When Is The Best Time To Take A Probiotic
One of the simplest yet most effective ways to improve your gut health and overall well-being is by taking a probiotic. These supplements provide a large dose of good bacteria that work in the GI tract and gut to support nutrient absorption, digestion, regularity, and even your immune health.
There are many factors that affect your gut microbiome, but when bad bacteria outweighs the number of good bacteria, you’ll see and feel it. This is why it’s so important to take a daily probiotic supplement that nourishes you from the inside out so that you can feel and be your best.
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While there are many factors to consider when taking a probiotic supplement, you may be wondering if there’s a best time to take them to get the most health benefits. Below you’ll find a guide to the 18 best probiotics as well as information about when to take these supplements.
What are probiotics?
Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that naturally occur in the intestinal tract. Probiotic supplements contain strains of this beneficial bacteria to ensure that your gut microbiome is balanced. There are many factors, including stress, what you eat, and even your environment, that impact the good bacteria in your gut.
A probiotic supplement helps to maintain and restore gut diversity. A healthy gut microbiome plays a key role in your internal and external health. A balanced gut microbiome means a stronger immune system, higher energy levels, and even a more positive mood and mental state.
When is the best time to take a probiotic?
When it comes to probiotic supplements, research has found that timing does matter. However, what's even more important is that you're consistent. Taking probiotics every single day will provide the most benefit.
Probiotics live in the small and large intestine. Here they work to strengthen the digestive tract while also supporting the immune system. The bacteria then has to pass through the stomach, which is very acidic.
To get the most benefit from probiotics, it's best to take them on an empty stomach in the morning. This allows the bacteria to move through the digestive tract to get into the stomach as quickly as possible.
The stomach environment is least acidic when it's empty or contains very little food. This is because the stomach produces acid to digest food. In turn, there’s a higher risk that more probiotics are able to make it to their final destination.
If taking a supplement on an empty stomach is known to cause nausea or other adverse side effects, you can eat a light snack or highly digestible meal beforehand.
What are the benefits of probiotics?
Probiotics are live microorganisms that offer all sorts of health benefits to men and women of all ages. Having an imbalance of bacteria in your gut increases the risk of various health conditions. Here are the top reasons why you should take a probiotic supplement.
Optimize gut function
Probiotics are good bacteria. An imbalance of too much bad bacteria and not enough good bacteria can be very problematic, including an increased risk of digestive issues. Probiotics help to maintain a healthy bacteria balance in the gut, which helps to keep you regular while supporting nutrient absorption.
Less gas and bloating
Gas and bloating are some of the most common digestive problems that people experience each day. They're often caused by an imbalanced gut microbiome. Because probiotics work to balance the gut and digestive tract, they may reduce gas, bloating, and other digestive upset.
Treatment for diarrhea
Diarrhea can be caused by many factors, including a change in gut bacteria. If you often experience loose stools, probiotics may be able to help. Research has found that probiotics may reduce the risk of diarrhea caused by antibiotics.
Stronger immune system
When you're sick, it's not uncommon for the gut bacteria to be unbalanced. This is even more true if you're prescribed antibiotics, which kill both bad and good bacteria throughout the body.
By taking a probiotic, you replenish your gut flora with good bacteria, which in turn balances the immune system. A healthy gut means a lower risk of cold, flu, and other common infections.
Improved nutrient absorption
The food you eat, especially wholesome foods like fruits and vegetables, are loaded with vitamins and minerals. But you only benefit from these nutrients if your body is able to absorb them.
Probiotics support gut microbes, which are key for nutrient absorption. Certain probiotic strains, specifically lactobacillus and bifidobacterium, play a role in iron absorption along with other nutrients.
May help with weight loss
The gut microbiome affects how the body extracts calories from food. Supplementing with probiotics may help with weight loss and weight management by increasing the metabolism while also regulating appetite and energy expenditure.
Support heart health
Cholesterol impacts heart health. High cholesterol is one of the most common heart conditions, but thankfully it’s treatable, reversible, and preventable. Some research has found that certain probiotic strains may reduce low density lipoprotein (LDL) cholesterol while also reducing total cholesterol levels.
Improved mood
Your gut plays a direct role in your mood. Bacteria in the gut produce neurotransmitters, which send messages throughout the body. These compounds play a role in mood and sleep. Stress is known to negatively affect the gut microbiome.
Probiotics help to repopulate good bacteria in the good, which improves mood, cognitive function, and sleep.