“Taking probiotic supplements is like taking out an insurance policy — it protects you during the tough times,” Huffnagle says. To get the most mileage out of your supplement, Huffnagle suggests opening the pill casing and sprinkling the contents into a beverage or onto food so that the flora are introduced to your mouth and esophagus — important links in the digestive chain — as well as your stomach and intestines. Just be sure the food isn't scorching hot — anything above warm may kill the microbes.