When is the Best Time You Should Be Taking Your Probiotic?

Probiotics have become more and more popular through the years and now people are getting familiar with the many benefits that come from adding more probiotics to your daily diet. 

You can get more probiotics into your body naturally through different kinds of foods or you can also take probiotic supplements, which may also support other areas like weight loss or beauty benefits.

The main goal of getting more probiotics into your body is being able to get more living microorganisms associated with the healthy bacteria into your gut. If you haven’t already, adding probiotics to your diet can provide a ton of health benefits.  

If you’re wondering when is the best time to take your probiotics, keep reading!

Why Take Probiotics?

Are you curious about whether or not you really need to take probiotics? If so, then you should first figure out if you are eating enough of the right foods that promote healthy gut bacteria. If not, then taking a supplement to increase your probiotics can really benefit your digestive health. 

Yogurt with live cultures, kefir, and fermented vegetables are all great sources for getting probiotics naturally. However, most people don't regularly eat enough of these foods to really get all the health benefits they can provide. 

If you’ve been taking antibiotics or have been sick with the flu or other illnesses, then your bacteria might need to be restored to prevent harmful organisms from continuing to grow. You’ll want to get your gut bacteria balanced again, and this is when probiotics can really help out. 

When is the Best Time to Take Probiotics?

There is no magic hour or time that will make your probiotics more effective. The important thing is that you are either taking a probiotic supplement daily or getting it naturally from the right foods. 

If you are taking a probiotic supplement, you should check with the manufacturer to see when they recommend taking the probiotics -- it differs from company to company , and some might suggest taking it with food, while others recommend taking the probiotics on an empty stomach. This all varies because of the specific formula and ingredients used. 

Trying to measure the bacteria viability in your body is nearly impossible -- some research has suggested that certain microorganisms will be just fine whether you are eating a meal or not. Some evidence has suggested that taking probiotics before a meal helps the strains survive, however, more research is needed to prove this scientifically.

Although, the microorganisms Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus have been known to do better when taken before a meal. 

If there’s no specific recommendation on the product packaging, we suggest trying to take your probiotics at the same time every day to help remind you to take it in the first place. 

What is the Best Type of Probiotics to Take?

You can find probiotics in a lot of different forms these days, including powders, capsules, beads, and drops. You can also find probiotics in different drinks and foods, such as fermented milk, flavored drinks, yogurts, and even in some kinds of chocolates, however most people are not consistent with consuming these foods and often go days or even weeks without ingesting any probiotics. 

If you take a probiotic supplement, you will be able to adapt to a more consistent schedule and get more benefits from the probiotics. GoBiotix’s 100 Billion Supplement offers over 100 billion CFU probiotics that also include enzymes and fiber to boost overall benefits and help to achieve better general health -- try getting that from a cup of yogurt!

If you’re comfortable taking a capsule, then your choices will be much wider than if you choose to look for lozenges or powders (though these do exist and still work well). Not to mention, the capsule will generally be tasteless whereas the lozenges, drops, or powders will have a distinct taste. 

So basically, it all comes down to personal preference, what works best for you, and what benefits you’re looking to receive from these supplements. 

Does It Matter What Type of Probiotics You Take?

It does matter, especially if you have any health conditions that could be affected by probiotics. There are specific types of probiotics that work better than others for some health conditions. 

If you have irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), frequent diarrhea, or constipation, certain strains of bacteria will work better than others in relieving symptoms depending on how severe your condition is.

It’s always best to check with your doctor about which probiotic you would benefit most from if you have any type of health condition. Some probiotics can also interact with some prescribed medications and possibly decrease or over-increase their potency.

In general, most medical experts agree that both strains of Bifidobacterium and Lactobacillus have the best benefits for almost all people with generally good health. Also, you need live cultures in your probiotic, so be sure to check the expiration dates of any supplements you are taking and use them before the use-by date. 

Be sure to read the labels and or check with the manufacturer on the best way to store your probiotics. Some brands need to be refrigerated after being opened, while others are fine stored at room temperature. 

Be sure to choose a quality probiotic from a reputable probiotics company -- there are a lot on the market that do not do what they promise. 

What About Side Effects?

For the most part, there are no serious side effects associated with taking probiotics. Some people do report having some gas and/or bloating, but this often subsides once their body has been accustomed to the probiotics. 

If you experience anything unusual from taking probiotics, you should consult with your medical professional to find out if the strain of probiotics you are taking is the best one for your body and particular health profile. 

In Conclusion

You can take probiotics to improve your overall gut health at any time of the day. We suggest finding the best form of probiotics that fits your schedule and your personal needs. 

Remember, it’s more important to actually take your probiotic every day than worrying about what time of the day you actually take it.

Whether you choose to take a probiotic supplement or get your probiotics from natural sources like foods and beverages, your gut (and your body as a whole) will benefit regardless of how and when you take them!

Sources:

https://www.mayoclinic.org/prebiotics-probiotics-and-your-health/art-20390058

https://www.healthline.com/nutrition/best-time-to-take-probiotics#side-effects

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/articles/14598-probiotics