Americans spend over $2.5 billion annually on probiotic supplements. Which makes sense because probiotics have numerous health benefits, from digestive and immune support to weight management. The main job of probiotics is to help you maintain a healthy balance in your body. When you are sick, bad bacteria enters your body and increases in number which causes your body to get out of balance. Good bacteria works to fight off the bad bacteria and restore the balance within your body, making you feel better. They also assist in digesting food and break down medications so they can be absorbed. But some experts warn that common myths may be keeping us from getting some or all of these benefits.
The main job of probiotics, or good bacteria, is to maintain a healthy balance in your body
Probiotics can be very beneficial for overall health, but there’s a lot of confusion in part because there are so many different types and strains. It’s worth educating yourself so that you and your family can start getting the rewards of everyday usage.
What you need to know when selecting a probiotic
While probiotics are very popular there are still too many misconceptions about them. Here are some common misconceptions:
Myth #1: Yogurt and other fermented foods are sufficient probiotics sources. You’ll want to include these in your diet because they provide a great base. But chances are you’re not going to get enough probiotics to enjoy the full health benefits. It’s hard to quantify how many probiotics you’re consuming. A lot of yogurts, for example, don’t state the amount of live cultures on their labels because probiotics are highly unstable. Also, stay away from yogurts made with added sugar, because sugar destroys the beneficial bacterial.
Fermented foods are the most natural source. of probiotics. Fermentation takes one type of food and transforms it into another kind. For instance, cabbage becomes sauerkraut, cucumbers become pickles, soybeans turn into miso, and milk can be made into yogurt, cheeses, and sour cream. The most common fermented foods that naturally contain probiotics, or have probiotics added to them, include yogurt, kefir, kombucha, sauerkraut, pickles, miso, tempeh, kimchi, sourdough bread and some cheeses.
If your intention is to boost your probiotics intake through your diet, you also need to feed the beneficial bacteria with soluble prebiotic fiber. Good sources are beans, bananas and artichokes.
Myth #2: The higher the probiotics count on the label, the better the product . A lot of people believe that if it’s extra strength, it must be better. That’s rarely the case with probiotics, because so many factors affect their quality, from the type of strain used and manufacturing process to packaging and shelf stability. You can’t always rely on what’s on the label. Manufacturers will often overload their products with probiotics because the strains they use may not survive shelf storage until the expiration date, and they can also get destroyed in the gut after consumption. So even if they are “supersized” there may be no benefit.
Choose a brand that is independently verified to meet its label claims. Then follow the storage instructions on the label because probiotics are affected by light, moisture and temperature. Don’t store them in your bathroom or on your windowsill, for example.
Freshness dating is critical. Consider brands such as Hyperbiotics that have subscription program. That helps ensure you’ve always got access to a fresh batch.
Myth #3: All probiotic strains are created equal. You need to evaluate what each strain does compared with your health goals, because each probiotic strain has different benefits. My advice is to keep it simple. Look for a variety of strains, as opposed to single strain products, that are targeted to your specific needs. For example, Hyperbiotics has several specific formulas including those designed for moms, kids, weight management or for people over 50.
Myth #4: The most effective probiotics are expensive and must be refrigerated. That used to be the case, but not anymore. Now many refrigerated probiotics are seen as having poor or inferior stability. Plus refrigeration isn’t convenient.
Myth # 5: Probiotics are not safe. That simply is not true, microbes used as probiotics already exist naturally in your body, probiotic foods and supplements are generally considered safe. Probiotics can be beneficial for both adults and kids. If your child has an illness that requires an antibiotic medication for treatment, taking a probiotic can help shorten symptoms. Probiotics can also be used to help relieve constipation, acid reflux, diarrhea, gas and eczema in children.
There are certain people who need to use caution when using probiotic supplements. There is a risk of infection in some people. As with any dietary supplement discuss your situation with your health care provider.
Always opt for clean supplements with clean ingredients. And remember: If it’s not survivable or it’s not the right strain, it’s not the right one for you. For more information on the health benefits of targeted probiotics, visit www.hyperbiotics.com.
