When Is the Best Time to Take Gut Health Supplements?

If you’re wondering about the best time of day to take a gut health supplement, look no further. This guide breaks down what you need to know about gut health supplements, including the best time to take them and foods that complement supplements.

Are Prebiotics Gut Health Supplements?

Gut health supplements can include things like probiotics, prebiotics, vitamins and botanicals for optimal gut health. Prebiotics are high-fiber foods that nourish your gut’s microflora, or healthy bacteria.¹ They’re usually taken with the intention of improving the balance between the microorganisms in your gut.¹ In recent years, gut health supplements that contain prebiotics have been an area of interest thanks to their positive effect on your good gut bacteria.²

Your gut bacteria, also known as the gut microbiome, consist of tiny organisms that live in your digestive tract and play a large role in your health.² Scientists estimate that there are between 1010–1012 live microorganisms per gram in your large intestine at any given time.² While other factors, like mucous secretions, can affect your gut microbiome, your diet is the primary source of energy for its growth.² When you eat prebiotics, the beneficial bacteria in your gut consume the prebiotics to get the energy they need for survival.²

When to Take Your Gut Health Supplement

Most studies on gut health supplements have looked at the benefits of prebiotics instead of the best time to take them. As a result, there isn’t much conclusive evidence as to when you should take your prebiotics.

However, one factor that could affect when you decide to take these digestive supplements is your circadian rhythm, or the schedule on which your body operates.³ In the same way that your circadian rhythm regulates your sleep cycle, it also plays a role in your gut health.⁴ Circadian rhythms help regulate your body’s processes so that they occur at optimal times, including those in the gastrointestinal tract.⁴

Due to your circadian rhythm, your gut organisms are more active during the daytime and less active at night.³ Most individuals experience normal bowel motility during the day, particularly after waking or eating, and minimal activity at night.⁴ As a result, some health professionals recommend taking a supplement for gut health during the daytime while your digestive system is more active.³

In general, the best way to take your gut health supplement is by following the instructions on the label. A doctor or registered nutritionist may be able to give you some insight as well.

Can I Take Prebiotic Supplements with Probiotics?

If your gut health supplement contains prebiotics, try pairing it with a probiotic-rich food or drink. Probiotics and prebiotics work well together, and eating foods that contain both can benefit your body more than eating them alone.⁵ For example, try pairing your gut health supplement with probiotic-rich yogurt or sauerkraut.⁵

Can I Take My Gut Health Supplement with Medication?

To be on the safe side, you may want to wait around two to three hours after taking your medication before taking your gut health supplement.⁶ If your medication can be taken with meals, then it can also be taken with high-fiber meals.⁶ However, supplements that are high in fiber go through your intestines without being fully digested or absorbed.⁶ As a result, there’s a possibility that your medication could get swept away by the fiber if they’re both in your intestine at the same time.6 Consult your doctor about your specific medication and concerns.

The Importance of Gut Health

Your gut impacts a variety of other systems and processes in your body, so promoting gut health is an important undertaking.⁷ In addition to being the place where all your nutrients are absorbed, researchers are finding a link between gut health and brain health. In fact, the trillions of microbes in your digestive tract are in communication with your immune system, nervous system, blood circulation, and more.⁷

Finding the Right Gut Health Supplement

If you’re looking for a prebiotic fiber supplement that fits into your current lifestyle, look no further than Benefiber. Benefiber helps nourish the good bacteria in your gut to promote digestive health.* Take Benefiber with a glass of water or coffee in the morning, bake or cook with it, or add it to a smoothie.^‡ Original Benefiber is a clear, taste-free powder that dissolves quickly in water. If you’re living an on-the-go lifestyle, try Benefiber Stick Packs—a premeasured, single serve packet of Benefiber that you can add to your diet anytime.

*These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease.
^‡Not recommended for carbonated beverages.