Probiotics and Multivitamins: Do You Need Both?
Probiotics and multivitamins are two of the most loved supplements out there, with so many of us incorporating both into our daily supplement regimen. While both can aid our overall health,* many still wonder which of these supplements is better in terms of benefits, especially when making practical decisions in purchasing products.
Let's learn more about probiotics and multivitamins, how they differ, and why we should take them.
What are probiotics?
The term probiotic originated from the Latin preposition "pro," meaning "for," and the Greek word "biotic," which means "life." In simple terms, probiotics are live microorganisms such as yeast and bacteria. Though bacteria are often perceived negatively, probiotics are good bacteria that help maintain gut health.*
To better understand how probiotics work, let's first familiarize ourselves with how our gut works. So, the gut's job (basically our small and large intestines) is to extract energy from food, absorb certain nutrients, like vitamins, minerals, and water, and get rid of waste 💩.
Now, the microbiome is found within our gut, an ecosystem of bacteria and fungi that are vital for survival. These microbes aid digestion, regulate the immune system and fight harmful bacteria.* Unfortunately, poor sleeping habits, infection, and unhealthy diet may cause microbe imbalance — probiotics can help restore the balance.*1
Aside from promoting better digestion and nutrient absorption,* what are the other benefits of taking a probiotic supplement?
Benefits of Taking Probiotic Supplement
5 ways probiotics may support you*
Tap or hover any card to flip it. Five everyday reasons people reach for probiotics.*
1. Helps Alleviate Digestive and Gastrointestinal Diseases*
Probiotics are best known for soothing the everyday gut stuff — and may even help if dairy doesn't love you back.*
Probiotics have become popular for aiding digestive and gastrointestinal diseases such as diarrhea, constipation, and flatulence.* Love milk, but your gut seems to hate it? Don't worry! Some studies also have shown that probiotics may help people experiencing lactose intolerance.*2
2. Boosts Immunity*
Most of your immune system actually lives in your gut — so feeding it well is feeding your defenses.*
Where your immune cells live*
That's why a gut stocked with good bacteria is a front line for your immune system.*
3. Improves Mental Health*
Your gut and brain are in constant conversation — calm one and you may calm the other.*
Ever heard of the gut-brain connection? It's fascinating to think that the brain directly affects our gut and vice versa. When your stomach is upset, it sends signals to the brain and triggers your emotions. Studies found that probiotics may help reduce depression, anger, and anxiety.*4
4. Regulates Blood Pressure*
High blood pressure is incredibly common — and a balanced gut may be one quiet way to help.*
Blood pressure affects 1 out of 3 adults in the USA. Instability in the gut microbiome may increase the risk of high blood pressure.* According to studies, consuming foods rich in probiotics, such as kimchi, pickles, and yogurt, may help lower blood pressure.*5 However, if you're not a fan of these foods, then taking supplements with probiotics may be beneficial for you.*
5. Promotes Heart Health*
One study saw a striking cholesterol drop — here's the number that surprised us.*
In one study of people with high cholesterol*
A population with high cholesterol who were taking probiotics dropped their cholesterol levels by a whopping 11% in only nine weeks.*
Just like how the gut interacts closely with the brain, there's also a connection between the heart and the gut. Probiotics may help reduce bad cholesterol, improve heart health, and prevent inflammation and cardiac damage.* A study revealed that a population of people with high cholesterol who were taking probiotics dropped their cholesterol levels by a whopping 11% in only nine weeks!*6
What are multivitamins?
Multivitamins are primarily taken to complement our usual diet. They contain essential vitamins and minerals to fill nutritional gaps our diet can leave behind.* Pharmacy shelves are brimming with multivitamins available in different forms, including powders, tablets, and even gummies. Obviously, multis are not created equal. Some are packed with essential vitamins and minerals that offer universal benefits to people; others are specially formulated for kids, pregnant or lactating moms, men, and women.
To learn more about the benefits of taking daily multivitamins, dive into an in-depth discussion we have here.
Can You Take a Multivitamin and Probiotic Together?
Short answer: yes — just take the right amount and buy from a company you can trust.*
There are pros and cons in taking multivitamins and probiotics; that's why it is important that we only take the right and recommended amount that our bodies specifically need. Unlike drugs, supplements like multis and probiotics are not tightly regulated by the FDA. It's always best to seek professional advice from a physician and purchase supplements from a research-oriented and third-party tested company; otherwise, you may end up with an ineffective and poor-quality product.
Why not get both in one?*
Root'd combines a full-spectrum multivitamin with probiotics and electrolytes — one scoop, one drink.*
@ Root'd, we combine both a full spectrum premium Multivitamin with probiotics and electrolytes to help ensure you're building a foundation for a healthy, energetic life and can take advantage of all the numerous benefits like the ones described above.*
We're obviously in love with Root'd, and we're super confident you will be, too, so with every purchase, you're covered under our love guarantee! What does that mean? It means that if you don't fall in love with your Root'd, it's on us!
Want it all in one sugar-free scoop? Meet Root'd MULTI →
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FAQs
Probiotics vs. multivitamins, answered
They do different jobs. A multivitamin fills the nutritional gaps your diet can leave behind, while probiotics are good bacteria that help maintain gut health — so many people take both.* Root'd combines a full-spectrum multivitamin with probiotics and electrolytes in one drink.*
Probiotics are live microorganisms — good bacteria that help maintain gut health, aid digestion, regulate the immune system and fight harmful bacteria.* When the microbiome gets out of balance, probiotics can help restore it.*
Yes — just take the right and recommended amount your body needs, and because supplements aren't tightly regulated by the FDA, buy from a research-oriented, third-party tested company.*
Fermented foods like kimchi, pickles and yogurt are rich in probiotics and may help support gut health and blood pressure.* If those aren't your thing, a probiotic supplement may be beneficial for you.*
There's a gut-brain connection — the brain affects the gut and vice versa. Studies have found probiotics may help reduce depression, anger and anxiety.*
References
- Harvard Health Publishing — Should you take probiotics? Source
- PubMed (2018) — probiotics & lactose intolerance. Source
- PubMed (2021) — the gut & the immune system. Source
- NIH / PMC — probiotics, depression, anger & anxiety. Source
- NIH / PMC — gut microbiome & blood pressure. Source
- PubMed (2012) — probiotics & cholesterol reduction. Source
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