How to Not Waste Your Money When Purchasing a Probiotic - 4 Things to Look For
Are probiotics even necessary? YES! Our world has become so toxic, it’s pretty close to impossible to abstain from the toxicity. From the synthetic additives in our food, the herbicides and pesticides on our crops, lawn care (aka extreme use of chemicals), air pollutants in our environment, antibiotics/immunizations, and heavy metal exposure just from walking by a construction zone, our immune systems need all the help they can get! Due to all of this toxicity we are hit with on a daily basis, taking a high-quality probiotic is crucial to maintain healthy gut flora. If you are someone who feels like you eat well, take care of your body, and detox efficiently and don’t see a need for a probiotic, think again (this was 100% me and I promise you it makes a difference)!
1. Quality and Morality of the Company
Do your research on the company! This is so important because how else are we to know what is TRULY in the supplements we buy. Who owns the company? What do they stand for? Where do they source their strands and what stability measures are put in place? You should be able to find the answers to these questions by researching and/or on the company’s website. Luckily for me, I have worked in the wellness realm for 4+ years now and have become sociable with the supplement reps, attended webinars, and even personally know those who started the companies I work with! I have built trust with them; therefore, I trust their research, science, and products. I have also been able to see their products work first hand with patients. Not everyone has this luxury, so do your research, ask someone you trust, or get with a Holistic Practitioner!
2. 50 Billion CFU or more
This is important due to the manufacturing process as well as the digestion process where many strands may not survive. During the manufacturing process, live probiotic strains can die after production and distribution, because of this it is up to the company to only market the number of CFU (colony-forming units) you would obtain after distribution (back to the morality of the company!) We also have to think about the digestion process. During digestion, acid and bile come to attack the food in order to break it down, and the same happens when swallowing supplements. Many commercial probiotics are unable to survive the harsh journey to the intestines AKA you’re wasting your money. Look for 50B CFU or more, formulated with MORE THAN that number of CFU at the time of manufacture, and acid/bile resistant + gut adherence.
3. Delayed Release Technology
This goes hand-in-hand with #2! As mentioned, the probiotics have to get through digestion and into the intestines without dying off so it can attach to the intestinal walls where they can colonize and persist. Delayed release technology helps them to survive digestion through a properly timed release in the lower GI tract.
4. Strain Legitimacy
Unfortunately, some companies will use probiotic strains that do not impart significant health benefits (cheaper). You want to make sure that the strains listed on the label are scientifically-proven to survive, adhere, and function in the GI tract. I mean, why buy a probiotic supplement with cheap or dead strains that do nothing for your gut microbiota? Here is a list of the top 10 probiotic strains and their health benefits formulated in the Designs for Health ProbioMed Probiotic that I take:
Bifidobacterium Lactis- supports gut health and immunity
Lactobacillus Planatarum- supports digestive health and proper elimination
Lactobacillus Acidophilus- supports immune health and proper elimination; helps maintain proper gut flora
Lactobacillus Casei- supports proper systemic and mucosal (GI lining) immune response
Bifidobacterium Breve- supports bowel function and proper elimination
Lactobacillus Paracasei- supports healthy gut flora and immunity, especially following antibiotic therapy
Lactobacillus Salivarius- supports gut and oral health (the oral microbiome is SO important and often forgotten about)
Lactobacillus Rhamnosus- supports immunity; helps maintain proper gut flora
Bifidobacterium Bifidum- supports bowel health and proper elimination
Bifidobacterium Longum- supports immunity; maintains normal function of gut flora
These strains all have a high resistance to acid/bile and a good-excellent adherence to the intestinal walls, which is where the probiotics colonize and persist AKA, you’re not wasting your money!!
Due to your gut microbiome always changing, true gut health is a lifelong journey! Implementing a probiotic is a perfect first step whether or not you are experiencing symptoms. I work closely with Designs for Health, which is the company I purchase all my supplements from and recommend to all of my clients. Their up-to-date science is unmatched and I have seen tremendous results not only in myself but in clients of all ages from taking their supplements. If you have any questions about Designs for Health or probiotics, contact me!
Happy searching,
Xx, Steph
https://www.designsforhealth.com/binaries/content/assets/designs-for-health/library/patient-education/probiomed-patiented.pdf
