Free Shipping
on all orders
Delivery TimeShipping Method
1 - 5 business daysFREE Standard Delivery
2 business daysFedEx 2Day
1 business dayFedEx Overnight

Carriers

fedex shipping logoups shipping logousps shipping logo
Orders under 1lb or to APO/FPO & PO Box destinations: These orders will ship with USPS and typically take 1 to 2 days longer than the Standard Delivery estimate. Free Shipping Offers: Only valid within the contiguous USA. Future subscriptions will renew with free shipping if the renewal amount is $49 or higher otherwise shipping will cost $7.95.
 
  • Hydration
    Hydration
    • All Hydration
    • Workout
      Workout
      • All Workout
      • Caffeinated
      • High Carb (>60g)
      • High Flavor
      • High Sodium (>750mg)
      • Low Flavor
      • Low Sugar (<5g)
      • Neutral
    • Daily
      Daily
      • All Daily
      • Caffeinated
      • Effervescent
      • High Sodium (>750mg)
      • Powder
      • Stevia Free
    • Pre-Workout
      Pre-Workout
      • All Pre-Workout
      • Caffeinated
      • Caffeine Free
    • Electrolyte Boosters
    • Cramp Solutions
  • Carbs
    Carbs
    • All Carbs
    • Gels
      Gels
      • All Gels
      • Caffeinated
      • High Carb (>40g)
      • High Sodium (>100mg)
      • Isotonic
      • Maple Syrup
      • Neutral Flavor
      • Nootropic
      • Real Food
    • Drinks
      Drinks
      • All Drinks
      • Caffeinated
      • 40g to 79g of Carbs
      • Over 80g of Carbs
    • Chews
      Chews
      • All Chews
      • Caffeinated
      • High Sodium (>100mg)
      • Neutral Flavor
      • Sour Tasting
    • Bars
      Bars
      • All Bars
      • Gluten Free
      • High Carb (>40g)
      • Kids
      • Meal
      • Nut
      • Oat
      • Protein (>10g)
      • Real Food
      • Rice
    • Waffles
      Waffles
      • All Waffles
      • Gluten Free
      • Thin
  • Protein
    Protein
    • All Protein
    • Whey
      Whey
      • All Whey
      • Chocolate
      • Vanilla
    • Clear Whey
    • Collagen
      Collagen
      • All Collagen
      • Peptides
      • Skin & Nail Health
    • Isolate
      Isolate
      • All Isolate
      • Clear
      • Whey
    • Protein Bars
      Protein Bars
      • All Protein Bars
      • Low Sugar (<4g)
      • Plant Based
      • Vegan
      • Workout (>20g)
    • Plant
      Plant
      • All Plant
      • Brown Rice
      • Hemp
      • Pea Protein
      • Soy
      • Vegan
    • Night Protein
    • Recovery Shakes
    • Blenders & Shakers
  • Supplements
    Supplements
    • All Supplements
    • Formulas
    • Vitamin & Minerals
      Vitamin & Minerals
      • All Vitamin & Minerals
      • Vitamin B
      • Greens & Reds
      • Gummies
      • Immune Support
      • Iron
      • Magnesium
      • Multi-Vitamins
      • Omegas
      • Vitamin C
      • Vitamin D
      • Women Specific
      • Zinc
    • Creatine
    • Athlete Performance
      Athlete Performance
      • All Athlete Performance
      • Adaptogens
      • Beta-Alanine
      • Bicarb
      • Caffeine
      • Creatine
      • Ketones
      • Nitric Oxide
      • Pre-workout
    • Strength
      Strength
      • All Strength
      • Aminos & BCAAs
      • Peptides
    • Sleep
      Sleep
      • All Sleep
      • Go to Sleep
      • Magnesium
      • Melatonin
      • Stay Asleep
    • Recovery
      Recovery
      • All Recovery
      • Aminos & BCAAs
      • Beets
      • Collagen
      • Injury
      • Joint Support
      • Tart Cherry
      • Turmeric
    • Gut & Biotics
      Gut & Biotics
      • All Gut & Biotics
      • L-Glutamine
      • Lactic Probiotics
      • Probiotics
    • Longevity
      Longevity
      • All Longevity
      • Brain Health
      • Glutathione
      • Heart Health
      • Liver Health
      • NAD
      • Resveratrol
      • Stress
    • Focus
    • Hormone Support
    • GLP1 & Weight Loss
      GLP1 & Weight Loss
      • All GLP1 & Weight Loss
      • Blood Sugar Regulation
      • Metabolism
    • Other
      Other
      • All Other
      • Apple Cider Vinegar
      • Copper & Silver
      • Energy
      • Keto
    • Ketones
      Ketones
      • All Ketones
      • Bulk Bottles
      • Ready to Drink
      • Shots
  • Gear
    Gear
    • All Gear
    • Packs & Vests & Belts
      Packs & Vests & Belts
      • All Packs & Vests & Belts
      • Accessories
      • Bladders
      • Hydration Pack
      • Insulated
      • Running Belts
      • Running Vests
      • Soft Flasks
    • Technology
      Technology
      • All Technology
      • Cooling
      • Headphones
      • Heat Sensor
      • Hydration Sensor
      • Sleep
      • Swim Goggles
      • Watches
    • Recovery Gear
      Recovery Gear
      • All Recovery Gear
      • Accessories
      • Back
      • Compression
      • Cooling
      • Cupping
      • Feet
      • Heat
      • Massage & Percussion
      • Muscle Stim
      • Red Light
      • Rollers
    • Bottles
      Bottles
      • All Bottles
      • Branded
      • Cleaning
      • Daily Hydration
      • Insulated Bottles
      • Running
      • Shaker
      • Soft Flasks
      • Water Bottles
    • Socks
      Socks
      • All Socks
      • Compression
      • Feed Branded
      • Run & Ride
    • Hats & Headgear
      Hats & Headgear
      • All Hats & Headgear
      • Beanies
      • Bucket Hats
      • Cooling
      • Headbands
      • Running Hats
      • Sweat Trapping
      • Visors
    • Bags
      Bags
      • All Bags
      • Bike
      • Day & Gym
      • Hike
      • Medical
      • Travel
    • Body
      Body
      • All Body
      • Anti-Chafe
      • Foot Care
      • Pain Relief & Recovery
      • Shaving
      • Skin & Hair
      • Sun Protection
    • Feed Gear
      Feed Gear
      • All Feed Gear
      • Clothing
      • Cycling Kits
      • Training Gear
  • Superfoods
    Superfoods
    • All Superfoods
    • Super Drinks
    • Functional Gummies
    • Mushrooms
    • Beets
    • Tart Cherry
    • Meat Snacks
    • Bone Broth
    • Snacks
    • Oatmeal
    • Pancakes
    • Granola
    • Baking
    • Coffee
  • Hot Deals
    Hot Deals
    Shop All Hot Deals
  • Insider
  • New
    Shop All New
  • Brands
    Top Brands at The Feed
    View All 175+ Brands
Top Brands
Hot DealsInsiderNewBrands
LoginCreate an account
Change country
All undefined
All undefined
The Feed Insider
Cycling
Running
Triathlon
How to Fuel
Feed News
Training Tips
Athlete Stories
Product Highlight
Background
  1. Home
  2. The Feed Insider
  3. Gut Check: Should You Take Probiotics?
Mar 24, 2015

Gut Check: Should You Take Probiotics?

By Adam Galuszka

COO at The Feed

This article was originally posted by our friends at Triathlete Magazine, and can be viewed here. Probiotics, the “good bacteria,” have been marketed as a cure-all for many ailments, from the upset stomach to the common cold. These tiny microorganisms, whose name originates from the Greek words “for life,” maintain the health of the body. More than 500 different types of bacteria reside in the digestive system, working together to aid in digestion, nutrient absorption, and immunity. In recent years, health and wellness claims have spilled over into the sports performance realm, with studies showing promising effects of probiotics on training, racing, and recovery. “There is no direct link between probiotic use and performance that can be quantified to date, but the secondary health benefits of probiotics, which include enhanced recovery from fatigue, improved immune function and the maintenance of a healthy gut, can improve general well being,” says Kim Schwabenbauer, a Registered Dietician, USAT coach, and professional triathlete, “This, in turn, could improve performance in training and therefore, on race day.”

Immunity Boost

Though exercise can boost immunity, particularly long or strenuous efforts can deplete the body’s ability to fight off illness. A daily dose of “good” bacteria could help to fight off “bad” bacteria. “There’s some evidence that the incidence of upper respiratory tract infections, or the common cold, can be reduced in athletes with probiotic supplementation,” says Dr. Mike Gleeson, Professor of Exercise Biochemistry at Loughborough University, “as well as influence some aspects of immunity in athletes.” In a study published by the British Journal of Sports medicine, high-mileage runners given a capsule containing Lactobacillus fermentum experienced only 30 days of respiratory illness symptoms during a four-month testing period, compared with 72 days for those who took a placebo. A 2012 study identified two specific strains, Bifidobacterium animalis and Lactobacillus paracasei, which improved immune function in healthy adults by an average of 50 percent.

Relief From Runner’s Trots

If you experience gastrointestinal issues (nausea, bloating, diarrhea) while training or racing, probiotics may help lessen the severity of your symptoms. In a study of marathon runners, the probiotic Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG was found to shorten the duration of GI symptom episodes.

Heat Help

Training for a hot-weather race? Probiotics may help you go the distance. Australian researchers recently discovered that supplementation with a multi-strain probiotic allowed runners to endure hot and humid conditions for longer than those who took a placebo. During a four-week study, athletes who supplemented with Lactobacillus, Bifdobacterium, and Streptoccus strains increased the amount of time they could run in the heat before feeling fatigued.

Probiotic … Chocolate?

Thanks to clever marketing, most consumers can identify yogurt as a source of probiotics. However, probiotics have begun making appearances in a rapidly growing list of fortified products such as chocolates, juices, and cereals. Despite claims made on brightly colored packaging, the simple presence of probiotics in a product does not guarantee its usefulness. Strains can often be destroyed by heat and processing of food products, rendering them ineffective. Further, most probiotics have a limited shelf life, even with ideal conditions such as refrigeration. Increase your confidence in the probiotic contents of your food by looking for fresh, perishable products with “live and active cultures.” Natural sources include yogurt, Kefir, sauerkraut, miso, and buttermilk.

Should You Supplement?

Though it is possible to get probiotics from real-food sources, Gleeson stresses daily supplementation is still needed in order to achieve a “sufficient dose of probiotic bacteria.” Probiotic supplements exist in a variety of forms, from capsules to fruit chews to beverages (such as Yakult, which Gleeson recommends). Schwabenbauer suggests selecting a product with a broad range of probiotic strains and the highest amount of probiotic organisms in a daily dose. It’s also important to identify the strains aligned with your desired outcomes. “The health effects resulting from probiotics are considered to be strain specific, meaning that certain strains produce certain results, and those results only,” says Schwabenbauer. “It’s important to know what you’re taking, and if it’s addressing your most pressing issues. Look for products with strain-specific research right on the label or online.”

Timing Is Everything

Gleeson says most studies have their subjects taking probiotics twice per day, with a morning and evening meal, though he says that isn’t a hard and fast rule. What’s more important, he says, is that they are consumed daily. The offseason is a good time to experiment with probiotic brands and establish a habit of supplementation. It takes at least 14 days for probiotics to colonize in the gut and start working, so taking them a week before a race, or beginning a supplementation in the middle of an illness may not produce the results the athlete is hoping for. “I really use them all season long, especially in the winter, to help with immunity and overall well-being,” says Schwabenbauer. “But about 12-14 weeks out from the ‘A’ race is where every little bit helps!”
The Feed.
About Us
Careers
Feed Insider Blog
NSF Certified for Sport®
All Products
Mobile App for Android
Socials
Instagram
YouTube
Strava
TikTok
Facebook
Twitter
Policy
Privacy Policy
Satisfaction Guarantee
Returns & Exchanges
Subscription Policy
Terms of Service
Cookie Policy
Email Us
hello@thefeed.com
Text Us*
+1 (720) 864 0086
Call Us
+1 (720) 864 0086

Mon-Fri 9am to 4pm MT

Address
12303 Airport Way #350,
Broomfield, CO 80021
USA

*By texting us, you consent to receive texts messages from The Feed at the mobile number you used to text and you are opting-in to receive future messages or a phone call at the number you provided. Message and Data rates may apply. Reply STOP anytime to opt-out.

About The Feed

We are athletes like you. We have experienced how eating smarter can make a meaningful difference in our training. Improving your nutrition is one of the quickest ways to see meaningful improvements in performance.

Subscribe

Get the latest new products, pro tips and be first to know about sales and special offers.

Change your country
These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. These products are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any diseases. (FDA Disclaimer)
image