Do Probiotics Help With Digestion?

Do probiotics help with digestion? Yes, probiotics are widely recognized for their role in digestive health. They're a popular dietary supplement for a reason!^†

What are probiotics? Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that support balance in your gut microbiome.^†

In this article, we'll get into what exactly probiotics are, their role in our digestive system, how they work, and the benefits they can provide to support your digestive health. Let's dig in!^†

How Probiotics Work to Support Digestion

We get probiotics in our diet through fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, and kimchi. These foods provide beneficial probiotic bacteria and can help support digestion. But how do probiotics support digestion? To understand that we must first understand the gut microbiome.

The Role of Good Bacteria in the Gut

Our gut is a complicated system; not only does it include our stomach, intestines, digestive enzymes and gastric acids, but it also includes trillions of gut bacteria that are all part of the gut microbiome. That’s almost 10 times more than the number of cells within the body. While gut microbes have different functions, these organisms all play some role in digestion. This bacteria ecosystem is vital for our gut health and digestion, but not all of the bacteria in it are helpful.

Some bacteria are beneficial; these beneficial bacteria are known as probiotics. Good bacteria aids in digestive balance by playing a role in digestion. So, what are the "probiotics" you might find in a bottle at your local market? These probiotics are beneficial strains of live bacteria that you can take daily to add good bacteria to your gut microbiome, promoting gut health and aiding the preexisting good bacteria in your gut.^†

Probiotics and Digestive Processes

How do probiotics aid in the digestive process? Probiotics help by supporting a favorable environment for healthy digestion and help to crowd out the non-beneficial bacteria.

Probiotic supplementation can help to support beneficial bacteria by providing reinforcements and promoting a balanced gut environment for digestive support. Certain strains of probiotic bacteria can help relieve occasional discomforts like gas and bloating.^†

Benefits of Probiotics for Digestive Support

How can probiotics for adults support your digestive system? Let's break it down.

Supporting Digestive Health^†

Probiotics can support digestive health by working with the preexisting beneficial gut bacteria to promote digestive balance. For example, Nature Made^® Extra Strength Probiotic Capsules can support relief from occasional gas, bloating, and abdominal discomfort.^†

These probiotics include beneficial strains that target areas in the gut associated with occasional digestive disruption. Extra Strength Probiotics support digestive balance, which can help relieve occasional constipation and irregularity. This supplement may be an option for those looking to support their digestive balance in one daily dietary supplement.^†

Adding Good Bacteria to Support Gut Balance^†

Nature Made^®'s Probiotic 1 Billion CFU Capsules are a once-per-day way to support your gut balance by adding beneficial bacteria to your digestive tract. This clinically studied probiotic supports digestive health, including promoting regularity and supporting a healthy immune system.^†

Daily Digestive Support for Overall Wellness^†

The best way to support your gut with probiotics is by making sure to take them every day, providing consistent support for those looking to maintain their digestive health. If you're looking for a tasty, convenient way to get your daily probiotics, check out Nature Made^® Digestive Probiotic Extra Strength Gummies, which provide good bacteria to support the gut's natural balance and digestive health in a strawberry and raspberry flavored gummy form.^†

How Probiotics May Help with Occasional Digestive Worries

What probiotic should I take? Knowing what different probiotics can do is a good way to choose which probiotic supplement may work best for you. Here are some occasional digestive worries that probiotic supplementation can help with.^†

Occasional Gas and Bloating^†

We've all had days when our stomachs were just too gassy and bloated; it can really damper how we feel throughout the day. Sometimes, this gas and bloating results from a gut microbiome that is out of balance, so providing your gut with probiotics can help restore balance and relieve occasional gas and bloating.^†

Nature Made^® Extra Strength Probiotic Capsules include clinically studied strains to relieve occasional gas and bloating by targeting specific areas of the digestive system.^†

Occasional Constipation and Irregularity^†

Regular bowel movements are a great way to feel like your gut is moving things along the way it should, and occasionally, constipation and irregularity can throw that feeling out of whack. Nature Made^® Probiotics 1 Billion CFU from Live Cultures Capsules are an option to promote regularity with good bacteria to support your digestive health.^†

General Digestive Support^†

If you're not targeting a specific occasional issue, you may be interested in probiotics for general digestive support. Nature Made^® Digestive Probiotic Extra Strength Gummies are a convenient way to offer your body broad digestive support, working with good bacteria in your gut to support healthy digestion.^†

Making the Most of Probiotics for Digestive Support

With probiotics, as with many things, consistency is key. We recommend taking probiotics daily. Probiotics work by attaching to the lining of your digestive tract, which is replaced every day. You provide your body with a fresh dose of beneficial bacteria by taking your probiotics consistently.

The best way to take probiotics is by pairing them with a meal to help the body's absorption; bacteria can be vulnerable to stomach acids, and food can absorb some stomach acids, protecting the live bacteria from damage.[1] Wash them down with a cold or room-temperature beverage; hot beverages like coffee or tea can also damage probiotic bacteria.

Complementary Habits for Digestive Wellness

Are probiotics healthy for you? Yes, but gut health doesn't start and stop with probiotics. The best way to take care of your gut is by practicing several gut health habits, like eating a balanced, nutrient-rich diet that includes soluble and insoluble fiber sources. Hydration is also essential to digestion, so make sure you drink adequate amounts of water every day. Talk to your healthcare provider before starting a new routine to find the best solution for your lifestyle.

FAQs About Probiotics and Digestion

Here are some answers to frequently asked questions about probiotics and digestion.

How Long Before Probiotics Support Digestive Health?

Probiotics integrate into your gut microbiome every day; consistently taking them is essential to see the benefits. Some probiotic strains attach to our intestinal lining to function; because our intestinal lining is sloughed off each day, you should take your probiotic supplements daily, preferably at the same time each day.[2]

Are There Specific Strains for Digestive Support?

Our microbiome is complex and made up of countless different strains of bacteria. Different strains of probiotic bacteria are clinically studied and chosen in supplements to support various digestive functions. When choosing probiotic supplementation, read the specific benefits provided by each strain in the supplement to help you pick the right type for your personal digestive goals.

Can Probiotics Be Taken with Other Supplements?

Probiotics can generally be taken alongside vitamins and other dietary supplements. However, discussing with your primary healthcare provider before adding a supplement to your daily wellness routine is always recommended. Your healthcare provider knows your specific health goals and situation and is best equipped to provide you with personalized advice.

Can Probiotics Support Regular Bowel Movements?

Certain strains of probiotic bacteria can support regular bowel movements. For example, Nature Made^® Probiotics 1 Billion CFU Capsules provide a clinically studied probiotic to promote regularity in one daily capsule.^†

Should I Take Probiotics?

Who should take probiotics? Any adult looking to support their digestive balance with probiotic bacteria should discuss this supplement with their healthcare provider.^†

Do Probiotics Support Digestive Health?

Do probiotics help with digestion and support digestive health? Yes! Probiotic supplements provide a source of beneficial bacteria to support digestive balance in the gut microbiome. When exploring options for probiotics, consider your own digestive needs to find our best probiotics for your specific wellness goals.^†

Nature Made^® also offers Prebiotics, which provide prebiotic fiber as a food source for your beneficial gut bacteria.^†

Probiotics function best when taken consistently as part of a wellness routine that includes a balanced diet and a broad approach to digestive health. Explore Nature Made's Probiotic Collection today!

† 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. 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
2. Plaza-Diaz J, Ruiz-Ojeda FJ, Gil-Campos M, Gil A. Mechanisms of Action of Probiotics [published correction appears in Adv Nutr. 2020 Jul 1;11(4):1054. doi: 10.1093/advances/nmaa042]. Adv Nutr. 2019;10(suppl_1):S49-S66. doi:10.1093/advances/nmy063