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You’ve probably been told to take a probiotic at least once in your life. Maybe your friend swears it changed her skin. Maybe your doctor recommended it after antibiotics. Or maybe you’ve stared at the supplement aisle wondering how you’re supposed to pick between a dozen nearly identical bottles promising better digestion, clearer skin, and more energy.
To find out, we turned to Kiran Krishnan, a Research Microbiologist who has spent nearly two decades studying how the microbiome impacts everything from our immune system to our mood. After years in molecular medicine and microbiology at the University of Iowa, Kiran went on to design and oversee dozens of human clinical trials in the nutrition world. Today, as the Chief Microbiologist for Just Thrive, he’s helping reframe how we understand probiotics and why most on the market simply don’t do what they claim.
We asked Kiran to answer the ten most Googled questions about probiotics, the ones you’ve probably wondered yourself while holding a green juice in one hand and a bottle of capsules in the other.
The 10 Most Googled Questions About Probiotics
1. Do probiotics really work or are they just hype? According to Krishnan, “Most probiotics on the market contain conventional strains that can’t survive the journey through your stomach. Up to 99 percent of them are destroyed by stomach acid before they even reach your gut.” That’s why so many people take probiotics and don’t feel a difference.
Spore-based probiotics, on the other hand, are naturally built to survive. Their endospore shell acts like armor, protecting them from heat, oxygen, and acid. Once they reach your intestines, they wake up, identify pathogens, and help restore balance in your microbiome. “Most probiotics add bacteria,” he explains, “but spore-based probiotics help your existing good microbes flourish.”
2. How long does it take for probiotics to work and what should you realistically expect? “It generally takes about three to six months to fully balance the gut microbiome with one capsule of our spore-based probiotic daily,” says Krishnan. “Though many people notice changes much sooner.”
That timeline depends on how out of balance your gut is to begin with. Some people notice better digestion or less bloating within a few weeks, while others see clearer skin, better sleep, or fewer sugar cravings over time. “Nearly every system in the body connects back to gut health,” he says. “When the microbiome stabilizes, everything else starts to follow.”
It’s a slow build, not a quick fix, but the kind that actually lasts. So if you don’t feel something overnight, don’t toss the bottle. It’s a slow build, not a quick fix.
3. Do probiotics survive stomach acid or do most die before they get to your gut? “This is one of the biggest differences between spore-based probiotics and most others,” Krishnan explains. “Our spore-based strains survive stomach acid, digestive enzymes, freezing temperatures, even antibiotics.”
That resilience allows them to reach the small intestine alive, where they can actually do their work. “Survivability is everything,” he adds. “If they don’t make it to your gut, they can’t do their job.”
This is also why Just Thrive Probiotic doesn’t require refrigeration. It’s built to survive the journey from capsule to colon.
4. Should you take probiotics every day or is that just marketing hype? “Long-term use of our probiotic is perfectly safe and highly recommended since we have inflammatory pathogens and toxins coming at us every day,” says Krishnan.
He explains that the gut microbiome is constantly challenged by stress, lack of sleep, processed foods, and environmental toxins. Taking a probiotic daily helps your beneficial bacteria stay resilient and your immune system steady.
“It’s like brushing your teeth,” he says. “You wouldn’t skip a day and expect your mouth to stay clean. The same logic applies to your gut.”
5. What’s the best time of day to take probiotics, morning or night, with or without food? “The best practice is to take our spore-based probiotic slowly, one capsule every other day for example, and to take it after your largest meal,” says Krishnan. “Taking it with food gives the spores something to feed on as they move through the digestive tract.”
Taking it after dinner has extra perks. It helps with digestion and promotes more restful sleep. “It can also minimize potential die-off symptoms since digestion slows at night, allowing for a smoother, more gentle transit,” he adds.
A simple rule of thumb is to pair it with your biggest meal and let it work while you rest.
6. Can probiotics cause bloating or discomfort and how do you know if it’s a good or bad sign? “When spores start clearing out harmful microbes, you might feel it,” says Krishnan. “As pathogens die off, they release toxins which can cause gas, bloating, constipation, nausea, or even mild flu-like symptoms. It’s not harmful, it’s detox.”
If you notice this happening, slow down. “Whenever this happens, we recommend stopping the probiotic until symptoms subside and then resume at a lower dose, half a capsule or gummy every other day with food,” he says.
Uncomfortable? Yes. A bad sign? No. “Although unpleasant, die-off is actually a great sign the probiotic is working,” he adds. “It means your body is clearing out what doesn’t belong.”
7. If I eat yogurt or fermented foods, do I still need a probiotic supplement? “Yes, especially if you consume the same yogurt or fermented foods on a consistent basis or are dealing with a sluggish immune system,” says Krishnan. “Over time, the probiotics in those ferments can overgrow and cause unpleasant symptoms.”
Fermented foods are great, but they only contain a few transient strains and usually in small amounts. Spore-based probiotics are a completely different category. They arrive alive in the gut, crowd out pathogens, and help maintain diversity. “You can take other strains with ours since probiotics generally do not compete with each other,” he adds, “but you may not need to since our strains are proven to increase your beneficial populations a hundred-fold.”
Adding a prebiotic can amplify that even more, helping the good bacteria you already have thrive.
8. Can you take probiotics with antibiotics or should you wait until after? “Our strains are proven to survive in the presence of antibiotics,” says Krishnan, “and increasing the dosage while on antibiotics is highly recommended since they can kill off more than just the bad bacteria.”
He recommends taking two to three capsules per day during antibiotics, then continuing at double the dose afterward. “If you were on antibiotics for one week,” he says, “take a double dose of probiotics for three weeks after to restore beneficial populations.”
Probiotics during antibiotics aren’t just safe, they’re smart.
9. Which issues do probiotics actually help, IBS, constipation, immunity, or skin? “The underlying cause of many chronic gut-related conditions, whether digestive, immune, skin, hormonal, or mental health, is gut permeability, or leaky gut,” says Krishnan.
“Our spore-based probiotic eliminates pathogens in the gut that damage the bowel wall,” he explains. “We have a 30-day Leaky Gut study that shows how our probiotic strengthens the gut microbiome to mitigate the damage caused by GMOs, glyphosates, gluten, lectins, processed food, and stress.”
Participants in the study saw a 42 percent reduction in leaky gut toxins in just 30 days without altering their diet or lifestyle. “That’s measurable proof that the gut barrier can be repaired,” Kiran says. “And when you strengthen that barrier, you strengthen everything that depends on it.”
10. With so many probiotic brands out there, how do you choose one that’s actually worth it? “Any reputable probiotic company should be able to show survivability and colonization of their strains,” says Krishnan. “In order for a probiotic to make a significant change in the gut, it must be alive.”
“Conventional strains may offer some residual benefits, but they will not drive out pathogens or nourish and increase beneficial populations,” he explains. “Just Thrive Probiotic is one of the few that can show this in clinical research.”
His rule of thumb is simple. Don’t be swayed by flashy numbers on the label. Look for proof of life.
Here’s the Real Gut Check
Your gut does a lot more than digest dinner, it sets the tone for how you feel, think, and function. As Kiran Krishnan reminds us, the key isn’t taking just any probiotic. It’s taking one that actually survives and does its job.
That’s what makes Just Thrive Probiotic different. Its spore-based strains don’t just pass through the digestive system alive, they actively help restore balance, crowd out pathogens, and strengthen the gut barrier. Clinical studies show a 42 percent reduction in leaky gut toxins in just 30 days without any changes to diet or lifestyle, proving that real results don’t require guesswork.
And because gut health isn’t one-size-fits-all, Just Thrive offers more than one way to keep your microbiome in check. Their probiotic comes in capsule or gummy form, so you can build consistency into your daily routine, whether that’s part of your morning ritual or a post-dinner wellness habit.
Right now, Just Thrive is offering 25% off sitewide for Black Friday, which makes this an ideal moment to stock up or try their spore-based probiotic in capsule or gummy form.
All material on The Chalkboard Mag is provided for educational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified healthcare provider for any questions you have regarding a medical condition, and before undertaking any diet, exercise or other health-related programs. T
