When is the best time to take probiotics?

When should I take my Optibac probiotic supplement?

Most of the Optibac Probiotic range are best taken with a meal, and ideally with breakfast.

Why is this the best time of day to take probiotics?

Research from microbiologists shows that at mealtimes (and especially breakfast time) the stomach’s gastric acidity is naturally at pH 4 or above.

The strains in the Optibac Probiotics range were developed to survive gastric acidity above (i.e. closer to neutral than) pH 3. In-vitro trials on our probiotic strains show a 95-100% survival rate through gastric acidity at this pH level.

This is why we recommend taking the majority of our probiotic supplements with your breakfast, as they will have the best survival rate through the body's gastric acidity. Plus, taking probiotics daily is a great way to set yourself up for the day ahead!

Are there exceptions to the best time to take probiotics?

There are a couple of our supplements that you can take at other times of day.

Bifido & Fibre may result initially in gas and/or bloating (due to the FOS fibres), therefore some customers might prefer to take this at night rather than in the morning. Moreover, you can take up to four sachets of this supplement a day, so if you are taking more than one sachet then it’s best to take one with each meal, and/or one before bed.

Saccharomyces Boulardii can also be taken away from breakfast-time - this strain is very robust, and need not necessarily be taken with breakfast, or even with any food. It can be taken as and when required, at any time of day.

How to take probiotics

The first thing to note is that probiotics should NOT be taken directly with anything hot, as heat can damage the delicate bacteria. Acidic beverages like fruit juice are also not recommended, as acid could also harm the friendly bacteria.

However, it's perfectly fine to mix our liquid drops or the contents of our capsules or sachets into other cold food and drinks, and this can actually be a great way for children to take their supplements.

Here are some guidelines to follow when taking probiotics:

• Don't mix the probiotic powder or drops with hot or acidic food/drinks
• It's fine to take your capsule, sachet or drops with or in a cold, non-acidic drink/meal, then consume a hot/acidic drink or hot food straight afterwards
• It's unnecessary to take your probiotic with a cold drink, and then wait 15 minutes until you have a hot drink
• It's not recommended to keep probiotics that have been mixed with food or liquids. Please dispose of the food/liquid and use a new sachet or capsule

Can I take probiotics with medication?

The short answer is: it depends.

Probiotics should not interfere with other medicines or herbal/natural remedies, so it’s generally fine to take our products alongside any other supplements or medications, but there are one or two exceptions.

If you are taking antibiotics, then certain probiotics are best taken separately. 

It’s also necessary to avoid taking anti-fungal medicines or supplements alongside our Saccharomyces Boulardii, as they may damage this friendly yeast.

Finally, if you are taking immunosuppressant medication, then you should speak to your doctor before taking a probiotic, as probiotic supplements are not generally recommended for those who are severely immunosuppressed. For more information, please see the following FAQ: I am severely immunosuppressed. Why can't I take live probiotic cultures?

Now you know about when to take probiotics, take a look at the Optibac Probiotics range and find the right probiotic for you.

This FAQ has been answered by Kerry Beeson, BSc (Nut.Med) Nutritional Therapist.