How to restore healthy gut flora. A healthy diet combined with probiotic supplements can balance your gut's good bacteria by replenishing what is killed off by antibiotics, both during and after a course of antibiotics. They can also prevent the most common side effect: antibiotic-associated diarrhea.
The short answer: It takes most people 2 to 3 weeks to feel significant benefits when they start taking probiotics. That's because probiotics need time to accomplish their three key goals: increase your good bacteria count, decrease your bad bacteria count, and reduce inflammation.
Probiotics can sometimes help ease symptoms, including stomach pain, bloating, gas, diarrhea, and constipation.
A common question about probiotics is whether it is ok to take probiotic supplements every day. Whilst there may be a few exceptions to this rule, the general answer is yes, it's safe, and usually recommended, to take them daily. It's important to understand that probiotics are a natural supplement and not a medicine.
The recent popularity of achieving 'gut health', through habits dedicated to improving gut composition, has likely led to the misconception that “probiotics permanently alter your gut bacteria”. The truth is quite the opposite. Studies have shown that probiotics typically do not take up permanent residence in your gut.
Building a healthy microbiome can take up to 6 months if the correct healthy habits are adopted (diet, exercise, sleep and stress management - and also supplements if needed) however it really is a lifelong journey because you need to continue these habits to maintain a healthy microbiome.
We recommend staying on the diet for at least 3-4 weeks as it will take about that long to “heal the gut.” Some patients may take up to 3 months to reestablish a normal functioning intestinal mucosa. In my experience, everyone who goes through this process feels better in the end.
The gut-improving time of people who don't have autoimmune conditions, food sensitivities, or other inflammatory health issues varies, but studies suggest that it's somewhere between two and 12 weeks.
Probiotics have been shown to be safe to use long-term. One study found that long-term use of probiotics led to beneficial changes in the gut microbiome. Like dosage, the duration for taking probiotics varies depending on the bacterial strains and specific product.
The probiotics begin fighting off the bad bacteria by emitting an acid that destroys it permanently. Probiotics help your natural good bacteria to thrive, thus restoring balance and equilibrium within your system. This is how your body remains healthy throughout the day.
When you take a high-quality probiotic supplement, you may notice several positive changes in your body, ranging from improved digestion and more energy, to improved mood and clearer skin. Oftentimes, the first and most immediate change individuals notice is improved digestion.
When first using probiotics, some people experience gas, bloating, or diarrhea. Changes in the gut microbiota can result in bacteria producing more gas than usual, which can lead to bloating. However, these side effects usually clear up within a few days or weeks of taking the probiotics.
Also, taking supplements when you don't need them could upset the balance of good and bad bacteria in your gut, leaving you feeling sick. Other times, some type of probiotic is needed to feel better. For example, when too many bacteria growing in your gut leads to Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).
Research shows the best time to take a probiotic is first thing in the morning before eating breakfast or before going to sleep at night. Probiotics are most effective when taken on an empty stomach.
For short-term symptom relief, such as reducing diarrhea, some probiotics may work in as little as a few days. For chronic conditions or general immune health, it may be most beneficial to take probiotics for weeks or months at a time.
The 4R program offers four steps—remove, replace, reinoculate, and repair—that can address the underlying causes and restore balance, helping to alleviate symptoms. Depending on the severity of your condition, it can take up to six months to fully repair your gut.
Some medications that may interact with certain probiotics include: antibiotics, antifungals (such as clotrimazole, ketoconazole, griseofulvin, nystatin).