal supplements or prescription drugs before you supplement with or consume probiotics.
While you may not want to take your probiotics with antibiotics, taking a probiotic while youre using antibiotics has been shown to prevent and relieve antibiotic-induced diarrhea by up to 50%. And higher dosages of probiotics have been shown to be up to two times more effective than lower dosages.
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How To Take Probiotics To Improve The Survival Of The Bacteria
The way you take your probiotics matters. Most people take their supplements with water. Fat-soluble vitamins like vitamin A, D, E, and K are usually taken with a glass of milk. Similar principles that suggest certain foods improve their survival can apply to probiotics. Studies on the intake of probiotics suggest that microorganisms tend to survive better if taken with low-fat milk when compared to water.
Synbiotics a combination of prebiotics and probiotics show even better survival when compared to taking probiotics alone. We take this into account, and therefore, all BiOptimizers probiotic supplements are synbiotics.
Bottom line: choose synbiotics over simple probiotics and take them with a glass of low-fat milk.
Why You Should Eat Probiotic Food On An Empty Stomach
For the beneficial bacteria in probiotic foods to make it to your large intestinethe gut of your gut microbiomeit must first pass through your harsh stomach acids. Your stomach is designed to break down food, drink, and any other particles. Unfortunately, that includes probiotics.
When you eat, the production of gastric acid in your stomach is increased to aid the digestion process. But while this acid is crucial for digestion, it can be greatly detrimental to probiotic foods. In fact, when eaten at the wrong time, a whopping 60% of the beneficial bacteria could be killed by gastric acids!
You want to give the beneficial bacteria in your food the chance to make it through that hostile acidic environment relatively unscathed. That means consuming probiotic-friendly food when your stomach isnt in digestion mode, to minimize the amount of gastric acid that might attack the probiotics.
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Why Take Probiotic Supplements
There are many great reasons to add a probiotic supplement to a healthy diet. Depending on the person and the type of bacteria involved, taking a probiotic supplementor eating probiotic-rich foods like yogurt and kombuchamay help:
- Create a healthy balance of gut microorganisms after an illness
- Improve digestive problems like constipation and diarrhea
Research shows probiotics may also help treat digestive disorders like irritable bowel syndrome , and even aid with fat loss. But knowing when to take your probiotics is key to getting the most out of them.
How Fermentation Creates Probiotics
For centuries, people have used fermentation to process food, transforming one type of food into another: cucumbers become pickles, milk becomes yogurt, soybeans become miso
As it turns out, fermentation doesnt just preserve food. It also optimizes the foods health potential with beneficial bacteria.
During fermentation, naturally-occurring bacteria feed on the sugar and starch in the food, creating acid as a byproduct. This generates an environment that supports the growth of enzymes, B vitamins, omega-3 fatty acids, and of course, beneficial bacteria. For example:
Lactic Acid Bacteria
Fermentation is sometimes referred to as lacto-fermentation, because the most commonly produced acid is lactic acid. And as a result, the probiotic most often found in fermented foods is lactic acid bacteria or Lactobacillusthe same beneficial bacteria often advertised on probiotic yogurts, for example.
Acetic Acid Bacteria
Fermentation will sometimes produce acetic acid instead, which is associated with the development of vinegars. Kombucha and apple cider vinegar both produce acetic acid as part of their fermentation process. The beneficial bacteria created as a result is Acetobacter, also known as acetic acid bacteria.
Related
Fermentation changes a foods scent and flavor quite a bit. In general, they are a bit stronger and may take some getting used to. Not everyone is going to be a fan of pickles from the first bite!
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Should You Take Probiotics With Or Without Food
While the time of day may not matter too much, taking probiotics with meals can help ensure you reap the full benefits of the bacteria.
Research has shown that in order to maximize the benefits from probiotics, they must first survive the journey through the acidic environment of your gastrointestinal tract. This allows them to reach the small intestine and colonize the gut, which is the whole point of taking them.
Most research suggests taking probiotics either while you are eating or just before you start eating. This is when your stomach is least acidic, so it will maximize the survivability of the bacteria.
Another option is to take a delayed-release probiotic supplement. These are tablets or capsules that are designed to withstand the harsh environment of your stomach, enabling the bacteria to survive the passage through to your intestines.
The most effective form of time-release technology is BIO-tract. BIO-tract is a form of delayed-release tablet that uses patented technology to protect the probiotic bacteria from stomach acid for longer. These tablets are made of natural, high-grade raw ingredients and release their bacteria over 8-10 hours.
The probiotic that I recommend is the Balance ONE Probiotic. It uses BIO-tract technology to protect its bacteria from stomach acid, contains 15 billion CFUs of bacteria, has 12 probiotic strains, and is made in the USA. Its the only probiotic that I recommend for Candida overgrowth.
What Are The Signs You Need Probiotic Supplements
After learning all about what a probiotic is, you might be wondering if you need a probiotic . While there’s no neon sign telling you that you need to take probiotics, anyone who is trying to maintain their overall health should consider incorporating a probiotic as part of a healthy regimen. A healthy microbiome impacts all aspects of head-to-toe wellness and a probiotic can help protect that microbiome. And certainly, if your goal is to support the health of your gut, a probiotic is a good idea.
Truly benefiting everything from digestive and heart health to immune and brain health, some specialized probiotics can even promote a healthy stress response and optimal liver function. If you have a health goal, there’s probably a probiotic for it. Talk about a Jack of all trades! That being said, if you’re still wondering if you “need” probiotics, it would be best to discuss with your healthcare provider what is right for you.
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Prebiotic Supplement For Daily Gut Support: Performance Lab Prebiotic
Formulated for daily, long-term gut health support, Performance Lab® Prebiotic is the cleanest and most effective inulin+FOS prebiotic formula for improving your digestive health, regularity, immunity, fat loss, and nutritional status.
Powered by Orafti® Synergy1 Inulin-FOS, Prebiotic primarily improves Bifidobacterium, the superior probiotic for overall gut microflora.
Lets take a deeper look at the formula.
Constipation Is A Growing Epidemic
More people like you are unable to poop regularly.
According to the American Gastroenterological Association, 16% of Americans suffer from chronic constipation. That figure rises to 33% in people over the age of 60.
Futhermore, since 1997 hospital admissions related to constipation has more than doubled.
And like most suffers youve tried everything from prune juice, mineral oil, Metamucil, and laxatives such as Laculose and Miralax.
In fact, the total sales for over the counter laxatives in the US came to a whopping $1.43 billion.
Someone is a making a lot of money but the growing constipation problem is not going away.
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How Did Align Probiotic Supplement Start
There is no sensational story behind the genesis of Align. Just like every other invention, the need for a trustworthy probiotic has driven countless researchers in this area.
Align was developed by a team of gastroenterologists, with ten years of scientific research. The unique component of Align is Bifidobacterium Infantis 35624 .
This particular strain is similar to the good bacteria found naturally in the human digestive system this aids in digestion while ensuring the host remains healthy. Other ingredients that contribute to the work of Align are:
- Microcrystalline Cellulose
How To Make Your Own Probiotics
As you know probiotics are live bacteria that provide health benefits. The form of probiotics that are most commonly available in supplement form are usually live organisms that are then kept in a refrigerated environment. This means that they need to be taken on a regular basis. But creating your own probiotics at home can be easier than you might think. In fact, many people who dont take supplements have been able to create their own probiotics at home. To create your own probiotics, simply choose a probiotic strain that you like and mix it with lactobacilli. The lactobacilli are a normal bacteria that are found in the intestinal tract, but many people lack the ability to make enough of it naturally. Choosing a probiotic strain that will help you make more lactobacilli is a great way to begin your probiotic regimen. To be effective, you need a daily dose of roughly 5 to 10 billion bacteria. This doesnt need to be a pill, it can also be in the form of a pill, yogurt or even just water. You can take probiotics during the day, or during the night as well. Start slow to see if you find one that works for you. But once you find a probiotic that works, stick to it.
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Best Prebiotic And Probiotic Combination
The immense health advantages of probiotics have, in a surprisingly counterintuitive but well-documented way, elevated probiotics – in many cases as proper alternatives to antibiotics. The overuse of which, in the food factory industry, has had a detrimental impact on public health.
However, for personal health, taking prebiotics in combination with probiotics may significantly improve your intestinal health, as well as your cognitive, nutritional, and athletic health.
Here are the key prebiotics and probiotics to look out for:
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.
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What Are The Best Ways To Take Probiotic Supplements
The best way to take probiotic supplements is to do so as directed on the label! There is a science-backed reason for this, as label instructions are usually informed based on findings in clinical studies that showed the dose with the best efficacy and administration of the supplement or nutrient in the study.
Ways In Which Probiotics Restore Good Health
Probiotic supplements are an effective way to restore and maintain a healthy balance of beneficial bacteria in the gut. When the levels of good bacteria are high enough, they crowd out the bad bacteria and can help prevent harmful organisms sticking to the walls of the gastrointestinal and genitourinary tracts.
The two main types of probiotics in your gut are lactobacilli and bifidobacteria, which are mostly present in the small and large intestines. Every probiotic species and strain have a unique range of effects on our health.
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It Depends On Your Stomachs Sensitivity
Healthy people dont typically experience side effects from probiotics. However, at first you might experience minor levels of digestive discomfort. Rest assured that any symptoms should improve as your body gets used to the new probiotic.
In this case, the best time of day to take probiotics can be at night before bed. This timeframe can reduce some of those symptoms you may experience during the day.
But First What Are Probiotics
Probiotics help balance and regulate the microbiome of your digestive system by colonizing your gut with beneficial bacteria. Generally, our bodies are good at maintaining a healthy balance of good bacteria and bad bacteria. But sometimes, things like illness, medications, and other factors can create an imbalance.
For example, an antibiotic is meant to wipe out bad bacteria in your system, but it also eliminates some good bacteria along the way. When youre experiencing an imbalance of bacteria in your gut flora, you can add more probiotics to your diet or take a probiotic supplement to help restore the balance of good bacteria in your body.
Research has shown that probiotics can help improve gut health, alleviate bowel issues, and even support a healthy immune system. So how do you get enough probiotics? Probiotics can be naturally found in fermented foods like kimchi, yogurt, sauerkraut, or miso. Or you can take a probiotic supplement.
Ready to start your personalized routine?
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Natures Bounty Probiotic Pros
Reputable brand Natures Bounty is easy to find online, and its probiotics are available at most major grocery stores and vitamin shops. The brand has years of experience in the wellness field and a continuously growing line of products.
You can also purchase its probiotics for a cheaper rate compared to other probiotic brands. Natures Bounty has all of the testing and science to back it while providing you with the savings. If you are trying probiotics for the first time, this is a reliable brand that you wont spend too much money on if you decide to not take them later.
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When Is The Best Time To Eat Probiotic Foods
Adding probiotic-friendly foods to your daily diet will boost the numbers and strength of the beneficial bacteria living in your gut microbiome. But just as you dont drink coffee at night, timing is everything. For the probiotics to achieve their maximum effectiveness, you have to take them at the right time.
Probiotic foods are most effective on an empty stomach.
For most people, this means that the best time of day to eat probiotic food is either early in the morning, right before a meal, or right before bed. Probiotics consumed after a meal have been shown to be less effective.
Your yogurt at breakfast or probiotic tea before bed isnt just delicious. Theres also solid scientific evidence as to why it increases your beneficial bacteria levels more than, say, a kefir smoothie for dessert.
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It Can Depend On The Strain
Finally, its important to note that not all probiotic strains and formulas are alike.
For example, lactobacillus is a common probiotic strain. It relies on glucose to survive in an acidic environment like our stomachs. For that reason, it may pair best alongside sugar and carbohydrates.
However, different probiotic strains, and combinations of strains, may perform differently.
Does Timing Matter When Taking Probiotics
Once youve decided that taking a probiotic supplement is right for you, the next important consideration is when to take it. Does the time of day matter? Short answer, no. Theres no evidence that taking your probiotics at any specific time will impact efficacy. But what is important is consistency.
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Should I Take A Probiotic Every Day
The short answer: Yes, you should aim to take a probiotic every single day if possible. “It’s best to take probiotics at least once daily with water or milk,” Dr. Asike says. There are many different forms of probiotics you can purchase in the wellness aisle from powders to capsules, tablets to liquid suspensions, but a regular dose on an even basis should be a goal regardless of which strain of probiotic you take.
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If you’re wondering what may be the best option for a daily probiotic, Dr. Asike recommends looking for multi-species or multi-strain products before single-strain supplements, as they may provide more benefits overall. Saccharomyces boulardii, as well as Lactobaccilus rhamnosus,are popular options that may provide more relief to those experiencing irritable bowel syndrome, he adds. “There isn’t one over-the-counter brand that’s better than another when it comes to strains I advise looking for multi-species or multi-strain , and to grab a store brand if that’s what’s available.”