5 Red Flags To Look For When Buying Probiotics

There's no doubt that probiotic supplements can do wonders for your health. But choosing the right one is incredibly important! In this article, we're going to take a look at the five red flags that you need to be aware of when you make your choice.

Probiotics have been scientifically proven to improve a number of different health conditions.

For Example, up to 70 percent of your immune system is in your gut, so replenishing your gut bacteria has major advantages for your immunity. Probiotics help to keep pathogens in check by preventing harmful yeast and bacteria from spreading.

Probiotic swill help your digestion too. The lactic and acetic acid they produce help to promote good digestion. Some probiotic strains even produce important micronutrients like B vitamins.

There's no doubt that probiotics can be tremendously beneficial for your health, but where do you start? No two probiotic supplements are the same, and there are some that you should definitely avoid. Let's take a closer look.

Here are the 5 Red Flags To Look For When choosing a quality probiotic.

RED FLAG #1: YOUR PROBIOTIC SUPPLEMENT UGES GELATIN CAPSULES

Veggie capsules sound good, right? Especially if you’re a vegetarian.

Gelatin capsules are commonly made from animal by-products, typically derived from cows or pigs. While gelatin capsules may not be suitable for individuals following a vegetarian or vegan lifestyle.

Veggie capsules are made from plant-based materials, typically cellulose or hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC). They are suitable for individuals who prefer a vegetarian or vegan option. Veggie capsules are generally well-tolerated and offer a good alternative to gelatin capsules derived from animal sources.

Probiotics are live bacteria that can be sensitive to stomach acid. These capsules are designed to resist stomach acid and dissolve in the intestines instead. This helps protect the probiotic bacteria, allowing them to reach the intestines where they can exert their benefits. These capsules are a good option for probiotics that require protection from stomach acid.

Vegetable capsules offer better protection and stability for probiotics. They are less susceptible to moisture and are generally more resistant to changes in environmental conditions. This helps ensure the viability and potency of the probiotic bacteria throughout the shelf life of the product.

Vegetable capsules are typically manufactured under controlled conditions, reducing the risk of potential contaminants. On the other hand, gelatin capsules can carry a higher risk of impurities or allergens since they are derived from animal sources.

Vegetable capsules provide an alternative that can be used by a broader range of individuals with specific dietary preferences or restrictions.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

Buy a probiotic that will get its bacteria past stomach acid. Probiotics that use vegetable capsules are 15 times more effective at getting their bacteria past stomach acid. We use Vegetable capsules in our probiotic and, for a limited time, you can claim 20% off your first order. Simply use the code PROBIOTIC to claim your discount on Gut Army Supplement.

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RED FLAG #2: YOUR PROBIOTIC CONTAINS LESS THAN 100 BILLION CFUS

Probiotics contain a certain amount of living bacteria per dose. Each living bacterium is referred to as a colony-forming unit (CFU). Clinical trials have shown successful results with supplements containing a minimum of 10 billion CFU and up to 100 billion.

Because some bacteria will always die during the journey from the mouth to the intestines, it’s important to take a probiotic supplement that contains as many bacteria as possible. The more the better.

A good probiotic should contain greater than 100 billion CFUs in order to provide maximum benefit.

Note that the delivery mechanism is very important here too.

Vegetable capsules offer better protection and stability for probiotics. They are less susceptible to moisture and are generally more resistant to changes in environmental conditions. This helps ensure the viability and potency of the probiotic bacteria throughout the shelf life of the product.

For example, 100bn CFUs in a BIO-tract tablet might deliver more probiotics to your gut than 75 billion CFUs in a regular veggie capsule. If you buy a probiotic with BIO-tract, it doesn't need to contain a huge CFU count.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

Buy a probiotic that contains at least 5 billion CFUs. Anything less is unlikely to be effective. Our Zeroharm probiotic contains 25 billion CFUs, and delivers more of those to your gut where they're needed.

FLAG #3: YOUR PROBIOTIC DOESN’T CONTAIN THE MOST IMPORTANT STRAINS

While there are hundreds of different probiotic strains out there, some have been studied more than others.

Clinical trials of certain Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium strains have provided evidence that some strains are not only more beneficial than others, but are better able to colonize the gut and survive certain conditions.

Research suggests that three of the most effective strains are:

L.ACIDOPHILUS: The most-studied Lactobacillus strain, L. acidophilus easily establishes itself in the walls of the small intestine. It’s been shown to enhance absorption of nutrients and improve overall digestion, especially of dairy products.

B.LONGUM: As one of the most common bacteria in the adult digestive tract, B. longum helps in maintaining the integrity of the gut wall. It also reduces gastrointestinal discomfort caused by stress, and increases the acidity of the digestive tract, which inhibits the growth of harmful bacteria.

L.PLANTARUM: This strain has been shown to help prevent pathogenic bacteria or diseases from establishing themselves in the gut. There’s also evidence that Lactobacillus plantarum induces an immune response that may protect the body from infectious diseases.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

Buy a probiotic that contains a variety of researched strains found naturally in the gut microbiome. Our probiotic has 12 different strains, including L. acidophilus, B. longum, L. plantarum, and many more.

Want to try our market-leading probiotic? Find it here and use the discount code PROBIOTIC to claim 20% off your first order!

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RED FLAG #4: YOUR PROBIOTIC ONLY CONTAINS A FEW STRAINS

Even if your probiotic has a high number of CFU, if it only contains one or two strain sit won’t be as effective as a product that contains multiple strains.

Each strain of probiotic bacteria functions slightly differently and has different benefits for the body. They’re also concentrated in different places throughout the digestive tract.

That’s why it’s best to choose a probiotic supplement that contains a variety of well-researched strains that have been shown to benefit the gut.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

Buy a probiotic that contains at least 6 probiotic strains. This will increase the chance of positive improvements to your gut health. Our probiotic has 15 carefully-chosen probiotic strains for improved gut health and immunity.

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RED FLAG #5: YOUR PROBIOTIC CONTAINS HARMFUL INGREDIENTS

Many food products today contain huge numbers of potentially harmful chemicals such as colorings, preservatives, and sweeteners.

These maybe added to a product in order to increase its shelf life, or to improve taste and appearance. But there is no reason for these to be present in your probiotic supplement!

A good probiotic supplement should contain as few binders, fillers, coloring agents, flavorings, preservatives, tableting aids, or additives as possible.

While additives such as colorants and flavorings may be deemed ‘safe’ by the FDA, numerous studies have suggested that they may be linked to acute intolerance or allergic reactions, or even may increase risks of serious long-term illnesses such as cancer.

Afterall, probiotic supplements are taken to improve your health – not harm it! Check the ingredients label on a product to see whether it contains any excipients (additives) that you don’t need.

WHAT YOU CAN DO:

Buy a probiotic that doesn't contain unnecessary preservatives, artificial colors or flavors. Our probiotic contains only naturally-derived ingredients that won't damage or inflame your gut.

Read more about our probiotic of GutArmy (and use the discount code PROBIOTIC to claim 20% off your first order!)

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HOW CAN PROBIOTICS IMPROVE YOUR HEALTH?

SUPPORT GUT HEALTH

Probiotic bacteria have been shown to improve digestion, reduce bloating and gas, aid nutrient absorption, and much more. An imbalanced gut can lead to diarrhea or constipation. Probiotic bacteria can help to rebalance the gut flora, reduce inflammation, and restore healthy digestion.

RESTORE ENERGY

Poor gut health is strongly correlated to fatigue and low energy levels. A healthy microbiome enables you to absorb micronutrients from your food, produce energy-boosting B-vitamins in your gut, balance your blood sugar, and sleep better. Rebalancing your gut with probiotic bacteria can leave you feeling more energetic.

BOOST IMMUNITY

70% of your immune tissue is in your gut. An imbalanced gut microbiome can weaken your immune system and leave you vulnerable to pathogens like Candida albicans, H. pylori, or E. coli. Probiotic bacteria can restore balance to your gut flora and support a healthy immune system.