Finding the Right Probiotic

You can find probiotics these days in a nice variety of places, including the grocery store, drugstores, health food/supplement stores, and of course online. You also have a nice variety of probiotics in pill, chewables, and powder form, as well as some food and beverage options. Not to mention numerous generic options and great brand names like MegaSporeBiotic, Gundry, Organifi, and PuraTHRIVE just to name a few.

However, while having readily available access to so many choices can be extraordinarily convenient, it can also be somewhat confusing.

This article will provide some tips on how to choose the probiotic that’s best for you. However, you should know that while probiotics have been available for quite some time now, many experts agree that there’s much we don’t know regarding how they work and who benefits most from their use. Click here.

What are Probiotics?

Probiotics are microscopic organisms, usually bacteria from the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium groups but they can also be yeasts and other organisms. These groups contain many different species with varying strains that have different impacts on the body, such as strains of E.coli and Streptococcus that can be harmful while others can be helpful as probiotics.

5 Keys to Finding the Best Probiotic

When looking for a probiotic, you should evaluate them by the following criteria:

1. Brand
2. Colony-Forming Units (CFU) - the number of living microorganisms
3. Probiotics species and strain matched to the benefit(s) you seek
4. Expiration date
5. Storage requirements

1. Brand - Look for a brand like MegaSporeBiotic that is backed by scientific research. Check out the company website and review research specs, if they are truly dedicated to research they will have conducted double-blind, placebo-controlled, randomized studies.
2. Number of CFUs - This is the estimated number of living microorganisms in a sample of the recommended dose. If you plan to use probiotics for daily support and you’re in general good health, look for an option with around 10 billion CFUs. If you think you need a higher dosage to begin with, you may want to start with 15-50 billion CFU’s. 
3. Species and Strains - No single strain can do everything you’re likely looking for in a probiotic. Look for a supplement with a diverse combination of strains that studies have shown provide the benefits you’re looking for.
4. Expiration Date - Even well-known probiotic brands like MegaSporeBiotic have a “shelf life” and the expiration date is as equally important as the CFUs as the product won’t do you any good at all if the probiotics are dead by the time you take the supplement.
5. Storage Requirements - It’s important to pay attention to the packaging and where you store the product as they need to be stored in a way that will keep the microorganisms alive. Moisture and heat will drastically reduce their viability and to maximize their shelf life, they should be stored in a dry, dark, cool location such as refrigeration.

Finally, it can be really beneficial to ask your doctor which probiotics would be best for you as they can make recommendations based on your health needs and medical background.