What Your Pharmacist Wants You to Know about Probiotics
When I first started practicing pharmacy, my experience with probiotics consisted of the Florastor that we would keep behind the counter and special order for people or the probiotics we would recommend to parents when they came in to pick up a course of antibiotics.
Now, the buzz around probiotics is everywhere.
Rightfully so, as the more research that is done, the more important our gut microbiome seems to be. The microbiome, a mix of helpful bacteria in our gut, can be a big contributor to inflammation in our body when the balance is off. A probiotics is essentially defined as a microorganism introduced into a host (person) for health benefit. We can ingest probiotics naturally in the form of fermented foods or in the form of manufactured supplements.
Probiotics may have huge health benefits too. So much of medicine prescribed in healthcare is to rid the body of microbes, but probiotics work to add healthy bacteria back to the gut. Scientists are just starting to make connections around the gut-brain axis but everything we know so far is that our gut health contributes heavily to our immune function, anxiety and depression, autoimmune disorders, skin issues and our body’s response to insulin. There is ever evidence that our microbiome affects the response to the prescriptions we take!
Why do we need probiotics in the first place?
A diet high in sugary and processed foods can be a big contributor to gut inflammation. Gas, bloating and digestive issues (i.e. constipation or diarrhea) are all signs that your microbiome may be unbalanced.
When do you need a probiotic?
As pharmacists, we often counsel people to take these during a course of antibiotics or during travel, but (under the direction of your provider!) they are safe to take every day.
What probiotic do I take?
I am asked this question A LOT. It’s good to look for a healthy mix of bacteria (look for lactobacillus and bifadobacterium) 20 CFUs or more.
When do I take a probiotic?
Usually we counsel people to take their probiotic one hour before or two hours after meals to maximize absorption. However, some physicians are recommending you take probiotics at night to increase the gut absorption as this is a time of low and slower gut activity.
Are supplements safe to take?
Like all supplements, the FDA does not regulate probiotics so their safety and efficacy are not guaranteed. I usually recommend that patients chose a trusted brand or manufacturer and not pay too much attention to marketing.