Did Your Probiotics Have a Safe Trip?You must be aware that probiotics are the good bacteria that are naturally present in your intestine to aid digestion, support the immune system and boost overall wellness. There are many probiotic-rich food sources, such as yogurt and buttermilk, which can help you keep these beneficial microbes in balance. However, chances are that your diet does not provide you the right amount of probiotics. This is why supplementing with probiotic drinks, tablets, capsules, and powders have become a common practice today. These supplements can be easily found at drugstores, health food stores, grocery stores, and online.
But, did you know that you might be spending your money on something that is not even delivering the promised benefits? Recent studies have shown that a huge percentage of probiotic supplements in the market do not contain any viable bacteria at all by the time they reach you, and thus, have no impact on your health.
The potency of Probiotic Supplements
The truth is, for your body to benefit, the supplements need to contain live and active cultures. Most probiotic products need to be refrigerated for maximum potency. When left at room temperature or higher, the delicate bacteria present in them can mature or proliferate quickly, or even die off, and lose their useful properties.
In all likeliness, this need for constant refrigeration is not always met while shipping the products or transporting them. It is also a possibility that they are not stored under conditions as recommended by the manufacturer. In both cases, prolonging the ultimate viability of supplements and ensuring their potency is unfeasible.
Thus, it is very important for you to understand the delivery system of a probiotic supplement – the form in which it is created and how that form ensures its potency during manufacturing, packaging, transportation, and storage. Exposure to light, heat, and moisture during any of these stages can kill the probiotic bacteria; rendering the supplement useless.
If you’re looking for a viable supplement, try Ultra Probiotic Complex or other probiotic products by GNC that are formulated using a cutting-edge freeze-dry process. This process not only ensures the freshness and effectiveness of the product but also eliminates the need for refrigeration, making it convenient to store and travel with.
Other Factors
Besides the need for refrigeration and ideal delivery system, there are several other factors that can help you decide which probiotic supplement will work best for you.
- High CFU Count
CFU, or Colony Forming Units, refer to the bacterial count in each capsule. GNC Ultra Probiotic Complex products contain over 250% more clinically studied cultures than any other.
- Specific probiotic strains
Supplements containing multiple strains are more effective because every strain has a different function and works in synergy with others to influence your health.
- Product expiration date
Since FDA regulations don’t require a dietary supplement to have an expiration date, providing this information on the label can ascertain a manufacturer’s product quality.
- Recommended Uses
Choose the supplement that specifically targets your problem. For example, GNC Ultra Probiotic Complex Capsule Women includes a specialized women’s health blend for urinary support.
So from next time, do not waste your money on a probiotic that provides no benefits. Pick wisely!
