What is the BEST Way to Take Probiotics?

In this episode, you’ll learn the best way to take probiotics. Probiotics are a staple for many in their gut-healing journey—and for good reason. They have been shown to help improve digestive and non-digestive symptoms, ranging from diarrhea to brain fog.

While the benefits of probiotics are known, there remains uncertainty about how long to take them for, if they should be taken with or without food, and how often to take them.

Tune in to the episode to get clarity on how to take probiotics to improve your health.

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Timestamps
00:00 Intro
01:05 How Often Should You Take Probiotics?
03:02 With or Without Food?
06:39 How Long to Take Probiotics
16:57 Formulas & Dosing
21:42 Recommended Doses
22:54 What Type Should You Take?
26:19 Why Use Multiple Strains?
28:18 Summary of Recommendations

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DISCLAIMER: The information on this site is not intended or implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider before starting any new treatment or discontinuing an existing treatment.

*Full transcript available on YouTube by clicking the “Show transcript” button on the bottom right of the video.

[ntrelis]

I have been taking probiotics for 12 years. They help with almost everything: overall health, sleep, mood, skin condition, weight management and prevent polyps in the gut. I have tried all kinds of probiotics. The other option is to eat fermented food, but I do not have enough time to make my own fermented food. So, I buy different kinds from different places. I love your brand as well. Dr. Mercola has great type of probiotics, too. Even inexpensive probiotics work well for me.

[TheCambra]

I have severe methane overgrowth have over 100 on my breath test. I've been suffering with heart palpitations, dizziness, lightheadedness, memory loss, shortness of breath, extreme anxiety. This video helped me alot

[tycommenting]

Thanks Dr. Ruscio for bringing well-reviewed updates on the current landscape of probiotic research. I think it’s not too far fetched that 20 years from now, when we are all getting GI Maps and subsequently being prescribed customized probiotics for our individual microbiomes, and the pharmacist says “Oh by the way - you were going to get Alzheimer’s 15 years from now, but we put a little extra bacteria to take care of that for you, ” we may look on this period of microbiome/gut health research like we look at cavemen discovering fire. But nonetheless, I have nothing but the utmost respect for medical professionals like yourself who are staying up to date and doing the best with the data we have at this point in time. Thanks for all you do!

[ExtaTer]

I started using probiotics to suppress Clostridium Difficile after antibiotics, after 2 courses of Vancomycin for it. The best way I found for that is to do a probiotic retention enema. I disperse in water a capsule of 30 billion CFU, 12 strains Lactobacilli and Biffidobacteria. I do the enema and then keep my torso in upside-down position 15mins so that gravity pulls the probiotic water through the last segment of my large intestine, then lie on my right side for 15mins so that the liquid penetrates through the horizontal segment of my large intestine, if it gets to that. I don't usually pass a stool after all that, so the probiotic water is completely absorbed. I think that has prevented Clostridium Difficile from resurgence for 1.5 months so far. I do this enema twice weekly. I also take oral probiotics and eat yogurt every day but these are not capable of reaching the large intestine, where C. Diff. usually resides.

[twohassles]

EXCELLENT video! I just started taking probiotics because I am having some very disturbing changes in my bowel habits.

There are so many different probiotics on the market. I had NO IDEA what strength, strain, or brand is best. I also had no idea when it's best to take them, with or without food, or how many times a day.

Your video answered every single one of my concerns. It also taught me a lot! I even had to go get the probiotocs that I have to compare the label on my bottle to some of the info in your video. Lol..

I was surprised to hear you say that 1-10 billion active cultures are what the studies show to be beneficial. I bought 2 different brands and one brand has 50 billion while the other brand has 15 billion "live cultures". I have been taking 1 of each for the past couple of days which means I am taking 65 billion. Now that your video has given me some education, I will not take 2 of them daily. But I also don't want to waste my money and not take the brand that has 50 billion. I am assuming the 50 billion type would still be beneficial, even though it's not necessary.

I also appreciated that you mentioned that you are staying current with the science and data to make changes to your product. That was awesome to hear you say that. I don't think everyone who sells a product would do the same. A lot of people would still claim their product is the best and there is no need to change anything. Thanks for your commitment to giving people a good product.

Lastly, YOU MADE ME A SUBSCRIBER. I appreciated that your video was a little longer and full of good info. You also talk at a very good pace, which makes you easy to understand.

I will be taking a look at the products you offer and probably trying a couple. Can't wait to check out some of your videos. Thank you for providing a good service to people.

[baroquefiddle]

Dr. Ruscio, your video's are fantastic! I was diagnosed with severe lupus, arthritis with seizure's when I was 35. After 3 years of immunosuppressive infusion's, chemo and a ton of pharmaceutical's I was very close to death both psychologically and physically. I started to listen to carnivore doctors on YouTube and gave that a go. I managed to get off all my meds on that diet and reversed all my chronic problems but was left with severe digestive problems. I introduced a probiotic once a day for a month and then twice a day which has made a tremendous difference. I'm nervous to stop taking it incase I get sick again, I've been able to tolerate other foods like, organic fruit, honey and raw dairy which I'm very happy about. I live in Ireland and can't get your products. Our local university developed 2 probiotics called Alflorex and Zenflore, I'm just wondering if you could check those out and give your opinion on them please.

[quantafitness]

This should be viewed a whole lot more. Wonderful, thank you!

[Mandance]

I just found your channel but I really like it so far. I like your no nonsense approach to uphold the scientific literature, I like that you don’t try to withhold information behind paywalls, you don’t overly try to sell anything, this is a breathe or fresh air for what’s on YouTube these days and I feel I’m learning a lot from your videos so thank you!

[marjoriejohnson]

After having 4 intestional operations in one year, i didn't have 1 dictor suggest i take probiotic..even 😢after mass doses of antibiotics. ( appendics broke inside and didnt go to hospital until enough pain...intestines were full of holes as they were " eaten" .).lived following 14 years in pain, with intestines closing. Then got myself into operation. Found that i had an intestional by pass and intestions pretty much sewn together. Again, no one suggested probiotic or prebiotic. I still have intestional pain if eat anything that had a hard time getting thru. Have tried pre/ probiotics and greek yogurts but maybe not long enough...going to try now for extended period.

[debbieminton]

This Doctor unravels it all.No waiting for I did my theses here or there or I was a big Cat dr. Takes you straight to it.Great

[darkprizm]

Thanks for sharing. This threw my through a loop because my mast cell activation is primarily in my large intestine

[leannshort]

I can’t express how freaking happy I am that I found your channel, new subscriber here!!
You make so much sense and I love that you list the articles you’ve researched. I’m reading them now too. I’ve been dealing with all sorts of leaky gut issues for years, probably a couple decades at least by this point. I got Covid in April 2021 and it tanked my immune system!
I have also decided that getting a comprehensive stool test done is probably a waste of time. I appreciate you being honest about those and how they’re really not necessary. I was seriously going to purchase one in a couple weeks, but I think now I’ll pass and try the probiotic route and maybe some digestive enzymes. 👍🏻
I was going to try Betaine HCL w/ Pepsin. However I have some Respiratory issues due to my leaky gut and was diagnosed last year with “Asthma” at 41! The in-hailer I’m on doesn’t work so it’s uncontrolled Asthma. I had a suspicion after reading and doing much research that I could possibly have Eosinophilic Asthma that was triggered by allergies thanks to my leaky gut, because I also have been having food allergies/ sensitivities/ histamine intolerance for the past 2.5 years since Covid! 😑
I had bloodwork last year that showed elevated Eosinophils. I had bloodwork again yesterday that has it now over 1000 higher than last year! I am seeing a Pulmonologist soon for this to find out what’s going on. All this to say that I read an article that states you shouldn’t take Betaine HCL w/ Pepsin if you are also taking Prednisone. Which sometimes I have to because the symptoms become too much and I can’t breath. The only thing that helps right now are the systemic steroids. I hate taking them because I know they also are not great for the gut. I feel like I’m stuck between taking prednisone and healing my gut! Any advice? I did go ahead and purchase a good probiotic, so I’ll be starting that in a few days. I went ahead and purchased digestive bitters also because the article said that would be a safer choice.
Thank you so much for all the info you share!! ❤

[ניצןק]

You didn’t touch on can you develop a dependency, I would love to hear on that please.
And also what happens if you keep going beyond the 3 months if you’re already improved but want to maintain.
Thank you for the info

[RoyaltyFresh]

Got to say thank you for shining a light on this. Especially with the histamine and I’ve watched like 3 of your videos pretty much answered all the questions

[georgetatsis]

Superb presentation and analysis of the data. Very informative and myth-busting !

[tanyaaryai]

Thank you dr. Ruscio for sharing this valuable information. Looking forward for more content😊

[savin]

I've started taking a natural probiotic, kefir, from last 20 days. There has been slight changes observed but still a long way to go in healing journey

[Fimp]

The most concise well made video I have seen on this topic so far.

[naamamaria]

Wonderful, thank you. I arrived to the conclusions that are consistent with this video via my own experience, trying different probiotics. I only want to ask you to add more languages for automatic subtitles, so I could share this video with those who's english is not strong enough. I have family members who would watch this if there were subtitles in russian/ukrainian, it would be so helpful because hearing those things from me doesn't feel scientific to them))

[suzannahjames]

Hi and thank you for the great information. Can probiotics get rid of H Pylori? Has the usual treatment of antibiotics twice, but the critters are still giving me havoc and living rent free. 🎉