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.
Regularly taking probiotics has generally been shown to be safe, according to the NIH, especially Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. The most common side effect is gas. Some cases of infections have resulted in severe illness in immunocompromised or severely ill patients after taking probiotics.
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.
For chronic conditions or general immune health, it may be most beneficial to take probiotics for weeks or months at a time. Most people can tolerate probiotics well, and they can help restore or balance the healthy gut microbiome.
When probiotics administration is suspended, lactic acid bacteria are rapidly released, causing a host intestinal imbalance in the gut microbiota, gut metabolites, and intestinal physical structure.
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.
“Research has found probiotic supplements to be most effective when taken 20 to 30 minutes before a meal,” says Nelson. “Taking them before breakfast may be the preferred option, because your digestive system has been at rest for an extended period of time and the probiotic has less resistance reaching the intestines.”
There have been no rigorous scientific studies that look specifically at what happens when healthy individuals stop taking probiotics. However, if you stop populating your gut with “good” bacteria — either through supplements or food — the delicate balance can be disrupted and “bad” bacteria may begin to take over.
Bottom line. We're all human—missing a day or two of probiotics could happen, and that's not the end of the world. That said, taking a probiotic supplement consistently every day may increase its effectiveness. * Plus, in addition to efficacy, sticking to a ritual has its perks.
According to Harvard Health, daily use for one to two weeks may improve infectious or antibiotic-related diarrhea. MedlinePlus provides a list of several different ailments that can be benefited through probiotic supplements.
Probiotics can have great potential in the prevention and treatment of skin disorders including eczema, atopic dermatitis, acne, allergic skin inflammation, skin hypersensitivity, UV-induced skin damage, and wound healing.
Some medications that may interact with certain probiotics include: antibiotics, antifungals (such as clotrimazole, ketoconazole, griseofulvin, nystatin).
There are benefits of eating yoghurt with probiotics over a supplement. Dairy foods like yoghurt provide an ideal environment for bacteria and enhance their survival through the stomach and small intestine.
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.
The signs of an imbalanced gut can start appearing on your skin when bad bacteria are growing rapidly. Acne, eczema, rosacea, and inflammation are common skin problems you may experience when your probiotics aren't working.
There is no known risk of addiction or dependency when taking probiotic supplements. It is safe to take probiotics on a long-term basis without causing dependency or addiction. The word 'dependency' refers to the state of relying on a substance.
An anti-inflammatory diet, regular exercise, good quality sleep, and probiotics are all strategies to put in place before trying antimicrobials or antibiotics to get rid of bad bacteria.