How to Purchase the Best Lactobacillus Capsules & Brands OTC

Lactobacillus capsules are one of the most popular forms of probiotic supplement used today.

They are available in single-ingredient capsules or in combination formulas which may contain several different strains of probiotic bacteria along with prebiotics.

This probiotic supplement is used to improve the balance of the microflora in the intestines. The microflora refers to the population of bacteria that colonizes the human gastrointestinal tract. By seeding the gut with friendly, probiotic bacteria, it can improve digestive health and support the immune system.

Oral Lactobacillus capsules are also used for treating chronic conditions such as IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome), allergy sensitivity and fatigue caused by chronic fatigue syndrome. Some strains of Lactobacillus have been identified to promote weight loss and improve blood sugar control as well.

Lactobacillus supplements typically include several synergistic strains of bacteria, such as Lactobacillus Acidophilus, Lactobacillus Bulgaricus, Lactobacillus Rhamnosus, Lactobacillus Gasseri and Lactobacillus Reuteri.

Not all probiotic capsules sold today are the same; there can be significant differences in the number of probiotic organisms per serving, viability of the product, manufacturing standards and strains used.

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

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Uses for Lactobacillus Capsules

Lactobacillus capsules are used to restore the normal gut and intestinal flora. These supplements are often taken as a daily preventative measure to support the immune system and digestive function.

Probiotic capsules are also sometimes used to treat specific health conditions, such as antibiotic associated diarrhea, IBS, IBD, Crohn’s Disease, yeast infections, and more.

Lactobacillus organisms are also found naturally in several fermented foods, including yogurt, cheese, sauerkraut, pickles, kimchi and sourdough bread. The bacteria are used in the production process for these foods. Thus, it is possible to supplement the diet with Lactobacillus probiotics by eating more of these foods.

However, the dosage levels found in these products are quite low. In some cases, there may only be one to ten million live active Colony Forming Units (CFUs) per serving. Some probiotic capsules provide significantly higher dosages, of between one to ten billion CFUs per serving.

Best Lactobacillus Capsules

For this reason, Lactobacillus capsules are considered more effective for increasing the population of probiotic bacteria in the intestines. Certain encapsulated products also provide enteric coatings to ensure the probiotics survive the stomach acids and bile juices to reach the gut.

Some products may require refrigeration to keep the probiotic organisms alive, while others may use a freeze-drying method to preserve active bacteria.

Sourcing probiotics from a reliable source is important for supplement quality to prevent purchasing supplements with contaminates or other undesirable ingredients. Proper manufacturing processes also help to preserve the viability of probiotic products.

Research into Lactobacillus Capsules

A number of different research studies have looked at delivery methods for Lactobacillus probiotic bacteria to determine the best way to keep these organisms viable. Probiotics are living organisms and they need to be kept alive until they are used by consumers to ensure effectiveness.

If the probiotic bacteria in a supplement die off before that supplement is used, then the bacteria will not be able to colonize the gut and the potential health benefits will be reduced. Furthermore, if the bacteria in a Lactobacillus capsules are killed by stomach acids upon consumption, this will also reduce effectiveness.

Several methods for producing probiotic supplements have been formulated to ensure that the organisms stay alive both for the duration of the shelf-life of the product and upon oral consumption. When buying a Lactobacillus product, it is important to seek out these supplements that are appropriately formulated to provide a high number of live active CFUs.

A clinical study published in The International Journal of Risk & Safety in Medicine in November 2015 showed the amount of viable L. plantarum 8PA3 cells formulated with SPS (soluble potato starch) was high and remained stable when stored for 6 months at 4°C.

However, the SPS combination with the probiotic does not preserve the bacteria from harsh conditions of upper Gastrointestinal Tract. The study concluded when taken orally the probiotic composition should be loaded in acid-resistant capsules.

A clinical study of Journal of Food Science in March 2009 studied the improved method of microencapsulation of probiotic bacteria for their stability in acidic and bile conditions during storage. This method involves applying an extra coating of palm oil and poly-L-lysine (POPL) to alginate (ALG) microcapsules for the purpose of increasing the survival of probiotic bacteria.

The results of the study showed that the addition of POPL to microcapsules improved the average viability of probiotic bacteria when compared to ALG microcapsules at 2 hours of exposure to acidic conditions.

A clinical study in the Journal of Microencapsulation in March 2015 studied the improvement in the viability of Lactobacillus acidophilus NRRL-B 4495 during freeze-drying in whey protein-pullulan microcapsules.

The result of the study showed that the pullulan in encapsulation matrix resulted in a 90.4% survival rate after exposure to gastric juice and bile as compared to 88.1% for whey protein (WPI) encapsulated cells.

A clinical study published in Carbohydrate Polymers in March 2015 studied how to increase the survivability of Lactobacillus rhamnosus NRRL 442 when exposed to heat.

The method chosen was a combination of immobilization and microencapsulation processes using sugarcane bagasse (SB) and sodium alginate (NaA). These are natural polysaccharide product sextracted from the cell walls of brown seaweed that grows in cold water regions.

The study found that probiotic immobilization before microencapsulation significantly enhanced microencapsulation efficiency and cell survivability after heat exposure of 90°C for 30 seconds.

It was found that the microcapsule of SB-immobilized probiotic was heat protected by using microencapsulation of NaA concentration as low as 1%. The study recommended this method of processing as having good potential for the synthesis of heat resistant microcapsules for probiotics.

A clinical study published in Carbohydrate Polymers in October 2013 studied Sodium alginate (SA) at 2% and low acylated gellan gum (LAG) at 0.2% (w/v) used to microencapsulate Lactobacillus helveticus and Lactobacillus delbrueckii spp lactis. This study employed the internal ionic gelation technique through water-oil emulsions at three different stirring rates.

It was observed that at 400 rpm, the microencapsulation efficiency was 92.83%. An increase in shear rate reduces the viscosity of the flow behavior at 800 rpm and 1200 rpm, the stirring rates reduced the efficiency to 15.83% and 4.56%.

Lactobacillus Capsules Dangers

Common side effects of Lactobacillus capsules include bloating and intestinal gas. Rare cases of constipation, hiccups, nausea and rashes have been reported.

Probiotics may be safe for most individuals, but in some cases they are not recommended for use. Probiotics should not be taken by those with impaired immune systems or those using a catheter. Those with open surgical wounds and those with SBS (Short Bowel Syndrome) should also avoid taking probiotics.

Probiotics do interact with antibiotics and should be taken at least two hours apart from each other.

Unless otherwise directed by a medical professional, probiotics should not be taken during pregnancy or whilst breastfeeding. People with milk and yeast allergies should avoid products probiotics derived from milk or yeast sources.

Lactobacillus capsules are a convenient way to take probiotic supplements. Coating methods of making probiotic capsules that survive stomach acids and bile juices ensures an accurate dosage of viable probiotics.

It is important to note that not all probiotic supplements are the same and there can be important differences in the number of viable Colony Forming Units across different products.

Do your research to find a supplement that has an appropriate dosage of Lactobacillus bacteria and uses a proper formulation to protect the live organisms.

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