What Are The Signs Your Probiotics Are Working?

Probiotics are one of the most talked about topics in health and wellness. These beneficial microorganisms are recommended for everything from stomach issues to supporting your mental health. Although they naturally occur in many fermented foods like yogurt and sauerkraut, people often increase their consumption through supplements. Like with many supplements, however, it can be difficult to tell if probiotics are actually working.

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How do probiotics work?

Packed in your neat little pill or capsule is anywhere from 1 to 10 billion CFU of probiotics – that’s the unit used to estimate the number of microbial cells present. Probiotics are live bacteria and fungi that help repopulate the gut microbiome, offering a wide range of health benefits when consumed.

Your gut microbiome comprises good bacteria and fungi (flora) that help maintain balance in your body by supporting the cells that line your gut. Gut flora is responsible for fermenting fiber that reaches the gut, creating short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). These SCFAs are essential for regulating inflammation, and metabolism, and preventing disease.

When you take probiotics or consume them through food, you’re helping to promote overall balance in the body – but how do you know if probiotics are helping?

Signs your probiotics are working

Because probiotics are beneficial for many different systems and parts of the body, there are several ways you can tell whether or not your probiotics are working. Some people turn to probiotics as a way to help treat many different conditions, including irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), urinary tract infections (UTIs), diarrhea and constipation, eczema, allergies, etc.

Improvement in these conditions or other ones you may be experiencing is a good sign your probiotics are working. Probiotics don’t just help with preexisting conditions; they also help support your overall health and well-being.

You can look towards some other key areas to tell if your probiotics are working. Further we list some indicators that confirm you are reaping the benefits of consuming probiotics.

1. Improved gut health

One of the most obvious ways probiotics can support your body is by promoting good gut health. This is thanks to their ability to help improve digestion.

Gastrointestinal issues like bloating, constipation, diarrhea, and stomach aches can stem from all sorts of things, including stress, food intolerances, and underlying conditions. Probiotics can help reduce these symptoms and more.

They have also been shown to help acute cases of gastrointestinal issues. Probiotics may reduce the risk of antibiotic-associated diarrhea by 51%, as well as reduce symptoms of infectious diarrhea.

2. Enhanced brain health

A tell-tale sign your probiotics may be working is if you feel a difference in your cognition. Cognition includes any mental processes that involve learning and understanding.

Enhanced cognition means you may notice a difference in your attention, memory, thinking, and reasoning. Cognition isn’t the only part of brain health that probiotics can support.

Many people also notice a difference in their mental health when taking probiotics. Studies have shown that consuming probiotics can help reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety.

3. Better sleep

Brain health and sleep tend to go hand in hand. It’s another area of your health that can improve when taking probiotics.

Recent research shows that taking probiotic supplements may help enhance sleep quality. Also, people with insomnia may have an easier time sleeping thanks partly to probiotics.

Why your probiotics may not be working

As with most supplements and lifestyle changes, it can take time to notice the effects. How long does it take probiotics to work? It depends on the person, your overall health, diet, and what you’re trying to address by taking probiotics.

Still, it can be frustrating to spend time and money on a new supplement, only not to notice a difference in your health. Here are some common reasons why your probiotics may not be working:

• The microbes in your probiotics are dead;
• You don’t take them regularly;
• The strain of probiotics isn’t right for you;
• The strains aren’t surviving in your digestive system;
• You have unrealistic expectations.

What can you do if probiotics are not working

You know how beneficial probiotics can be and want to try to make them work. Luckily there are some ways you can troubleshoot your probiotics and try to get them to work.

Give it time

The amount of time it takes for probiotics to work depends on your body and what you’re trying to address. If you’re not noticing improvements in symptoms, you may need to give your probiotics a bit more time.

Some people notice improvements in gastrointestinal issues within a few days; for others, it may take a few weeks.

Change your diet

Taking probiotics is effective, but they’re not miracle workers that can make up for a poor diet. A diet high in processed foods, added sugars, alcohol, and refined oils can deter the effects of probiotics.

On the other hand, certain foods can be used to help activate probiotics. These are called prebiotics and are found in fiber-rich food like greens, bananas, asparagus, and oats.

Store your probiotics properly

Another potential issue with probiotics that aren’t working is that the microorganisms in them have died. This is usually due to improper storage.

Be sure to read the storage instructions for your probiotics. Some that are freeze-dried can be stored generally at room temperature; many, however, need to be refrigerated and kept out of humidity.

Side effects of probiotics

On the other hand, some might wonder if you take too many probiotics. While an overdose is highly unlikely, people may experience unpleasant side effects if they take more than the recommended dose, have a sensitivity to them, or if you take probiotics on an empty stomach.

Do probiotics cause gas? They certainly can be for some people, along with other potential side effects like bloating, diarrhea, or allergic reactions.

Probiotics and food

Supplements aren’t the only source of probiotics. Thanks to the food you eat, you probably consume more of these beneficial bacteria than you realize.

People dealing with constipation may reach for a well-known bubbly drink – kombucha. Does kombucha make you poop? The combination of probiotics and water may certainly help!

Kombucha isn’t the only probiotic-rich food available. Some of the foods highest in probiotics include:

• Yogurt and kefir;
• Miso and tempeh;
• Sourdough bread;
• Kimchi;
• Certain cheeses.

The best probiotics for you

So how do you find the best probiotic for you? A lot of that depends on your age and gender.

Children will do best with a lower dose probiotic, somewhere between 500 million and 5 billion CFUs, that contains a wide range of strains of bacteria. Females and males under 50 generally do well taking a probiotic containing around 50 billion CFUs of several strains of lactobacillus.

A huge hormonal change happens for women during the 40s or 50s – menopause. What is the best probiotic for women over 50? Again it’s a probiotic with 30 to 50 billion CFUs of a variety of strains of lactobacillus. The same is true for men over 50.

While many people can benefit from your standard lactobacillus probiotic, others may need different strains to help address specific health issues. If you’re unsure what probiotic to take or why yours still aren’t working, be sure to consult your healthcare provider.

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