Can i take florastor and culturelle

So, whilst you might think that once you have established good gut flora that it can then be left to its own devices, in reality our lifestyles are now so challenging for our microbiome that many of us need to nurture it on an ongoing basis. If you would like to learn more, read our article on the gut microbiome - all you need to know. Most people know that antibiotics do not differentiate between the good and bad bacteria in our guts, and therefore negatively impact on our probiotic colonies, but even if we don't take them ourselves, it's possible there may be other sources of antibiotics in our food chain, such as in meat and other animal products.

These have a similarly negative impact on our gut flora. In addition, we are often exposed to chemicals such as chlorine in our drinking water. Chlorine is a strong anti-microbial agent, and whilst it helps to keep undesirable bacteria out of our water supply, it also damages our delicate gut flora.

Other factors that deplete our flora include, over-consumption of sugar, contraceptive pills, HRT medication and stress. With all of these things in mind it is easy to see why a daily top-up of probiotics might be a good idea for many people. Like most vitamins and minerals, we do not produce probiotics ourselves.

In the majority of studies that investigate the effects of taking probiotics, researchers administer a daily dose to participants for example, this study from 1. This indicates an advantage to taking probiotics every day. Evidence for daily supplementation dates back to the s 2 , and therefore this is now established best practice for probiotic use.

The women took either the probiotic or placebo supplement orally for 14 days, and follow-up faecal and vaginal swabs were collected on days 0, 7, 14 and It was found that the strains were able to colonise in the vaginal region after day 7 and 14, but that once the probiotic intake stopped at day 14, neither strain was detected after a further week at day These findings indicate the need to take a probiotic supplement daily in order for them to colonise and exert their health benefits, and that if you stop taking them, the probiotics will 'exit' the body within a week.

Once the participants stopped taking the strain, it was found that after 4 days, L. These findings too support the idea that once probiotic consumption has ceased, the probiotics are unlikely to remain in the gut for more than a week.

The microorganisms used in probiotics are tested to ensure that they can survive various conditions in your stomach and intestines 1. In one study, survival rates of the microorganisms in probiotics improved when the supplement was taken alongside oatmeal or low-fat milk, compared with when it was taken with only water or apple juice 6.

This research suggests that a small amount of fat may improve bacterial survival in your digestive tract 6. Lactobacillus probiotics might also survive better alongside sugar or carbs, as they rely upon glucose when in an acidic environment 8.

Though research indicates that more bacteria survive if you take probiotics before a meal, consistency is probably more important than specific timing when it comes to reaping the greatest benefits for your gut. Probiotics can keep your gut healthy by preventing the growth of harmful organisms, reinforcing the gut barrier, and restoring bacteria after disturbances from illness or medications like antibiotics 1 , 2 , 3 , 4. While they may also support a healthy immune system and oral, skin, and mental health, research on these benefits is currently limited 1.

Some of the live microorganisms in probiotic supplements also occur in foods that are naturally cultured or fermented , including yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and kimchi. These foods are linked to lower blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, and weight 5. Probiotics are live microorganisms that boost your gut health. You can take probiotics in various forms, including capsules, lozenges, beads, powders, and drops.

You can also find probiotics in several foods and drinks , including some yogurts, fermented milks, chocolates, and flavored beverages 1. Most probiotic microbes must endure digestive acids and enzymes before colonizing your large intestine 1 , 3 , 4 , 9. Furthermore, Lactobacillus , Bifidobacterium , and Enterococci are more resistant to stomach acid than other types of bacteria Research shows that million to 1 billion probiotic microorganisms must reach your intestine for you to experience health benefits Given that probiotic cells can die throughout their shelf life, make sure you purchase a reputable product that guarantees at least 1 billion live cultures — often listed as colony-forming units CFUs — on its label 9.

To maintain quality, you should use your probiotic before the expiration date and store it according to the instructions on the label. Some can be kept at room temperature while others must be refrigerated.

Experts agree that Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains benefit most people 3. You should look for probiotic strains which are supported by credible research and gold standard clinical trials when buying a supplement. Probiotics can play an important part of any natural health regime. Whether someone is looking to alleviate specific symptoms, or just hoping to give their health a bit of a boost, then probiotics can be helpful.

Because of some of the unfavourable lifestyle factors that compromise our gut flora it is often necessary to replenish our probiotic colonies on an ongoing basis, and supplementation is perhaps the easiest way to do so.

So, whilst you might think that once you have established good gut flora that it can then be left to its own devices, in reality our lifestyles are now so challenging for our microbiome that many of us need to nurture it on an ongoing basis. The most important thing to remember is that we're all individuals - whatever you find that works for you, go for it!

If a probiotic supplement has a strong backing from clinical trials and you feel good taking it, it might be worth sticking with it for some time. Clinical research in probiotics tends to see the same product administered for months on end and there is certainly sense in that. But if you have a couple of probiotics you like, and alternating is right for you, that's absolutely fine! As for whether it's necessary to rotate or alternate probiotic supplements and brands in order to increase your microbiome's diversity?

Well the jury's still out, but looking at the research to date, we're not convinced.