The research behind probiotics and the gut microbiome has exploded in the last decade, but I have found that most people's understanding of probiotics is lagging behind what is currently known. So here are a few hot tips.

Antibiotics & Probiotics

Yes, it is beneficial to take probiotics at the same time you are taking antibiotics, but take them just a few hours apart so they are not sitting in the stomach at the same time. The probiotics can help considerably with protecting your gut microbiota, and I recommend continuing to take them for several weeks after you have finished the antibiotics. Antibiotics can wipe out whole strains of beneficial bacteria, for good, so it is worth doing what you can to protect your gut biome, and only take antibiotics when really needed.

Take with food

Take your probiotics with food, rather than on an empty stomach, unless specifically stated otherwise. Probiotics need to survive the acidic environment of the stomach to get to where they do good, lower down in the gastrointestinal tract, and an empty stomach is far more acidic than one with food. In fact, a bigger meal can be more protective of the probiotic strains, and help them get to where they need to go, than a smaller one, according to gut health specialist, and naturopath, Dr Jason Hawrelak.

Be wary of strong gut antibacterials

Be careful of what gut health products you take. Many people do DIY parasite cleanses, SIBO or Blasto protocols, trying to wipe out the bad guys, without realising that many herbal preparations can do serious damage to the good guys as well. In particular, be careful with berberine and oregano oil. And never use grapefruit seed extract, as it really should never be consumed as it is not a natural product and is toxic (not to be confused with grape seed extract). Even peppermint and fennel essential oils can do some damage (taking as tea or whole herb is fine). A safe herb to use that is really a food, is fresh garlic, as it is selective as to which microbes it wipes out - just the bad guys, while not harming the good guys.

Not all the same

Also….probiotics are certainly not all the same, and one product is not the same as the next. There is now vast research into the various strains, and what they can help with and not help with. Taking any old probiotics may not have the effect you are hoping, but taking the right ones for your condition can significantly help.

I hope that helps to dissolve a few myths around probiotics.