Elm & Rye Probiotic Is The #1 Choice
Elm & Rye is an up-and-coming entrant on the probiotics scene whose mission is to improve the lives of humanity by making high-quality supplements accessible and convenient. Their products are made from the highest quality ingredients and are tested by a third party to ensure purity and consistency. No additives or fillers are ever used.
In addition, the company has made a commitment to sustainable sourcing in all aspects of production, from farming to packaging to transportation. They aim to build long-term relationships with their customers by providing superior customer service and education that allows consumers to take charge of their health.
Elm & Ryes Probiotic serves up a double whammy of supplement benefits, as it contains ingredients that both boost the functioning of the bodys immune system and promote healthy gut bacteria and ease digestion.
If transparency and social responsibility top your list of requirements for your probiotic supplier, Elm & Rye Probiotic should be at the top of your shopping list. At $50 for 30 tablets, they are not the cheapest option on this list, but orders always ship free.
Probiotics For H Pylori
Probiotics may be helpful in combatting stomach infections like H. pylori too.
Using probiotics plus antibiotic was better than treatment with antibiotic alone in a study of people who had helicobacter pylori infections .
Antibiotics-only treatment eradicated the H.Pylori at 69% while pre-treatment with the probiotic Bifidus infantis for 2 weeks and during antibiotic treatment led to a 91% eradication of H. Pylori.
Fermented yogurts that are rich in probiotics reduce H. Pylori infections as well .
Vsl#3 Probiotic Medical Food
Irritable bowel syndrome is a disease of the large intestines that leads to abdominal pain, cramping, gas, bloating, and diarrhea. While effective modern medicines are available, probiotic medical food such as VSL#3 can also help due to its efficacy. Recommended for soothing IBS, you get a potent, refrigerated dose of probiotics that boosts digestive health. The fast-absorbing formula is not only safe but also contains multiple strains of live bacteria that deliver fast and long lasting results always.
VSL#3 Probiotic Medical Food is safe for most people as it lacks harsh additives. The formula is dairy and gluten-free and is thus safe for people with gluten intolerance. It does not bloat the stomach and has a doctor-approved formula that you can use daily issue-free.
What We Like
- 60 soft-gel capsules
Our Verdict
The VSL#3 Probiotic Medical Food is one of the best remedies for IBS, as it is safe, fast acting, and effective. The high potency formula in its capsules is effective but also lack additives such as sugar and preservatives. It also lacks gluten/dairy and is thus safe.
Also Check: List Of Probiotics For Poultry
Diversity Is Your Best Friend
Your gut is diverse, so your probiotic should be too. Look for a supplement that contains multiple strains. This is sometimes listed as a proprietary blend, although with blends, you lose the transparency of knowing how many CFU each strain contributes. Inferior brands might contain only one probiotic species such as Lactobacillus acidophilus. Look for the beneficial strains of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium, and you may also see species like Streptococcus thermophilus and Saccharomyces boulardii, among others.
The Best Probiotics For Dogs
Can probiotics make dogs healthier? Yes, they can! Few other supplements can have such a large impact on the dogs immune system and health. As we learn more about gut bacteria and the large role they play in health and metabolism, we work harder to keep our dogs microbiome healthy and balanced.
But you need to support your dogs microbiome by using the right probiotics at the right times.
Recommended Reading: Improve Gut Health Without Probiotics
Life Extension’s Florassist Gi With Phage Technology
“We’re big fans of Life Extension’s Florassist GI Phage because it is unique and it includes bacteriophages and a proprietary probiotic blend that’s been shown to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria and promote the growth of good bacteria,” say The Nutrition Twins . “It’s designed to reach the lower intestine for a greater benefit,” they continue, specifying that this is key since many probiotics don’t do this and that accounts for why they don’t work.
Bonus rec? “We live for their magnesium, too. So helpful during these stressful times, it’s like a massage before bed.”
Genus Species And Strain
Along with an alphanumeric, bacteria are identified by their genus, species and strain, per the World Gastroenterology Organisation Global Guidelines.
Within each genus, there are many species and strains, per the California Dairy Research Foundation. These are presented in order from the broadest category to the most specific. So, for Lactobacillus rhamnosus GG, the genus is Lactobacillus, the species is rhamnosus and the strain is GG, per the California Dairy Research Foundation.
Here are some of the most common genera found in probiotic supplements, per the NIH:
- Lactobacillus: This may help with diarrhea, as well as allergies, stomach pain and constipation, per the U.S. National Library of Medicine .
- Bifidobacterium: This good bacteria may help with constipation and airway infections, per NLM.
- Saccharomyces: This yeast may be effective against diarrhea and stomach pain, per a December 2020 report from ConsumerLab.
- Streptococcus: This is effective with some forms of diarrhea, per ConsumerLab.
- Bacillus: This helps with abdominal pain, bloating and constipation, per ConsumerLab.
“The most important thing to look for is the right species of bacteria tailored to your specific health needs,” Poe Mathes says.
Warning
The world of probiotics can be overwhelming, which is why the experts we spoke to recommended speaking with your doctor before starting one.
Also Check: What Should A Good Probiotic Contain
Does How Many Cfus A Probiotic Have Really Matter
This is a very interesting question that has a fairly simple answer.
You see, most people think that more of something is ALWAYS better.
Thats a fact that marketers have taken advantage of for centuries.
If one is good, two must be better. If five is good, ten must be better. If 1 billion is good, 100 billion must be better!
The truth of the matter, with regards to probiotics is the amount of CFUs isnt as big a deal as most brands make it out to be .
Theres still a lot of research being conducted on this very issue, but the most recent data suggests 5-10 billion CFUs if youre taking a daily, general probiotic.
And 15-45 billion seems to be ok if youre taking them for a specific ailment.
Anything more than that seems to be overkill.
But again, if low dose products dont work for you, talk to your doctor and see what he or she has to say.
If youd like to read more about this, check out our more detailed post here.
Digestive Enzymes For Acid Reflux
One area that deserves attention for acid reflux is the use of digestive enzymes.
We need enzymes to digest foods well. Simply put, enzymes help us break down our foods so we can digest them.
We have many places in our digestive tract that make enzymes: in our mouth, stomach, small intestines, and pancreas.
Our small intestines actually produce more digestive enzymes than our pancreas does.
What does this mean for us?
Lack of digestive enzymes due to an imbalanced gut lining could be a silent problem that makes your stomach digestion way off. Adding digestive enzymes are safe and can be beneficial in relieving occasional acid reflux and indigestion.
What can make your digestive enzyme production low? Inflammation, food intolerance, and anything that can throw off the gut bacteria .
Enzymes are a safe and emerging treatment option for many digestive issues, including Celiac disease. They can be combined with ox bile as well when needed.
Recommended Reading: Do Probiotics Help You Lose Weight
Lovebug Heres The Skinny Daily Probiotic
Lovebug Heres the Skinny Daily Probiotic is a supplement that comes in tablet form. Each tablet contains 5 billion lactobacillus sporogenes as well as 10 mg of plant-derived calcium.
This supplement also helps improve mental clarity, reduce bloating and gas after meals, promote regularity, alleviate occasional constipation, relieve occasional diarrhea due to antibiotic use or mild cases of irritable bowel syndrome.
Image courtesy Honu
Culturelle Daily Probioticdigestive Health Capsules
The Culturelle probiotic is made up of Lactobacillus GG, Inulin, hydroxypropyl methylcellulose, sucrose maltodextrin, sodium ascorbate, magnesium stearate, silicon dioxide and titanium dioxide. The lactobacillus improves your digestive functionality and has been scientifically proven to maintain a balance in your digestive system by preventing diarrhea, bloating the stomach, and gas. The recommended dose is one capsule a day meant for vegetarians, and it is gluten-free.
Read Also: Over The Counter Probiotic Pills
The Best Probiotic Foods And Drinks
Making sure youre consuming healthy probiotics through your diet is quite easy when you know what the best sources are.
The majority of probiotic-rich foods are pretty healthy too, so you get more than one benefit from your munching!
Here are 9 of the best naturally probiotic-rich foods and drinks.
Is Cfu Count Important
The CFU is the standard measure of live cells in the probiotic product, but it is not the best indication of the probiotics ability to support healthy digestive function.
There are a few different types of probiotics supplements. Firstly, the CFU count on a product label is often misleading. Many probiotic products, upon testing, have been found to have lower CFU counts than those indicated on the label. These products are not tested by any regulatory agency, so there is no assurance that the CFU count is accurate or that theyll be the most effective probiotic supplement.
Whats also important to understand is that CFU count has become a point of note in probiotic labeling simply because most common probiotic microflora are unstable. For common lactic-acid based microflora such as L. acidophilus and B. bifidum a steady decline in numbers of viable microoranisms ensues immediately after the probiotics are manufactured. 1 CFU count was introduced as a way to monitor the ongoing loss of viable species in such products, yet what is not commonly understood is that certain forms of probiotic microflora do not demonstrate this same instability.
Recommended Reading: Best Probiotic For Excessive Gas
What Are Ppi Drugs Side Effects
Using prescription medications for heartburn isnt benign. They have common and some serious long-term side effects.
PPI drug side effects include:
- Headache
- Timoprazole
- Vonoprazan
Discuss short term and long term use of these medications with your doctor as they can bring with other long term health issues.
I will describe some nutritional issues that can due to PPIs that occur below.
Small Intestinal Bacteria Overgrowth
Most of your dogs bacteria are meant to live in his colon. Small Intestinal Bacterial Overgrowth happens when abnormally large numbers of bacteria take up residence in the small intestine. These bacteria can interfere with digestion and nutrient absorption in the small intestine. SIBO can be caused by a few factors, including:
- Diets that are high in sugar and carbohydrates
- Reduced gut motility
- Drugs that disrupt the microbiome
Its estimated that about 80% of people with chronic digestive issues actually have SIBO. And the number in dogs might be just as high.The symptoms of SIBO include:
- Chronic or intermittent diarrhea
- Skin issues
- Leaky gut
Because SIBO is an overgrowth of bacteria, giving your dog probiotics will be like adding fuel to the fire depending on the probiotic. So if your dogs symptoms get worse with probiotics, it could be a sign he has SIBO.
Spore forming bacteria are a better choice if you suspect your dog has SIBO. These probiotics have a protective coating that allows them to stay in their spore state until their environment is safe. This allows them to pass through the small intestine and colonize in the colon.
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Align Probiotic Extra Strength
Price: $$$
Align is a physician-trusted brand that contains Bifidobacteriumlongum 35624, formerly known as Bifidobacterium infantis 35624, a probiotic strain that has been researched for its role in digestive health, including IBS symptoms .
Aligns Extra Strength probiotic label states that each capsule contains 5 billion live bacteria at the time of manufacturing and 50,000,000 CFUs up until the best by date.
As it doesnt require refrigeration, its a good option if you frequently travel or prefer not to worry about storing your probiotic supplement in the fridge.
Note that Align contains trace amounts of lactose, so it may not be appropriate for those with severe lactose intolerance.
Price: $
Bio-Kult contains 14 probiotic strains, including Lactobacillus acidophilus, Streptococcus thermophilus, and Bifidobacterium longum.
Each Bio-Kult capsule contains a minimum of 2 billion microorganisms, and Bio-Kult guarantees that the total bacteria count of their products is viable until the end of the products shelf life.
Each probiotic strain in Bio-Kult is microencapsulated and individually freeze-dried, which protects the probiotics from stomach acid and allows the product to be stored at room temperature.
Bio-Kult products are third-party tested by United Kingdom Accreditation Service accredited labs.
Bio-Kult is not appropriate for those with a severe allergy to milk proteins, but it is safe for those with lactose intolerance.
Features To Consider For Dog Probiotics
Bacteria species
Dog probiotics feature a wide range of bacteria species and strains. You should definitely know the genus and the species of any bacteria in your chosen probiotics, but you may even want to go as far as finding out the strain. While all probiotics generally improve digestive health, different species and strains have more specific benefits.
Youll find a large number of bacteria species that are good for dogs. Bifidobacterium animalis can decrease the severity of acute diarrhoea in dogs, and the AHC7 strain, more specifically, may also help avoid inflammation.
Lactobacillus acidophilus is excellent at repopulating the digestive tract with good bacteria, especially after a course of antibiotics, while Lactobacillus bulgaricus helps to generally maintain a healthy digestive tract and immune system.
Enterococcus faecium can replace good bacteria in the gut that have been eradicated by bad bacteria. It also boosts immune response and encourages the growth of other good bacteria.
CFUs
Dog probiotics list the number of CFUs per serving, but what does that mean? A CFU is a unit of measurement used to estimate the number of viable bacteria contained in each serving. In order to be classed as a probiotic, a product must contain a minimum of one billion CFUs per serving, but more is better. We suggest opting for a dog probiotic with between five and 10 million CFUs.
Prebiotics
Existing health conditions
Also Check: Phillips Colon Health Probiotic Side Effects
How To Get More Probiotics
There are two ways to get more good bacteria into your gut: fermented foods and dietary supplements. Fermented foods are the most natural source. Probiotic supplements, which are typically sold over the counter, are reserved to treat specific ailments as suggested by your doctor, and not recommended for everyday use. Plus, supplements do not have the same FDA oversight as medications do.
So, a big question remains: How many probiotic foods do you need? That’s not easy to answer.
There is no recommended daily intake for probiotics, so there is no way to know exactly which fermented foods or what quantity is best. Therefore, the general guideline is to just add as many fermented foods to your daily diet as possible.
Why fermented foods? Fermenting is one of the oldest techniques for food preservation. Mankind has been fermenting foods and drinks like beer and wine for centuries. Foods that are fermented go through a process of lactofermentation in which natural bacteria feed on the sugar and starch in the food, creating lactic acid. This process creates an environment that preserves the food and promotes beneficial enzymes, B vitamins, and omega-3 fatty acids, as well as various species of good bacteria.
Another way to look at fermentation is that it takes one type of food and transforms it into another kind. For instance, cabbage becomes sauerkraut, cucumbers become pickles, soybeans turn into miso, and milk can be made into yogurt, cheeses, and sour cream.
Live Shelf Stable Bacteria
In order to work their magic in the small intestine, probiotics must survive storage and transportation to the end user. Temperature, humidity, oxygen and moisture can have a significant impact on the survival of probiotic bacteria, with some probiotics requiring refrigeration within a specific temperature range to ensure survival.3
When shopping for probiotics, look for a clear best by or expiration date on packaging. Some products purchased online may require cold-packing during delivery to your home. Probiotic nutrition bars may or may not be a good source of probiotics, as moisture in the product may kill the probiotic bacteria.4
Foil blister packs are one way to increase probiotic viability. Another approach is the use of SBO probiotic strains that can withstand any type of environmental change retaining their potency through the harsh conditions associated with transportation and storage. These SBO bacteria are equipped with natural protection against various temperatures and do not require refrigeration.
Read Also: Do Probiotics Help Lymphocytic Colitis
What Is Acid Reflux
According to the World Gastroenterology Organization, gastroesophageal reflux disease is troublesome symptoms sufficient to impair an individuals quality of life or injury or complications that result from the retrograde flow of gastric contents into the esophagus, oropharynx, and/or respiratory tract .
In contrast, acid reflux can occur occasionally and isnt as serious as GERD most people experience acid reflux symptoms at least a few times a year due to lifestyle factors.
Acid reflux symptoms include:
- Need to clear the throat frequently
- Ulcers and bleeding
GERD can be serious and should be evaluated by your doctor or healthcare practitioner.
However, there are some important lifestyle habits that can naturally reduce acid reflux symptoms. And the fact is, reflux isnt always caused by too much stomach acid and common medications like proton pump inhibitors may not be needed.
It can be caused by many factors other than too much stomach acid.
Just so you know, functional dyspepsia and acid reflux are often one in the same thing as far as symptoms go.
