Probiotic Supplements are beneficial for digestive tract health, immune system function, and general well-being. They help maintain gut flora balance, support digestion, boost immunity, and reduce inflammation. In addition, there are many different types of probiotics available today. Being aware as to what to look for is essential in choosing the right probiotic supplement for better immune health.
To make sure you choose the correct probiotic dietary supplement, consider what your goal is, whether you’re looking to treat a specific disease, protect yourself against illness, or just simply maintain healthy digestive health. Then, look for a product that contains high concentrations of live bacteria strains, along with prebiotics and enzymes. These ingredients work together to promote the optimal growth of good bacteria in your gut.
There are many types of probiotics available. Some contain live cultures while others contain prebiotics, enzymes, vitamins, minerals, and other ingredients.
Things to Know to Make the Right Choice of A Supplement
CFU – What are CFUs?
CFUs stand for colony forming units. They’re used to measure how many live bacteria there are in a given product. For example, you could say that a certain amount of yogurt contains 8 billion CFUs. This tells us how much live bacteria is present in one serving of yogurt.
Probiotic supplements should contain at least 10 billion CFUs per dosage.
There are supplements that claim 100 billion CFUs per dosage. This might seem very good but CFUs aren’t everything when considering a supplement.
Consider The Number of Bacterial Strains
Yogurt has about 6 strains of bacteria and Kefir has about 12 different bacterial strains.
It is important to consider how many strains there are in the probiotic supplement you are wanting to buy.
You want to choose a multi-species and multi-strain probiotic supplement. Moreover, you want to ensure that the probiotic contains the right kinds of probiotic bacteria that address your health concerns.
What Kinds of Bacteria Are Found in Probiotic Supplements?
Probiotic bacteria are beneficial microorganisms found in foods such as yogurt and kefir. Probiotics are used to maintain intestinal balance and support immune system functions.
Bacteria are classified into three groups based on their nutritional requirements: acidophiles, lactobacilli, and bifidobacteria. Acidophiles thrive in acidic environments; lactobacilli grow best in milk products; and bifidobacterium prefer sugar solutions.
The most commonly consumed probiotic strains include Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, Bifidobacterium animalis subsp. lactis BB12, Streptococcus thermophilus, and Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
Are Probiotics Regulated?
Probiotic products are generally considered safe for human consumption. Probiotics are live microorganisms that provide benefits to the host organism. The Food and Drug Administration regulates probiotic products under the Code of Federal Regulations Title 21 Part 178.21(a)(2). In general, probiotic products must contain viable organisms at the time of manufacture. Additionally, the product label must include information about the identity of the bacteria used, the number of colony forming units per gram of food, and the expiration date.
The FDA requires that manufacturers submit new drug applications (NDAs) for probiotic products containing viable cells of Lactobacillus acidophilus, Bifidobacterium bifidum, Streptococcus thermophilus, or Saccharomyces cerevisiae. NDAs are required for products intended to be consumed orally. Products containing other strains of bacteria are exempt from this requirement.
In addition to the NDA requirements, the FDA requires that companies conducting clinical trials register their studies with ClinicalTrials.gov. Companies must file reports regarding adverse events associated with the study.
How Long Does a Probiotic Take to Have an Effect on Our Bodies?
The amount of time required for a probiotic to start working depends on the specific product and the individual. Generally, it takes about 1 week for a probiotic to begin producing positive results. Once the probiotic begins to produce positive results, the benefits continue to increase until the end of the trial period.
Remember the bacteria multiply over time if they have a conducive environment and good microbial food for them to consume.
Usually, the colonies get back to their original population in about 3 months and can take up to 6 months. This is if you are starting with little or no colonies in your gut.
Consider Natural Probiotics
There are many natural probiotic foods that can help you to build your gut microbiome. Consider consuming these foods that are available everywhere. Some of the probiotic foods with beneficial bacteria are yogurt, kefir, natto, and wine.
Almost all Fermented Foods contain probiotics. Although, the number of bacterial strains and the amount of Colony Forming Units differ.
Any fermented food you consume is always beneficial to your immune health and digestive health in the long run.
Best Way to Choose the Right Probiotic Supplement
Choosing the right supplement depends on several factors. Here are five things to consider when selecting a probiotic supplement.
Choose a Probiotic Dietary Supplement That Contains Live Cultures
Live probiotics contain active cultures that survive after ingestion. This means that you can consume these products without fear of becoming ill.
Inactive cultures are dead bacteria that cannot survive once ingested. If you purchase an inactive culture probiotic, you may become ill if you ingest too much.
Consider the Source of the Probiotic Supplements
Many companies claim to provide probiotics, but don’t actually produce any. Instead, they simply advertise that they contain probiotics.
Companies that manufacture probiotic supplements should list the source of the cultures within the packaging. For example, if a company claims that its probiotic contains bifidobacteria, it should state the exact strain of Bifidobacterium within the package.
Check the Label Before Purchasing a Probiotic Supplement
When purchasing a probiotic supplement, read the label carefully. Many companies include misleading statements on labels.
For example, one company states that its probiotic contains lactobacillus acidophilus, yet the actual ingredient list shows that it contains only lactic acid bacteria.
Other companies claim that their probiotic contains multiple strains of bifidobacteria. Yet, the label lists only one specific strain of bifidobacterium.
It is essential that you understand exactly what is contained in the probiotic supplement you choose.
Buy From Reputable Manufacturers
Buying from a reputable manufacturer ensures that you are receiving a quality product.
Reputable manufacturers follow strict guidelines regarding the safety of their products. They test their products for purity and potency.
They also adhere to standards set forth by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
These standards ensure that the products are safe and effective.
See if They Have Prebiotics Included
Prebiotics are food for your Gur Microbiome. For your Gut Microbiota to thrive they need a good supply of their food which are fermentable fibers like Inulin and Pectin.
The prebiotic fiber in the form of Fructo-oligosaccharide (FOS) is a natural product derived from chicory root, wheat bran or Jerusalem artichoke. It is a soluble dietary fiber that has been shown to have beneficial effects on gastrointestinal health by promoting the growth of bifidobacteria and lactobacilli.
Check the Number of Probiotic Strains
The number of probiotic strains varies depending on what product you buy. Most products contain between 1 and 5 strains of bacteria.
In conclusion, probiotics are essential for maintaining a healthy digestive system. They help keep harmful bacteria from taking over, which means that they can prevent certain diseases like diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome. In fact, studies show that probiotic supplements can actually improve symptoms associated with these conditions. The benefits of probiotics are aplenty and there should not be doubt in your mind that you need daily probiotics in your diet.
While there are plenty of supplements available today, choosing the right ones can sometimes be difficult. That’s where we come in. We’ve compiled a list of the top five probiotic supplements that provide the greatest benefit for your overall health. So whether you want to boost your immune system, fight bad breath, or just maintain regular digestion, check out our recommendations below.
#1. Kefir Supplement – This supplement contains Lactobacillus kefiri, which helps to promote the growth of beneficial bacteria in the gut. It has been shown to reduce the incidence of gastrointestinal disorders such as constipation and diarrhea.
#2. Probiotic Yogurt Supplement – This supplement contains Bifidobacterium lactis, which helps to support the production of short-chain fatty acids in the colon. These acids are responsible for producing energy for cells throughout the entire body.
#3. Acidophilus Supplement – This supplement contains bifidobacteria, which helps to produce short-chain fatty acids in order to stimulate the growth of friendly flora in the intestines.
#4. Prebiotic Fiber Supplement – This supplement contains fructooligosaccharides, which are used by the microorganisms in the gut to create short-chain fatty acids.
#5. Probiotic Milk Supplement – This supplement contains lactic acid bacteria, which help to produce short-chain fatty acid in the intestine.
Source: NIH