How long do probiotics exist in the body?
According to pharmacist Sara Hoffman, a clinical pharmacologist in the US, most beneficial bacteria strains in probiotics only survive for a short time. After use, the body usually takes one to two days to "recognize" their presence in the digestive system.
Studies on healthy adults show that beneficial bacteria can be detected in feces only one to two days after the first dose. After stopping supplementation, they usually survive for three to six more days before gradually decreasing. Some special strains can last up to two weeks or more in some people.
Pharmacist Gurdeep S. Sareen, working at the School of Pharmacy, Pacific University (USA), said that most probiotics do not "resident" long in the gut. "They act like temporary guests, supporting the gut microbiome instead of becoming a fixed component," he said.
Why are the survival times of probiotics different?
The time microbial enzymes stay in the body is not the same between individuals. One of the important factors is the rate of digestion. When food moves quickly through the intestines, beneficial bacteria are also eliminated earlier. Conversely, a slow digestive system can help them survive longer.
In addition, the existing gut microbiome acts as a "biological barrier". Each person has trillions of bacteria in their gut, competing for space and nutrition. This makes some bodies susceptible to beneficial bacteria, while others limit their survival.
Other factors such as bacterial strains, dosage, and especially antibiotic use can also change the intestinal environment. Antibiotics have the ability to weaken the natural microbiome, thereby affecting how probiotics work in the body.
Probiotics tend to maintain stable concentrations when supplemented regularly every day. However, when discontinued, the amount of beneficial bacteria usually decreases rapidly to the original level after only a few days to a few weeks.
Although relatively safe for healthy people, probiotics still need to be used cautiously in people with impaired immunity, severe illnesses or undergoing intensive treatment. Experts recommend consulting medical staff before use in these cases.
Choosing products with clear clinical evidence and evaluating effectiveness after a period of use is also necessary to ensure real health benefits.
