This article contains additional reporting by Angela Myers.
Probiotic supplements can help keep your gut — and your entire body — healthy. But timing can impact how beneficial probiotics are. So when is the best time to take probiotics? Read on to get the full scoop.
What are probiotics?
The International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics defines probiotics as live microorganisms that offer a health benefit when consumed in the right amounts. Think of probiotics as gut-friendly bacteria found in food, drinks and supplements that are the same — or similar — to microorganisms that already live in the body.
There are many different kinds of probiotics, or species of beneficial bacteria, and each acts on the body in different ways, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH).
The probiotic species Lactobacillis, for example, can encourage your brain to produce more gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmitter that can help manage anxiety or depression, according to Stephanie Wallman, D.O., a former physician at Parsley Health in New York City.
Meanwhile, Bifidobacterium promotes the creation of butyrate, “which is essentially the food that our colon cells use for energy,” Dr. Wallman says. Butyrate can also regulate your body’s response to insulin, thereby helping you maintain a healthy blood sugar level, she adds.