What Is The Quality Of The Probiotic
Probiotics are currently not regulated by the Food and Drug Administration, which means quality and purity testing are not required because probiotics are not intended to prevent, treat or cure disease. But there are other ways to measure quality. Look for reputable brands and probiotics that say they are third-party reviewed and tested. For example, the label may say that the probiotics are manufactured in cGMP certified facilities. A cGMP certification means that manufacturers evaluate their ingredients identity, purity, strength and composition.
Some companies will also list where their ingredients are sourced. You will want to select something that says traceable or DNA identified. This means that the strains are verified and come from quality sources. Does the manufacturer do clinical tests on the strains or discuss using clinically tested strains? Different strains have different functions, so you will want to select a strain that is proven to be beneficial.
Last, check the expiration date. If the date has passed, the probiotic likely wont be as potent as the label claims. Bacteria only live for so long, so many probiotic companies only guarantee their products until the best if used by date.
Garden Of Life Dr Formulated Probiotics Mood+
- No refrigeration required
- Digestion SUPPORT: This 50 billion CFU probiotic supplement contains Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium for digestive health and constipation relief
- Mood supplement: clinically studied probiotics L. Helveticus R0052 and B. Longum R0175 support mood, relaxation and emotional wellbeing plus 350 mg of organic Ashwagandha and organic Alaskan blueberries for stress reduction
- Immune support: This dietary supplement has 50 billion CFU and 16 probiotic strains for immune system health
- Shelf stable probiotics: this 50 billion probiotic comes in 60 capsules hypoallergenic probiotic: our probiotics supplement is gluten free, Vegetarian, and made with over 70% organic ingredients
Best Refrigerated Probiotics Brands For Kids & Adults
With the improvements in the refrigeration techniques and shipping procedures, a large number of manufacturers are investing in probiotics. But, some of them have managed to promote themselves as well acknowledged brands. The ones given here are the most popular names over the past few years. These brands have products for both kids and adults.
There are other choices too, but in terms of quality standards, nothing can match the ones mentioned in the list.
There are some important things, which are needed to be considered while buying probiotics. If you are buying a probiotics with a label that says it requires refrigeration, be sure that your retailer has kept it refrigerated. Even if you are ordering something online, its been shipped overnight refrigerated to do away with the risk of exposure to extreme heat. This may happen during warm weather. Usually freeze-dried probiotics are not damaged by extremely cold temperatures. For example, the products, which are shipped via airplane cargo, can be shipped in extremely lower temperature.
So, when you are placing an order for probiotics, you need to follow the manufacturers recommendations. Those which require refrigeration must be kept like that, but if the probiotics come in a blister pack or similar container, you need to use it right away. These cant be kept on storage, as the organisms die down soon after these are opened.
Recommended Reading: Whats The Best Probiotic On The Market
Is It Better To Buy Shelf
Theres a popular myth that shelf-stable probiotics are not as good as refrigerated probiotics. In fact, many people will tell you all the probiotic bacteria in shelf-stable products are likely to be dead.
What nonsense! The myth is untrue. The information outdated.
Although the bacteria may be dead in certain poor-quality shelf-stable products, all the best manufacturers are capable of producing probiotics that can retain their potency.
Often for two years or longer at room temperature .
When To See A Healthcare Professional
Its best to talk with a trusted healthcare professional before taking probiotics, especially if you have any underlying health conditions or are taking other medications.
Your doctor or other healthcare professional can help you find a product thats right for you, based on your specific needs and goals.
Additionally, though probiotics can be beneficial for several conditions, they shouldnt be used as a substitute or replacement for medical treatment.
Finally, keep in mind that probiotics may cause digestive side effects like diarrhea, stomach cramps, gas, and nausea, especially when you first start taking them .
If these symptoms are severe or dont improve after several days, you should discontinue use and consult a healthcare professional.
Read Also: When To Give Probiotics To Baby
When Should Probiotics Be Refrigerated
Probiotic supplements should be refrigerated after opening to maximize potency. This is because humidity in the air can start to reactivate probiotics prematurely, undoing the preservation processes used during manufacturing.
A probiotics packaging and capsules may help keep moisture sealed out but they are not completely airtight. Refrigeration slows down metabolic and degradation processes which helps preserve the probiotic until they are ready to grow inside the gut.
Damaging Effects Of Manufacturing Process
As mentioned earlier, 0ne of the major concerns in probiotic viabilty is heat. Too much contact with heat will kill the delicate bacteria, whether the exposure is during manufacture or storage. According to some manufacturers, microencapsulation is one technique that attempts to improve the viability while in the process.
However, industry experts have voiced skepticism, stating that common species like L. acidophilus, L. casei, B. bifidum will always require refrigeration, regardless of these protective measures. In fact, the microencapsulation process itself is known to destroy probiotic bacteria. The concern is that these novel technologies are simply not sufficient to overcome the inherent vulnerability of non-refrigerated acidophilus and Lactobacillus probiotics, and that more resistant species may be the only viable solution.
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Swansons Dr Stephen Langers Ultimate 16 Strain Probiotic With Fos
- Price and return policy can vary depending on the retailer
Our Take
Swansons Probiotic is a cost-effective option made by a reputable brand for those looking to get started with probiotics.
The Swanson brand has been around since 1969, providing quality health and wellness products.
Many of their products are quite affordable and available at most major retailers. However, the price can vary slightly depending on the retailer.
This particular probiotic contains 16 different probiotic strains, 3.2 billion CFUs, and FOS .
Price: $9.99 for a 60-day supply on Amazon.
Probiotic Supplements: Refrigerate Or Not
Many people keep probiotic supplements in the refrigerator, often wedged between bottles of kombucha and cartons of yogurt. But it can get crowded. Could probiotic supplements be stored in a cupboard near vitamins and fish oil capsules?
In other words, do probiotic supplements require refrigeration?
Brief background
As live microorganisms that, when administered in adequate amounts, confer a health benefit on the host, probiotics when delivered via supplements are produced within protocols to help the organisms survive in sufficient numbers that match a specific clinical end need.
Although bacteria viability may not always be mandatory for beneficial clinical effects keeping the microorganisms alive until consumption has been the traditional goal.
The viability of the microbes depends on a long list of factors. These include processing temperature, pH of the matrix material, oxygen level in the product, presence of other competing bacteria, and toxicity of metabolites. During transport and storage, the temperature and moisture content of the products are major factors to be considered.
In general, high temperature importantly decreases microorganisms viability while low temperature, like refrigeration, has been reported to be better for the survival of certain probiotics, asserted researchers in a 2020 review.
In the past few decades, manufacturers have made great strides in protecting the viability of probiotic supplements.
Protection
Guidelines
Takeaway
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Best For Healthy Bacteria: Florajen Brand Refrigerated Probiotic
Next on the list, weve got yet another probiotic that manages to win our hearts. Its the Florajen Brand Refrigerated Probiotic and its widely considered as a probiotic that has the most suitable features. The florajen brand refrigerated probiotic has pro-biotics, is feeling much better and it is good for stomach discomfort. To provide 15 billion live cultures per capsule for antibiotic side effects and potent probiotic benefits. In addition, it allows the cell counts to remain as potent and consistent as possible through the expiration date.
The probiotic provides billions of beneficial bacteria for overall health. Moreover, it has the right strains at the right cell counts and is stomach acid resistant + bile tolerant, making it well suited for intestinal survival. Finally, the Florajen brand refrigerated probiotic is free of gluten and it can be found for good value.
Most customers found that the probiotic is made of stereo foam. And, they strongly agree that the probiotic is packaged to stay refrigerated.
Top Customer Quotes:
- This has maintained regularity and it is original.
- This makes for great company, is kosher and it is highly recommended.
- This is great for a healthy gut, especially for those who are dairy intolerant.
- This works for everyone, but its definitely worth trying.
The Ultimate Guide To The Best Refrigerated Probiotics
You may be surprised to learn there are over 500 species of ‘good bacteria’ that are naturally present in your body. In fact, you’ve got around 100 trillion bacteria in and on your body right now!
No need to worry, though. Although there is such a thing as bad bacteria, good bacteria is responsibly for keeping us fit and healthy.
With the use of supplements, we can utilize the strength of these friendly bacteria to improve our overall health.
There are many known benefits to taking refrigerated probiotics. The three main advantages are enhancing the immune system, improving digestion and reducing the severity of allergies and preventing food borne illnesses.
Understanding what each strain can do for your health is confusing, so I’ve created a list of the top 5 best refrigerated probiotics out there.
Read Also: Where Can I Buy Garden Of Life Probiotics
What Are The Signs You Need Probiotics
Most people dont need a probiotic supplement. However, if you dont regularly consume probiotic-containing foods such as kefir, sauerkraut, kimchi, or miso taking a supplement may be beneficial.
Taking probiotics may also help restore your gut bacteria after youve taken antibiotics and could prevent diarrhea associated with antibiotic use .
Additionally, probiotics could be useful for the treatment of conditions like IBS, ulcerative colitis, and other digestive issues (
What’s The Best Way To Store Probiotics
While you don’t have to refrigerate shelf-stable probiotics, there are some things you can do to make them last longer:
- Keep your probiotics in their original package or bottle. Some materials, like glass or certain plastics, are better at blocking out humidity and other environmental factors that can kill the bacteria and reduce the effectiveness of your probiotic. You might not think anything of it, but manufacturers carefully choose their packaging to optimize shelf-life, so don’t transfer probiotics to pill containers or plastic baggies.
- Store them in a cool, dry place.
- Make sure they’re tightly sealed.
- Avoid storing them in a medicine cabinet in a bathroom where you shower. The heat and humidity from the hot water can kill the probiotics.
These tips helps maintain a safe temperature and protects the probiotics from their two major enemies: heat and moisture.
Read Also: What Billion Probiotics Should I Take
The Right Type Of Bacteria
Its critical to choose strains that will address your specific problem and have been evaluated for your population group.
As mentioned, probiotics behave in a strain-specific way, so it is important to get the exact strain that has been evaluated for your specific concern.
In the next section, I will provide more details on the strains to choose for each specific health concern.
The Manufacturing And Shipping Process
In order to maximize the health benefits we get from probiotics, the manufacturing and shipping process has to follow temperature guidelines as well. This includes everything from the growing process to the assembly line to packaging to distribution.
Realistically, there may be times when the cooling chain is broken. Some manufacturers account for this loss by adding extra bacteria to ensure the product still has the amount of probiotics listed on the label. Although, this is hard to guarantee and not backed by science.
When looking to purchase probiotics, look at the expiration date. Avoid buying those that have been sitting on the refrigerator or shelf for long periods of time.
In most cases, youre better off purchasing a product that does not require refrigeration and comes in a moisture- and heat-resistant package. That way you can bypass worries about the manufacturing process, the cooling chain, and remembering to refrigerate after purchasing.
Read Also: What Is The Best Liquid Probiotic
Temperature Sensitivity What Were Looking To Do
Id like to introduce a new word into your vocabulary. Its not made up like the name Ive bequeathed myself with, holistic pharmacist. Its temperature-sensitive.
Very basic concept: some probiotics require refrigeration. They are, then, temperature-sensitive.
Probiotics are bacteria. They are delicate. They have to remain viable. Staying cold is one way for them to do that. If they fall outside the range of acceptable temperature, they will degrade faster. By the time you get a probiotic that didnt have its temperature controlled, thered be nothing left to help your gut gone bad.
This is where the idea of refrigeration becomes instilled in us. Many gurus parrot this message. Now, our knee-jerk reaction is all probiotics have to be found in the refrigerator.
Lets break apart this shortcut and get into the nuance when we think of probiotics. What I want you to think is this, What does the entire lifecycle of a probiotic look like, and how do I ensure it was cold for the entire time?
This is called the cold chain.
Some Probiotic Strains Are Better Than Others
Are some probiotic strains better than others? Yes and no. While probiotics are the beneficial bacteria that live in your intestinal tract, there are trillions of organisms in your intestinal tract and dozens if not hundreds of different strains of good bacteria there as well. As a result, its impossible to say for certain which probiotic strain is best because it varies significantly from one person to the next.
Everyones gut microbiome is different depending on diet, genes, climate, age, the acidity of our digestive tract and countless other variablesand our microbiomes are continually shifting.1 The best probiotic for you will also depend on why you are using a probiotic in the first place since different probiotic strains may benefit your health in different ways.
So, whats ideal for you will be different from whats ideal for your neighbor. This is also a big reason why most people prefer probiotic combination formulas like Swanson Ultra Probiotic Complex, which contains 25 different probiotic strains for digestive and immune support, instead of supplements offering just one or two strains of probiotics.
The bottom line is that the best probiotic for you may not be the same probiotic that is best for someone else. If you need help finding the best probiotic for your needs, read The 4 Steps to Choosing a Probiotic for You.
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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.
The Right First Time Probiotic For You
People who have never taken probiotic supplements before should start with small doses. I understand that there is a strong desire to take the strongest probiotics. But for many people, large doses of probiotics can undesired side effects. Just as with many pharmaceutical drugs, it is wise to slowly increase the dosage over time.
As a general rule, I recommend that people who haven’t taken probiotics before start with a dose below 10 billion CFU. We’re writing an article that contains the 5 best “first time probiotics”.
Fermented foods are also a great source probiotic organisms. In my experience people will not experience side effects from these foods . I personally eat raw fermented foods & drinks every day .
For people with digestive issues, fermentation “pre-digests” foods. This way you get immediate nutrition and probiotics which increase your long term absorption of vital nutrients. Most traditional cultures have thousand year old fermentation practices.
Read Also: Probiotics For 2 Month Old
Best Probiotic For People With Ibs: Klaire Labs Ther
Klaire Labs
Klaire Labs Ther-Biotic Pro IBS Relief is a medical food for managing IBS, including constipation, diarrhea and gas. Its medical food classification means that this product meets consumers’ needs that cannot be met by just changing how they eat. It also means that this product should be used under the supervision of your healthcare provider. The products are encapsulated using a technology that protects the probiotics from stomach acid so they can reach the intestines.
Strains: Prebiotic: Partially hydrolyzed guar gum Probiotic: Lactobacillus plantarum, Lactobacillus acidophilus, and Bifidobacterium lactisEach capsule also contains 10 mg sodium and 10 mg potassium. CFUs: 20 billion Directions: Take once daily during the first part of a meal. Quality: Klaire Labs is a cGMP manufacturing facility. Probiotic is hypoallergenic, non-GMO and vegetarianStorage: Shelf-stable in a cool, dry place and away from direct light. The probiotic doesnt need to be in the fridge, but storing it in the refrigerator extends its shelf life.Cost: $34.99/ 21 capsules
More Colony Forming Units
Some believe the answer is loading probiotic products with even larger numbers of probiotic bacteria and simply anticipating that the majority will not survive. Unfortunately, this raises the important concern of knowing the exact dose ingested. How will this practice of adding more affect those who have a need for very specific levels and can have problems if they take too much or too little? Will these mega dose probiotics carry the potential of harm for certain segments of users?
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