Probiotics products come in a variety of different forms, including supplement capsules, liquid products, enriched foods, bulk powders, gummies, suppositories and topical formulations such as soaps and moisturizers.
Determining the right probiotic product to buy will depend on your individual needs and reasons for supplementing with probiotics. These friendly bacteria organisms are used for a wide range of health-enhancing applications.
Probiotics have been part of the diet for thousands of years in fermented milk (kefir), cheese, yogurt and other fermented foods such as dill pickled cucumbers, miso and sauerkraut. These microorganisms are found naturally in the body and form an important part of the immune system.
Clinical research has established that maintaining a healthy ratio of friendly probiotic bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract is integral for health, digestion and immune function. What are the best options for probiotic products available today?
Gut Health
Digestion
Immune Function- Supports a healthy immune system & microflora
- Promotes digestion & nutrient absoprtion
- Combats pathogenic bacteria; Improves metabolism
Should I Take Probiotic Products?
Related Topics
- What are Probiotics?
- Probiotic Benefits
- Best Probiotic Strains
- Probiotic Side Effects
- Probiotic Supplements
- Probiotic Foods
- Best Probiotic Yogurt
- Probiotics for Children
- Probiotics for Women
- Yeast Infections
- What are Prebotics?
- Lactobacillus Acidophilus
- Lactobacillus Bulgaricus
- Lactobacillus Rhamnosus
- Bifidobacterium Bifidum
- Bifidobacterium Infantis
- Bifidus Regularis
Probiotic supplements are used to increase the population of good bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract, urogenital tract, and mouth. These health-enhancing bacteria confer a benefit on the host when they are present in high enough numbers.
In addition to aiding in digestive and immune functions, they also inhibit the growth of harmful (pathogenic) bacteria that can disrupt the digestive system, cause inflammation and result in infections.
Probiotics like those from the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium genera, produce lactic acid in the gut which helps to make the environment inhospitable to pathogenic microbes.
There are many situations in which the balance of bacteria in the gut can become disrupted, allowing more harmful bacterial organisms to colonize and replicate. Antibiotic medications, diet, stress, and digestive conditions can all cause the good bacteria in the gut to become depleted.
In these cases, using an oral probiotic supplement can help to replenish the good bacteria in the gut and restore balance to the microflora. This may alleviate symptoms of digestive dysbiosis, such as bloating, gas, abdominal pain, diarrhea and constipation.
Probiotic products are also used as a preventative or prophylactic, to support general health and well-being. Probiotic use has been found to counter the ill-effects of pollution. The body is less susceptible to damage done by pesticides and radiation.
Inflammation diseases such as IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) and IBD (Inflammed Bowel Disease) as well as allergies respond favorably to probiotic treatment. Probiotics also restore the healthy bacterial flora after courses of antibiotics.
Analysis of Probiotic Products
What should you look for when buying probiotic supplements and other products online? One area of concern in the scientific community is the labelling accuracy of and formulation viability of probiotics.
Some probiotics have been found to contain fewer live cultures than advertised on the label. This problem is unique to probiotics as these bacteria are living microorganisms that must be kept alive in order to exert positive effects.
There is some research that inactive probiotic cultures can support immune function. But for the majority of the health benefits linked to probiotics use, the bacteria in these supplements must be alive and viable when supplemented to experience benefits.
Furthermore, when probiotics are supplemented orally, they must be able to survive the harsh environment of the stomach in order to colonize the upper and lower gastrointestinal tract. Certain strains of probiotic bacteria are better able to survive the passage.
Finally, not all strains of probiotic bacteria have the same effects. Many products will only provide one or two strains of bacteria. However, in research studies, multi-strain probiotic products tend to perform better.
To account for these problems, it is recommended to look for probiotics that have been tested to ensure they provide the stated number of live CFUs per serving all the way until the end of their shelf-life. Products with between 1 – 10 billion CFUs per serving are the best option.
You can also look for probiotic products that use an enteric coating or some other form of microencapsulation to protect the viability of the bacteria.
Lastly, you should look for probiotics that blend together multiple strains of beneficial bacteria. It is best to choose a supplement that combines strains from both the Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium families.
Top Probiotic Supplements
List of Probiotic Products
When searching for probiotics for sale online, you will find a number of different formulations available. Oral pill and capsule supplements are the most popular, but there is a growing number of liquid products, powders, chewable tablets, gummies and other oral supplement doses sold today.
There are also a number of natural food sources of probiotics, as well as foods like milk, yogurt, kefir and cheeses that have been enriched with higher numbers of these probiotic bacteria. Probiotics are even being incorporated into teas, juices, salad dressings and a number of other food offerings.
In addition to the orally administered types of probiotics, there are also suppositories used to support vaginal health and alleviate Candida infections. Probiotic skin cleansers and soaps can also be used for cosmetic applications and to fight acne symptoms.
Probiotic Supplements: By far the most widely sold forms of probiotic products, supplements can come in gelatin capsules, veggie capsules, chewable tablets, enteric coated tablets, liquid drops or bulk powders.
These products tend to provide the highest dosage per serving and are more likely to combine together multiple strains. However, there is great diversity in the quality of oral supplements. Always seek out supplements that have been tested for purity and ingredient potency.
Probiotic Gummies: Probiotic gummies are chewable, gummy candies that are made with probiotics cultures that are not heat sensitive and that survive the stomach acids. There are a few different brands available, but the product range is still limited.
Most probiotic gummies contain Bacillus Coagulans which is a bacterium that shows benefits for digestive health and immune health. Some gummies contain prebiotics, which are a source of fiber and stimulate the growth of the live cultures of probiotics.
Probiotic Teas: There is a small selection of probiotic teas on the market. These products us a heat-resistant strain of bacteria that can survive the hot temperatures of boiling water.
These teas often combine probiotics with other ingredients to alleviate digestive discomfort. Kombucha tea is another option that is brewed using probiotic bacteria.
Probiotic Yogurts: There are many different flavors and types of probiotic-enriched yogurt available. Most yogurts contain the lactobacillus and bifidobacterium bacterium.
The brand Activia by Dannon, contains the probiotics culture strains, L. Bulgaricus, S.Thermophilus, and Bifidobacterium.
Yogurt is a natural source of probiotic bacteria, but not all yogurts will contain a high enough dosage of these microorganisms to promote digestive health. Check the label of the product you are using to find out about the strains used and the number of CFUs provided.
Kefir Products: Fermented milk (Kefir) is a type of probiotic that has been used for centuries. Kefir can be made at home using a kefir making kit or by purchasing kefir grains. Those with milk sensitivity can usually tolerate this type of probiotic culture.
Kefir contains the probiotic strains Lactobacillus Caucasus, Leuconostoc, Acetobacter and Streptococcus. Kefir also contains beneficial yeasts which detoxify the body of pathogenic yeasts. A popular ready-made brand is Lifeway which makes Kefir drinks, frozen products and farmer’s cheese.
Juice Probiotics: Juice based probiotics are a popular choice for those who are allergic to milk or lactose intolerant. Good belly uses the probiotic strain Lactobacillus plantarum 299v.
Probiotic suppositories: Florafemme is a popular brand of vaginal probiotic suppositories for vaginal yeast infections. These products are used to deliver probiotic bacteria directly to the female urogenital tract.
Florafemme contains the probiotic live cultures of Lactobacillus Rhamnosus, Lactobacillus Plantarum, Bifidobacterium Lactis, Lactobacillus Reuteri, Lactobacillus Paracasei, Lactobacillus Casei, Lactobacillus Bulgaricus, Lactobacillus Salivarius, Bifidobacterium Longum, Lactobacillus Brevis and Lactobacillus Acidophilus.
Probiotic Soaps and Cosmetic Treatments: Probiotics are also used in a small number of soaps and cosmetic beauty treatments. The brand Dr. Ohhira beauty bar is made from a fermented Lactic Acid Bacteria Extract.
These topical probiotic products are used to preserve the slight acidity of the skin, which helps to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria. Probiotic cleansers may help to combat acne and promote clearer looking skin.
- 5 billion live probiotic cultures per capsules
- Balanced blend of Acidophilus and Bifidobacterium
- Supports a healthy immune system & intestinal flora
Side Effects of Probiotic Products
Most probiotic products are very safe when they are used appropriately. In most cases, oral supplementation with probiotic bacteria will not cause side effects, but some may experience gas, bloating, diarrhea or digestive distress.
Probiotic products should not be taken by those with compromised immune systems, such as HIV and AIDS patients, organ donation patients or those using a catheter. They should also be avoided by those with short bowel syndrome (SBS) or anyone taking corticosteroids and other immunosuppressant drugs.
If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, you should check with your doctor before using any supplements. It is also recomended to check with a doctor before giving probiotics to young children or infants.
Some probiotic products are milk based and those with allergies to milk or lactose intolerant should avoid these particular products. If you are using antibiotics, make sure that you take your probiotic supplements at least two hours before or after any medicine dosages to prevent interactions.
Probiotic products are purported to have health benefits for the immune system and digestion. There is a wide range of products available today and some may be better suited for your needs than others.
Medical health care professionals can advise if probiotic use is appropriate. Also consumer reviews and clinical study results can help in the decision of which probiotic product is most suitable.
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