How Are Probiotics Measured?

Probiotics are measured in colony-forming units (CFU). This represents the number of viable bacteria or yeast cells in a dose that can multiply and form colonies. A CFU number on the bottle indicates the potency of the probiotic supplement. The higher the CFU count, the more live microorganisms are present, typically ranging from millions to billions per dose.

But potency isn’t solely dependent on that number: The effectiveness of probiotics also relies on the specific strains used and their ability to survive through the digestive tract. It's important to choose a product with an appropriate CFU count based on individual health needs.