What To Look For In A Good Probiotic Supplement

Things To Look For In A Probiotic Supplement

Probiotics are everywhere. Chances are, youve seen them advertised on TV, in magazines, and touted in health books.

Theyre one of the few supplements that have gained widespread fame and acceptance in western countries.

Its little wonder why probiotics have gained so much traction and why so many people are utilizing them for the benefit of their health. Over the past decade, researchers have highlighted just how much probiotics affect our bodies. In fact, they affect nearly every part of your body, and scientists have discovered many of the ways in which probiotics exert their benefits.

Should Probiotics Be Shelf Stable Or Refrigerated

Depending on how a probiotic is manufactured, it may require refrigeration, or it may be safely stored at room temperature. Neither is better, but pick the type that best fits your lifestyle! Most probiotics are designed to be taken daily, so If youre traveling often, opt for a shelf stable package that you can toss in your carry on. Or if youre someone who cant remember your probiotic unless its in your purse, thats another time to pick a non-refrigerated option. In either case, remember to check the best by date.

What Are The Most Common Types Of Probiotic Bacteria

Though there are many types of bacteria that can be considered probiotics, there are two specific types of bacteria that are common probiotics found in stores. These include:

• Bifidobacterium.

Probiotics are also made up of good yeast. The most common type of yeast found in probiotics is:

• Saccharomyces boulardii.

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The Benefits Of Bacteria

How could probiotics, or beneficial bacteria that live in your gut, affect the health of your entire body? Its just some bacteria living in your intestine!

You might be surprised that there are actually more bacteria in your gut than there are in the cells in your body. In a way, you are more bacteria than you are you!

Considering that you are largely made of bacteria, it should now make more sense that these bacteria profoundly affects the health of your body.

Researchers have shown how probiotics perform an array of roles in your body such as boosting your immune system and keeping inflammation from wreaking havoc. And the effects of probiotics reach nearly every part of your body, including your skin, brain, and immune system. Also, research has associated lack of good bacteria in the gut microbiome with many diseases such as inflammatory bowel disease, cardiovascular disease, and asthma. 1

Probiotics also play a role in detoxifying your body from toxins like heavy metals. These good bacteria also ensure the absorption of essential B vitamins 2,3. Researchers have also seen improvements in the symptoms of cardiovascular disease, Alzheimers, and mood.

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What To Look For In A Probiotic

Since over-the-counter probiotics are supplements and not regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as drugs, its important to look for third-party certification. Third-party testing can ensure the product actually contains what it says it does, and that its free of harmful ingredients like heavy metals. Resources like ConsumerLab.com and Labdoor.com can provide information on a supplements certifications and testing.

And, as mentioned above, a probiotics health benefits are strain-specific. Speak with your doctor about which strain is best for you and your needs.

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Which Probiotic Is Best For You

Probiotics may help:

• Relieve constipation. Probiotics can help soften stools so theyâre easier to move.

• Diarrhea. Good bacteria in probiotics combats the bad and may help make your bouts shorter.

• Improve IBS.Certain strains of probiotics work better than others for this condition. Ask your doctor which is right for you.

• Support brain health.Your gut is often called your âsecond brainâ because it makes some of the same neurotransmitters that regulate moods. When your gut is happy, you feel happy. When your gut is sluggish, your brain doesnât work as well.

• Improve heart health.Gut bacteria produces chemicals that affect your blood pressure.

• Boost immunity.Probiotics warn your immune system when bad bacteria may become a disease.

• Your General Health.Good gut bacteria affects the way you feel mentally and physically. It can prevent and even treat some diseases.

Many types of bacteria are probiotics. Each has its own benefits. Talk to your doctor about which one might help you the most.

• Lactobacillus youâll find this in yogurt and other fermented foods. Different strains can help with diarrhea and may help with people who canât digest lactose, the sugar in milk.

• Bifidobacterium is in some dairy products. It may help ease the symptoms of irritable bowel syndrome and some other conditions.

• Saccharomyces boulardii is a yeast found in probiotics. It seems to help fight diarrhea and other digestive problems.

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Red Flag #: Does Your Probiotic Contain The Most Important Strains

While there are hundreds of different probiotic strains out there, some have been studied more than others.

Clinical trials of certain Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains have provided evidence that some strains are not only more beneficial than others, but are better able to colonize the gut and survive certain conditions.

Research suggests that four of the most effective strains are:

L. plantarum: A hardy strain that survives the passage to the gut. It boosts your immunity, repairs the intestinal membrane, and also works to lower inflammation.

L. acidophilus:The most-studied Lactobacillus strain, L. acidophilus easily establishes itself in the walls of the small intestine. Its been shown to enhance absorption of nutrients and improve overall digestion, especially of dairy products.

B. longum: As one of the most common bacteria in the adult digestive tract, B. longum helps in maintaining the integrity of the gut wall. It also reduces gastrointestinal discomfort caused by stress, and regulates the acidity of the digestive tract, which inhibits the growth of harmful bacteria.

B. bifidum: Found in both the small and large intestine, B. bifidum plays a major role in the digestion of lactose-containing foods. This is especially important for adults who lose the lactase enzyme. B. bifidum also helps in breaking down complex carbohydrates, fat, and protein.

Use the code PROBIOTIC to get 20% off our probiotic. The discount code works on and our website.

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How We Chose The Best Probiotic Supplements

We selected the best probiotics using the following criteria:

• Vetting: All the products have been vetted to ensure that they meet Healthlines medical and business standards.
• Effective dose: All the supplements below contain at least 106 CFUs per gram.
• Ingredients: We looked for products that are made from high quality ingredients and free of artificial additives and fillers.
• Personal needs: Whether you need a specific probiotic strain or follow a gluten-free diet, we included options to suit a variety of needs and preferences.

What Are Probiotics Exactly

Probiotic bacteria work to keep the community of microorganisms in your gutand throughout the rest of your bodyin a healthy, balanced state. These bugs play a key role in digestion, keeping bad bacteria at bay, and regulating the immune system, according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health. We get them primarily from eating fiber-rich foods, which promote the growth of the friendly bacteria, as well as from fermented foods like yogurt, tempeh, and sauerkraut. But you can also get them from supplements.

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Feel Better: 6 Things To Look For In A Good Probiotic

Welcome to the Go Nutrients blog, where we strive to provide high quality content in addition to our leading brand of liquid nutrients. Health and fitness go hand-in-hand to provide a healthy lifestyle.

Do you know what to look for in a probiotic? How much probiotics are enough? Quality does matter. Dont lose your money to brands that are packed with promise but not the ingredients you are looking for.

Your gut is filled with a huge collection of bacteria and other tiny organisms that help your body digest your food and extract nutrients you need. But when the balance of good and bad bacteria gets wonky, you can have symptoms ranging from gas and bloating to yeast infections and UTIs. Fermented foods like yogurt, kombucha and miso naturally add healthy bacteria to your diet, but it can tough to get enough of those into your daily diet. So heres what to consider when picking the best probiotic supplement for you.

Free Of Flow Agents And Synthetic Coatings Dairy

The highest quality probiotic products are free of flow agents used in manufacturing, like magnesium stearate, titanium dioxide, preservatives, colorings or artificial ingredients. Synthetic coatings are unnecessary to ensure delivery to the proper area of the digestive tract.

Additionally, seek probiotics that are dairy-free and gluten-free to ensure safety in people with allergies or sensitivities.

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Check Other Important Information On The Label

Another important step in choosing a probiotic is to check the label for additional information.

Does the probiotic contain any other ingredients?

Some probiotics incorporate prebiotic nutrients. Prebiotics are the food sources for the beneficial bacteria. Adding prebiotics can make the supplement more effective.

For example, all Omni-Biotic probiotics contain prebiotic nutrients. When the probiotic powder is dissolved in water prior to intake, the probiotic bacteria can eat these prebiotic nutrients. This makes the bacteria strong for their passage through the acidic environment of the stomach and increases survival.

The label also tells you if the supplement contains any allergens such as gluten, lactose or soy. This is particularly important if you have a food sensitivity.

Does the product require refrigeration?

Products that require refrigeration are more difficult to travel with. Theres also a higher risk that the live bacteria in the product are no longer at their most vital state when you consume them. If the cooling chain of the product gets interrupted during storage, transportation or shipping, the product may overheat. This can compromise and even kill the beneficial bacteria.

Lastly, check the expiration date to make sure the product does not expire before you plan to consume it.

Yourbiology Benefits At A Glance

• Superior probiotics absorption and gut benefits

• Stress reduction

• Feeling lighter and slimmer

• Healthier-looking skin

Although the manufacturer focuses on the benefits listed above, the probiotics in YourBiology Gut + offer women support in other areas as well. We’ll take a look at some of them in the next section.

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Differentiating Between Probiotics And Prebiotics

Heres an easy way to keep probiotics and prebiotics straight when it comes to their function in the body: Probiotics are good bacteria that are introduced to the gut to grow and thrive, said Erin Palinski-Wade, a registered dietitian and author of the 2-Day Diabetes Diet. Prebiotics are essentially food for these good bacteria. This means they help stimulate and fuel the growth of probiotic bacteria already present in the body, acting like a fertilizer.

It is essential to have both prebiotics and probiotics to promote gut health, Palinksi-Wade added.

Probiotics help keep gut bacteria balanced by limiting the growth of bad bacteria, explained Alan Schwartzstein, a family physician practicing in Oregon, Wisconsin. Probiotics compete with these bad bacteria for prebiotic food and do not allow them to multiply and cause harm to us.

When there is a balanced amount of probiotics and prebiotics in the body, your digestive health is able to hum along.

This bacteria balance is also beneficial to your overall health, Palinski-Wade said. A good amount of probiotics in the body helps with vaginal health. A healthy gut contributes to a strong immune system, as well as good heart and brain health. Whats more, research published in Medicina has linked healthy bacteria in the gut with healthy body weight, lowering inflammation and stabilizing blood sugar levels.

Can Probiotic Supplements Be Harmful

Though many companies and influencers encourage everyone to use probiotics, they are, in fact, not beneficial for everyone, and different strains have different effects on different people.

More research is needed, but preliminary research has shown that probiotics may be harmful to people with certain underlying conditions or diagnoses, such as those with critical illness, AIDS, organ transplantation, necrotizing enterocolitis, cancer, and allergies. In such cases, probiotic supplementation may lead to life-threatening illnesses, including pneumonia, endocarditis , and sepsis.

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Probiotics Are Not All The Same

Health benefits supported by human clinical studies are explicitly connected to the specific probiotic strain that was studied.

For example, the health benefits associated with our Lactobacillus rhamnosus, LGG®1 strain does not extend to other, generic Lactobacillus rhamnosus strains.

More than one probiotic strain in one product does not mean it will provide increased health benefits. Specific combinations must have been clinically studied and supported.2 The clinical results of a probiotic strain are specifically related to the subjects in the particular study .3 The clinical results of a probiotic strain are specifically related to the health area investigated .3

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Who May Not Benefit From Probiotic Supplements

There is a lot we dont know about how probiotic supplementation affects those with gastrointestinal disorders. For many conditions, it is unclear if probiotics might be harmful or exacerbate symptoms. Based on current research, probiotic supplementation may not be beneficial as a treatment for Irritable Bowel Syndrome in all ages or for acute gastroenteritis in children.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome

Irritable Bowel Syndrome is a chronic gastrointestinal disorder impacting 20% of children and adults in North America with symptoms that include abdominal pain or discomfort, changes in bowel habits, and changes in stool appearance and form. Although the cause of IBS is still unknown, the gut microbiome plays a role in the physiological symptoms. Current research shows that probiotic supplementation likely does not provide significant relief for those with IBS.

As time goes on, more research will be done to determine the connection between the microbiome and IBS in hopes of finding a cure and/or relief from symptoms, and that may include the use of probiotics.

Acute gastroenteritis in children

Acute gastroenteritis is a common short-term illness. Although there are many studies testing probiotic use for acute gastroenteritis in children, the results are conflicting. One group of researchers from China recommends using the probiotic strains Lactobacillus acidophilus and Lactobacillus rhamnosus either in combination or alone in otherwise healthy children to help with symptoms.

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Provitalize Best Weight Natural Weight Management Probiotic

The product is made of six herbal components that enhance its effectiveness in the body. These components include the Lactobacillus gasseri, which boosts the bodys immune function, helps fight allergies and has many other benefits. Bacterium Breeve lowers the overall fat mass, Bacterium Lactis reduces the BMI, total body cholesterol that could lead to cardiac problems, and breaks down low-density lipoproteins. Tumeric root extract helps reduce inflammation, and Moringa leaf is rich in Vitamins E & C, promoting good brain health. Bioperine improves nutrient absorption b 30%, and sunflower lecithin enhances the effectiveness of the formula. e Delayed-release capsules protect the probiotics from stomach acid effects.

The Provitalize capsules work to ease hot flashes that may occur during menopause, manage to bloat, energize the body, improve gut and digestive health, and improve sleep at night. The capsules work effectively to minimize the side effects of menopause in women, leaving you feeling lighter and energized.

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Best Gummies: Olly Probiotic Gummy

• Contains both probiotics and prebiotics

• Independently tested and evaluated for quality and safety

• No artificial sweeteners, flavors, or color

• Contains lower amount of probiotics than most others

Supplements in a gummy form are normally packed with added sugars and artificial colorings. Artificial coloring and sweeteners are known triggers to gastrointestinal distress. Good news: Olly does not use artificial colorings, flavors, or sweeteners in its products.

Providing one billion Colony Forming Units of Bacillus Coagulans and 1.5 grams of a prebiotic blend in one gummy, this product is an excellent choice for consumers looking for options that are not in pill/capsule form. Olly features NSF certification, a symbol to show that products have been independently tested and evaluated against a rigorous set of quality and material safety requirements. Third-party testing is ideal when purchasing supplements as the supplement industry is not regulated.

Type: Gummies | Colony Forming Units: 1 billion | Dosage: 2 daily | Certified: Gluten-free, B Corporation, NSF

Price at time of publish: $17

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Best Probiotics For Women Probiotic Supplements For Female Gut Health Vaginal Flora And Weight Loss

Searching for the best probiotics for women can be a challenge with so many brands available. Too many times the claims that are made on the bottles do not relate to what actually happens in the female gut. Getting it wrong once can be frustrating. Keep getting it wrong and the expense soon mounts up.

Supplements Are A Self

Supplements are not required to be approved by the FDA before being sold or marketed. Supplement companies are responsible for having evidence that their products are safe, and the label claims are truthful and not misleading . This is an innocent until proven guilty model that works in favor of the supplement companies, not consumers.

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How Effective Are Probiotics

Researchers are currently unsure how effective probiotic supplements are for treating conditions. Theres constant research on the topic. While many research studies have had positive results on the impact of probiotic supplements, more research is still needed.

Its also important to keep in mind that unlike medications, dietary supplements do not need to be approved by the FDA. This means that manufacturers can sell supplements simply with claims of safety and effectiveness.

Always talk with your healthcare provider before taking a supplement or giving one to your child. Supplements might interfere with medicines you may be taking. If you are pregnant or breast feeding, check with your provider before taking any supplement.