Probiotics are beneficial bacteria that live in our gut and improve our digestive health. Incorporating probiotics into our diet has become increasingly popular due to their many benefits. However, with the many available strains of probiotics, choosing the best one for your body can be quite tricky.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Probiotic Strain
There are various factors to consider when choosing a probiotic strain:
1. Health Concerns or Goals
The first thing to consider when choosing a probiotic strain is your health concerns or goals. Different probiotic strains can help with different health concerns, such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS), constipation, diarrhea, and allergies. For example, Lactobacillus acidophilus is known to help with digestion and is helpful for people with lactose intolerance.
2. Strain Diversity
It’s important to choose a probiotic strain that has diversity in strains. This is because different strains of probiotics work differently in the gut, and having more than one strain can increase the chances of providing multiple benefits. Some probiotics contain multiple strains, such as Lactobacillus acidophilus and Bifidobacterium bifidu.
3. CFU (Colony Forming Units) Count
The CFU count is the amount of live bacteria in a probiotic. It’s important to choose a probiotic with a high CFU count to ensure that you are getting enough live bacteria to create a difference in your gut. A general recommendation is to choose a probiotic with at least 1 to 10 billion CFUs per serving.
4. Survivability
Survivability is the ability of a probiotic to survive through the digestive system and colonize in the gut. When choosing a probiotic, look for one that has a protective coating or is able to survive the acidic environment of the stomach.
5. Storage and Expiration Date
Probiotics are living bacteria, and their effectiveness decreases over time. Therefore, it’s important to choose a probiotic that has a long expiration date and has been properly stored to ensure that the bacteria are still alive and effective.
Types of Probiotic Strains
Here are some of the most common types of probiotic strains:
1. Lactobacillus
Lactobacillus is a type of probiotic strain that is commonly found in the gut and dairy products. It helps to break down lactose and improve digestion. It can also boost the immune system and help prevent infections.
2. Bifidobacterium
Bifidobacterium is a type of probiotic strain that is commonly found in the gut and in dairy products. It helps to break down food and produce vitamins. It can also boost the immune system and help prevent infections.
3. Saccharomyces boulardii
Saccharomyces boulardii is a type of probiotic strain that is commonly used to prevent and treat diarrhea. It can also help reduce inflammation in the gut and boost the immune system.
4. Streptococcus thermophilus
Streptococcus thermophilus is a type of probiotic strain that is commonly used in dairy products. It helps to break down lactose and improve digestion.
5. Enterococcus faecium
Enterococcus faecium is a type of probiotic strain that is commonly found in the gut. It can help promote healthy digestion and reduce the risk of infections.
Conclusion
Choosing the best probiotic strain for your body can be tricky, but it’s important to consider your health concerns or goals, the strain diversity, CFU count, survivability, and storage and expiration date. Some of the most common types of probiotic strains include Lactobacillus, Bifidobacterium, Saccharomyces boulardii, Streptococcus thermophilus, and Enterococcus faecium. Incorporating probiotics into your diet can have many benefits for your gut health and overall wellness.
