Starter Packs

The time it takes for probiotics to work depends on why you are taking them, the specific strain used and how consistently they are taken. With PrecisionBiotics®, our clinically studied strains should reach your gut in peak condition within a few hours of taking it. For some people, digestive changes can be noticed within seven to fourteen days. To support you on your Starter Pack journey, you can track gut and lifestyle habits via your 3 months free access to the Gut Stuff App.  

When taken every day, you can expect to feel the full effects within four to eight weeks. But don’t stop there! NICE guidelines (the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) suggest trying probiotics for up to 12 weeks, which is aligned with our PrecisionBiotics® Starter Packs. How quickly probiotics work is influenced by the strain or strains used, the dose and formulation, your baseline gut health and diet, and how consistently the product is taken. Probiotics are not a quick fix, and like other aspects of nutrition, their benefits tend to build gradually with regular use. 

For most healthy adults, probiotics are considered safe and well tolerated. However, some individuals should seek medical advice before taking them. This includes people who are immunocompromised, such as those undergoing chemotherapy or organ transplant recipients, individuals with serious underlying illness, critical conditions, those with a central venous catheter, people recovering from major surgery, or anyone diagnosed with short bowel syndrome or severe gastrointestinal disease. In these circumstances, even bacteria that are normally beneficial may pose a risk. 

For those who do not suffer with the above, PrecisionBiotics® Starter Packs are safe to take, but may cause mild and temporary changes to your typical gut habits. Do note that these changes are a result of the gut being primed with a new bacteria and they should usually pass within a couple of days.  

Yes, probiotics need to be taken every day to maintain their benefits. Most probiotic strains (including those found in Alflorex® Original, Alflorex® Dual Action and Zenflore®) do not permanently colonise the gut. Instead, they are transient and pass through the digestive system while exerting their effects. If probiotics are taken irregularly, their activity in the gut decreases. 

Daily use helps ensure a consistent supply of beneficial bacteria, ongoing interaction with the gut microbiota and more reliable, sustained outcomes. In this sense, probiotics are similar to other nutritional components such as fibre, where regular intake is more important than occasional use. By using the Gut Stuff App alongside your PrecisionBiotics® starter pack, you can take control of your gut health and stay consistent throughout the 12 weeks. 

If you stop taking probiotics, their effects gradually reduce, usually over one to three weeks. The exact timeframe depends on the strain used and your individual gut environment. With PrecisionBiotics® Starter Packs, the bacteria stays in your gut for only as long as you continue to take it. After that, it will be naturally swept out by bowel movements. 

Any positive changes that you have seen as a result of your PrecisionBiotics® Starter Pack can be tracked in the Gut Stuff App, to help you draw insights about your gut health and potential triggers. 

There is no single timeframe that suits everyone, as the duration of probiotic use depends on your goal. Many people choose to take probiotics continuously because the benefits are maintained only while they are being taken, they are safe for long term use in healthy individuals and they complement a gut friendly diet rather than replace it. 

The products within PrecisionBiotics® Starter Packs are safe to take long-term, including during pregnancy and breastfeeding. There are no known interactions with any medications and the product is Vegan, Gluten-Free, Dairy-Free, Soya-Free and suitable for Low FODMAP diets.