Probiotics are live bacteria and yeasts. They’re often called “good” microbes because they help keep your gut healthy. But not everyone needs them—so how do you know if probiotics might be right for you?
Digestive issues: Frequent bloating, indigestion, constipation, or diarrhea may suggest your gut microbiome is out of balance. Probiotics help break down food in the gut and regulate stool frequency.
After taking a course of antibiotics: Antibiotics wipe out both harmful and helpful bacteria, and probiotics can help restore the balance. Having diarrhea after antibiotics (literally called antibiotic-associated diarrhea, AAD) is a good sign you need probiotics.
Irritable bowel symptoms: Some people with IBS find relief with certain probiotic strains. Depending on if you have IBS-C (constipation type) or IBS-D (diarrhea type, different strains might be beneficial.
Frequent infections: Because much of your immune system lives in the gut, probiotics may help support immune function.
Because the mind-gut connection is a real thing, your gut microbiome affects everything from your brain to your teeth to your skin– not just your digestive tract! Some studies have shown benefits to taking probiotics for people with depression, asthma, heart disease, and skin conditions.
Probiotics aren’t a cure-all. The benefits depend on the strain and your individual health needs. For example, the probiotics that help with diarrhea may not help with constipation. Some people will pop a probiotic and think, Welp, that will fix it! But no, a probiotic is a supplement that will help your body heal. The healing will still take time and usually a host of other behavioral and lifestyle modifications. But the probiotic definitely helps.
Talk with your doctor, especially if you have chronic GI issues or a weakened immune system, or are pregnant. You should also talk to your pediatrician before starting your child on a probiotic.
Try dietary sources first: Yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, and miso naturally contain probiotics. Eating a varied diet full of colorful fruits and vegetables also ensures that your good gut bacteria will have the fuel it needs to function (also called prebiotics).
Monitor your symptoms: If you start a supplement, give it a few weeks and see if digestion improves. If one doesn’t work, try another one, because different strains may be beneficial for different people.
You might not need probiotics—but if you’ve had antibiotics, struggle with gut issues, or want to support digestion, they could be worth trying. When you do take one, take it consistently for about a month before evaluating if it works. Sometimes it takes a while for your body to get used to it, and for the good bacteria to take over. Always choose a high-quality product and check with your healthcare provider first.
