Should Probiotics be Taken Before or After Meals?

One of the questions that users often wonder about when using probiotics is whether to take them before or after meals. Taking probiotics at the wrong time can lead to many unwanted side effects. So how should probiotics be used correctly to supplement beneficial bacteria for the intestines? Let’s find out with AVAKids!

1What are Probiotics?

Probiotics are digestive support supplements that contain live microorganisms. These microorganisms are usually natural probiotics that help inhibit and compete with harmful bacteria to maintain the balance of the intestinal microbiota.

The beneficial bacteria provided by probiotics are found and work best in the small and large intestines (with a pH of 5-7). However, to reach the intestines, the bacteria must pass through the stomach (which has a very low pH of 1.6-2.4). This can inadvertently kill the beneficial bacteria if they stay in the stomach for too long.

Probiotics are products containing live microorganisms

2Why Should You Supplement with Probiotics?

Young children are susceptible to digestive diseases because their immune systems are still immature and their resistance is weak. Some children have digestive disorders or an imbalance in their intestinal microbiota due to early antibiotic use. Some children may also have intestinal diseases due to an improper diet. In these cases, supplementing with probiotics is essential.

Some researched and proven benefits of probiotics for young children include:

* Probiotics supplement beneficial bacteria in the intestines, helping to balance the gut microbiota, inhibiting the growth of harmful bacteria, and protecting children from constipation, diarrhea, bloating, gas, etc.
* Probiotics support a healthy digestive system, which stimulates children to eat more and have a better appetite.
* Symptoms of lactose intolerance, commonly found in formula milk, can also be improved when children are adequately supplemented with probiotics.
* A stable intestinal microbiota helps increase the body’s resistance. As a result, children are less susceptible to common infectious diseases such as colds, coughs, bronchitis, pneumonia, etc.

In addition to young children, those with digestive disorders such as diarrhea, constipation, an imbalance in the intestinal microbiota, people on long-term antibiotics, or healthy individuals who want to strengthen their resistance and prevent digestive diseases can also use probiotics.

Kentek Biotummy Probiotics helps reduce the risk of digestive disorders 30 sachets (from 3 years old)

3When is the Best Time to Take Probiotics: Before or After Meals?

Probiotics are live microorganisms that can be killed by stomach acid. If taken on an empty stomach, the stomach will contain more acid, which can reduce the number of beneficial bacteria when taking probiotics, leading to insufficient levels to achieve the best effect. Therefore, the best time to take probiotics is recommended to be about 30 minutes before a meal or 2 hours after a meal.

In particular, it is not necessary to use them after a main meal. You can have a light snack and then use probiotics to create a protective buffer for the beneficial bacteria from stomach acid. However, depending on the product, it is advisable to carefully read the manufacturer’s instructions and use it at the specified time for optimal effectiveness.

Taking the correct dosage of probiotics is essential for effectiveness; otherwise, taking them before or after meals will not be effective. Usually, for probiotics, the minimum dosage must be 107 CFU/gram to be effective.

BioGaia Protectis Tablets Chewable Probiotic Supplement 10 tablets

4Who Should Supplement with Probiotics?

Probiotics are a type of functional food that offers many great health benefits, especially suitable for the following groups:

* People with irritable bowel syndrome.
* People undergoing prolonged antibiotic treatment.
* People who need to increase the intestinal absorption of vitamins.
* People with diarrhea caused by food poisoning.

Rasmun Probiotics supplement beneficial bacteria 30 sachets (from 1 year old)

5Which Medicines and Products Should Probiotics Not Be Taken With?

5.1. Antibiotics

When antibiotics and probiotics are used together, the supplemented beneficial bacteria may be killed. Therefore, it is important to take antibiotics and probiotics at least 2-3 hours apart.

5.2. Hot Foods

Avoid taking probiotics with hot foods (formula, food, drinks) to ensure that the beneficial bacteria can function optimally. Beneficial bacteria in the gut usually die at temperatures between 50-80 degrees Celsius and are most active at around 37 degrees Celsius.

Avoid taking probiotics with hot food

6Precautions When Using Probiotics

* Probiotics should be used appropriately and should not be used if pancreatitis is suspected or if you have recently had intestinal surgery.
* When using powdered probiotics, do not mix them with porridge, drinks, or water with a temperature above 40 degrees Celsius, as the beneficial bacteria in probiotics are easily killed at this temperature.
* Do not use probiotics that have been opened or diluted with water for more than 2 hours. When using diluted probiotics, use them immediately, as the beneficial bacteria will be killed if exposed to the external environment for too long, and will not be able to provide enough beneficial bacteria for the body.
* Do not take probiotics at the same time as antibiotics; instead, take them at least 2 hours before or after taking antibiotics.
* Do not use large doses of probiotics as having too many good bacteria in the gut for too long can also lead to digestive problems, usually diarrhea, bloating, and abdominal pain. When using them for children, mothers should divide the dose for the child to adapt gradually and use them regularly for the best results.
* Taking probiotics before or after meals depends on eating habits. Parents should establish a habit of giving their child probiotics at the same time each day.
* Mothers should choose multi-strain probiotics for the most effective results for the digestive system. Each probiotic strain addresses a specific problem in children.
* The ideal temperature for storing probiotics is 4-25 degrees Celsius. For drop form probiotics, tighten the cap and store carefully in the refrigerator compartment (0-5 degrees Celsius).
* Some products that have been stored for a long time may show tiny particles at the bottom of the bottle, so shake the bottle well before use to ensure the amount of beneficial bacteria.
* Absolutely do not use probiotics after intestinal surgery, acute pancreatitis, etc.
* Pregnant or breastfeeding women should consult their doctor or specialist before using probiotics.
* Probiotics and digestive enzymes can be combined for maximum effectiveness, but you should still consult a doctor or pharmacist before using them to ensure absolute safety.

Digestive enzymes need to be used appropriately

BioGaia Protectics Baby Drops Syrup supports improving intestinal microflora 5 ml (from 0 months)

7Where to Buy Reputable and Quality Probiotics

To ensure health safety, you should choose to buy probiotics at authorized distributors, including the AVAKids store system. Currently, many reputable probiotic brands are officially distributed at AVAKids. You can consult and purchase directly at the store or through the website avakids.com.

(The above policy was updated in 06/2023 and is subject to change over time. You can see the latest information here.)

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We hope this article has shared with you whether probiotics should be taken before or after meals. We hope this information is helpful to you. If you have any questions, please visit the website avakids.com or contact 1900.866.874 (8:00 – 21:30) for advice and support!