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Do I Need A Probiotic Every Day

Make Sure Any Supplements You Buy Are Coated

Do You Need a Probiotic Every Day?

Some probiotic strains can’t survive the acidity of your gut. So if you’re taking a supplement, make sure it’s coated the outer shell will help it reach your intestines intact. If you can find only an uncoated version, take it with food to help protect it from the aggressive environment.

This article originally appeared in the March 2019 issue of Womens Health. For more intel on how to live a happier, healthier life, pick up an issue on newsstands now.

Probiotics: How Many Billion Cfu Do I Need To Maintain Daily Digestive Health

  • The right dose of probiotics will depend on several factorsmost notably, an individuals purpose for taking probiotics
  • A daily dose of 10-20 billion CFU is advisable for individuals seeking everyday immune and digestive support
  • For some health indications, higher doses of probiotics may have a greater clinical benefit than lower doses

Signs Of An Unhappy Gut

When your microbiome is upset by stress, what makes your gut more unhappy or upset will be any form of illness even close to the gastrointestinal system, infection, and a diet that is high in refined sugar.

What happens when there is an imbalance in gut bacteria is a wide variety of digestive issues associated with other problems, including:

  • Indigestion
  • Allergies
  • Fatigue

So an overgrowth of bad intestinal bacteria can contain proteins that your cat’s immune system may associate for healthy bacteria, which can lead to these problems.

Can any of these conditions develop in your cat? Unfortunately, yes, but its not too late to regain balance in your cats gut health.

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Capsule Form Probiotic Supplements:

DrFormulas Nexabiotic probiotic for cats can help treat your pets diarrhea and maintain healthy intestinal health. This probiotic contains a proprietary blend of 23 different probiotic strains and is clinically proven to support regular bowel movements and feline health.

These include Saccharomyces boulardii, B. animalis lactis , Lactobacillus acidophilus, S. thermophilus, L. rhamnosus LB3, and L. brevis. This probiotic has been made in an FDA and GMP inspected facility. You can also choose Nexabiotic to help keep your cat healthy and happy.

Surprising Reasons You Should Take A Daily Probiotic

I eat yogurt every day. Do I still need to take a probiotic?

By now youve probably heard of the microbiome, the community of trillions of microorganisms that live inside and on your body. But did you know that microbes are so fundamental to life that they outnumber human cells by about 10 to 1?

Our microbiome is full of all kinds of microbes, both good and bad. When our microbiome is balanced, the good guys work hard to keep us vibrant and healthy. However, when too many of the bad guys are hanging around, the good bacteria lose their footing and cant do their jobs properly.

The good news is that we can swing the balance of the microbes in our microbiome in favor of the good guys by consuming probiotics, or beneficial bacteria. Probiotics work to replenish the beneficial bacteria in our body and provide a myriad of important, supportive health benefits.

Here are the top 10 reasons why taking a daily probiotic supplement is one of the best things you can do to support your overall health and wellness. Probiotics for Women and Probiotics for Men are a great start toward overall wellness.

1. Encourage a balanced microbiome

From modern diets filled with sugar and additives to exposure to antibiotics in both medicine and food, your lifestyle can wreak havoc on your bodys delicate balance of bacteria. Even aging, stress, environmental toxins, and medications can have indiscriminate effects on your healthy microflora balance.

2. Support immune function

3. Support nutrient absorption

4. Maintain your mood

6. Freshen breath

References:4

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How Long To Take Probiotics Is Cycling Necessary

The FDA has not recommended any official guidelines regarding probiotic use. Duration, therefore, is kind of left up to the user. Should you continue to take probiotics if the ailment youre taking it for subsides? Again, there is no uniform answer.

We will say this, though. Probiotics exist naturally in your gut and throughout your body for that matter. Youre basically introducing more of what already exists in your system.

Lets put it this way: do you ever stop consuming vitamins and minerals? Do you cycle on and off vitamins the way you do with anabolic steroids or TRT? The answer is a resounding no for most folks. We believe its the same with probiotics. In other words, you can consume probiotic-rich foods indefinitely. The same goes for a daily probiotic supplement like Floracil50. You dont need to cycle a probiotic supplement for the same reason you dont need to cycle a multi-vitamin tablet.

Different Cfus For Different Needs

As with most supplements and drugs, there is a large dose range over which probiotics are clinically effective, and higher dosages may be advisable for certain individuals and health conditions.1012 For example, research suggests that supplementing with a high CFU may be beneficial for people whove experienced a significant alteration to their gut microbiome due to illness, use of antibiotics, or other lifestyle factors.5,13

Adding to the complexity of dosing, research studies show that different health conditions can respond differently to different probiotic strains and dosages. For some health conditions, a lower dose may work as well or even better than a higher dose, whereas for other health conditions, higher amounts are necessary to provide a clinical effect.7,10,1418 More and better studies investigating the dose-response relation of probiotics for different health conditions can further inform our understanding of optimal dosing.

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The Regular Bathroom Detail

Whether you go in the morning or at night, healthy people should be having at least one bowel movement per day. Several things are going on when this happens, but ultimately, this trip to the bathroom is the final stage of digestion. The friendly bacteria that exist in the digestive tract break down food into waste material that exits the body in this final stage.

Part of this fecal matter includes bacteria that leave with the waste material. In fact, bacterial biomass is a major component of the organic portion of your stool, undigested carbohydrates, fiber, protein and fat make up most of the rest. Its the intestinal tracts way of shedding some of these organisms to make room for new ones. Probiotics replace what is lost daily to keep the system balanced.

Make Yogurt A Kitchen Staple

I TRIED PROBIOTICS EVERY DAY FOR 2 WEEKS AND THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED

Plain yogurt with live active cultures can also be transformed from a breakfast food into a key ingredient in salad dressings, dips, and cold sauces, says Kitty Broihier, MS, RD, LD, a nutrition consultant in Portland, Maine.

Just know that any recipe that requires heating the yogurt in any way is going to kill off its good bacteria. So stick to no-cook recipes to reap the most gut benefits, Broihier says.

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What Does The Research Say About Daily Probiotic Use

In the majority of studies that investigate the effects of taking probiotics, researchers administer a daily dose to participants . This indicates an advantage to taking probiotics every day. Evidence for daily supplementation dates back to the 1990s2, and therefore this is now established best practice for probiotic use.

In a small study2, 10 women were allocated to either a probiotic or control group to investigate whether Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1® and Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14® could colonise in the vagina. The women took either the probiotic or placebo supplement orally for 14 days, and follow-up faecal and vaginal swabs were collected on days 0, 7, 14 and 21. It was found that the strains were able to colonise in the vaginal region after day 7 and 14, but that once the probiotic intake stopped at day 14, neither strain was detected after a further week . These findings indicate the need to take a probiotic supplement daily in order for them to colonise and exert their health benefits, and that if you stop taking them, the probiotics will ‘exit’ the body within a week. Healthcare professionals can read more about Lactobacillus rhamnosus GR-1®and Lactobacillus reuteri RC-14® on the Probiotics Database.

How Often Should You Take Probiotics

Probiotics are live yeast and bacteria that are good for you, particularly in your digestive system. Your body is full of bacteria some of which are good, and some of which are bad. Its no surprise that probiotics fall into the good category. They help to keep your gut healthy, providing many benefits, which we will touch on below. A lot of people wonder whether they should take daily probiotic supplements or whether this is too much. You came to the right place were going to answer all of the questions you may have about when to take your probiotic supplement so that you can get a better understanding. So, lets get to it…

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If You Take A Probiotic You Need To Eat Prebiotics

The bacteria in your gutboth visitors and residentsneed to eat too. Enter prebiotics, nondigestible carbs that feed friendly bacteria and help them multiply. They may even be helpful on their own, at recalibrating microbiota that have been thrown out of whack by stress a recent study found mice who ate prebiotics slept better after a stressful experience. Hutkins advises taking them daily in the form of food, not pills, because it’s difficult to get the needed amount from a supplement. Prebiotics are found in wholegrain oatmeal, bananas, onions, garlic, and asparagus.

Mistake: Overlooking The Instructions

Should I Take Probiotics Every Day? The Good, the Bad, and ...

Not all probiotics are the same, therefore each one may come with different directions for use. Ignoring the instructions on the bottlewhich tell you how many pills to take, when to take them, and howcan hinder the effectiveness of your supplement and waste tons of your hard-earned money.

One big thing to look for is whether or not you need to take your probiotic with a meal. Some must be taken with food to help buffer the harsh stomach environment, while other freeze-dried yeast probiotics survive with or without food, says Taylor.

It’s also important to take note of the expiration date on the bottle. If you haven’t finished your supply by the date recommended by the manufacturer, your probiotics might lose some of their potency.

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What Are Probiotics For Cats

The strength of our pets immunity also highly depends on how healthy their gut is. A lot like us humans, even cats need to maintain a level of health within their gut as bacteria coming from the gut can form into diseases when were not too careful with our cats diet and health maintenance.

So keeping our cats gut balanced with an array of good bacteria is becomes the right way to ensure that your special felines immunity stays strong and healthy.

One possible way to keep your cats gut health is by supplementing your furry felines diet with probiotics for cats. Probiotics contain friendly or good bacteria that help to regulate your cats digestive tract which will then improve their overall health.

Good bacteria are live microorganisms believed to help prevent a variety of illnesses coming from the gut, especially diseases that are related to the intestinal system.

But how do you know if your cat needs probiotics? Which kind should you give to your cat, and how often should you administer them?

Mistake: Letting Your Wellness Habits Slide

Both diet and stress levels can have an impact on your digestive balance, gut flora, and general state of health, explains Taylor. And no, probiotics are not a magic bullet that will undo the effects of regular late-night French fry runs or a crazy workload. In order for them to work at their best, aim to be as consistent as possible with your other healthy habits.

Also, remember that medicationincluding antibioticscan kill off your gut bacteria and prevent your probiotics from working properly. Not only might you need to double down on your probiotic intake when you’re sick, but you should select a strain that can stand up to antibiotics, says Taylor. The good news? If you’re taking your probiotics properly, you’re less likely to get sick in the first placeall the more reason to make them part of your daily routine.

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Next Steps To Take If You’re Considering Probiotic Treatments

If you’re looking for where probiotic research stands on specific conditions, like acne or UTIs nothing conclusive on either of those topics as well as the limits of certain studies the NIH’s National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health website provides an informative breakdown.

The bottom line is that you should discuss your best course of action with a doctor or registered dietitian especially “if you are considering starting a probiotic to treat a specific illness, have a chronic disease or if you are immunosuppressed,” Gilmore says.

Whens The Best Time Of Day To Take Probiotics

PROBIOTICS: Why You Should be Taking them EVERY DAY!

Certain probiotics have specific recommendations for when they should be taken. Be sure to read the instructions before taking a new supplement. Because of the varying types of probiotic strains that have different effects, and the best time of day to take probiotics depends on the strain and formulation.

Some probiotics outline that they should be taken on an empty stomach, whereas others should be taken with a meal.

Some medications may adversely interact with probiotics, so you may need to take medicine and probiotic supplements separately. Since daily use of probiotics has been shown to be safe and effective for many health benefits, choosing a time of day when you will remember to take your probiotic supplement is the best way to ensure consistency.

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How Long Should You Take Probiotics

After analyzing the studies, we believe probiotics via food or supplement is a staple of long-term health. We wont say its an absolute must that you take a probiotic supplement indefinitely. However, we believe doing so will be of immense benefit to most people, regardless of age or current health.

Possible Side Effects Of Taking Prebiotics

During initial use, a probiotic supplement may lead to side effects related to digestion. This includes gas, burping, and even mild abdominal discomfort.

Once your body adjusts to the new environment, your digestive system begins to improve.

In people having a weak immune system with health conditions like HIV, AIDS, probiotics can result in hazardous infections.

Moreover, for people with health conditions, consulting with a medical expert is very crucial.

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Risks And Side Effects Of Prebiotics And Probiotics

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention point out that the use of commercial prebiotics and probiotics is generally safe for healthy people. But there are rare instances where a healthy person becomes sick after ingesting certain types of bacteria contained in probiotics. Probiotics arent regulated according to drug standards by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration . This means that some of the live bacteria being used in probiotics hasnt been evaluated according to strict safety measures. Thats something important to keep in mind when considering prebiotics and probiotics.

When you start a synbiotic regimen, there are some common side effects. Gas, constipation, loose stool, and loss of appetite sometimes happen, especially at the beginning of the regimen. Bloating and acid reflux have also been reported .

There is one side effect of probiotics that is known to be dangerous: having an allergic reaction to the bacteria that are being added to your body. If you break out in hives or experience extreme stomach pain after ingesting a prebiotic or probiotic, stop taking the supplement. Contact a doctor to determine if youre having a reaction.

Can Probiotics Be Harmful

Should you take a probiotic every day?
  • Probiotics have an extensive history of apparently safe use, particularly in healthy people. However, few studies have looked at the safety of probiotics in detail, so thereâs a lack of solid information on the frequency and severity of side effects.
  • The risk of harmful effects from probiotics is greater in people with severe illnesses or compromised immune systems. When probiotics are being considered for high-risk individuals, such as premature infants or seriously ill hospital patients, the potential risks of probiotics should be carefully weighed against their benefits.
  • Possible harmful effects of probiotics include infections, production of harmful substances by the probiotic microorganisms, and transfer of antibiotic resistance genes from probiotic microorganisms to other microorganisms in the digestive tract.
  • Some probiotic products have been reported to contain microorganisms other than those listed on the label. In some instances, these contaminants may pose serious health risks.

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Which Are The Best Probiotic Supplements You Can Take Daily

Whats most important here is that youre choosing probiotic strains that are clinically validated you can choose a probiotic with infinite CFUs, and if the strains are generic, theyre not proven to work. And that is what we call a big waste of money. We would also advise looking for probiotics that contain Lactobacillus, Saccharomyces boulardii, or Bifidobacterium, as these are three of the most researched probiotics.

How Many Probiotics Should You Take

The first thing to know about probiotics is that they come in far larger doses than most other supplements or nutrients.

While dosage can vary, American Family Physician recommends children take 5 to 10 billion colony-forming units of probiotics per day, and suggests adults consume 10 to 20 billion.

Additionally, some research shows theres potential value in consuming multiple strands of probiotics daily rather than just one.

These findings suggest that probiotic-rich foods, like Cleveland Kitchen sauerkraut, pack multiple strands of beneficial bacteria that can be more valuable than probiotic supplements with far fewer strands.

So, instead of opting for a single supplement with one billion CFU, try a few tablespoons of sauerkraut, or other fermented veggies, for up to 100 million CFU in a more diverse and flavorful package.

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