5 Things to Look for When Taking Probiotics

Before you take any new supplement, it’s important to consult with your healthcare provider — and do your research. When choosing a probiotic supplement, you might want to keep these points in mind.

  • In your microbiome, diversity is quite important. Each species (and strain) has its own unique set of benefits. The more types you have, the more benefits you reap. Look for products with non-competitive strains of probiotics to give you a diverse base to create a diverse microbiome.*
  • Check the label for strains that have been well-researched. Like animals and plants, probiotics are named by genus and species. Three of the most common (and well-researched) genuses are: Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium and Saccharomyces.
  • The probiotic should list CFU as the unit of measurement. This means “colony forming unit,” and it’s an estimate of the number of cells that are viable in a sample. The higher the number, the more support the probiotic should be able to provide.
  • Probiotics are living organisms (good gut bacteria). Look for language that says they are formulated to survive stomach acid. If your probiotics can’t survive the acidic conditions of your GI tract, they can’t deliver the benefits the bottle promises!*
  • If your probiotics are shelf-stable (meaning no refrigeration needed), they should be packaged in such a way that they ensure survivability for the probiotics.* For example, the bottle could be lined with a desiccant material to absorb excess moisture.

Choose the right prebiotic or probiotic for you.