If probiotics can influence the gut microbiome, an obvious question follows: should you take them regularly?
The answer depends on why they are being used, which probiotic is being taken and the individual person.
Do probiotic effects last after you stop taking them?
Many commonly used probiotic microorganisms are present in the gut mainly while they are being consumed and for a limited period afterwards.
This does not mean that they cannot have useful effects while they are present. It does mean that taking probiotics for a short period does not necessarily create a permanent change in the microbiome.
Does regular use make sense?
Specific probiotics have evidence for particular situations and health outcomes. Regular use may therefore be reasonable when there is a clear purpose and evidence for the particular probiotic being used.
For general long-term microbiome health, probiotics are only one part of the picture.
Diet, medications, physical activity, health conditions and other lifestyle factors continually influence the gut microbiome.
Research is now moving towards understanding who may benefit from regular probiotic use, which probiotic is appropriate and for how long.
This may eventually allow probiotic strategies to become more individualized instead of using the same approach for everyone.
