What Probiotic Should I Take as an Adult?

Gut the health!? If you've been paying attention to health trends, gut health has become a bit of a buzzword in recent years. Our digestive system is a complex, interlinked series of tubes, microorganisms, and fibers (not unlike the internet) that not only govern our digestion but also affect whole-body wellness.

One way to support your gut health through dietary supplementation is with probiotics. What are probiotics? Which probiotic is right for you? And does Nature Made^® have options to suit your specific needs? (Spoiler alert on that last one; yes!) Read on to find out how to best support your digestive health goals.^†

What Are Probiotics?

Pop quiz: what are probiotics? Are they: A. Good bacteria that help support the digestive tract's natural balance? Or are they B.--? Oh, okay, you got it, it's A.

Our gut microbiome is filled with many bacteria that affect our digestive health. Some bacteria are good; other bacteria are not so helpful. Probiotics are good bacteria that support healthy digestion and gut balance. So, the answer to the question “do probiotics help with digestion?” is a solid “yes.”^†

Are probiotics healthy for you? Yes, probiotics are a “pro” for your gut. That’s why you should try and provide your body with sources of probiotics, but what are some ways you can do that every day?

We can get probiotics through our diet by eating fermented foods like yogurt, kefir, or miso. Nature Made^® also offers several different products for probiotic supplementation, including probiotic strains to help reinforce the preexisting probiotic bacteria in your gut. But with so many options, which one should you choose?^†

What Probiotic Should I Take From Nature Made^®?

Nature Made^® provides a selection of probiotics for adults to help you support your digestive health. With so many options, you’re likely to ask, What probiotic should I take? Who should take probiotics? Any adult looking to support their gut health with beneficial bacteria might look into a probiotic supplement.^†

There are all sorts of different probiotics available, so in order to find out which might work best for you, first you should identify what particular digestive health goals you are working towards.

Identify Your Digestive Health Goals

What digestive health goals are you working toward by selecting a probiotic? By identifying your digestive health goals, you can more easily choose our best probiotic to help reach those goals. For example, you may look for a probiotic to relieve occasional gas, bloating, or discomfort. If so, we have products to fit your needs.^†

Consider Probiotics Formulated for Specific Support

If you're looking for specific support, you might be interested in our Extra Strength 15 Billion CFU Probiotics supplement. In addition to supporting digestive balance and healthy gut flora, this supplement provides specific support in both the small and large intestines. Two strains of probiotics help relieve occasional gas, bloating, diarrhea, and abdominal discomfort in the small intestine. In the large intestine, they help relieve occasional constipation and irregularity.^†

Nature Made^® Probiotic + Prebiotic Fiber Gummies provide a clinically studied probiotic strain that adds good bacteria to the digestive tract, and also provide a good source of prebiotic fiber to nourish the good bacteria in your gut.^†

Another option for Nature Made^® gut health support is our 1 Billion CFU Probiotic Capsules for supporting digestive health. This clinically studied probiotic supports a healthy immune system, supports digestive health, and promotes regularity.^†

If you're looking for probiotic support in a tasty package, our Extra Strength Probiotic Gummies work with good bacteria found in your gut to support healthy digestion.^†

How to Take Probiotics for Digestive Health Support^†

Once you've found the probiotic that fits your digestive health goals, it's essential to determine the best way to take probiotics as a part of your daily wellness routine. Probiotics work best when they're taken consistently, every day. Some probiotic strains work by adhering to the lining of the intestines, which are sloughed off each day. By providing your gut with a daily source of good bacteria, you replace the probiotics flushed with the intestinal lining and support the preexisting beneficial bacteria in your gut.[1]^†

How do you remember to take them every day? The best way to take most supplements is with a regular daily meal. This is a convenient time when you already have food and water. Because you are attaching this supplement to a preexisting routine rather than creating a new routine from scratch, you are more likely to remember to take your probiotics every time you sit down for your meal. This also provides the benefit of the food soaking up some of the stomach acid that could damage the live bacteria in probiotics.[2]

Find the Right Probiotic to Support Your Health^†

There may be quite a few options for probiotic supplements, but that doesn't mean choosing the right one has to be complicated! If you’re looking for more guidance to answer the question “what probiotic should I take?”, we recommend consulting with your primary care provider about your individual health goals.

Your primary care provider is best suited to give you personalized advice for starting or changing your wellness routine. Everybody is different; you may want to try different probiotic strains and delivery mechanisms before deciding which one best supports your digestive health.^†

† 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. 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
2. 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