Choosing the right probiotic doesn’t have to be daunting. Whether you’re seeking immune support, considering a multi-strain formula, addressing IBS symptoms, or preparing for indulgence during the festive season, understanding how to read labels and recognising the significance of different strains can simplify the process.

How To Choose A Probiotic

Look for the number of live bacteria per dose, called Colony-Forming Units (CFU). You want a probiotic dose that contains at least a billion of organisms.^1a Different strains of bacteria do different things. So, consider what types of bacteria are in the probiotic.^1b Take note of how you should store your probiotics,^1c and look at the expiration date on the package.^1d

Probiotics Are Not One Size Fits All

The human intestine houses 400 to 600 bacterial strains, collectively constituting trillions of bacteria.^2a These friendly microbes help maintain optimal digestion, enhancing nutrient absorption and supporting the immune system.^2b

Various probiotic strains fulfil distinct functions. This is why different combinations of strains are most effective for addressing diverse health objectives.^2c

For instance, certain strains help promote the production of neurotransmitters, such as the “feel-good” hormone serotonin.^2d Others help tackle digestion issues and reduce inflammation, which may be helpful when dealing with Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS).^2e

Understanding probiotic species

Probiotic supplements contain freeze-dried bacteria in various forms, such as capsules, tablets, and powders.^3a

While there are endless species of beneficial bacteria, the ones you’ll more commonly find in probiotic supplements are Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, and Saccharomyces boulardii.^3b

Lactobacillus: Lactobacillus bacteria primarily inhabit the small bowel, following the stomach in your digestive tract. Probiotics with Lactobacillus species help replenish these friendly organisms, which are crucial in supporting digestion and bolstering your immune function.^3c

Bifidobacteria: Bifidobacteria predominantly reside in the colon or large intestine. They produce a compound called butyrate, which provides energy to your colon cells. Butyrate also influences various metabolic processes in your body, including insulin sensitivity (regulating blood sugar) and memory formation in the brain.^3d

Saccharomyces: Saccharomyces is a friendly yeast that’s particularly beneficial following antibiotic treatment. This yeast contributes to the well-being of your intestinal lining by supporting the maintenance of healthy tight junctions and shielding against imbalances in gut microorganisms.^3e

Why Choose ProbiFlora™?

ProbiFlora™ contains multi-strains of well-studied probiotics proven to rebalance the GUT microflora.⁴

The ProbiFlora™ range includes ProbiFlora™ Adult Intensive Rescue – 9 Strain⁵, ProbiFlora™ Adult Classic Bowel Support – 4 Strain⁶, ProbiFlora™ Adult Everyday Flora Balance – 2 Strain⁷, ProbiFlora™ Rx Intestinal Flora Care⁸, ProbiFlora™ Junior Everyday Flora Balance⁹, ProbiFlora™ Probiotic Infant Drops 3 strain-Regular drops¹⁰, and ProbiFlora™ Junior Fit For School Chewable Tablets¹¹.

ProbiFlora™ – the PROs in probiotic health – to PROtect you and your family with PROven multi-strain benefits.

ProbiFlora^TM’s range of products are available from leading pharmacies and retailers nationwide. For more information, visit https://probiflora.co.za/ and join the conversations on Instagram and Facebook.

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References:

1. Cleveland Clinic. How to pick the best probiotic. Available from: https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-to-pick-the-best-probiotic-for-you/. Last accessed September 2023.
2. OMNIBIOTIC. How to choose a probiotic supplement.  Available from: https://www.omnibioticlife.com/how-to-choose-a-probiotic/. Last accessed September 2023.
3. MindBodyGreen. Everything you ever wanted to know about choosing a good probiotic. Available from: https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/probiotics-how-to-choose-the-right-one-tell-if-theyre-high-quality-and-more. Last accessed September 2023.
4. Adcock Ingram data on file.
5. ProbiFlora™ Adult Intensive Rescue Professional Information, 26 August 2021.
6. ProbiFlora™ Adult Classic Bowel Support Professional Information, 21 June 2022.
7. ProbiFlora™ Adult Everyday Flora Balance Professional Information, 20 October 2020.
8. ProbiFlora™ Rx Intestinal Flora Care Professional Information, 2 December 2021.
9. ProbiFlora™ Junior Everyday Flora Balance Professional Information, 25 August 2021.
10. ProbiFlora™ Probiotic Infant Drops 3 Strain Professional Information, 27 June 2020.
11. ProbiFlora™ Junior Fit for School Professional Information, 29 August 2022.

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