Every day, we are unknowingly exposed to billions of bacteria - we even ingest them with our daily food. There are many bacteria that can cause illnesses, but they can also be used specifically to perform health-promoting functions. These good bacteria are called probiotics.
What Are Probiotics and When Is The Best Time To Take Them?
"Probiotics are living, reproducing microorganisms that, when taken in appropriate amounts, provide health benefits to the body."
Source: Bischoff, Stephan C. (2009): Probiotics, prebiotics and synbiotics, 1st edition, Stuttgart, New York: Georg Thieme Verlag.
So what is a probiotic?
Well, your gut is home to trillions of tiny bacteria that play a HUGE role in your health (a unique system called your microbiome).
These bacteria affect not just the health of your gut — but the health of your entire body!
Simply put, improving the health of your microbiome could be your key to unlocking better health and more energy.
And the easiest way to do that is with probiotics.
These are good bacteria you can consume to support your gut health and much more.
And while many people consume probiotic capsules, you can also consume probiotics in powder form.
When deciding what form is right for you, it’s important to look for high-quality ingredients and formulas to ensure they survive the journey to your gut.
The probiotics in our landmark Gut Restore mix are specially coated to make it past your stomach acid and bile and arrive safely in your gut.
And its 3 powerful strains of probiotics include:
- Lactobacillus acidophilus — studies show this probiotic can help significantly reduce digestive discomfort, so you can experience more comfortable trips to the bathroom.
- Bifidobacterium lactis — this "all-star" probiotic can really do it all. Studies show it may be able to help with weight management, support a healthy immune system, and even promote better heart health!
- Lactobacillus plantarum — the perfect probiotic to round out this trio, L. plantarum could help support healthy digestion (to help reduce bloating and discomfort after meals) and may even help support skin health to give yours more of a healthy "glow!"
Health benefits of probiotics
The truth is, your microbiome is connected to nearly EVERY aspect of your health — including your energy, mental focus, and even your mood.
Based on exciting research, the regular use of probiotics could help you experience:
- More comfortable and "regular" trips to the bathroom (so you can feel digestive relief you may not have experienced in years)
- Far more natural all-day energy (like the kind most of us only experienced in our teens and twenties)
- Healthier-looking skin and a more radiant "glow" (to help you feel more confident every time you look in the mirror)
Turns out, when you have the right bacteria living in your gut, you can experience smooth, easy digestion, more comfortable bathroom trips, higher energy levels, and more.
But when you have too much "bad bacteria" living in your gut, things can start to go VERY wrong with your health.
I'm talking about "tummy troubles" like constipation, gas, bloating, and diarrhea…
Constant fatigue and low energy…
A weak immune system…
And regular skin breakouts and irritation. (Not to mention a whole bunch of other issues.)
So what causes the bad bacteria to take over your gut?
Well, you may have already guessed: high-sugar diets, chemical additives in food (including many gums and emulsifiers), and most packaged and processed foods.
Of course, tens of millions of people in the U.S. and Europe rely on these types of foods every day because they're fast, convenient, and often quite delicious.
Unfortunately, they're also TERRIBLE for the health of the good bacteria in your gut.
Because the microbiome is so important for maintaining physical functions and even mental health, the targeted use of probiotics can help rebalance these functions and support the proliferation of good bacteria.
When should you take probiotics?
While there are conflicting reports about when you should take probiotics to experience the benefits, ultimately the choice is yours.
And while there are benefits to taking probiotics first thing in the morning (when your stomach acid is low), we suggest taking probiotics daily 30 min after your first or second meal.
When can you start to feel an effect?
Everybody is different so it will vary from person to person. Some people may feel the effects immediately, while it may take longer for others.
However, it is important to take prebiotics and probiotics regularly to notice consistent results. Some noticeable changes could be smoother digestion, going to the bathroom more easily or more regularly, and higher energy levels.
Since a large part of our immune defense takes place in the gut, positive effects on the immune system, metabolism, cardiovascular system, and even the skin can become apparent after further time.
If you’re looking for a way to support your gut health, we have two powerful mixes that make it easy.
Gut Restore helps introduce new beneficial bacteria to your gut in the form of PRObiotics. Gut Feeling contains PREbiotic fiber to nourish and feed these beneficial bacteria. Together, the use of pre-and probiotics can support gut health which can result in smoother, more comfortable digestion, improved focus, and more balanced energy.
To learn more about the difference between probiotics and prebiotics, click here.