Don’t Probiotics Need To Be Refrigerated
It depends. Some probiotics do require refrigeration because the bacteria will die if left at room temperature. If they can’t survive room temperature, however, how can they survive the harsh acidic environment of the stomach? They can’t.
It used to be commonly understood that “living bacteria” was the “best.” Research has come a long way, and we now know there are certain strains, like the bacillus, that can survive the stomach and make it all the way to the intestines where they are needed most.
Unfortunately, the idea was so prevalent that many people today are still leery of an unrefrigerated probiotic. Many companies still offer refrigerated probiotics, further perpetuating the myth. However, the most important thing to look for in a quality probiotic are strains that have been tested to survive the digestive system, which means they need to survive outside the refrigerator as well.
Are Refrigerated Probiotics Better & Why
Not necessarily. One probiotic form isnt necessarily better than others. The key here is to store your probiotics the way theyre meant to be stored, as you can see on the products label.
Still, because several studies show that refrigeration can prolong probiotic life while storage at room temperature could make them less effective, putting them in the fridge might help a lot.
Just always ensure you keep your probiotics in their original container for optimal storage.
Many Probiotic Supplements Must Be Refrigerated
Many factors affect probiotics survival and efficacy, including:
- Life stage of probiotics
- Other ingredients in the product
The first place to look to see if your probiotic supplement needs refrigeration is the label. Manufacturers will call out if you need to keep the product cold.
Another sign of how to store your probiotic supplement is how it was stored when you purchased it. If it was stored in the refrigerated section or shipped with an ice pack, it likely needs to stay refrigerated.
Other probiotic supplements that are using shelf-stable technology and strains, like Omni-Biotic probiotics, will highlight the benefits of taking a probiotic that doesnt need refrigeration.
For some probiotic products, its essential to refrigerate because of the other ingredients included in the product. Probiotic foods like yogurt, kefir, and sauerkraut have dairy and other ingredients that spoil faster than the probiotics life. These products have a shorter life outside the refrigerator because of the temperature-sensitive ingredients.
While all probiotic supplements expire at some point, the less closely you follow storage instructions, the more quickly this will happen. Plus, pretty much all probiotic supplements have longer shelf-lives if theyre not exposed to high temperatures and extreme conditions.
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Are Probiotics Useless If Not Refrigerated
Even long-term exposure to room temperature conditions will adversely impact most probiotic strains. The beneficial impact of these products depends on the fact that thebacteria are alive. Several stores have dedicated fridges for their probiotic products. If you are looking for a way to keep your probiotics alive, you may want to consider using a humidifier.
Humidifiers work by keeping the air in the room at a constant temperature, which is ideal for maintaining the health of your bacteria. You can also use an air conditioner to help keep the humidity in your home.
Do I Really Need To Refrigerate My Probiotics
We hear this question from a lot of folks, so chances are its something you may have wondered about too. To help clear things up, we asked our team of experts what they had to say on the subject.
The bottom line? Dont stress if you dont always keep your probiotic supplements in the fridge. Youll notice we dont ship them in refrigerated packaging, and many stores will keep them on the shelf instead of in the cooler section. So why do we say it on our packaging?
Its all about moistureespecially if you live in a warm, humid climate . The reason we recommend keeping your probiotics in the refrigerator is to keep out moisture and help those good-for-your-gut bacteria last as long as possible.
If refrigeration is not an option, its best to store your probiotics in a cool, dry place at 77ºF or below .
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Should You Take Probiotics Everyday
A common question about probiotics is whether it is ok to take probiotic supplements every day. Whilst there may be a few exceptions to this rule, the general answer is yes, its safe, and usually recommended, to take them daily. Its important to understand that probiotics are a natural supplement and not a medicine.
Are Shelf Stable Probiotics As Good As Refrigerated
The bottom line.
Refrigerated probiotics arent superior to the shelf-stable options out there. Whats most important is that you choose a high-quality probiotic and store it according to the manufacturers instructions. If your probiotic calls for refrigeration, keeping it cold keeps the bacteria alive.
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When Should A Healthy Person Take Probiotics
Pretty much just after taking wide spectrum antibiotics. These antibiotics kill many different kinds of bacteria invading pathogens and your native microbes ).
For people with medical issues, I think the best guide out there is the Clinical Guide to Probiotic Products . It gives an easy-to-use table of which probiotics have passed clinical trials for specific medical issues. Its also available as an App through or iTunes. I keep it on my phone for whenever face-to-face conversations warrant it.
Probiotics In Need Of An Easy Button
Of all the supplements out there, theres nothing quite as complicated as probiotics. We covered a lot in our first part of our Probiotic Buying Guide, and we have more to do on specifics.
The big problem with probiotics is our perception. Saying Probiotics is like saying Herbs. There are lots of plants that fit into herbs but they have very different effects. We have to stop thinking about probiotics as a universal, one size fits all thing. We must change our mindset!
We have to look for specific strains with clinical data supporting their use. Based on what strains we choose, then we can get a little picky about whether something needs to be refrigerated or not.
Heres what our probiotic goals should be, especially as it pertains to temperature and refrigeration:
- Be aware of what strains are being used.
- Determine if those strains are temperature sensitive or not.
- Ask tough questions to find the truth about whether or not the cold chain has been maintained, if it is required.
Im asking you to be a pest of sorts. Here are a couple of questions to ask:
- What do you do to guarantee the cold chain was maintained for these refrigerated probiotics?
- Do you have access to stability data? Have you looked at a recent lots stability data?
- Do your probiotics have excursion stability data? What is the longest it can be out of the cold chain and still maintain potency?
Just trying to keep it real
Neal Smoller, PharmD
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Do Probiotics Need Refrigeration
The answer to this question isnt as simple as you think. Its actually both a yes and no and sometimes its even a maybe.
First, its a yes probiotics need to be refrigerated because probiotics are live microorganisms that are sensitive to heat. They could easily die when exposed to heat. When that happens, the probiotic supplement you continue to take will be useless because the gut bacteria inside them are already dead.
Next, its a no for some probiotics because the moisture that could form inside their containers when put in the fridge could also affect them. So, if youre planning on putting your probiotics inside the fridge, be sure to place them inside air-tight and moisture-free containers.
Lastly, its a maybe because these rules dont apply to all probiotics.
Lets find answers to the burning questions you might have in your mind right now about probiotics and refrigeration.
Probiotics That Never Need Refrigeration
That said, certain probiotics do not need refrigeration because there are certain species of probiotics that are more resilient than others such as:
Therefore, when probiotics are formulated, these shelf-stable strains should be included along with the aforementioned probiotic manufacturing techniques.
Still have questions on probiotics? Read our next article: Top 7 Questions about Probiotics
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Probiotics Shelf Stable Vs Refrigerated
by Doreen· July 21, 2011
Why are refrigerated probiotics better than shelf stable probiotics? They arent!
If you are dealing with reputable brands , they have studies that you can read that back up their claims.
Dr. Oz has got to get with the times. Please dont think that if you are traveling and have no access to a refrigerator that you wont be able to bring probiotics along with you. Probiotics are one of the most important things you will need when traveling to a country that doesnt have safe drinking water. So, why would you want to be without them? There are probiotics in blister packs that never need refrigeration and could withstand high temperatures. You simply punch the pearl or capsule out and consume.
These are shelf stable probiotics that work. How do I know they work? Well, some of these companies have been in the health care industry for over 30 years and others are newer to the industry but what set them apart are the studies done on their products. These studies include third party testing that is available to you on the internet.
However, my best knowledge comes from my customers that use these recommended products and then come back to let me know how the product has worked for them.
Here is my list of shelf stable probiotics that I sell in my store and use myself: Natrols Bio Beads, Enzymatic Therapys Pearls, Renew Lifes Flora More, Nutrition Nows PB8, Natures Ways Probifia Pearls, Jarrow Formulas Jarro-Dophilus EPS.
Probiotic Benefits To Infant Health
Infants get their first dose of probiotics from vaginal birth and other substances excreted at birth. After that, breast feeding gives infants the next dose of probiotics. I believe that for proper development of an infants immune system, breast feeding is extremely important. Itâs the way nature designed us!
In addition to breast milk, infants seem to pick up beneficial probiotic inhabitants by putting their mouth onâ¦everything!
Below is emerging research on what other benefits probiotic have for infants:
- normalize gut colonization for formula fed infants
- reduce lactose intolerance symptoms
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Refrigerated Probiotics Vs Non
Shelf-stable probiotics are non-refrigerated probiotics.
This means that they can survive room-temperature environments much better than refrigerated probiotics.
Theyll still keep their original potency level on the shelf for around 2 years from the date of manufacture.
These are great if you find yourself always on-the-go.
Perhaps you have a busy lifestyle and need to take your probiotics in a travel bag, to the hotel, gym, and other places that may not have a refrigerator.
While you obviously dont want to leave them in your car in the middle of the summer, you can feel confident knowing theyll benefit you even without keeping them in a fridge.
Then, are refrigerated probiotics better than their non-refrigerated counterparts?
Theres really no way to answer this.
Certain strains of probiotic bacteria require refrigeration, while others do not.
However, a non-refrigerated strain may be just the one you need in order to treat your specific condition.
The factor thats going to play the biggest role in efficacy, is the quality of the product you choose.
You can usually tell the difference between them by obviously reading the label, but also looking at the packaging.
As previously mentioned, if they were stored in the refrigerated section of the store or shipped with an ice pack, its likely a refrigerated type of probiotic.
Most high-quality probiotics also come in moisture-resistant and heat-resistant packaging.
Whats The Difference Between Refrigeration & Non
The best way of determining whether your probiotics need to be refrigerated is to check the label and read the product label.
If unsure, heres the general rule:
- Liquid probiotics, such as yogurts, are more likely to need refrigeration
- Probiotic tablets and capsules are usually shelf-stable, but some might require refrigeration or would last longer if you put them in the fridge
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Are Shelf Stable Probiotics Good
Many studies show that shelf stable probiotics are effective. These studies show that shelf stable products are more effective than refrigerated ones. Probiotics have been shown to be effective in the treatment of inflammatory bowel disease , Crohns disease, ulcerative colitis, and irritable bowel syndrome .
These are all conditions in which the gut is inflamed and the bodys immune system is out of whack.
- Which can lead to diarrhea
It is also associated with an increased risk of colon cancer.
IBS can be caused by a variety of factors, including stress, poor diet, lack of physical activity, stress and anxiety, or a combination of all of these factors. The most common cause of this condition is an imbalance of gut bacteria.
Why You Should Take Refrigerated Probiotics
Shelf Stable vs. Refrigerated Probiotics
Do you ever find yourself wondering whether you should go with an off-the-shelf probiotic or one that must be kept cold? Well were here to tell you that refrigeration makes a difference!
Probiotics are live bacteria cells that naturally die off at a faster rate when kept in warm or humid conditions. Many shelf stable, unrefrigerated probiotics fall short in providing the number of live cells experts say are necessary to help the natural good bacteria in your body do their jobs.
On the other hand, keeping your probiotics refrigerated reduces cell death for maximum, sustained probiotic potency. And because of this, Florajen proudly maintains a Cold Chain Commitment.
You can trust that from the time our probiotics are manufactured, until the time they are placed in your hands, they are kept refrigerated for freshness and potency. We want to make sure the billions of live cells that we put in each capsule are still there, alive, and ready to get to work for you!
Now that you know why probiotics are best kept cold, here are some other fun facts on what else is best at cooler temperatures!
Sleep
Did you know that keeping your bedroom within the range of 60-68°F naturally produces more melatonin? Cooler temperatures have been reported to improve sleep quality, which can lead to enhanced moods and reduced stress.
Showers
Eye Creams
To learn more about our Cold Chain Commitment, please click here.
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Are Refrigerated Probiotics Better Than Non
While many bacteria require refrigeration, products that contain freeze-dried organisms and are in packaging to prevent moisture generally do not require refrigeration. One is not necessarily better or worse. The key is choosing a probiotic that has been tested for efficacy and engineered in a way that is effective for the bacteria to remain stable and alive. You should follow the supplements instructions.
Sbo Probiotics Naturally Shelf
Are there non-refrigerated probiotic products that are safe and effective? One probiotic species that has met these criteria and is naturally shelf stable with no expensive processing required is Bacillus subtilis, an SBO or soil-based organism with a structure similar to a seed. Quality SBO probiotics are based on the microorganisms naturally found in a healthy terrestrial microbiome which are considered linked to the development of a healthy human microbiome.
The protective shell found in this type of probiotic naturally protects the cells core until it reaches the desired location at which time the seed is planted. This mechanism shows one manner in which probiotic microflora evolved to mutually beneficial relationship within the human body. The endospores shell insulates the bacterias genetic material from heat, other environmental assaults, and the manufacturing process.
Quality SBO probiotics are naturally resilient, heat stable and remain viable regardless of refrigeration, and without the need for artificial encapsulations or coatings. The ultra-thin shell, naturally present, also preserves the bacterial cells against acidic environments in the stomach and upper intestines due to bile release.
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To Chill Or Not To Chill How To Store Probiotic Skincare
You may have come across probiotics in the health food store, sitting pretty in their very own refrigerated section. You might also see probiotics in that same store that are being stored on regular shelves next to vitamins and other supplements. How can these microorganisms exist in both sections and survive?
Pm: Dont Spend The Money On Pre
Probiotics are quite the established health fad with over 36.6 billion USD in sales in 2015! WOAH! In general, we dont need them. The average person who eats a healthy diet full of fruits and vegetables feeds their own personal probiotics in their digestive system, primarily the large intestine. Feed what you have. Think whole grains and Eat a Rainbow of different colors and kinds of plants. My favorite gut microbiome-food book talking about good eating and the gut microbiome is The Good Gut. For an idea of what my family and I eat, check out my or #feedthemicrobes.
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