What's the Best Way to Take Probiotics?

Do probiotics help with digestion? Yeah, that might be fairly well known; but do they know the best way to take probiotics as part of a regular wellness routine? Now, that's something you might need to look up.

Well, my friend, you probably just did. That's why you're here. So don't worry; this guide will help you with some practical tips for taking probiotics, so the next time someone asks you, "What's the best way to take probiotics?" you'll knock their socks off with your well-informed, educated answer.

Why Consistency Is Key with Probiotics

What are probiotics? Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that help support digestive balance; they can be found in our diet in fermented foods like yogurt and miso. If we don’t find many food sources of probiotics in our diet, many of us will add probiotic supplements to our daily wellness routine. So what’s the secret to good supplementation?

Everything has a key: your house, car, and even your gut. While you may keep your house key and car key on the same keyring, the key to your gut is something slightly more ephemeral: consistency. That's right, my friends. Consistency is the key to providing probiotic support for your digestive health.^†

Supplementing your gut with probiotics isn't a one-time thing; our gut refreshes its interior lining daily.[1] You provide continual, daily support by replenishing your gut's probiotic bacteria. Here's why taking probiotics daily helps out.^†

Benefits of Taking Probiotics Daily

Who should take probiotics? Any adult looking to add beneficial bacteria to their gut to support digestive balance should look into probiotic supplementation. Nature Made^® probiotics are delivered in convenient forms that are easy to take every day.^†

Are probiotics healthy for you? By taking probiotics daily, you support a balanced gut flora. Our gut microbiome is a complex network of good and bad bacteria. Supporting your gut by providing a daily dose of beneficial bacteria helps to keep it in balance.^†

Tips for Making Probiotics Part of Your Daily Routine

While it's easy to say you'll take your probiotics daily, sometimes it can be challenging to remember to do something every single day. Here are Nature Made^®'s tips for making daily probiotic supplementation easy and convenient.

#1 Take Probiotics with Your Meals

Our first suggestion is to take your probiotic supplements with your meals. If you don't already, you should take most of your supplements with a consistent meal. By taking probiotics with your meals, you do a few helpful things.

First, by connecting your routine with a consistent meal, you make it easy to remember to take your probiotics at the same time every day. Instead of starting a new routine, you add a small addition to a pre-existing routine, which is your daily meal.

Second, probiotics should be taken with the heartiest meal of the day. Probiotics are live bacteria cultures, and taking them with food protects them from some of the stomach acid that can damage them.[2] Taking a probiotic with a meal helps make your routine more consistent and helps aid the probiotics' effectiveness. Always follow the suggested use on the label when taking your probiotic supplements.

#2 Choose a Time That Works Best for You

There's no "right time of day" to take probiotics beyond the best time for you. Taking probiotics in the morning doesn't have a different effect than taking a probiotic at night. So, pick a time that works for you. Whether that's breakfast, lunch, or dinner, choosing the meal that you are most comfortable with will help you introduce probiotic supplements into your daily flow.

For some, breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and taking your probiotics with avocado toast, for example, is a great way to start the morning. However, for others, breakfast is devoured while rushing out the door. For them, lunch or dinner will probably work better. Try out different meal times to see which works best for you.

#3 Set a Reminder or Keep Probiotics Visible

Another easy way to help support consistency in your supplement routine is by setting reminders. Keep an alarm on your phone to remind you when to take your supplements daily so you won't forget.

Another little trick for remembering your probiotic supplements is placing them somewhere visible during the time of day you plan to take them. Whether this means keeping them in your lunch bag or leaving a note on the counter to see when you're preparing dinner, these small tips and tricks can help you remember to take your probiotic supplements daily. Of course, always double-check the label when storing your supplements to ensure you are storing them according to the conditions.

Do You Need to Take Food With Probiotics?

Do you need to take food with probiotics? It's essential to take your probiotics with a meal. The bacteria in probiotics can be sensitive to heat and acidity, so taking them alongside a meal helps by allowing the food to neutralize some of your stomach acids so the supplements are not affected.

It's also important not to wash your probiotics down with a hot beverage like coffee; the heat can also damage some of the live bacteria. So, wash them down with a cold or room-temperature beverage instead!

Choosing the Right Probiotic Format for Your Lifestyle

There are many probiotics to choose from; what probiotic should I take?

Capsules vs. Gummies

Nature Made^® offers probiotics for adults in both capsule and gummy form. For example, Digestive Probiotics Extra Strength Capsules and Digestive Probiotics Extra Strength Gummies. Is one better than the other? Different forms of probiotics may be better for different people, depending on their preferences and needs. Capsules are a straightforward option; they can be a preference for those who want a quick, straightforward substance and are used to taking capsules.

Gummies are a tasty alternative, allowing you to take probiotics in a chewy package. This is better for people who want something more enjoyable, especially if you prefer chewable supplements over capsules. Both offer probiotic support, so pick whichever works best for you!

Considering Multi-Benefit Probiotics for Additional Support

Rather than just providing digestive support, Nature Made^® Probiotics 1 Billion CFU Capsules include a clinically studied strain for immune support. Multi-function probiotics can provide additional support; choose the supplement that aligns most closely with your health goals and preferences.^†

Similarly, our new Probiotic + Prebiotic Fiber Gummies provide two benefits in one supplement, adding good bacteria to your digestive tract alongside Prebiotic fiber to nourish good bacteria in the gut.^†

Make Probiotics a Daily Habit

So, what is the best way to take probiotics? The answer is consistency. Keeping a regular supplement schedule helps provide your gut with daily probiotic support; following these simple tips, find the supplement routine that works best for you. Support your digestive health goals with probiotic supplementation from Nature Made^®.^†

† 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