Enteric Coated Probiotics Review – Which are the Best to Buy?

Probiotic supplements are available in a wide variety of forms including capsules, tablets, pills, liquids and powders.

Specialized enteric coatings are used by some manufacturers to protect the fragile bacteria from being destroyed before reaching their targeted destination in the small intestine or colon.

The need for enteric coated probiotics is a hot topic of debate for health conscious individuals and probiotic manufacturers.

Proponents for enteric coatings say a majority of the healthy bacteria are killed off in the early digestive tract due to harsh stomach acids, but enteric coatings offer protection during this stage.

Opponents of enteric coated probiotics say the coating prevents most of the good bacteria from being utilized while it passes through the system. In fact, some people claim enteric coatings may actually be detrimental to the health of the person taking the supplement.

So, which is it? Are enteric coated probiotics necessary?

Probiotics

Digestive Supplement

Gut Health

Digestion

Immune Function

How It Works:

• Supports a healthy immune system & microflora
• Promotes digestion & nutrient absoprtion
• Combats pathogenic bacteria; Improves metabolism

Dosage:

Between 1 - 10 Billion CFUs per day

Safety:

Rated Likely Safe

Top Probiotics Products* ❯

View User Ratings* ❯

The Controversy

Beneficial bacteria found naturally in the human body are called probiotics because, when they are available in adequate amounts, they confer a health benefit to their host (the human). Billions of dollars worth of supplements and food products containing a vast array of these microorganisms are sold and consumed each year.

People interested in natural health and medicine often find that a simple adjustment to their gut microflora can provide relief from diarrhea, constipation, gas, bloating, flatulence, and bowel irregularity.

Other individuals suffering with more serious intestinal disorders like Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS) and Crohn’s Disease also report positive results with some types of probiotic supplementation.

What are Enteric Coated Supplements?

Enteric coatings have been used in the pharmaceutical industry for many years. They slowly dissolve to release medication into a patient’s system rather than breaking down immediately upon ingestion, beginning with the enzymes within the mouth, esophagus and stomach.

Another common reason for enteric coated medications is to protect the medication from stomach acids. A good case in point is enteric coated aspirin. The enteric coating ushers the aspirin past the sensitive stomach lining where, if it were released, it may cause upset and bleeding.

The stomach environment is maintained at a very low pH level (extremely acidic) so that unhealthy bacteria entering the system are killed off quickly and effectively. Unfortunately, these acids can also be extremely harsh on certain beneficial microorganisms.

Delivery of probiotic bacteria to their targeted destinations in the lower digestive tract (the intestines) has become an art form for some manufacturers. A few have even developed special double or triple layer polymer coatings which go beyond the standard enteric encasement.

Is Enteric Coating Necessary for Probiotics?

No. And yes. According to the American Nutrition Association, some probiotic bacteria do benefit from enteric coatings on the capsule or pill in which they are contained.

However, most of the common probiotic organisms found in the Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium and Streptococcus species, like L. acidophilus and L. bifidus, do not require any special enteric coating because they are capable of withstanding the stomach acids on their own, arriving to the small and large intestine largely intact.

On the other hand, less common species like lactobacillus bulgaricus and streptococcus thermophilus are unable to survive in the hostile environment of the stomach acids and thus, they require some protection if their target is the lower digestive tract.

Lactobacillus acidophilus, therefore, can be taken without the protection of an enteric coating and still be quite effective in the small intestine where it converts lactose into by-products like lactic acid.

But, a majority of probiotics are not consumed as single-strain supplements. Instead, they are combined together with other symbiotic probiotic organisms in formulas which have been specifically designed for people who are experiencing certain symptoms.

In the case of probiotic combination formulas, if one of the ingredients in the formula needs enteric protection, then it is likely the manufacturer will encase the supplement.

Side Effects

Some opponents to enteric coated probiotic supplements and medications say that polymer coatings on any medication has the potential for carcinogenic activity. Currently, scientific data does not definitively offer proof of this claim.

Another argument against enteric coated probiotics is that the coating is hot when it is applied to the supplement and therefore it kills the bacteria. To date, it remains unclear if this is the case or not.

Review

Many medications and supplements have enteric coatings to protect the delicate organisms within from the acids found in the stomach. One example of this is the Probiotics Pearls brand.

A majority of commonly used probiotic bacteria do not require protection from stomach acids, as they are able to survive on their own as they pass through to the small and large intestine where they proffer their health-giving benefits.

Whether to use enteric coated probiotics is largely choice based on individual preference.

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