Are Probiotics Healthy for You?

When putting together a daily supplement routine, you may face the following question: Should you add a daily probiotic? Are they a beneficial addition to your daily health routine? At the root of all these questions; are probiotics healthy for you?

This helpful guide will explore probiotics, how they support your digestive health, and what options Nature Made^® offers for probiotic support. When starting or changing a daily supplement routine, always consult your primary care provider, they can give you personalized guidance on what supplements might be helpful for you.^†

Probiotics: What They Are and How They Work

Are you a probiotic pro? What are probiotics? How do they work? Read on! Probiotics are good bacteria that support the balance of the gut microbiome. What exactly is a gut microbiome, you may ask?^†

Our digestive system is a bunch of organs that help our food digest and pass the food we eat. You're undoubtedly familiar with the classics: the stomach, the large intestine, the small intestine, etc. Well, you may (or may not) be surprised to learn that our digestive system is more than just the organs that make it up; it's also made up of billions upon billions of microorganisms that exist within our gut and play a part in the digestive process.

Not all these microorganisms are beneficial, so we call the good bacteria "probiotics" because they support gut balance. Beneficial bacteria already exist in your gut, but probiotic supplementation can help work with these existing gut bacteria to support healthy digestion.^† There are all sorts of different strains of probiotic bacteria, and Nature Made^® offers supplements with varying strains to support your gut health in different ways.^†

Health Benefits of Probiotics for Adults

Probiotics for adults can provide several gut health benefits, let's break down some key support.^†

Supporting Digestive Health^†

Digestive health is essential to our daily lives; we've all had experiences where an unhappy gut has affected every aspect of our day. Do probiotics help with digestion? Nature Made^® offers probiotic support for gut health; providing your body with probiotic bacteria can support a healthy digestive tract and support gut balance.^†

Different strains of bacteria can support your gut in various ways; for example, Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG may help relieve occasional gas, bloating, and abdominal discomfort. Another probiotic strain, Bifidobacterium lactus HN019, may help relieve occasional constipation and irregularity. Nature Made^® probiotics offer multiple strains in one convenient package to help support your digestive health.^†

Supporting a Balanced Gut Flora^†

A balanced gut flora is vital to a happy gut. Our gut microbiome is populated by countless strains of bacteria that affect our digestive system. You can support your gut's beneficial bacteria by providing more probiotics through diet or supplementation. Sometimes, certain health conditions can lead to an imbalanced gut microbiome; probiotics can help to restore balance.[1] Always consult with your primary healthcare provider before adding a probiotic supplement to your daily routine.^†

Additional Support for Wellness Goals

Determining your wellness goals is a significant first step for determining a daily supplement routine. If gut health is on your checklist, Nature Made^® Extra Strength Probiotic Gummies work with good bacteria found in your gut to support healthy digestion.^†

Probiotics are just one aspect of daily support that can contribute to your overall wellness, along with vitamins, minerals, and other essential nutrients. Discuss with your primary care provider the best way to support your wellness goals.

How to Incorporate Probiotics into Your Daily Routine

One of the most critical factors for including probiotics in your daily routine is consistency: they work best if taken daily. This should be easy if you already have a regular supplement routine: add them alongside your other supplements.

However, if you have difficulty remembering to take your probiotics every day, here are some tips.

Nature Made^® recommends attaching your daily supplement routine to a regular meal, preferably the largest meal of the day. This has two-fold benefits:

• First, it makes it easier to remember to take your supplements daily because you take them at the same time every day, accompanying the same meal, instead of remembering to take them independently.
• Second, many supplements should be taken with water and a meal; you can easily satisfy those requirements by taking them alongside a regular meal.

Pairing Probiotics with Other Healthy Habits

Of course, probiotics are not, and should not be, the only way to support your digestive health. The best way to support a healthy digestive system is by eating a balanced, nutritious diet and staying hydrated. Some foods naturally include probiotics, such as yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and kombucha. Probiotic supplementation should be viewed as only a part of a more extensive, whole-body approach to digestive health.

Another way to support gut health is with prebiotics. These are healthy fibers that feed the good bacteria in your digestive system and support digestive health. We can get prebiotic foods in our diet by eating oat products, nuts, fruits, vegetables and legumes. For a convenient daily dose, explore Nature Made^®’s Prebiotics Collection.^†

FAQs About the Health Benefits of Probiotics

Here are some answers to frequently asked probiotic questions.

What Are Signs That Probiotics Are Working?

So, you've started taking probiotics, how can you tell if they're working? There are a few signs to look for; first, you may notice changes in your gastrointestinal symptoms. This can include less frequent bloating, gas, or abdominal discomfort. Your bowel movements may become more regular as well.[2]^†

Keeping track of changes in your digestion and the frequency of your bowel movements can help determine if probiotic supplements have their desired effect. This can be as simple as keeping notes; you'll sit there looking at your phone anyway, right?

What is the Best Time to Take Probiotics?

When should you take probiotics? It's not better to take probiotics in the morning or the evening; they will have the same effectiveness regardless of the time of day. However, there are a few things to keep in mind when you take probiotics.

First of all, you should take them regularly; probiotics attach temporarily to your intestinal lining, which is replaced daily. So, by taking probiotics daily, you refresh the bacteria on your intestinal lining.

What is the best way to take probiotics? When you take probiotics, it should accompany the largest meal of the day. Whether that's breakfast, lunch, or dinner, it doesn't matter; by taking probiotics with food, you can help neutralize some of the stomach acids that can damage the live bacteria before they have a chance to integrate into your microbiome.[3] Another important thing to consider is that probiotics are best taken with a cool liquid, rather than a hot beverage. A hot liquid like coffee can also damage the live bacteria.

Are Probiotics Safe for Daily Support?

Are probiotics safe? Can you take them every day? Should you? Probiotics are generally safe and intended to be taken daily to support your gut's natural balance. While probiotics are generally safe, everyone is different, and it is best practice to consult with a healthcare provider before adding them to your supplement routine for personalized guidance.

How Long Does It Take for Probiotics to Take Effect?

Probiotics are intended to be taken daily, as they adhere to your intestinal lining shed daily. Consistency is key when supplementing; daily probiotics can help to support your gut's natural balance.

Do Different Probiotic Strains Serve Different Purposes?

Much like how every person is unique and better at some things than others, every strain of probiotic bacteria is unique and serves a different purpose in your gut. What probiotic should I take? Nature Made^® offers strains that have been clinically studied to provide digestive health benefits including:

• Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG: may help relieve occasional gas, bloating, and abdominal discomfort^†
• Bifidobacterium lactus HN019: may help relieve occasional constipation and irregularity^†
• Bacillus Coagulans IS-2: shelf-stable and resistant to heat and may support digestive health^†

Check each probiotic for which strains are included to help find the right supplement to work towards your health goals.

Can Probiotics Be Taken with Other Supplements or Medications?

Probiotics and other vitamin and mineral supplements are a great addition to a supplement routine. Nature Made^®'s The Daily 4 includes a probiotic, fish oil, Magnesium, and a multivitamin.

If you are seeking guidance regarding interactions between probiotics and any medication you may take, please consult your primary care provider. They have the best knowledge of your individual situation and can provide personalized guidance.

Are Probiotics Right for You?

Who should take probiotics? Any adult looking for a way to support their digestive health through daily supplementation. Nature Made^®'s Probiotics are designed to help you support the existing beneficial bacteria in your microbiome and help balance your gut. Are probiotics good for you? Yes, they can support a balanced gut. However, every individual is unique, and you should talk with your healthcare provider to find the best ways to help support your gut.^†

Explore Nature Made^®'s Probiotics Collection as a way to support your digestive health and support your goals in overall wellness.^†

† These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

References

1. Bodke H, Jogdand S. Role of Probiotics in Human Health. Cureus. 2022;14(11):e31313. Published 2022 Nov 9. doi:10.7759/cureus.31313 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9733784/
2. Mitelmão FCR, Häckel K, Bergamaschi CC, et al. The effect of probiotics on functional constipation in adults: A randomized, double-blind controlled trial. Medicine (Baltimore). 2022;101(43):e31185. doi:10.1097/MD.0000000000031185 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9622669/
3. Tompkins TA, Mainville I, Arcand Y. The impact of meals on a probiotic during transit through a model of the human upper gastrointestinal tract. Benef Microbes. 2011;2(4):295-303. doi:10.3920/BM2011.0022