Probiotics are bacteria beneficial to the body and can be found as supplements or in foods and beverages. These good bacteria have the potential to help the gut rebalance itself and maintain healthy levels of bacteria. . 

As a result, they provide several health benefits, including:

• Supporting a healthy bowel and immune system
• Promoting a healthy gut and regularity
• Helping you maintain a healthy weight
• Supporting healthy skin
• Easing bloating
• Reducing the impacts of stress 

Unfortunately, it's easy to become lost among the countless brands of probiotic supplements on the market today. And the absence of information among customers complicates the matter even more. 

That’s why we’ve put together this article that you can use to find the best probiotic supplements.

Strain types 

Countless helpful bacteria exist. Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Saccharomyces boulardii are the most popular probiotic supplements available on the market. 

If you want to take a probiotic supplement or are wondering about the type your doctor prescribes, keep the following in mind. 

Lactobacillus species-containing probiotics help repopulate the small intestine with friendly bacteria. These friendly microorganisms are an excellent ally for our digestion. They also give a boost to your immunological function. 

Bifidobacteria (Bifidus) dwell in our colon or large intestine. They create butyrate, a short-chain fatty acid that provides energy to your colon cells and helps them work properly.

 

The excellent yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae is frequently recommended to people on antibiotics. This yeast helps sustain healthy, tight junctions and protects against gut microbial imbalance by promoting the health of the intestinal lining. 

Look for billions of Colony Forming Units (CFUs) at a minimum

More is preferred when it comes to probiotic supplements. But, of course, it would help if you had a supplement with billions of organisms in it—trillions is preferred. The metric used to express the potency of a probiotic can range from 5 to 100 billion CFUs. 

The range signifies the number of stains in the probiotic supplement (more strains, higher total CFU). Therefore, those doses should be equivalent to or greater than those used in specific research. You can begin with a modest amount and gradually increase the amount of your supplement as per your health advisor's recommendation.

Read the label 

The product label of the probiotic supplement will inform you of the strains and CFUs. 

But there are other things that you need to know:

1. Look for essential details such as dose. It will advise you how much to take to achieve your goals. Check that the CFUs in each dose corresponds to the amount of CFUs recommended by research.
2. Check to see if the store you're buying probiotic supplements from is storing them correctly.
3. Check if it contains any allergens, such as soy or dairy. 
4. Make sure to store the product correctly when you get home.

Go for quality 

Quality is crucial in choosing the right supplements, and probiotics are no exception. Unfortunately, many commercial brands lack the technology to determine which strains are present in each dose and how much of each strain is present. As a result, it might lead to a useless or even unsafe amount. 

It is an excellent idea to use probiotic strains similar to those used in clinical studies. It is the best way to ensure the efficacy of a probiotic.

Diversity is your best ally

Your probiotic needs to be diverse, just like your gut. Go for a probiotic supplement that contains many different strains. Some substandard brands incorporate only one probiotic species, such as Lactobacillus acidophilus.

Instead, look for supplements that contain Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains and species like Streptococcus thermophilus and Saccharomyces boulardii. The more the strains in your probiotic supplement, the better. The diverse strains will help to regain your gut balance.

Make sure the supplement has effective dosages

It is better if the supplement has clinically studied doses of each Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strain (usually at least 30 billion CFUs) and information on the manufacturing date or expiration date.  

Avoid specific binders and fillers

Check out the rest of the ingredients on the label. Some commercial probiotic supplements contain unwanted binders and fillers, such as lactose or cornstarch. So if you are sensitive to these components they can produce unpleasant side effects such as gas and bloating. 

Check if your probiotics are rancid

Check the manufacturing date or expiration date, as the efficacy of the bottle can no longer be guaranteed after the given time frame. Generally, probiotics have a two-year shelf life from the manufacturing date, but contact them if that information isn't evident on the manufacturer's website. 

There are numerous high-quality shelf-stable probiotics available. These don't need to be refrigerated. However, you should know whether or not to refrigerate something by looking at the label. 

Stick to well-known brands

Whether you get your probiotic supplement from a store or online, buy from brands you know and trust. If you’re unsure of the probiotic supplement brands, ask family and friends for recommendations or check out online reviews.  

A reputable company's products are more likely to be adequately tested and evaluated than an unknown brand. Plus, they have a reputation to uphold so they need their customers to be happy with their probiotic supplements.

Wrapping it up

In recent years, probiotics have been the subject of intense research. These unique compounds can enhance various aspects of human health. 

They can help you: 

• Overcome diarrhoea, respiratory disorders, and several other diseases and ailments.
• Control your weight
• Improve digestive issues like constipation
• Support mental wellness 

The best probiotic for gut health, like anything ingestible, should be safe to consume. In addition, it implies that it should have no negative impact on your body or health. 

Progurt is a well-known provider of high-quality probiotics for gut health. For you and your family, we have a comprehensive selection of well-researched probiotic supplements. We can also refer you to a qualified Naturopath to guide you while choosing the right probiotic supplements.