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com

Probiotic Supplements -
Guidelines for Selecting the Best
by Jim Briggs

Probiotics is a current buzzword in the health food industry, with numerous health
studies citing therapeutic benefits. The problem is that there are hundreds of probiotic
supplements available. Pills, powders, liquids, freeze-dried and live cultures, single
strain, multiple strains, the options seem endless. So how do you choose the right
supplement? The one that is both safe and effective for you?

Guidelines for Choosing Probiotic Supplements

A set of guidelines entitled “The P’s and Q’s of Probiotics”, published by the
International Scientific Association for Probiotics and Prebiotics (ISAPP), recommends
that consumers should consider 5 criteria when comparing probiotic supplements:

1. Probiotic Strain
2. Clinical Proof
3. Packaging
4. Quality
5. Quantity

In this article we will look at each of these criteria in detail.

Probiotic Strains

Probiotics are bacteria that have a beneficial (symbiotic) relationship with our digestive
and immune systems. If you are new to probiotics, its important to understand a few facts
about your body. There are billions of bacteria in your intestinal tract. These are a mixture
of helpful bacteria and harmful bacteria. Ensuring a healthy level of beneficial bacteria
will keep your digestive system balanced and support its ability to function properly.

There are many different strains of probiotic bacteria. Different strains play different roles
in our bodies. Some strains will be beneficial for general digestive health and some will
be effective in combatting diseases.
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Some probiotic supplements contain single strain, others contain a combination of
multiple strains targeting a specific condition, or to provide more benefits for overall
health.

The most commonly known strain of probiotic is Lactobacillus acidophilus. This strain
is found mostly in the small intestine, where it inhibits the growth of pathogens and also
appears to have a beneficial influence on tumor growth and carcinogenic substances, also
reported to lower blood pressure.

Here is a list of other probiotic strains that you may encounter, with researched benefits:

Lactobacillus amylovorus - helps lower cholesterol and prevent cancers

Lactobacillus casei - beneficial for lactose intolerance, protects against listeria,
stimulates healthy cell function
Lactobacillus plantarum - helpful for sufferers of IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome),
reduces stomach bloating
Lactobacillus fermentum - to prevent and treat urogenital infections in women
Lactobacillus brevis - bolsters immunity
Lactobacillus bulgaricus - aid for digestive problems
Bifidobacterium longum - Studies show benefits in liver, breast, colon cancer research
Bifantis - a patented strain found in Align Probiotics, helpful for IBS and digestive
disorders
Lactobacillus GG - patented strain found in Culturelle, helpful for a variety of digestive
disorders
Bacillus Coagulans - brings control to digestive and stomach problems
Bacillus Subtilis - rids the body of bad bacteria in the intestines
Enterococcus Faecalis - a recreation of the natural bacteria in our digestive system
Lactobacillus Salivarius - helps to relieve chronic bowel syndromes
Lactobacillus Rhamnosus - stimulates the immune system
Streptococcus thermophilus - helps eliminate pathogens such as E. Coli
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Clinical Proof

You should make sure that the probiotic supplement you choose has been through
numerous scientific studies and is supported by clinical evidence to be beneficial.
The correct amount and strain of probiotic for a specific condition is paramount if you
are seeking relief for a specific condition. Reliable probiotic supplements will always
be supported by clinical trials and these trails and other research should be available for
you to examine.

Packaging of Probiotics

If not properly packaged, probiotics may lose their potency. These supplements come in
many forms:

Liquids
Pills
Capsules
Powders
Pastes
Food Products (incorporated into yogurts, fermented milks, miso, tempeh, some juices)

Which form is best is an ongoing debate. The delivery mechanism of the probiotics to
the digestive system is important. It`s important for the bacteria to survive the hostile
environment that the stomach provides and make it all the way to the digestive system to
get established and therefore be effective. Different types of coatings are available which
can withstand the harsh stomach acids.

Quality and Quantity of Probiotics

Probiotic Supplements are not regulated by the FDA. It`s up to the manufacturer to make
sure that they are safe and effective. To be truly therapeutic a single probiotic supplement
should deliver at least 1 billion viable bacteria per gram.

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For detailed comparisons of probiotic supplements showing strains, form, and

suggested usages, basic information on probiotics, how they work, what foods contain
them, what health conditions benefit from probiotics, and much more about these
“friendly bacteria” visit probiotic-info.com.