The World Health Organization defines probiotics as  “live microorganisms which when administered in adequate amounts confer a health benefit on the host”.

So, how long does it take for probiotics to work and provide benefits?

The answer depends on the type of probiotics you are taking, and the health benefit you expect to gain. For instance, if you are taking probiotics for your gut health they may start working within 2 to 3 weeks. If you are taking probiotics for your eczema it can take 12 weeks for your symptoms to improve.

Probiotics are live microorganisms and include:

• Bacteria

There are good bacteria and bad bacteria coexisting in environments called microbiomes. You have these microbiomes in different parts of your body, for example, in your gut and on your skin.

When your microbiomes are in balance, the good and bad bacteria don’t overpower each other. However, in some cases you may have more bad bacteria in your microbiomes. This causes the microbiome to be imbalanced and can lead to various health issues.

An imbalance in your gut microbiome can cause digestive problems. Similarly, when your skin microbiome is not balanced, you may experience more skin issues. This is where probiotics come in.

Probiotics add good bacteria to your microbiome to restore its balance.  A probiotic supplement is made of different probiotic strains, and each strain can have a different health benefit. Read more about probiotics strains here.

Signs that probiotics are working vary based on the person taking them, the strain or blend of probiotics, and how they are being taken. If you are taking probiotics for gut and digestive health, then reduced gas and bloating may be a sign that the probiotics are working. Clearer skin can be the sign that a skin-focused probiotic is balancing your microbiome.

It is important to understand that there quite a few factors that can affect the effectiveness of your probiotic supplement:

• Strains
• Dosage
• Storage
• Duration of use
• Quality

Dosage is a key factor that can help you understand if your probiotic supplement is providing the stated benefits. A probiotic will state its dosage as colony forming units (CFUs). It is recommended that you read the directions on your probiotic carefully and follow the dosage.

Speak to your healthcare practitioner if you experience any side effects from your probiotic supplement.

You should take probiotics for as long as stated on the directions unless you experience any side effects. Certain probiotics that focus on digestive health may produce mild side effects as your microbiome becomes balanced. Other probiotics, such as ProZema which is geared towards eczema and atopic dermatitis, need to be taken for 12 weeks.