How Long Does It Take For Probiotics To Work?

How long does it take for Probiotics to work?

This is a question everyone asks when they decide they want to support their gut with a good Probiotic, and it’s a fair question! The answer is a little more complicated than a one size fits all solution though, and it really depends on a few factors such as the strain of bacteria used, the strength, and what you mean by ‘work’. Let’s have a look at the short and long term effects of a good Probiotic, and what you can expect when you start taking one.

What is a ‘good’ Probiotic?

This is a term we use a few times in this article, so we’ll just define it quickly for you now. A good Probiotic is one that uses clinically proven strains of Bacteria, that have real science to back them up, and clearly demonstrate that they really can help. It’s not enough to just have some from the same family as the best strains, you need the best strains themselves.

They also need to be in a concentration that’s high enough to work! A lot of Probiotics use several strains, and when you divide the CFU of the product by the strains it contains, you find that there isn’t actually that much of each one. The best bacteria in the world won’t work properly if we don’t use enough of it!

How do I know my Probiotics are working?

Well, it all depends on the outcome you’re looking for, and what you mean by ‘work’. You see some people use a Probiotic as an alternative treatment for specific health conditions. Others use it just as a way of supporting their gut and keeping themselves healthy, and the time it takes to notice results with these two things can be very different.

When we take Probiotics, it takes a while for the bacteria we’re sending in to settle in, grow in number, and really make a difference. They will start to work almost immediately once you send them in, but the greatest effect will be noticed after a slightly longer term, as by this time they have grown in number, especially when compared to the other bacteria in the gut that act as competition, and so can now have the greatest effect.

So, if you just want to support your gut and reduce issues like bloating, you should notice a change from a good Probiotic within a week or two. But if you’re using one to try and mitigate allergies or systemic inflammation, then it’ll take a little longer, and you may not notice the greatest effects until you’re a good couple of months in. That being said, if you stick it out it’s worth the wait!

Can Probiotics work immediately?

Certain effects can become apparent quite quickly, and are often measured over a matter of days in studies, as opposed to over weeks or even months.

Typically, digestive effects such as bloating, cramping, diarrhoea and others are the ones that are addressed the fastest.

This is because often these issues are caused by a lack of certain chemicals in the body that bacteria can produce, or sometimes by bad bacteria that have settled into the gut. Once we introduce the good bacteria they immediately start to produce chemicals like short chain fatty acids that can help to reduce inflammation, as well as start to compete with the bad bacteria. This competition reduces the effectiveness of the bad bacteria, and hence leads to a decrease in symptoms.

A common cause for these issues is also Antibiotic use, which can often kill just as many good bacteria as bad ones, if not more! It’s been well documented that adding the good bacteria back in with a good Probiotic can be a solid way of rebuilding that population and reducing issues like diarrhoea that can come from intense antibiotic use. Read our article on Antibiotics and Probiotics to learn more.

Do Probiotics work better in the long-term?

The greatest effects from Probiotics come in the long term. Ideally you want to be taking the same one for a good couple of months to get the greatest effects!

Many digestive issues such as IBS/IBD, constipation, and similar issues can take a good while to mitigate. The studies into these conditions that used Probiotics often measured results over a matter of months if not weeks.

This is because the longer you take a good Probiotic, the longer the bacteria has to grow in number, really settle in, and develop a strong population. Once that strong population has been established, it can then really start to push down the pathogenic bacteria that may have grown in your gut and started causing you issues. The greater the population of the good guys, the more they can fight the bad guys off. This is why, whilst you can get some results after a week or two with a good Probiotic, the best results are a little further down the line. So, it’s best to make Probiotics a part of your long-term routine to see the greatest benefits.  

Does Probiotic Strain Matter?

Another very significant factor to remember here is the strain of bacteria that you’re taking!

Some strains of bacteria, such as LGG or BB12, have been shown in studies to be effective after a week or two. But this isn’t the case for all! Many bacteria don’t have much of an impact within the first month.

It also depends an awful lot on the concentration of bacteria that your supplement includes. If you’re taking a broad spectrum blend of bacteria, and each one is only in a strength of 1-2 billion CFU, then you may not notice real effects at all, or possibly only start to notice something after taking it routinely for a good couple of months. This is because you’re not taking that much of each bacterium, and they all have to compete, often with each other, for food. All this means that it takes much longer for them to get established and have the best results.

It’s for this reason that Better Guts uses two of the best strains in the world, with the most clinical research, AND puts them in a high concentration. This way you get bacteria that work, in a concentration that packs a punch.

How can I choose a Probiotic that will deliver results?

It all comes down to a few factors we’ve talked about in this article, but to sum up, here’s a good process to follow:

1.        Make sure it’s a good strain. This is the most important point. Read up about the strain of bacteria being used, and see if it’s backed by real clinical science, or just marketing.

2.        Make sure it’s a good strength. You should be looking for AT LEAST 5 billion CFU per strain of bacteria, but even that isn’t that high. Ideally you want to be seeing a CFU of 10-15 billion per bacterium.

3.        Take it in the long run. If you follow points 1 and 2, then you should have chosen a good product. You should notice some effects, especially on transient digestive issues such as bloating and diarrhoea, within the first few days. But for the best effects, you need to stick with it for a couple of months.

So there it is, a good Probiotic, over a good period of time, that’s the best approach to take. So remember, read your label, check those ingredients to see what bacteria are actually used, and stick with it for a month or two. If you do this, you’ll be well on your way to getting the best out of your Probiotic!