Probiotic Supplement Timing and Effectiveness

Overview

• Foods may be better carriers for probiotics than supplements.
• Confusion exists about when to take probiotic supplements due to varying instructions: with meals, before, after, or on an empty stomach.
• Until recently, no studies examined the best timing for intake.

Study on Probiotic Timing

• A study was conducted using a simulated digestive tract to test probiotic survival.
• The setup included a fake stomach and intestines, complete with real saliva, digestive enzymes, acid, bile, etc.

Findings

• The survival of probiotics was tested in various conditions:
  • Before, during, and after meals
  • In combinations such as oatmeal and milk, milk alone, apple juice, or water

Conclusion

• Probiotic bacteria survival is best within 30 minutes before or simultaneously with a meal or beverage containing some fat content.

Implications

• For optimal probiotic effectiveness, consider taking supplements with meals or beverages that include some fat.