One of the things that surprises me daily involves the way people will come to me for help with “bathroom” problems. Most start out dancing around an concern, trying to be delicate, but many are so frustrated that they just tell it like it is. They have decided to try a probiotic because of some commercial they have seen on the television, but which of products available should they try?
Probiotics are the healthy bacteria that live in your small and large intestines, which provide many health benefits. In taking my probiotic daily, I find that I never have those “bathroom” problems most people say they occasionally suffer.
When selecting a probiotic there are 3 factors I look for in a good product:
Number of CFU's
A good probiotic should have a large number of culture forming units (CFU) in each dose. There are more bacteria in the digestive system than cells in the body. Adding more via a probiotic supplement will require a number in the billions to support your wellness goals.
Several different strains of bacteria
We have hundreds of different strains of bacteria in our digestive tract. There are very few of those that are available to supplement. To achieve the support you want from you supplement, I suggest you search for a product that contain several of the most dominant strains in the gut.
It must deliver the bacteria to the small and large intestines.
The small and large intestines are an alkaline environment. The bacteria that you are supplementing are bred to live in that environment. If the supplement you are taking does not protect the bacteria from the acids in the stomach, they are slaughtered before they ever have a chance of helping you.
For these reasons, I find that most probiotic supplements in a liquid or chew-able form are a bad selection. Be sure to make your health care provider a partner in your decision, as “bathroom” problems could be symptoms of larger health problems.
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