Which Probiotics Benefit Your Health The Most
Similar to what we just talked about, this is obviously the most important characteristic that all good probiotics share.
Good probiotics just tend to work, and work well in most people.
The list of health issues probiotics seem to help with is enormous.
Everything from gas, indigestion and constipation all the way to energy and the immune system.
If you talk to people, many credit probiotics with aiding in quite a few health concerns.
So when youre trying to find the best probiotics, this is the most important consideration.
You want maximum health benefit in the area youre looking to improve. Its as simple as that.
Check The Expiration Date And Date Of Manufacture
This might seem obvious, but it is often overlooked for supplements and especially probiotics. Remember, probiotics contain live bacterial strains and are therefore fragile. It is important to first check the expiration date and the use-by date on the bottle. Then, review the directions for storage. Although most probiotics are shelf-stable, if the bottle directs you to keep it in the fridge, we recommend doing so. It will never hurt, and it will only help to ensure shelf life.
If you want to check to see if the bacteria included in a probiotic are still alive, try this test.24
Check out this video for support: .
What Type Of Yogurt Has The Most Probiotics
How to choose the best probiotic yogurt
- 1 Stonyfield Organic Plain Whole Milk Probiotic Yogurt. …
- 2 Siggi’s Vanilla Skyr Whole Milk Yogurt. …
- 3 GT’s Cocoyo Living Coconut Yogurt, Raspberry. …
- Best High-Protein Yogurt. …
- 5 Chobani Greek Yogurt, Less Sugar, Low-Fat, Wild Blueberry. …
- 6 Yoplait Light, Strawberry.
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How To Get Started With Probiotics
Think you want to give probiotics a shot? Here are Dr. Crescis take-aways to help you navigate them:
Probiotics are generally recognized as safe, but theyre typically not recommended if you have a compromised immune system. Ask your physician if probiotics are right for you.
It may take some trial and error to find the probiotic that works for you. If you notice no benefits from one product after a few weeks, try a different one with a different strain of bacteria.
Probiotics may cause bloating and gas, as well as changes in your stool patterns all indications that the product is working, Dr. Cresci says.
Prebiotic foods help your good bacteria flourish. Include beans, asparagus, onions, green bananas and other fermentable fiber sources in your diet.
This article originally appeared in Cleveland Clinic Mens Health Advisor.
How Are Probiotics Regulated In The United States
Government regulation of probiotics in the United States is complex. Depending on a probiotic productâs intended use, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration might regulate it as a dietary supplement, a food ingredient, or a drug.
Many probiotics are sold as dietary supplements, which donât require FDA approval before they are marketed. Dietary supplement labels may make claims about how the product affects the structure or function of the body without FDA approval, but they arenât allowed to make health claims, such as saying the supplement lowers your risk of getting a disease, without the FDAâs consent.
If a probiotic is going to be marketed as a drug for treatment of a disease or disorder, it has to meet stricter requirements. It must be proven safe and effective for its intended use through clinical trials and be approved by the FDA before it can be sold.
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Best Probiotic For: Gi Support Brain Function
Studies show some promising results with L. casei for digestive support and regulating diarrhea. One study on the effect of milk fermented by L. Casei strain DN-114 found that supplementation significantly reduced the incidence of diarrhea .
L. casei also made headlines when a study found it beneficial in relieving anxiety. The randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled pilot study found supplementation with 24 billion units of the L. casei strain Shirota led to a rise in probiotics lactobacillus and bifidobacterium, as well as a significant decrease in symptoms of anxiety and depression .
Now lets take a look at a separate class of probiotics, bifidobacterium.
Safe To Consume Confidently
People in good health may consume probiotics at the studied CFU level as a daily supplement.4
Health care professionals should be consulted when considering probiotic supplementation for babies, women who are pregnant, individuals with a weakened immune system, or people with short bowel syndrome.4
The probiotic should be approved for human consumption by a recognized regulatory or food safety authority:
- GRAS notified to the FDA in the US 6
- QPS granted by EFSA in Europe.7
LGG® is a registered trademark of Chr. Hansen A/S.
The article is provided for informational purposes regarding probiotics and is not meant to suggest that any substance referenced in the article is intended to diagnose, cure, mitigate, treat, or prevent any disease.
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Consider The Science And Clinical Studies
Not all probiotics are created equal. In fact, there are vast quality differences in the research, development, and manufacturing process between brands. This starts out with the research that goes into understanding each strain. Each strain included in a product should be thoroughly analyzed to determine its strength.
As a next step, the bacterial strains should then be carefully combined with an intended outcome in mind.
Lastly, the combination of strains should be tested in laboratory studies and in human clinical studies for efficacy. This is especially important because some bacterial strains work well together, whereas others dont. Just because there is one clinical study with one strain saying it does one specific activity, this may no longer be true when combined with another strain.
Omni-Biotic probiotics follow this stringent research and development process. Every Omni-Biotic strain is identified and extensively analyzed to determine its strengths and suitability for specific indication-focused probiotic formulations. The final products are tested for gastric survival, intestinal viability, metabolic activity, and extended real-time shelf stability.
Choosing Probiotics For Your Health Needs
Probiotics are not one size fits all.
There are 400 to 600 bacterial strains in the human intestine, making up trillions of bacteria all together. These beneficial microbes support healthy digestion, nutrient absorption, immune system function, and more.
Different probiotic strains perform different functions in the human body. Some strains of bacteria even work together in teams. This is why different combinations of strains work best to address different health goals.
For example, specific strains are known to support neurotransmitter production, including the happiness hormone serotonin. These types of strains can be found in probiotics supporting the gut-brain axis and mood.
Individuals who suffer from Irritable Bowel Syndrome , on the other hand, will likely be looking for a probiotic to promote better digestion, reduce inflammation and support a strong gut-barrier.
When youre choosing a probiotic, first of all, consider what youre hoping to accomplish for your health. Oftentimes, an in-depth stool test can also shed more light on what your gut flora and gastrointestinal health may need.
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Who Should Buy Probiotics
Probiotics are most important for people who may have a disrupted or deficient gut microbiome. Probiotics are commonly recommended following a course of antibiotics, for example.
While antibiotic drugs can be very effective against infectious bacteria, they also lay waste to the healthy bacteria present in your stomach and intestines, paradoxically leaving you vulnerable to health disruptions in the future.
Taking a probiotic supplement after a course of antibiotics can help rectify this imbalance. Probiotics are also very helpful in many people who have intestinal problems like Crohns disease, ulcerative colitis, or irritable bowel syndrome .
The mechanisms behind many of these intestinal problems are unknown, but appear to be linked both to your immune system function and your levels of probiotic bacteria.
Not only are gut bacteria populations different between people with intestinal problems and health people, but modifying the gut bacteria in people with irritable bowel syndrome or Crohns disease can lead to improvements in symptoms, which strongly suggests gut bacteria is linked to the problem.
Beyond people with these health problems, there is increasing recognition that even healthy people can have a disrupted gut biome as a result of their diet.
How To Tell If Probiotics Are High
I like a bargain as much as anyone, but buying a probiotic supplement is something you don’t want to skimp on. Warehouse stores are great to buy paper towels and grass-fed beef in bulk, but those mega-containers of probiotics are hardly the great deal they might seem.
Quality matters for any supplement, and that goes triple for probiotics. Many commercial brands lack the technology to identify specific strains and how much of that strain each dose contains. That could mean you get an ineffective or potentially harmful dose. It’s a great sign if the company is using probiotic strains that have been used specifically in clinical trials at a dose similar to or the same as that used in the study. This is one of the only ways to guarantee a probiotic’s effectiveness.*
And even then, with probiotics, it’s all about survival. These delicate microorganisms must survive several obstaclesthe manufacturing process, packaging, shelf life, and the acid in your stomach environmentto reach your intestines, where they do their job.
To avoid those and other problems, I strongly recommend buying a professional brand from a reputable health care professional or another vendor who stands by their products and submits their products for multiple rounds of quality testing, from raw ingredients to finished product. Some of these brands have created advanced technology that preserves a probiotic supplement’s survival on the shelf and in your gut.
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Natures Bounty Ultra Probiotic 10
The ubiquitous and trusted Natures Bounty brand delivers when it comes to probiotics. Their Probiotic 10 supplement contains 20 billion colony forming units and, as the name suggests, ten different strains of bacteria.
The capsules are vegetarian, and there arent any extraneous ingredients included either, so this ones a very solid choice.
Side Effects And Interactions
Probiotics usually dont cause major side effects in healthy individuals.
However, you may experience minor symptoms, such as gas and bloating. These often improve with time, but taking your probiotic at night may reduce daytime symptoms.
If you take a probiotic to prevent antibiotic-associated diarrhea, you may wonder whether the antibiotic will kill the bacteria in your probiotic. However, strains designed to help prevent antibiotic-associated diarrhea wont be affected (
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More Doesnt Always Mean Better
Certain brands will try to sell you on the ultra-mega dose with 60 or even 100 billion CFU , which come with a hefty price increase. The good news for your budget is right now we dont have evidence that more is necessarily better. The number of CFU is typically what was present at the time of manufacture, and not what is present when you buy it which means you could be wasting your money in more than one way. Experts recommend to look for at least 1 billion CFU per daily dose. No need to shell out extra $$ for the 100 million billion CFU product.
Smartypants Adult Probiotic Immunity Gummies: Prebiotics & Probiotics For Immune Support & Digestive Comfort Blueberry Flavor 60 Gummy Vitamins 30 Day Supply No Refrigeration Required
$ as of April 6, 2022 2:27 pm
Features
- This chewable daily vitamin gummy is great for both men and women. It delivers the digestive support you want in one easy serving
- All-in-one probiotic gummies that combine probiotics and prebiotics with a greater than 95% survivability rate for optimal digestive health and immune support.
- 7 billion CFUs per serving, stable and heat resistant probiotics, AVA certified Vegan
- Non-GMO. Free of milk, eggs, peanuts, tree nut allergens, fish allergens, shellfish, soy, gluten, and wheat. No synthetic colors, artificial flavors, or artificial sweeteners. 3RD PARTY LAB TESTED
- Manufactured in Canada and packaged in California, no refrigeration required
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Larger Than Normal Belly
Bloating can be a very uncomfortable experience. If you are experiencing recurring bloating that requires treatment on a regular basis then it may be wise to speak with your doctor.
There are a variety of conditions that can cause bloating. As such, it is important that you are proactive in trying to figure out the cause. A visit to your doctor will go a long way to helping you figure out the best path forward. In most cases, you might just need to adjust your diet and take some probiotics.
What Sets Seed Apart From The Rest
There is definitely no standardization talk when it comes to SEED. SEEDs Daily Synbioticincludes clinically studied probiotic strains that deliver core benefits to the gastrointestinal system which, in turn, influence systemic health.
I personally love that with 24 strains, I am getting a wide, diverse range of probiotic activity. But not only that, SEED includes probiotic strains to target the following areas:
- Digestive Health/GI Immunity/Gut Barrier Integrity
- Dermatological Health
- Cardiovascular Health
- Micronutrient Synthesis
Did you notice Dermatological Health? Yeah, thats skin health, ladies! Several of the strains in the Daily Synbiotic have been studied for their beneficial effects on atopic dermatitis and have demonstrated improvement in SCORAD scores and the promotion of overall skin health.
SEED adds, To date, our strains have collectively been studied in 16 strain-specific, double-blind, placebo-controlled, published human studies conducted in the United States, United Kingdom, Italy, Spain and Japan, as well as 13 in vitro/ex vivo mechanistic studies. You can check out those studies here.
AKA, there is no sneaky all-natural,heal your gut today or restore digestive health marketing talk around here. Just the facts to back it up.
For more, you can check out all the included strains and what they specifically target on SEEDs Label Reading 101 resource page.
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Assess Your Need For A Probiotic
A multi-strain probiotic supplement is safe for most people to take, but there are a few cases where it is not a good idea to take probiotics. First, you should never start a supplement without consulting a doctor, dietitian, or trusted health professional.
Second, individuals with any sort of immune deficiency or who are being treated for cancer should never use probiotics.25 As research continues to unfold about the benefits of probiotics, it is important to remember that you can also support the health of the gut microbiome by including a variety of nutrient-dense, plant-based foods and low-sugar fermented foods to support the gut microbiome in place of a probiotic supplement. If you find that you are struggling with one of the symptoms or conditions listed with a strain of probiotic above, consider taking a multi-strain probiotic that could help to alleviate your symptoms.
Finally, test your gut health and function with the Ixcela test. The Ixcela test will review markers in the blood that will help to guide you to determine if you should consider a probiotic and other dietary and lifestyle changes that will support your gut microbiome.
Meal Composition May Help
The microorganisms used in probiotics are tested to ensure that they can survive various conditions in your stomach and intestines .
Nevertheless, taking probiotics with specific foods may optimize their effects.
In one study, survival rates of the microorganisms in probiotics improved when the supplement was taken alongside oatmeal or low-fat milk, compared with when it was taken with only water or apple juice .
This research suggests that a small amount of fat may improve bacterial survival in your digestive tract .
Lactobacillus probiotics might also survive better alongside sugar or carbs, as they rely upon glucose when in an acidic environment .
Summary
Though research indicates that more bacteria survive if you take probiotics before a meal, consistency is probably more important than specific timing when it comes to reaping the greatest benefits for your gut.
4 ).
While they may also support a healthy immune system and oral, skin, and mental health, research on these benefits is currently limited .
Some of the live microorganisms in probiotic supplements also occur in foods that are naturally cultured or fermented, including yogurt, kefir, sauerkraut, and kimchi. These foods are linked to lower blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, and weight .
If you dont regularly eat fermented foods, you may want to consider taking a probiotic supplement .
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When Should You Give Your Dog Probiotics
You can give your dog probiotics when there is an ongoing imbalance in the gut microbiome or preventively before the imbalance occurs. In other terms, you should give your dog probiotics in the following scenarios:
- There is gastrointestinal issues that can benefit from good bacteria
- If your pup has diarrhea or you suspect it will develop it soon
- In the case of allergy-triggered skin issues and ear infections
- When the dogs immune system needs a healthy and natural boost
- During long-term use of antibiotics
We understand that labels can be confusing and manufacturer claims often exaggerated. Therefore, we have thoroughly reviewed various probiotic supplements for dogs and selected the following products as the top five probiotics for your dog.
Summary: The Honest Paws Pre + Probiotic is a custom-formula featuring five different strains of live cultures, inulin derived from chicory root, and spinach leaf extract. The probiotic prevents bacterial imbalances in the gut and helps with bad breath, food allergies, skin issues, and weakened immune systems. It comes in pre-measured sachets, and each contains 5 billion Colony Forming Units.
Pros
- Contains rice hull and rice extract blend
- Relatively new product
Pros
- Features probiotic yeasts like Saccharomyces boulardii
- Supports the GI tract, the brain, and detoxification
Cons
- Does not contain traditional live cultures
- No measuring spoon in the package
Pros
Cons
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