Gut health is important for your overall health and well-being. Taking supplements such as probiotics and turmeric may 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 keep the “good” bacteria and microorganisms balanced and available. 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 conditions like depression. It may also help improve indigestion.
A recent study found that taking 500 milligrams of turmeric four times daily 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 useful if you experience indigestion and want to improve your gut health. While probiotics help with digestion by improving the microorganisms in your gut, turmeric can help control inflammation within 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.
Multiple probiotic strains are available, each offering different effects and benefits. Popular strains include:
- Lactobacillus
- Bifidobacterium
- Saccharomyces
Probiotics are measured in colony-forming units (CFU), which is the number of living 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 at doses up to 8 grams daily. You can take turmeric with or without food, though food may help your body absorb it better.
It is safe to take probiotics and turmeric together. Supplements that include both probiotics and turmeric in one capsule are available.
Neither supplement provides immediate relief after taking a dose, so consistency is important for maximum benefit. Mixing turmeric into a probiotic-containing food such as yogurt may also be an option to incorporate both products into your diet.
Probiotics may affect how well certain medications work. This can include blood thinners, cancer medications, and medications used to treat heart and blood vessel conditions. More research is needed to understand how probiotics interact with these drugs.
There is controversy on whether you should take probiotics with antibiotics. Some researchers believe probiotics help prevent antibiotics from killing “good” bacteria and reduce antibiotic-related side effects like diarrhea. Others believe that taking both at once could make the probiotic less effective. Talk with your healthcare provider about whether you should take both.
Probiotics are safe to use during pregnancy. However, you should talk to your healthcare provider before taking a probiotic if you are pregnant.
Medications That May Interact With Turmeric
Medications and supplements that turmeric may interact with include:
- Cancer medications: The antioxidant properties of turmeric can reduce the effectiveness of certain cancer and chemotherapy medications.
- Blood thinners: Turmeric may act like a blood thinner, increasing your risk for bleeding and bruising, especially if taken with other blood-thinning medications and supplements. Examples include Coumadin (warfarin), vitamin E, and aspirin.
- Blood sugar-lowering medications: Turmeric can lower your blood sugar, so be careful when taking it alongside other medications or supplements that can affect your blood sugar. Examples include insulin, Ozempic (semaglutide), and ashwagandha.
- Medications that can harm the liver: Taking turmeric with medications and supplements that may harm the liver can increase your 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 a few possible side effects.
Probiotics
Reported side effects of probiotics include stomach pain, bloating, gas, diarrhea, constipation, and an increased risk of infection.
This increased infection risk is a concern for people who are immunocompromised (have a weakened immune system). If you are immunocompromised or have a condition that makes you susceptible to infections, talk with your healthcare provider 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 250-1,800 milligrams daily.
If you experience GI side effects while taking probiotics and turmeric, your healthcare provider may recommend separating the time you take each supplement.
Probiotics and turmeric are supplements used for various health conditions. When taken together, they may improve gut health, including indigestion and bloating.
Talk with your healthcare provider about whether probiotics and turmeric supplementation would benefit you.
