Choosing a probiotic can be alot like choosing an insurance company. The sheer quantity to choose from alone often makes the process extremely difficult. Here are 4 positive elements to look for in a great probiotic…and 3 characteristics to avoid. They can be the difference between a life enhancing supplement and another cheap disappointment.
Characteristics to Include:
- Number of CFUs – CFUs (Colony Forming Units) are how probiotics are measured. The quantity of CFUs alone has a significant impact on the product’s effectiveness and your resulting satisfaction. Minimum target: 40-50 billion of CFUs per serving.
- Strain Diversity – here again, quantity is critical. Target: 8-12 strains is good and diverse quantity to offer real benefit to your digestive and immune health. Many inferior products only contain 1-2 strains. Don’t waste your time and money.
- Substrains – shown next to strains on the product label…substrains indicate that a particular probiotic strain has been clinically studied and proven effective (e.g. L. Acidophilus La-14TM)
- Prebiotics – a fiber-based component like NutraFlora® Fiber…prebiotics nourish the good bacteria in the gut so it thrives and increases effectiveness in general
Things to Avoid:
- Refrigerated Probiotics – refrigeration is required for some probiotics because they often contain strains that aren’t stable and tend to be ineffective. Refrigerated probiotics often lose their potency during shipping from manufacturer to consumer. Best bet…probiotics formulated to withstand room temperature.
- Chemicals or Irritants – Look for a probiotic that is Gluten, Soy and Dairy Free, and does not contain preservatives or fillers.
- Amazon Reviews – Up to 65% of Amazon reviews are written by paid individuals, and some of them might not have tried the product. Balance your research with real research.
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