Probiotics: when to take them and why?

Updated on 2025-11-05

Summary: Probiotics: when to take them and why?

Lynn Goneau, naturopath at La Boite à Grains, explains the essential role of the intestinal microbiota, made up of billions of micro-organisms that influence digestion, immunity, stress, sleep, inflammation and even mood. She reminds us of the importance of maintaining a good balance between good and bad bacteria, notably by consuming fermented foods such as Greek yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi or kombucha.

She also points out that probiotics must be nourished by prebiotics - fibers found in vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts and whole grains - to remain effective. Finally, she warns against taking too much probiotics, which can cause digestive discomfort, and recommends the following products Natural Factors a Canadian brand renowned for the quality and clarity of its supplements.

1. Understanding microbiota and probiotics

The intestinal microbiota is made up of billions of bacteria, viruses and micro-organisms that live in symbiosis with the human body. They play a key role in digestion, vitamin production, immunity, stress management, sleep and emotional balance. A healthy microbiota sends positive signals to the brain.

2. Promote good bacteria through diet

Probiotics are found in fermented foods such as Greek yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, pickles in brine, kombucha, miso and tempeh. Preference should be given to unpasteurized products to preserve living, active cultures.

3. The importance of prebiotics

Prebiotics are the food of probiotics. They are found in vegetables (onions, leeks, asparagus), fruit (apples, bananas, grapefruit), legumes, whole grains (oats, barley), nuts and seeds. Without these fibers, good bacteria cannot survive.

4. Precautions and recommendations

Excessive consumption of probiotics can unbalance the microbiota and cause digestive disorders. It is therefore advisable to start gradually and consult a professional if necessary. Lynn Goneau recommends Natural Factors probiotics a Canadian company renowned for the purity and transparency of its products.

About the author

Lynn Goneau, Certified Naturopath

Specialized in :

• Digestive health
• Hormonal health
• Stress and fatigue
• Memory and concentration
• Weight management

Frédéric Bisson, radio host at 104.7 FM

Host of the 104.7 FM radio station on the Cogeco network. Frédéric Bisson has hosted L'Outaouais Maintenant from 3 to 5 p.m. every weekday since February 27, 2023.

Transcription

Frédéric Bisson - Host 104.7FM:

Today. It's a word you've heard a lot. It's a word we like to understand, but it can sometimes be a little intimidating when we're faced with the choice of probiotics. Then there are prebiotics. Today, we're going to talk about probiotics with Lynn Goneau, naturopath at La Boite à Grains and we'll tell you when and why you should take them. Hello Lynn.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath of La Boite à Grains:

Hello Fred.

Frédéric Bisson - Host 104.7FM:

To understand probiotics, you need to understand the microbiota.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath of La Boite à Grains:

That's right. To understand the microbiota, you need to know that at birth, you're born with a unique set of bacteria such as microbes and viruses, called your microbiota.

Frédéric Bisson - Host 104.7FM:

And there are billions of them.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath of La Boite à Grains:

Yes, these micro-organisms live mainly in the small intestine and colon, coexisting in symbiosis with your body to perform essential functions such as digestion, the production of certain vitamins and even have a direct impact on your immune system. They will influence your ability to cope with stress. So will anxiety and insomnia. They have a very specific role in inflammation. And studies show that there's a direct link with being overweight. So too much accumulation of bad bacteria makes you overweight. Then there's the direct link with our thoughts. A healthy microbiota sends positive thoughts to the brain. Life is good. I'm happy.

Frédéric Bisson - Host 104.7FM:

But depending on the bacteria we feed and maintain in our microbiota, it will influence our thoughts.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath of La Boite à Grains:

Yes, definitely, because when you have an imbalance, you can hear yourself thinking very negative thoughts.

Frédéric Bisson - Host 104.7FM:

Why it gives us the bad bits in the sense of why we have the opportunity to have bad bacteria. We should all have good bacteria.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath of La Boite à Grains:

Yes, exactly. But it depends on what you eat.

Frédéric Bisson - Host 104.7FM:

But there you go. So you have to, you have to feed the good bacteria and you do it with it. If we're talking about food, we're talking about products like yogurt.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath of La Boite à Grains:

Yogurt is all very well, except that you have to make sure that the carton actually says "live and active cultures". You'll find it especially in Greek yogurt and skyr. You can find it again in kefirs.

Frédéric Bisson - Host 104.7FM:

A particular taste, excuse me, that's how it is.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath of La Boite à Grains:

Yes, but it's true that it has a very particular taste. But there are also fermented vegetables, carrots, many different ones, and even sauerkraut or kimchi.

Frédéric Bisson - Host 104.7FM:

Me, I worry about it, I eat it sometimes, I stay away from it, but I find that it's actually good for the digestion.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath of La Boite à Grains:

Definitive. But you have to make sure that if you buy it at the grocery store or buy it in a health food store, that it's the unpasteurized version, that's super important. You'll also find it in pickles and olives. Those that are fermented in salted solutions rather than those preserved in the typical, vinegar, kombucha, miso, tempeh. These are all good sources that you can look for in your probiotics.

Frédéric Bisson - Host 104.7FM:

Or in capsules. But there are so many choices. They're in the fridge, not in my fridge, so I find it hard to make sense of it all.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath of La Boite à Grains:

Yes, there are several types, but it doesn't matter which one you choose. The important thing is to feed them well, because they need prebiotics. This is the bacteria's primary food. In the end, you can't maintain them, no matter what source you take them from. Prebiotics can be found in vegetables such as onions, leeks and asparagus, or in fruit such as apples, bananas and grapefruits. Legumes contain a lot of fiber, or whole grains like oats and barley. And you can also find some in nuts and seeds, pistachios, cashews, etc.

Frédéric Bisson - Host 104.7FM:

But we mustn't forget to feed our probiotics.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath of La Boite à Grains:

Our bacteria, yes, because otherwise they'll die.

Frédéric Bisson - Host 104.7FM:

Exactly. It's like putting potting soil in a garden. If you plant seeds, your soil is sand.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath of La Boite à Grains:

That's right.

Frédéric Bisson - Host 104.7FM:

Can you take too many probiotics?

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath of La Boite à Grains:

Yes, definitely, what will happen is that excessive consumption can upset the already delicate balance of the intestinal microbiota. So you may experience bloating, gas, diarrhea or even constipation. Ideally, when you start, either with fermentations or you, however you're going to choose them, it's a small amount at the very beginning to let your body get used to it. You can always consult a professional such as a doctor or pharmacist, especially if you have pre-existing medical conditions or a weakened immune system.

Frédéric Bisson - Host 104.7FM:

Yes, because as you said earlier, it's the second brain. So you don't want to go messing around in there. All of a sudden, the microbiota isn't what you're doing anymore. You recommend a product this week.

Lynn Goneau - Naturopath of La Boite à Grains:

There are probiotics from Natural Factors. I really like Natural Factors because it's a Canadian company known for the quality and purity of all its supplements. They have a range of probiotics to suit different needs. It's fun, because it's clearly written on the container of each one of them, what the probiotics in that container can do.

Frédéric Bisson - Host 104.7FM:

Thank you very much, Lynn Goneau. Bye bye.