Your questions on the best probiotics, answeredWhat is the best probiotic?
For the best bang for your buck, I’d recommend the Nutravita 60 billion CFU pro bio cultures complex. With such a diverse range of bacteria strains and a potent 60 billion CFU per daily dose, it holds its own even among the big guns with a much higher price tag, especially in terms of rapid positive results. Bio-Kult’s probiotic is also a very affordable option for those looking for daily gut care. For those looking for a high-quality synbiotic, I would recommend The Nue Co’s prebiotic + probiotic supplement, but maybe consider a subscription to make it more affordable. If it’s an all-rounder you’re looking for, You’re Looking Well’s day pill contains probiotic strains, your daily vitamin D and 10 other essential nutrients for overall skin and gut health.
What to look for in a probiotic supplement
Experts recommend choosing probiotic products with at least 1 billion colony-forming units (CFU) per daily dose. Research has shown some strains to be more effective than others for treating certain conditions, so it’s best to choose a probiotic that will achieve the specific effects you want, to ensure the product you choose is suitable for your particular needs. It’s best to talk to a healthcare professional to get some advice about specific conditions.
What is the most effective probiotic?
Look for probiotic products that contain strains of bifidobacterium, lactobacillus and saccharomyces – all of which have been found to provide health benefits, from helping your gut to treating diarrhoea. Different health concerns and different bodies will require different strains. For example, if you’re taking antibiotics, you might want to consider a different kind of probiotic than someone who is struggling with recurring thrush. Similarly, someone dealing with severe IBS might need a different combination of probiotic cultures than a person dealing with general low mood who feels run down all the time. The best way to discern which is right for you is to make a symptom diary, track the types of foods you’re already incorporating into your diet and then consult with a nutrition expert.
What is the best time to take probiotics?
While you can take your probiotic whenever you like, the advice suggests it should be taken on an empty stomach so the “good” or “friendly” bacteria can make their way to the gut as fast as possible, and at least 30 minutes before food. With this in mind, it’s probably best to take your supplement first thing in the morning, half an hour before breakfast. It is important to stay consistent with the time at which you take your supplement, so you can really see the benefits.
What are the benefits of probiotic supplements for gut health?
According to the NHS, “probiotics are thought to help restore the natural balance of bacteria in your gut (including your stomach and intestines)”. Dr Rossi explains that you don’t need to take a probiotic supplement, but that many people can benefit from the effects of taking one. These supplements don’t provide a one-size-fits-all solution, but they can help with soothing stomach issues like IBS, constipation, cramps and broader issues associated with hormones and immunity.
“If you have an underlying gut sensitivity, which is 20 per cent of the population, maybe it’s because you’ve had a gut infection or an imbalance, or because of chronic stress, you can definitely have more sensitivities to foods.”
“Good gut health is like a muscle, so you need to train it. If you say, ‘okay, I’m quite unfit at baseline, I need to train these muscles’, that means having those small amounts of different probiotic foods, and your microbes then become incredible at adapting. They start to produce the right enzymes.”
What are the benefits of prebiotic supplements for gut health?
Research has shown that prebiotics may be able to improve digestion and metabolism, as well as help to regulate bowel movements. Additional benefits can also include improving calcium absorption and an increase in bone density. But, advises Dr Rossi, one should train their gut in the same way as they would with probiotics.
“We want to give our microbes food in an even spread. Some people have no fibre at breakfast and then have 30g in one meal, and that’s going to cause anyone gut stress, right? So we want to even out the spread. You want to feed those microbes because they will look after you if you look after them.”
Which foods contain prebiotics?
There are many prebiotic foods that can help improve your overall body health as well as your gut microbiome. Examples of these foods include mushrooms, garlic, onions, cocoa powder, oats, flaxseeds, green veg such as asparagus and leeks, apples, nuts such as cashews and almonds, as well as many roots.
What is the difference between prebiotics and probiotics?
Probiotics are foods or supplements that contain live microorganisms that help to maintain or improve the “good” bacteria – otherwise known as normal microflora – in the body. Prebiotics, however, are typically high-fibre foods that act as food for microflora. A simple explanation is that probiotics are beneficial bacteria, and prebiotics are food for these bacteria.
How long do probiotics take to have a positive effect?
The speed at which you notice improvements when using probiotics depends on a range of factors, such as the age of the user, how often you take it and, of course, the product itself. Most people, however, are likely to notice positive effects on their digestion in one to two weeks.
Can probiotic supplements help with weight loss?
It’s important to note that the purpose of probiotics is not to aid weight loss, and therefore, should not be taken with that intent in mind. That being said, it’s been shown that certain probiotics, such as Lactobacillus strains, may help people lose weight or body fat.
Why you can trust IndyBest reviews
Emilie Lavinia is The Independent’s fitness and wellbeing editor. Having reported on health and wellness for more than a decade, Emilie tests products with the help of experts like Medlin and Dr Rossi and helps the public discern between useful, quality supplements and overpriced products propped up by marketing jargon.
The IndyBest team also test a range of health-related supplements, from the best multivitamins to the best CBD oils to take according to experts, best probiotics, best way to get more B12 and even advice on how to manage menopause.
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