Do You Need To Take A Probiotic For Gut Health?

If you’ve struggled with digestive issues like irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), diverticulitis, gut dysbiosis, heartburn, or even thyroid problems, you may have wondered if taking a daily probiotic could help improve your symptoms. Probiotics are live microorganisms that can provide health benefits when consumed through probiotic rich foods however sometimes we can bring in supplemental probiotics. But with so many options on the market, how do you know if taking one is right for you?

I regularly work with clients who come to me seeking the underlying cause of their persistent digestive and immune health issues. As a functional health practitioner, I take a root cause approach rather than just masking symptoms. What we’ve found is that healing the gut and bringing the microbiome back into balance often yields significant improvements in not just digestive problems, but also anxiety, depression, thyroid dysfunction, and more.

The gut-immune-brain axis refers to the biochemical signaling between our gastrointestinal tract, immune system, and central nervous system. So if one area is out of balance, it impacts the others. Your entire body is on a feedback loop! An unhealthy microbiome can trigger inflammation that contributes to leaky gut, autoimmunity, and even mental health disorders in some individuals.

The good news is that rebalancing your gut flora with probiotic foods and supplements can help reduce inflammation and heal intestinal permeability (leaky gut), allowing your digestive system to function optimally again.

Let’s dive in a bit deeper!

The Science Behind Probiotics

Probiotics have exploded in popularity in recent years, though we’ve been consuming them in fermented foods and yogurt for centuries without even realizing it. The World Health Organization defines probiotics as “live microorganisms which, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host.” Essentially, they’re good bacteria that help keep your gut balanced and healthy by:

Producing vitamins and absorbing nutrients
Supporting digestion
Crowding out pathogenic bacteria and preventing overgrowths like SIBO
Regulating immune function
Communicating with the brain via the gut-brain axis
Reducing intestinal inflammation and permeability

Research has revealed links between imbalanced gut flora and digestive conditions like IBS, inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and antibiotic-associated diarrhea. Studies have also connected dysbiosis to anxiety, depression, autoimmunity, skin conditions, and even obesity.

While more research is underway, probiotics have shown promise in helping to treat or reduce symptoms associated with:

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)
Antibiotic-associated diarrhea (AAD)
Restoring healthy gut flora after taking antibiotics may reduce the risk of developing antibiotic-associated diarrhea and C. difficile infection (which causes severe diarrhea) by over 50% according to analyses of several studies.
Infectious diarrhea
Probiotics may reduce the duration of acute infectious diarrhea by about one day in adults and help prevent diarrhea associated with traveling.
Ulcerative colitis

Some studies indicate certain strains can induce remission or reduce flare-ups when added to standard therapy, though more research is needed.

Eczema

Giving probiotics to pregnant mothers and infants may reduce their risk of developing eczema, though it’s strain-specific, according to a 2021 meta-analysis.

The overall conclusion from researchers is that probiotics have potential in managing various digestive, immune, and possibly even mental health disturbances when there’s an underlying microbial imbalance.

Who Might Benefit From Taking A Probiotic?

Daily probiotic supplementation can be extremely beneficial for people struggling with chronic issues related to gut dysbiosis and inflammation.

You may also consider adding a probiotic if you regularly deal with:

Bloating, gas, abdominal pain, cramping
Acne, eczema, rashes
Thyroid dysfunction like Hashimoto’s
An autoimmune condition
Anxiety, depression, OCD, ADHD
Brain fog, poor memory, lack of focus/concentration
Mood changes, irritability, emotional sensitivity
Fatigue, low energy especially after meals
Trouble losing weight
Poor immune function, frequent colds/illness
Digestive symptoms while traveling
Side effects of medications like antibiotics

It’s also important to note that while probiotics can be extremely beneficial for some people, they are not always well tolerated.

For this reason, I always recommend consulting with a functional medicine practitioner before starting probiotics if you are experiencing chronic digestive or health issues. We can help determine if your microbiome is imbalanced using advanced stool analysis. If dysbiosis exists, we can then guide you on which strains and dosages may be most helpful based on your individual lab results and symptoms. That way we can maximize the benefits of probiotics while preventing any potential adverse reactions.

What To Look For In A Probiotic

With probiotic supplements being so trendy now, the number of options on store shelves can be dizzying! But when choosing one for yourself, keep these criteria in mind:

CFUs – 10-20 billion colony forming units (CFUs) which indicates how many live and active cultures are present. Higher CFUs does not necessarily mean better, as our bodies can only interact with so many at once. Some will find 1 billion CFU’s is sufficient while others do better with at least 10 billion CFUs.
Strains – Try to select multi-strain formulas with a diversity of species, such as Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. Different strains have different protective functions and probiotic benefits.
Expiration date – Always check that your probiotic supplement has not expired, as this indicates the strains are still potent and viable. Store it according to instructions as well, away from heat, light, and humidity.
Refrigeration – Contrary to popular belief, many shelf-stable probiotic formulas now exist that don’t require refrigeration. But do check label guidelines to be sure.

The Bottom Line

Bringing your gut microbiome back into balance can yield impressive improvements in both digestive and whole-body health. Daily probiotic supplementation paired with anti-inflammatory foods and lifestyle habits provides comprehensive support for optimal function.

While more research is emerging around strain-specific applications, multi-species probiotic formulas provide broad digestive and immune benefits for the general population. When chosen mindfully and taken regularly, they may help resolve common symptoms related to gut dysbiosis like IBS, SIBO, intestinal permeability, autoimmunity, anxiety, depression, and more.

I hope this overview on the merits of probiotics has shed some light on whether adding one to your daily regimen could help you feel better. As always, I’m happy to address your specific health concerns and fine-tune an individualized gut healing plan for you. Please don’t hesitate to reach out and as always consult your medical team before introducing any probiotics or supplements into your regiment.