How Often Should I Take Probiotics? The Surprising Answer

If probiotic supplements were in a popularity contest right now, they would definitely win. And with popularity sometimes comes misconceptions (remember coconut oil?). There’s no doubt that the research about probiotics is exciting – we know more than ever before about how important gut health is, and it’s actually pretty amazing what your gut does for you on a daily basis! And the ecosystem living inside of it, your gut microbiome, is home to the bacteria that everyone is talking about right now. This leads to one big question: how often should I take a probiotic? Let’s see what some of the experts say. 

What are probiotics? 

Probiotics are live microorganisms – or beneficial bacteria and yeasts – that have health benefits. They spend time working hard in your gut, digesting food, synthesizing vitamins, making sure your digestive tract runs smoothly, and supporting immune health. This is only the surface of what probiotics do. 

The microorganisms in your body are so important that the National Institutes of Health Human Microbiome Project is dedicated to exploring the role these colonies play in the human body. In one of their most cited research reports, they report that there are more than 10,000 microbial species in the human ecosystem. They also note how important they are for digestion. The human body can’t actually digest certain nutrients, and that’s where probiotics step in.

Why are probiotics important?

The bacteria in your lower intestinal tract of the large intestine have many important jobs! It is truly an activity hub where bacteria digest food and support immune health. Sometimes, life happens and bacteria become unbalanced or disrupted. Common digestive disruptions occur due to stress, interruptions from medication, and eating too much sugar and processed foods. When this happens, bacteria levels can dip below where they should be, and probiotics can help restore balance. 

Plus, probiotics can assist with occasional and uncomfortable and embarrassing digestive issues. In 2017, a study published in Antibiotics stated that across several studies, probiotics helped relieve diarrhea experienced after taking antibiotics. Another study in the The American Journal of Clinical Nutrition reported that probiotics helped ease constipation in adults. These are only two of many studies and clinical research that show the benefits of probiotics on human health.

How often should you take probiotics? 

If you take supplements, you have probably seen the acronym RDA – or Recommended Daily Allowance – on the label. According to the National Institutes of Health Office for Dietary Supplements, this means “average daily level of intake sufficient to meet the nutrient requirements of nearly all (97%-98%) healthy people.” You might also see “Percent Daily Value” on the label, which tells you how much of that nutrient is in a single serving. For probiotics, it’s different. Currently, there is no official recommended dose because researchers are still trying to understand how many probiotics are beneficial on a daily basis. 

If you’re thinking, “that doesn’t answer my question,” there’s more to it! The National Center for Complementary and integrative Health states that probiotics have a long history of safety. The National Institutes of Health Office for Dietary Supplements probiotics fact sheet also references two studies where daily probiotic use was beneficial. And the Harvard Medical School states that probiotics can be taken once per day. Experts also agree that when taking probiotics or any other supplements, you should consult your physician first to make sure it is the right fit for you. 

So the answer is probiotics are likely safe for daily use, but because human health is so unique from person to person, it is always best to consult your physician first. 

Get your daily Gut Love! 

Daily probiotics consumption is fast and easy with Teami Gut Love! As a convenient powder supplement, it contains prebiotics and probiotics – 20 million probiotics in seven different strains – which helps support a healthy gut microbiome and digestive health. 

All it takes to get your probiotics is one scoop in water or your smoothie. This powder formula is perfect for on-the-go and for people who do not like to swallow bulky pills. Plus, there are two flavors to choose from. Unflavored is perfect if you don’t want any taste, and Triple Berry adds a little bit of sweetness to a plain glass of water. Gut Love works best when used with a meal; however, you can still use it at any time of the day that works best in your routine.

With each serving, you will receive 20 billion probiotics from these strains:

Most probiotic formulas contain only one or two strains of probiotics. The seven strains in Gut Love contain diverse bacteria to provide more gut support! 

Plus, Gut Love is vegan, non-GMO, gluten-free, dairy/soy-free, sugar-free, corn-free, and contains NO binders. In a nutshell, Gut Love is made with everyone in mind! 

Talking about gut health shouldn’t be embarrassing or taboo. What happens in your gut is actually amazing and so important – let’s work together and make it more accessible for everyone to share without shame. Take a selfie with your Gut Love tub and share your gut story with us on Instagram using the hashtag #thankyouteami!