But can you take a probiotic supplement at the same time as your other vitamins and supplements? What about if you’re on antibiotics? The short answer: Yes. But let’s dive in a little further. In fact, according to gut health expert and gastroenterologist Will Bulsiewicz, M.D., MSCI, “There is some evidence that when probiotics are consumed with omega-3 fatty acids, it may actually improve the delivery of the probiotic.”* This means taking your probiotic at the same time as say, a fish oil supplement, could make your probiotic more effective, not less.* So, if the only way you’ll remember to take both is to take them together, then go for it. To be clear, while the terms vitamins and supplements are often used interchangeably, here we are broadly using vitamins to refer to any supplements you might be taking, whether or not they are specifically a vitamin. So whether it’s vitamin D or a targeted nr supplement, you are in the clear on taking it with your probiotic supplement, in most cases. However, with or without vitamins, when you take a probiotic does matter. As a general rule, the best time to take a probiotic is on an empty stomach, about 30 minutes before you eat. Because, as Bulsiewicz explains, “We worry about the presence of stomach acid affecting the survivability of the probiotic.” When taken before a meal or several hours after a meal, the probiotic can travel down to your gut when stomach acids are naturally lower, enhancing survival odds.* When to take your vitamins really depends on the kind of vitamin. Multivitamins are generally designed to be best taken first thing in the morning—perfect for pairing with a pre-breakfast probiotic. Fat-soluble vitamins such as A, D, E, and K and some minerals, including iron and magnesium, are best taken with food. Otherwise, they might cause an upset stomach. But won’t taking an antibiotic at the same time as a probiotic just render the probiotic ineffective, killing the good bacteria too? As gut health expert Vincent Pedre, M.D., points out, “When taking a probiotic on an antibiotic regimen, timing is very important to maximize effectiveness.” He suggests taking a probiotic “at least four hours after the morning antibiotic dose or before bedtime, at least three to four hours after the evening antibiotic dose.” This will allow enough time between your antibiotic and probiotic to ensure they both do what they came to your gut to do. Take a probiotic supplement throughout the course of your antibiotic treatment (and afterward) to maintain your gut microbiome.* Be sure to check the expiration date on probiotics. Because they are live organisms, probiotic bacteria will die off over time. Also, make sure the product you buy not only has the appropriate strains but also enough CFUs, or colony-forming units. You want to take a probiotic that has at least 30 billion CFUs split between the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains. Keep in mind that even though probiotics offer many benefits, there are some cases when you shouldn’t take one4.* For example, if you suffer from a critical illness or your immune system is compromised, you shouldn’t take a probiotic. Bottom line: Incorporate your probiotic supplement into your daily routine whenever you’ll remember to take it—although taking it 30 minutes before eating is probably optimal. And taking a probiotic with other vitamins and supplements will not alter its effectiveness.
