What happens when you take turmeric and probiotics together?

Gut health is important to your overall health and well-being. Taking supplements such as probiotics and turmeric can help improve and maintain a healthy gut biome.

Probiotics may also help improve immune function, cholesterol and mental health, while turmeric has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Your gastrointestinal (GI) tract is made up of many microorganisms. Probiotics help maintain the balance and availability of “good” bacteria and microorganisms. This can help regulate bowel movements, decrease bloating, and improve stomach pain or discomfort.

Taking turmeric may improve allergic rhinitis and seasonal allergies, osteoarthritis, and mental health problems like depression. It may also help improve indigestion.

A recent study found that taking 500 milligrams of turmeric four times a day can help treat indigestion. The study compared the supplement to Prilosec (omeprazole), a medication used to treat indigestion and heartburn. More research is needed to understand how turmeric compares to other known indigestion treatment options.

Taking probiotics and turmeric together may be helpful if you suffer from indigestion and want to improve your gut health. While probiotics aid digestion by improving the microorganisms in your gut, turmeric can help control inflammation in your gastrointestinal tract.

Probiotics can be found in fermented foods, including yogurt, sauerkraut, kimchi, kombucha, and some cheeses. Probiotic supplements are also available in capsule, powder, and liquid form. You can take a probiotic with or without food, depending on the product.

Several strains of probiotics are available, each offering different effects and benefits. Popular varieties include:

• Lactobacilli
• Bifidobacterium
• Saccharomyces

Probiotics are measured in colony forming units (CFU), which is the number of live microorganisms in a product. Most probiotic supplements range from 1 to 50 billion CFU per dose.

Turmeric can be taken as a spice, tea or dietary supplement in capsule or powder form. According to the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA), curcumin is considered safe in doses up to 8 grams per day. You can take turmeric with or without food, although food can help your body absorb it better.

It is safe to take probiotics and turmeric together. Supplements containing both probiotics and turmeric in a single capsule are available.

Neither supplement provides immediate relief after taking a dose, so consistency is important for maximum benefit. Mixing turmeric with a probiotic-containing food like yogurt can also be an option to incorporate both products into your diet.

Probiotics may affect the effectiveness of certain medications. This may include blood thinners, cancer medications, and medications used to treat heart and vascular conditions. More research is needed to understand how probiotics interact with these medications.

There is controversy over whether you should take probiotics with antibiotics. Some researchers believe that probiotics help prevent antibiotics from killing “good” bacteria and reduce antibiotic-related side effects like diarrhea. Others think that taking both at the same time might make the probiotic less effective. Talk to your healthcare professional about whether you should take both.

Probiotics are safe to use during pregnancy. However, you should talk to your healthcare professional before taking a probiotic if you are pregnant.

Medications that may interact with turmeric

Medications and supplements that turmeric may interact with include:

• Cancer drugs: Turmeric’s antioxidant properties may reduce the effectiveness of some cancer and chemotherapy drugs.
• Anticoagulants: Turmeric may act as a blood thinner, increasing the risk of bleeding and bruising, especially if taken with other blood thinning medications and supplements. Examples include Coumadin (warfarin), vitamin E, and aspirin.
• Hypoglycemic drugs: Turmeric may lower your blood sugar, so be careful when taking it with other medications or supplements that may affect your blood sugar. Examples include insulin, Ozempic (semaglutide), and ashwagandha.
• Medicines that can harm the liver: Taking turmeric with medications and supplements that may harm the liver may increase the risk of liver damage. Examples include amiodarone, methotrexate, and black cohosh.

Pregnant people should avoid taking turmeric supplements. No studies have confirmed that turmeric supplements are safe during pregnancy.

According to the FDA, probiotics and turmeric are considered safe in foods and supplements, but both may have some possible side effects.

Probiotics

Reported side effects of probiotics include stomach pain, bloating, gas, diarrhea, constipation, and increased risk of infection.

This increased risk of infection is a concern for people who are immunocompromised (with weakened immune systems). If you are immunocompromised or have a condition that makes you susceptible to infections, talk to your doctor before taking a probiotic supplement.

Turmeric

Side effects of turmeric include constipation, indigestion, diarrhea, bloating, nausea and vomiting. Liver damage, including hepatitis, is one of the most serious side effects of turmeric. It is reported with turmeric doses of 250 to 1,800 milligrams per day.

If you experience gastrointestinal side effects when taking probiotics and turmeric, your doctor may recommend separating the time you take each supplement.

Probiotics and turmeric are supplements used for various health conditions. When taken together, they can improve gut health, including indigestion and bloating.

Talk to your doctor about whether supplementing with probiotics and turmeric would benefit you.