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.*

Aside from promoting better digestion and nutrient absorption*, what are the other benefits of taking a probiotic supplement?

Benefits of Taking Probiotic Supplement

1. Helps Alleviate Digestive and Gastrointestinal Diseases*

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. Boosts Immunity *

Fun fact: About 80 percent of our bodies' immune cells live in our gastrointestinal system! That's why when we consume probiotic-rich food or take a probiotic supplement, our gut is armed with more healthy and good bacteria to fight off bad bacteria! *

3. Improves Mental Health *

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. Regulates Blood Pressure *

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.* However, if you're not a fan of these foods, then taking supplements with probiotics may be beneficial for you.*

5. Promotes Heart Health *

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!*

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?

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.

 @ 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!