Emma Loewe is the Senior Sustainability Editor at mindbodygreen and the author of “Return to Nature: The New Science of How Natural Landscapes Restore Us.”
Image by AsiaVision / iStock
September 4, 2023
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When you start taking a new supplement, it’s only natural to want to see results quickly. With probiotics, many people can expect improvements within three weeks—though it depends on the person and the product they’re taking. Passed this threshold long ago and still not seeing or feeling any noticeable changes? Here are three reasons why your probiotic may not be working for you and how to find a better alternative.
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1.
Its strains aren’t right for your intended purpose
While “probiotics” is often used as a blanket term, there are actually thousands of different strains of probiotics out there, with more being discovered each day. And no two strains are the same; each type of bacteria has a slightly different impact on the body. Just like you wouldn’t take vitamin B-12 to help with a vitamin D deficiency, you shouldn’t take a probiotic with Bifidobacterium lactis Bi-07(for easing bloat1) and expect it to provide vaginal pH support (Lactobacillus reuteri UALre-16 would be better suited for that2).*
It’s a complicated microbial world out there, and to make it easier to navigate, the company you’re buying from should clearly list the bacteria used in their product (down to the strain level) and what they have been clinically studied for.
2.
It doesn’t have enough “good bugs”
To be clear, more isn’t always better when it comes to probiotics. However, the colony-forming units (CFUs) in your product should be clinically relevant. In other words, the number of strains included should match up with the number of strains that have shown to be effective in a research setting.
Again, buying from a transparent company will help with this. Opt for a probiotic that has the CFUs of all strains clearly listed and beware of proprietary blends that don’t provide this information.
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3.
It doesn’t fit in with your lifestyle
Some probiotics need to be consumed in large serving sizes, while others must be refrigerated once they make it to your home. Depending on your lifestyle and needs, these factors can keep you from taking the product daily (which is often essential for results).
Opt for one that you can seamlessly fit into your existing routine instead. And don’t forget to pair your supplement with biome-beneficial lifestyle habits too: Get plenty of sleep, spend time in nature and get your hands dirty, eat a plant-rich diet, and only use antibiotics when necessary.
In the market for a new probiotic? Here are a few that tick the boxes above and have rave customer reviews.
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The takeaway
If you are pregnant, breastfeeding, or taking medications, consult with your doctor before starting a supplement routine. It is always optimal to consult with a health care provider when considering what supplements are right for you.
