Combining supplements will not normally interfere with the way they work and in some cases may be beneficial, for example vitamin C helps iron absorption. However, certain supplements may interact with each other. There is competition within the gut for the absorption of different minerals and a large dose of one might decrease the absorption of another. Therefore a multivitamin and/or mineral product is best for all-round supplementation because it has been designed to deliver nutrients in the right balance. Show Before combining supplements, people should consult a health care practitioner or the product manufacturer. It is also important to check that the daily amount taken of each particular nutrient does not exceed Safe Upper Levels. For more information about Safe Upper Levels see our Recommended Intake Guidelines. The gut is home to over 1,000 bacterial species and more than 70-80% of your immune system 1. Contrary to popular belief, these microbiotas make up your gut microbiome, which is involved in more than just digesting your food. A healthy gut is imperative for proper immune function, digestion, mood, nutrient synthesis, energy metabolism, and much more 2. An imbalanced gut not only spells trouble for digestion but a host of other systems as well. That’s why supporting your gut with things like probiotics, and other nutrients is critical to optimizing health. But can you take probiotic supplements with other immune boosters like vitamin C? The short answer: Yes - but let’s dive into the details. What Do Probiotics Do?You’ve probably heard a lot of talk about probiotics - whether from food or supplements, they’re some of the best things you can take to support gut health. Within the umbrella of “probiotic bacteria,” we have two types: probiotics and prebiotics. Probiotics are tiny, friendly bacteria that provide health benefits when consumed, whereas prebiotics are the food that feeds the good bacteria. When taken in supplemental form, probiotics are intended to help colonize the gut with good bacteria, as a gut full of healthy bacteria provides numerous health benefits, including 3:
That said, the benefits of probiotics are typically specific to the strain. Certain bacterial strains benefit immune health, while others may help the skin - it all depends on what you’re looking to accomplish. Regardless, supplementing with probiotics and prebiotics are a great way to restore gut flora and improve overall health. What Is Vitamin C And What Does It Do?Before we can get to the role of vitamin C and probiotics, we first need to understand how vitamin C fits into the equation. Vitamin C is a water-soluble vitamin that’s best known for supporting immune health 4. It plays an active role as an antioxidant and supports numerous other processes like tissue repair and neurotransmitter production 5. Antioxidants are essential for strengthening your body’s natural defenses. Studies show that increasing your vitamin C intake can increase serum concentrations of antioxidants, allowing the body to effectively fight illness and inflammation 6. It’s also been shown to play an active role in supporting immune cell function, skin barrier defenses (mainly collagen), and wound healing. But how does vitamin C fit in with probiotics? Because over 70% of your immune system resides in the gut and vitamin C is such a powerful immune booster, taking vitamin C and probiotics are one of the best ways to support immunity naturally - but is it safe to take them together? Can You Take Vitamin C And Probiotics At The Same Time?Although vitamin C and probiotics offer different benefits for gut health and immunity, they complement each other well, meaning they’re safe to take together. A healthy gut environment is essential to support nutrient absorption 4. If you struggle with dysbiosis or other gut issues, it can be difficult for your body to absorb various nutrients needed to sustain health. That’s why taking a probiotic to support gut health is key to maximizing the benefit of vitamin C for immune health. Here’s some more proof: A 2015 study of pre-school-aged children looked at the efficacy of a probiotic combined with vitamin C on the prevention of respiratory tract infections and found positive results; there were significant reductions in the incidence of upper respiratory tract infections, URTI symptoms, and the rate of absence from preschool 7. The use of antibiotics, painkillers, cough medicine, or nasal sprays was also lower in the group taking probiotics with vitamin C. Other Ways To Support Immune HealthLoading up on probiotics and vitamin C is one way to maintain gut health and immune function, but there are plenty of other ways to do it, too:
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